Mexican Fire Agate Pendant | 14kt

A Bit About The Piece:

Simple yellow gold fire agate bezel pendant that can be worn by men and women.

Details, details...

The Stone: Fire Agate

• stone measurements: 18.16mm (0.7") x 14.24mm  (0.6") x 5.5mm
• origin: Northern Mexico
• freeform pear shaped cabochon cut
  
• predominantly green with yellow and purple overtones and orange undertones
  

The Setting: Cast Bezel Set Solitaire Pendant

• 14kt yellow gold, solid
• North-South stone orientation
• bail opening width: 3.4mm
  
• pendant length (from top of bail): 1.2 inches
• pendant width: 0.66 inches
• weight: 4.72 grams
• Handmade in Anaheim, California, USA
  
• chain not included

About Fire Agate:

Gem limonite, more commonly referred to as "fire agate" in the trade, is an unlikely combination of several minerals that find themselves encapsulated in agate, a variety of quartz.  Higher grade stones are iridescent and glow similar to opal, changing vivid colors when held at different angles.  It has become increasingly more difficult to find quality gem grade material on the market; the Slaughter Mountain deposit, known for producing some of the world's finest rough, sits on the San Carlos Apache reservation in Arizona.  Outsiders are charged hefty fees to mine with most excursions being fruitless.  Specialists in the field insist that what little high grade material is left on the market today is actually older material mined in the 1970's.  This is also believed to be the case of material from the high quality Deer Creek (also Arizona) and Mexico deposits as well.

While gem limonite is not a variety of agate (despite being called "fire agate" by most in the industry), being encapsulated in agate has its advantages.  Though the material only ranks 6 to 7 on the Mohs hardness scale, it has an incredible toughness.  This means that stones can scratch but cannot easily be broken.  Gem limonite makes perfect rings for those who work a lot with their hands and want a piece of jewelry they can wear every single day.  It can be safely used in both engagement rings and men's rings, as well as make a durable alternative option for those considering opal.  Gem limonite can safely be used with chemical jewelry cleaners.

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