Tibetan Silver Wax Seal

Amber-orange dome rests in an ornate silver cuff of curling leaves.

This agate and sterling silver wax seal is from Tibet. Agate is a banded form of chalcedony, a hard quartz mineral, and its toughness and smooth polish make it a long-favored material for seals, beads and small ornaments. Rounded cylinder of glossy orange-brown stone, with dark spots near the top, fits into a band of silver. The metal is embossed with scrolling leaves and a beaded edge at the bottom. It is 1.5 inches high and 0.5 in diameter.

A warm stone in a well-tailored silver collar.