ArtFire

This necklace is one of a kind. I can however make custom necklaces similar to this one in other colors. Please message me for details. Click on the link at the bottom of the page.

I used leather cord, metal accents, agate, glass, Sapphire or Sodalite beads. I received the blue round beads as a gift and I am not sure if they are natural Sapphire or Sodalite. Natural stone beads are hard to decipher but they are beautiful just the same. I think natural stone beads have more character than a perfect gemstone bead.

Healing Properties:
Agates are among the oldest good luck and healing stones. In general agate enables the wearer to choose between true friends and falls ones. It is said to avert storms and lightning, protecting children from danger, especially in preventing falls, and to bring prosperity.

Scientific Properties:
Mohs Hardness of 7 with a trigonal crystal structure.

Agates occur in nodular masses in rock such as volcanic lavas. When split open, they often reveal in amazing variety of colors and patterns and a distinct banding that distinguishes agate from other forms of chalcedony (the compact, microcrystalline variety of quart).

The mining of agate in the Nahe River valley in Germany which was already documented in 1497 gave rise to the cutting center of Idar-Oberstein, Germany. Originally, the river was used to power the grinding wheels. When the Nahe agate deposit was exhausted in the nineteenth century, Idar cutters started to develop the agate deposits of Brazil, which also sparked exploration and discovery of Brazil's rich deposits of amethyst, citrine, tourmaline, topaz, and other gemstones.

Although the small town of Idar-Oberstein is still known for the finest agate carving in the world, today Idar imports a huge range of other gem materials from around the world.

I think this necklace has a renaissance feel