Banded Agate Heart Pendant on Antique Chain

• Rolled Gold - A type of gold plating devloped in the early 19th century, similar to Sheffield plating of silver, where the the gold is fused under pressure and heat to a base metal, usually brass, and then rolled into sheets of the required thickness.
  
  The thickness of the gold plate can vary. In Britain the thickness of the gold is measured in microns. A micron is one-thousandth of a millimetre and 20 microns of gold is considered good quality. In the USA a differnt method is used that takes account of the total weight of the object.
  
  Also, the purity of the gold, measured in carats can vary, with 24 carat being the purest. The gold in most rolled gold objects will be between 9 and 14 carats.
  
  There are other chemical and electroplating methods of applying gold plate to a base metal, but rolled gold is considered a superior plate to a "gold plated" object.
  
  Depending on the country and date of manufacture, the object may be stamped "Rolled Gold" or similar, but if there is any doubt as to whether an object is solid gold, or some type of gold plating, it is preferable to have it tested by a jeweller.
• Agate - Agate is a type of semi-precious gemstone that is made up of silica dioxide, a mineral that is also found in quartz. It is known for its distinctive banded patterns, which are created as layers of silica are deposited in different colours including red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple. It is often used in jewellery, decorative objects, and other decorative items, and it is prized for its beauty and durability. Agate is found in many parts of the world, including Brazil, India, and the United States.

This item has been included into following indexes:

• pendants and lockets, design - heart shaped 775
• pendants and lockets, gold - gold, other 3,245
• pendants and lockets, set with - agate 90