Enhancement of Agate as a Gemological Material for Contemporary Workbench Jewelry Through Backlighting
摘要
Agate, a type of chalcedony, is one of the most abundant gemological materials in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. This gemstone is most valued in foreign markets but, especially in regions where it is found in abundance, it lacks appreciation as a material for jewelry design. In contemporary jewelry, pieces may feature characteristics such as the use of non-conventional materials and non-traditional technologies, like three-dimensional printing and, in this case, backlighting. With investments in research and Design, it becomes possible to enhance the value of agate in Brazil, creating unique products that would benefit the local economy and generate income for residents of the areas where the gemstone is found in greater quantity. The objective of this work was to apply agate with LED backlighting in contemporary jewelry, employing workbench techniques. In addition, explorations such as the qualitative analysis of the visual effect of backlighting in agate, the analysis of backlighted agate by quantification with a luxmeter and analysis of histograms were conducted. A necklace was produced, exploring backlighted agate in jewelry design. The jewel contributes to the appreciation of this material, that is often used in less complex pieces, through the use of backlighting in jewelry. This can lead to a greater insertion of this Brazilian gemstone in the jewelry market, contributing positively to the local economy. Moreover, the use of backlighting enhances the aesthetic configuration and colors of the gem, which is sometimes considered not very attractive in matters of visual interest, showing that it is possible to eliminate the dyeing phase in the process, step that can be quite harmful to the environment.