2020-05-01_Lapidary_Journal_Jewelry_Artist

32 LAPIDARY JOURNAL JEWELRY ARTIST

BRIGHT AND UNUSUAL, pyrite-in-agate comes to the

market from Mexico and Indonesia. The shiny pyrite

makes a brilliant contrast against a background of trans-

lucent to opaque agate in white, light gray, charcoal

gray, or black. The pyrite pattern may consist of tiny

squares of the mineral lightly sprinkled throughout

the agate, or it might contain pyrite in large, dense,

amorphous shapes.

“I call this material a day-into-evening stone,” says

Diane Diengott, president of Dikra Gem, Inc., who has

worn the stone for years. “You can wear it during

the day with jeans in a simple setting. It is a good

choice for a rugged individual or a person who

prefers glitz.”

Because it’s subtly showy in itself, pyrite-in-agate

cabs can be set in simple mountings. But “it can

also be dressed up with pearls, diamonds, white

moonstones, and so on. It would look great set in

18K gold (what doesn’t?), but it will be equally at

home in white metal such as sterling,” says Diengott.

Smokin’ Stones

By Sharon Elaine Thompson

PH

OT

OS

:^ J

IM

LA

W

SO

N;^

PY

RI

TE

• IN


• A

GA

TE

:^ C

OU

RT

ES

Y^

DI

KR

A^

GE

MS

The Metallic Edge

What sets this neutral agate apart are its shiny

fl ecks of gold-colored pyrite

Smokin’ Stones

By Sharon Elaine Thompson

32_SmokinStones_PyriteAgate_LJJA_MA20.indd 32 3/16/20 3:40 PM