The design was made from pierced and hand engraved Argentium silver, a fiery blue-green Andamooka matrix opal and another Andamooka Rainbow opal cabochon at the end of the hand forged Argentium silver stick. The barrette stick has a tapered, smooth spiral design that helps hold the hair and barrette into place. I've always had a hard time getting this type of barrette to stay in my hair. This barrette works very well.... I find it easy to put into my hair and it doesn't become loose like other hair accessories. This is a totally hand fabricated barrette including the two opal cabochons Mark custom cut for this design.