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MOSS AGATE
T he timeless charm of one of the most intriguing gemstones, moss agate, has crossed various ages and cultures without ever losing any of its attractive qualities, remained unchanged on a par with its magical
beauty combined with the perception of metaphysical properties. Over time, artists, artisans and stonecutters have crafted sculptures, mosaics, decorative objects and above all jewellery, using and taking advantage of the particular motifs and relaxing colours of the exclusive mineral. The key factors which contribute to the formation of the stone are the silica-rich solutions and the presence of various minerals during the process of crystallisation. These minerals remain trapped in the growing layers of chalcedony during the crystallisation process: when they alternate in layers of silica, they create motifs and colours typical of the gem. The specific quality of moss agate, which presents itself like a variety of chalcedony, a type of microcrystalline quartz, is its appearance from translucent to semi-translucent, with various shades of green, often like moss or inclusions akin to ferns. They are minerals, often
In alto, a sinistra: orologio in oro, smalto, pietre dure e perline, con cassa a goccia, in cornice d’oro incastonata con sezioni sagomate alternate in agata muschiata e corniola striata, il retro incernierato con un tondo in agata muschiata, il pendente, l'archetto e il terminale decorati con motivi geometrici e fogliati in smalto policromo champlevé e guilloché. William Ilbery, circa 1800 (Ph. Sotheby’s). A fianco: sigillo in oro, smalto, diamante, nefrite, con impugnatura ovale decorata su entrambi i lati da un pannello di agata
muschiata, su un supporto con motivo a raggiera incorniciato da diamanti taglio rosa. Firmato Fabergé, maestro Henrik Wigström, San Pietroburgo, 1910 circa (Ph. Sotheby’s). Sopra: esemplare di agata muschiata di forma geometrica (www.gemrockauctions.com).
Top, left: watch in gold, enamel, gemstones and pearls, with teardrop lugs, in gold frame set
with alternating shaped sections of moss agate and striated carnelian, the rear hinged with a round
panel in moss agate, the pendant, the bow and finial decorated with geometric and leafy motifs in polychrome
champlevé and guilloché enamel. William Ilbery, circa 1800 (Ph. Sotheby’s). At the side: seal in gold, enamel, diamond, nephrite, with oval grip decorated on both sides by a panel of moss agate, on a support with radially arranged motif framed by rose-cut diamonds. Signed Fabergé, workmaster Henrik Wigström, St. Petersburg, circa 1910 (Ph. Sotheby’s). Above: example of geometrically-shaped moss agate (Ph. www.gemrockauctions.com).
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