Dyed oval blue agate drop earrings, rhodium-plated 925 silver, 12x14 mm

These drop earrings don't go unnoticed, and that's the whole point. Made of oval dyed blue agate, they are set on rhodium-plated 925 silver.

The oval agate measures 12 x 14 mm and the pair weighs 4.6 g. The butterfly back holds them firmly in place. With your hair tied back, their blue stands out even more.

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.

Your rhodium-plated 925 silver jewelry needs no special care. Clean it in lukewarm, soapy water with a soft cloth, then dry it. Avoid hard brushes, which can scratch it, and harsh chemicals. Over time, the rhodium layer may wear off: a jeweler can then apply a new one.

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.

925 silver is an alloy made up of 92.5% pure silver. Rhodium plating gives it a shiny finish that limits tarnishing. Designed to be worn every day, with complete peace of mind: our jewelry complies with the European REACH regulations on nickel, lead and cadmium. Each piece is hallmarked and comes with its certificate of authenticity. The hallmarking combines the 925 fineness mark and a sponsor's mark registered in the European Union; only pieces too small to be stamped are exempt.

For you if you like colorful jewelry that gets noticed, or for someone close to you who adores blue. Rhodium-plated 925 silver is hypoallergenic and complies with REACH regulations: it suits most sensitive skin.