Trends

Cindy’s TrendTracker: Dendritic agate

TrendsFeb 22, 2016

Cindy’s TrendTracker: Dendritic agate

Dendritic agate, or “tree agate” as it is so aptly named in some places, has been popping up a lot lately.

052015_TT-Melissa-Joy-Manning-1168.jpg
Melissa Joy Manning’s limited edition 14-karat yellow gold and sterling silver dendritic Montana agate ring ($950)
melissajoymanning.com
052015_TT-Edgeworth-Jewelry-1169.jpg
A one-of-a-kind dendritic quartz ring from Edgeworth Jewelry by Mackenzie Law, hand-fabricated in sterling silver with handwoven details ($985)
edgeworthjewelry.com
052015_TT-Jamie-Joseph-1170.jpg
Jamie Joseph’s 14-karat gold dendritic agate jaguar head pendant ($1,035) 
jamiejoseph.com
052015_TT-Russell-Jones-1171.jpg
Russell Jones’ “Dendritic Pinch” ring features a shield-shaped buff top dendritic quartz set in 14-karat gold ($1,350).
russelljonesjewelry.com
052015_TT-Lauren-K-1172.jpg
Lauren K’s “Mischa” rings are available with an emerald-cut natural dendrite agate in 18-karat blackened gold with diamonds ($3,100), and with a square-shaped natural dendrite agate, also in 18-karat blackened gold with diamonds ($2,420).
laurenk.com
052015_TT-Ana-Katarina-1173.jpg
Ana Katarina’s dendrite agate cufflinks offer black spinel pavé in blackened sterling silver ($2,596).
anakatarina.com
052015_TT-Amsterdam-Sauer-1174.jpg
These 18-karat gold, dendrite and diamond earrings are from the Underwater collection by Bianca Brandolini for Amsterdam Sauer ($3,600).
amsterdamsauer.com.br
052015_TT-Susan-Wheeler-1175.jpg
This dendritic quartz and brown diamond pendant is made by Susan Wheeler ($5,620).
susanwheelerdesign.com
052015_TT-Barbara-Heinrich-1176.jpg
You can see the desert landscape in Barbara Heinrich’s morrisonite agate necklace, featuring hand-fabricated 18-karat yellow gold spacers, yellow diamonds and a toggle clasp ($21,670).    
barbaraheinrichstudio.com
052015_TT-Munsteiner-1177.jpg
This specialty-cut agate ring by Tom Munsteiner is paired with a Spirit Sun-cut spessartine garnet, set in 18-karat gold (price upon request).
munsteiner-cut.de
052015_TT-Pamela-Huizenga-1178.jpg
Pamela Huizenga’s 18-karat gold pendant features dendritic agate and diamonds (price upon request).
pamelahuizenga.com
View Slideshow

Dendritic agate, or “tree agate” as it is so aptly named in some places, has been popping up a lot lately. Opaque and milky stones are having their trend moment and we think this somewhat translucent leafy stone (and her cousin dendritic quartz) is adding interest to the trend.

What was once kind of hippie is now kind of haute, as more designers are setting the humble gem in gold with diamonds and other pricier gems.

Now’s the time to stock up on these interesting one-of-a-kind gems because the trend is prolific and the look fits right in with the 1970s redux happening in fashion these days as well as the interest in large, flat and fanciful gems. Here are 11 to try.

Michelle Graffis the editor-in-chief at National Jeweler, directing the publication’s coverage both online and in print.

The Latest

Karl Getschel and Bob Yanega of Smyth Jewelers
IndependentsAug 14, 2026
Smyth Jewelers to Open Fourth Location

The family-owned jeweler will open a new showroom in Bel Air, Maryland, this fall.

Stock image of a gavel
CrimeAug 14, 2026
Wife of Man Convicted in Jeweler’s Murder Sentenced for Conspiracy

Amanda Ileana Hernandez is married to Carlos Hernandez, one of two men in prison for the 2024 murder of Michigan jeweler Hussein Murray.

Cover.jpg
Supplier BulletinAug 13, 2026
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk About

Sponsored by American Gem Trade Association

1872-x-1052-July-ad (1).png
Brought to you by
Why More Jewelry Retailers Are Hosting Turnkey Estate Buying Events

Retailers are seeking new ways to attract customers, increase traffic, and create revenue – Estate buying events are a popular solution.

Two Pandora Talisman pendants
FinancialsAug 13, 2026
Pandora’s ‘Talisman’ Collection Shines, Lab-Grown Diamond Sales Fall

In the United States, second-quarter sales were flat amid soft consumer sentiment and lower in-store traffic.

Weekly QuizAug 13, 2026
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
Cuckoo Cuckoo Cadbury Conundrum egg
AuctionsAug 13, 2026
This Gold Cadbury ‘Conundrum’ Egg Set a World Auction Record

The 22-karat gold egg, sold at Batemans Auctioneers in the U.K., was part of a 1980s treasure hunt ad campaign for Cadbury Creme Eggs.

Picture of 2,488 carat rough diamond next to tweezers, a golf ball, and a loupe
SourcingAug 13, 2026
2,488-Carat Diamond, Largest Found in Botswana, Has a New Owner

Lucara Diamond Corp., which recovered the “Motswedi” diamond from the Karowe mine, sold the stone for an undisclosed amount.

Brought-To-By-Article-Top-Image.jpg
Brought to you by
Wedding Band Trends 2026: Personalization Takes Center Stage

Colored gemstones, artisan finishes, mixed metals, and meaningful details are shaping demand in bridal jewelry.

John Hardy Heishi Collection Campaign Imagery
CollectionsAug 13, 2026
John Hardy Infuses ‘Icon,’ ‘Heishi’ Collections with Color

The expanded collections now feature hand-cut gemstones like topaz, tanzanite, chrysoprase, chalcedony, smoky quartz, and fire opal.

Jean Dousset Westfield Valley Fair
Lab-GrownAug 13, 2026
Jean Dousset Opens Third Store

The lab-grown diamond jewelry brand’s newest boutique is in Westfield Valley Fair in Santa Clara, California.

Legacy emerald
SourcingAug 12, 2026
Eshed-Gemstar on the Painstaking Process of Cutting ‘The Legacy Emerald’

The gemstone supplier and manufacturer acquired the remarkable 104-gram Zambian emerald at Gemfields’ auction in May.

Surveillance image of jewelry thieves
CrimeAug 12, 2026
Elderly NYC Woman Targeted in Jewelry Swap Scheme

Two suspects offered to trade the woman a “winning” lottery ticket for her jewelry.

The Finsch Diamond Mine in South Africa, owned by Petra Diamonds Ltd.
SourcingAug 12, 2026
Another Diamond Mine Poised to Close

Finsch has been in business rescue since May, and owner Petra Diamonds said it sees no viable path forward for the mine.

Stock image of gavel, handcuffs, and law books
CrimeAug 12, 2026
Jewelry Store Employee Gets 20 Years to Life in Choking Death of Boss

Michel Patrick DeSalles was sentenced after pleading guilty to the 2017 murder of Omid Gholian, who owned a jewelry store in Manhattan.

Beth Miller Frederick Goldman
MajorsAug 12, 2026
Frederick Goldman Names New SVP of Sales

Longtime industry executive Beth Miller has taken on the role.

Verdura unicorn brooch
AuctionsAug 11, 2026
Verdura Unicorn Brooch With Royal Connection Up for Auction

The brooch was owned by Virginia Fortune Ryan Ogilvy, who served as a lady of the bedchamber to Queen Elizabeth II for nearly 50 years.

Jamie Cygielman
MajorsAug 11, 2026
Signet Jewelers Selects Mattel Exec to Lead Zales, Banter

Jamie Cygielman will take on the role on Aug. 24.

Richard Moore
IndependentsAug 11, 2026
Polly’s Fine Jewelry Co-Owner Richard Moore Dies at 69

Moore, Polly’s husband, is remembered as a family man with an easygoing spirit and a love for sports and the outdoors.

National Jeweler columnists Duvall O’Steen and Jen Cullen Williams
ColumnistsAug 11, 2026
Creative Connecting: How to Sell Colored Gemstones to Gen Z

Duvall O’Steen and Jen Cullen Williams share the best ways to display, present, and explain colored gemstones to younger customers.

NAJA logo
Events & AwardsAug 11, 2026
NAJA Announces Lineup For 2026 Fall Virtual Conference

The mid-year conference for jewelry and watch appraisers will take place Sept. 5-6 on Zoom.

Honest Hands Workbench Ring Builder
TechnologyAug 10, 2026
Colorado Jeweler Launches Customization Tool He Built Himself

Honest Hands Ring Co. Founder Benjamin Bosworth shared his thoughts on jewelry technology and why AI can never replace the human element.

QVC Group logo
MajorsAug 10, 2026
QVC Exits Chapter 11 Bankruptcy, Names New Interim CEO

QVC Group President and CEO David Rawlinson is temporarily being replaced by a familiar face, former QVC CEO Mike George.

State Property Lorenz Station Bracelet
CollectionsAug 10, 2026
State Property Puts a Ripple in the ‘The Voyager’ Collection

The brand also added two one-of-a-kind brown diamond pieces to the “Sanssouci” series of its “Gardens” collection.

Ostbye receiving Vendor of the Year trophy at 2026 IJO show
MajorsAug 10, 2026
And IJO’s 2026 Vendor of the Year Is …

Ostbye took home top vendor honors at the Independent Jewelers Organization’s show, held last month in Kentucky.

1872-x-1052-July-ad (2).png
Supplier BulletinAug 07, 2026
Why More Jewelry Retailers Are Hosting Turnkey Estate Buying Events

Sponsored by Stratus Estate Buyers

Blue Nile President Pamela Cloud
MajorsAug 07, 2026
Retail Veteran Pam Cloud Appointed President of Blue Nile

Cloud, who will officially join Blue Nile on Monday, spent 26 years at Tiffany & Co. and founded jewelry brand Roseate.

Paulo Garcia
MajorsAug 07, 2026
Pandora Appoints Paulo Garcia as New CFO

Garcia will take over from the company’s current CFO, Anders Boyer, who is retiring at the end of November.

×

This site uses cookies to give you the best online experience. By continuing to use & browse this site, we assume you agree to our Privacy Policy