"Chase the Rainbow" Sterling Silver Iris Agate Necklace

Metal Materials in Bezel/Bail/Chain: Sterling Silver

Stone(s): Iris Agate (main pendant), Red Opal in chain

Chain Length and Closure:  17", lobster claw closure

About: Iris agate isn't a sub-type of agate, but rather refers to agates which have a very colorful optical effect: rainbows.

Agates which are both translucent/transparent and FINELY banded *may* show this effect if they are sliced super thinly.

Basically there are 2 things happening:

1. Reflection: The yellows and whites you as you look down onto the stone is what it look like in reflected white light. White light bounces off the SURFACE of the stone and into our eyes. This is not how you can see the rainbows. For that, you need to break up the white light.

Leading us to 2. Refraction: As white light passes THROUGH the stone, it hits the tiny, thin bands of the agate. This disruption is enough to scatter the white light, breaking it up into various rainbow colors! So, in order for you to see rainbows in your agate, you have to place the stone between you and the light source at a specific angle. Be careful not to blind yourself, please!