Natural agate and moonstone bracelet, PVD gold-plated stainless steel, 18 cm

No clasp to fumble with: this bracelet simply slips on. It brings together natural agate, moonstone and hematite on PVD gold-plated stainless steel.

It measures 18 cm and its stretch cord adapts to your wrist. The irregular agate is 3 mm: wear it alone or stacked with other slim bracelets.

Agate is a chalcedony, a form of quartz whose crystals are so fine that they are invisible to the naked eye. It usually forms in the cavities of volcanic rocks, where silica-laden waters were deposited layer after layer: this is where its bands and patterns come from, never the same twice. It is among the first stones ever worked by humans. Its name goes back to the Achates River in Sicily, on whose banks the Greeks gathered it, as Theophrastus and Pliny the Elder report. The Egyptians, Greeks and Romans already made it into seals, beads and amulets. Today it is found all over the world, particularly in Brazil and Uruguay, and each stone bears a pattern all its own.

The stone in your jewelry comes from Brazil.

In lithotherapy, agate is a stone of protection, harmony and stability. It is credited with the power to ward off negative influences and calm the mind; it may help balance the emotions, regain calm in turbulent times, concentrate better and move forward with more self-confidence. Depending on the tradition, its virtues are said to vary with its color. It is associated with the sign of Gemini. These benefits have not been scientifically proven: they belong to the beliefs of lithotherapy and are in no way a substitute for medical advice. Wearing an agate is above all wearing a pattern drawn by nature that you will find on no other stone.

The steel of your jewelry can handle water: shower, rain or swimming. After the sea or the pool, simply rinse it in clean water and dry it, as repeated exposure to salt and chlorine can dull its shine over time. Clean it in lukewarm, soapy water with a soft cloth, and avoid abrasive products and rubbing against hard surfaces.

Agate is a hard, resistant stone, well suited to everyday jewelry. To keep it beautiful, store your jewelry separately so that it does not rub against other stones, and take it off for housework or cleaning products. If the name of your piece states that the agate is dyed, keep it away from direct sunlight, heat and prolonged soaking: even if the metal can handle water, the color of the stone could fade. To clean it, wash it in lukewarm, soapy water without letting it soak, then dry it with a soft cloth to avoid limescale marks. In lithotherapy, it is recharged for a few hours in moonlight, or placed on a quartz cluster or an amethyst geode; salt water baths are avoided for this stone.

Each piece of jewelry comes with its certificate of authenticity. Stainless steel does not darken and can handle contact with water: a piece of jewelry that goes everywhere with you, compliant with the European REACH regulations on nickel, lead and cadmium. Its gold color is obtained by PVD (physical vapor deposition), a coating applied under vacuum to the stainless steel. As steel is not a precious metal, it does not bear a fineness hallmark.

For you if you like mixed colors and jewelry that's easy to put on, or for someone close to you who loves bracelets. PVD gold-plated stainless steel is hypoallergenic and complies with REACH regulations: it suits most sensitive skin.