Introduction
When we think of purchasing rings that have an organic, earthy appearance, the first option that comes to our mind is dendritic agate rings. Very few people know that the beautiful patterns on these stones are not made by plant fossils – instead, these dendritic patterns are made of manganese and iron inclusions. It does not matter whether you want these rings because you are hypnotized by their organic beauty or because you want their healing properties; you need to act like an informed buyer if you desire to purchase these gemstone rings.
In this blog, we are going to tell you how you can identify a high-quality stone for your dendritic agate ring, along with ways to care for and maintain your ring. But first, let us get to know what dendritic agate is.
What is Dendritic Agate?
Dendritic agate is a special type of microcrystalline quartz (or chalcedony) that belongs to the agate mineral family, the same family to which banded agate, moss agate, and Montana agate belong. Most of the dendritic agates you find in the market have a milky white tone, with the stone generally being opaque. On this stone, you will find captivating branch-like inclusions, which are referred to as dendrites. It’s interesting to know that the word “dendritic” has its origins in the Greek word “dendron,” which can be roughly translated to “trees.”
Mineral Composition of Dendritic Agate
This stone is composed of:
- Silicon Dioxide (SiO2): This is the main constituent that forms these agates, and it is present in the form of microcrystalline quartz.
- Iron Oxide and Manganese: These two constituents form distinctive dendritic inclusions, and they are present in the form of:
- Iron(III) oxide (Fe2O3)
- Manganese Dioxide (MnO2)
Physical Properties of Dendritic Agate
Below are the physical properties of this stone:
- Hardness: This stone ranks between 6.5 and 7 on the Moh’s Scale of mineral hardness; thus, it is relatively durable for everyday use.
- Color: This stone generally has an opaque body that exhibits colors like gray, white, or light yellowish-brown. On this opaque body, you can find dendritic inclusions of shades such as black or brown.
- Luster: Waxy to vitreous (or glass-like)
- Transparency: Opaque
- Specific Gravity: Ranges between 2.58 to 2.64
- Refractive Index: 1.53 to 1.54
- Crystal System: Hexagonal
- Cleavage: It lacks cleavage, and thus, it does not break along specific planes.
- Fracture: Conchoidal
Buying Dendritic Agate Rings: How to Identify a High-Quality Stone?
If you want to purchase a beautiful dendritic agate ring with a high-quality stone set in it, you need a basic understanding of the stone’s characteristics along with an eye for detail. Focus on the following aspects as you buy the ring:
Dendritic Patterns
The high-quality stones showcase clean, well-defined, distinct dendritic patterns that look similar to trees, ferns, or other plant-like structures.
So, for your gemstone ring, choose a stone with:
- Patterns that are naturally branching and tree-like, having beautiful intricate details
- Well-defined and crisp dendritic patterns, and not blurry or indistinct patterns
- Patterns with brown to black colored dendrites that beautifully contrast the background
Also, ensure:
- The patterns are distributed throughout the stone in an aesthetically charming manner that captivates the viewer.
- The patterns vary in size and complexity, and thus, they give depth to the stone and spark the viewer’s visual interest.
Surface Quality of the Stone
You can check if your dendritic agate ring has a high-quality stone by examining the surface quality of the stone. High-quality stones have a smooth, polished surface with the absence of any cracks or blemishes. In other words, while purchasing the ring, you need to ensure that:
- The stone’s surface is free from any pits, chips, or scratches.
- There are no visible fractures or fissures that run through the stone.
- The polish is consistent and even across the entire surface of the stone.
- The stone showcases waxy to glass-like luster.
Stone that is Not Treated
High-quality dendritic agate stones are always natural and never treated or dyed. This means:
- You need to examine your stone’s color distribution. Natural stones have subtle variations in color, whereas dyed stones have bright and uniform coloration that appears unnatural – you should be wary of this fact as you examine the stone.
- You ought to double-check for the concentration of colors at specific spots on your stone. Dyed stones have colors concentrated along the cracks or along the edges.
- You must observe your dendritic agate ring with a loupe or magnifying glass. Here, you should look for dye residue within the surface imperfections of the stone.
- Last but not least, you need to see the ring’s price – if the deal seems too good to be true, chances are you are receiving a treated or dyed stone.
Cleaning and Maintaining Your Dendritic Agate Rings
Cleaning Your Dendritic Agate Ring
- First, you need to prepare your cleaning solution. All you have to do here is mix warm water with 10-15 drops of mild soap in a glass bowl. You must ensure that the water is not hot, as extreme temperatures can damage the agate stone.
- Then, you should soak your ring in this solution for 15-30 minutes. As the ring stays inside the solution, the dirt and oils that have accumulated on the ring’s surface will loosen.
- Next, you have to gently use a soft-bristled toothbrush to clean your ring. You need to pay special attention to the crevices and back side of the ring because dirt and grime often accumulate at these places. It is recommended that while brushing the ring with the toothbrush, you use light, circular motions – this will remove all the dirt and grime without scratching the 925 sterling silver or stone.
- Lastly, you have to rinse the ring thoroughly under cool running water and remove all the soap residue that is left on the ring. Post rinsing, the only thing that is left is to gently pat dry your ring with a soft towel or a lint-free cloth. Just be sure that before storing, your ring has dried completely.
- As a word of caution, you must know never to use steam cleaners, ultrasonic cleaners, and harsh chemicals (like bleach or detergents) for cleaning your dendritic agate ring. These can damage the stone and affect the beautiful dendritic patterns of the stone.
Maintaining Your Dendritic Agate Ring
- Try getting your ring inspected by a jeweler once every six months. If the jeweler recommends professional cleaning because of reasons like tarnishing of sterling silver, leave the ring with the jeweler and let him clean the ring.
- Inspect your ring regularly – check if the stone is tightly set on the ring and if there are signs of wear in the stone setting.
- While storing, keep your ring in a velvet-lined jewelry box or a soft pouch so that the ring does not get scratched by other harder stones.
- Always ensure that you remove your dendritic agate ring when using lotions, perfumes, makeup, and other beauty products because all these products contain chemicals that can damage the ring.
Conclusion
Looking at dendritic agate rings, it appears as if a genius artist has painted breathtaking scenes that show the beauty of mother nature. If you are hunting for these rings online, things are very easy. There are countless e-commerce stores that deal in dendritic agate jewelry, like rings, earrings, and pendants. You can even find sellers on websites like Rananjay Exports if you want something unique and antique. However, if you want to purchase these rings at wholesale rates, things become tough because there are very few gemstone jewelry manufacturers and suppliers that sell these rings at wholesale prices.
You would be pleased to know that we, Rananjay Exports, sell dendritic agate rings and a wide variety of other gemstone rings at wholesale rates. We are India’s biggest wholesale gemstone jewelry manufacturers and suppliers, and within our inventory, you can find 925 sterling silver jewelry of more than 200+ different gemstones. From casting jewelry and handmade jewelry to custom jewelry and designer jewelry, our inventory satisfies all sorts of jewelry needs. So order from our wide range of wholesale gemstone jewelry that we craft with love and care!
