Gem Profile- Fordite

by Judy Ellis

Automotive paint is one of those small things that is taken for granted, yet we tend to choose a vehicle based on the color of the paint even more than the color of the upholstery! When Henry Ford first started rolling his products off the assembly line, he was asked what colors the vehicles came in. He replied, "Any color you want, as long as it's black!" The painting process at this time was very time-consuming and tedious taking several days to paint, with a brush, each layer of black lacquer and allow it to dry. The workers at Ford Motors would rub the entire chassis down with pumice between each layer as well. This process often caused a bottle neck at the factory and slowed production. There had to be a better way.

Enter the DuPont Company

In 1924, DuPont and General Motors developed a nitrocellulose paint lacquer.

It dried fast and came in colors, with blue most popular.

They also created a sprayer that eliminated brushing.

This air-dried lacquer sped up factory production.

In the 1930s, enamel paint replaced lacquer.

It baked onto the car's frame and lasted longer with better shine.

Cars moved on assembly stands into painting rooms, got sprayed, baked, then continued down the line.

Paint overspray baked onto walls and stands, forming a hard, thick product.

Red Heart Fordite Pendant by Joan Madouse in sterling silver-filled wire and Red Fordite pendant wire wrapped in silver-filled wire by Joan Madouse.

Over time, paint layers built up on sleds and walls.

This made it hard to pull car chassis through the painting process.

Workers chipped off the paint.

In the 1960s and 70s, acrylic paint arrived.

It proved more durable and weather-resistant than enamel.

Vibrant acrylic layers formed on overspray, which workers cleared, shaped, and took home. Voila...Fordite, or Motor Agate, was born!

These Fordite cabochons are courtesy of Becky House.

About Fordite

Fordite is not really a gemstone, but the buildup of layer upon layer of acrylic enamel paint that has been baked over and over again, making it very hard and durable.

This purple, black, and white Fordite cabochon almost looks like birds-eye rhyolite, with the many small eyes! Wrapped by Joan Madouse.

The lapidary process for Fordite resembles that of other stones.

Care is needed due to defined layers and possible hairline cracks from factory removal.

No Mohs hardness data exists, but it rates medium-hard.

Earlier specimens may feel softer from older paint composition.

That's recycling!

Lee Zimmerman kindly allowed us to show you this image of Fordite rough, one that he has used to cut cabs from.

Fordite paint is acrylic and contains lead.

Lead enters the body through breathing, mucus membranes, ingestion, or cuts.

Inorganic lead in paint does not absorb easily through skin.

Unless you eat it, wearing Fordite poses no real danger.

Fordite types vary: some show separated colors with primer layers and banding.

Others feature color-on-color with metallics and limited ranges.

Drips and swirls from walls and floors create neat patterns.

Joan Madouse wrapped this blue Fordite diamond-shaped pendant in sterling silver-filled wire.

It could nearly have a bit of druzy in the middle!

Where is Fordite from?

Fordite comes from several places.

Great Britain offers beautiful specimens with opaque colors, metallic sheens, and some transparent layers.

Detroit Fordite, American in origin, usually features a gray primer layer between vibrant colors.

Ohio Fordite, from van-painting factories, shows earth tones like green and brown, or 70s vibrants such as yellow, orange, and bright blues.

Pictured:
Wavy Fordite Pendant by Joan Madouse in silver-filled wire and a Fordite piece, wrapped by Joan Madouse, almost looks like it could be a thunder egg!

Why Fordite is a Collector's Item

Automobiles are no longer painted in this way today, because the painting process is automated and the chassis charged to attract the paint molecules, so there is virtually no waste.

Because of this, Fordite is a finite material that is quickly running out, but what a great piece of automotive history!

Gem Profile- Fordite

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