Art Deco Ostby & Barton Dendritic Agate Ring

There is no other stone that can take you on an adventurous journey with only a mere glance like dendritic agate.

Hand cut by skilled lapidaries to enhance the picturesque qualities of each stone, dendritic agate has been coveted by jewelers and jewelry enthusiasts since the 1700s.

Interestingly, dendritic agates are not true agates. They actually are a variety of chalcedony quartz with markings known as dendrites -- deriving from the Greek word dendron for tree.

While it may appear as if each stone is encasing organic, plant-like material, the dark, woodsy markings are actually inclusions with traces of iron or manganese, which crystallize inside the agate’s fine surface fractures and create the whimsical woodland motifs.

This particular slice of agate is quite interesting as it evokes visions of fallen autumn leaves dotting a sidewalk or a clear woodland path. It is set in a lovely sterling silver Art Deco setting with highly decorative shoulders.

Adding to its intrigue, this beautiful ring was made by famed jewelry company Ostby & Barton. After founder Engelhart Ostby sadly perished on the Titanic (you can read more about his story here), his children took the helm of the business and continued to create exquisite jewelry well into the 1950s.