I am convinced my BA has discoloured significantly. It was closer to my lapis years ago and the motifs were all similar colour. Now some of the motifs have turned a grey colour. It is still a beautiful piece and my necklace is sentimental so I will not replace stones unless they break. Here is a pic from when I recently cleaned my jewellery to show the mismatched bracelet stones.
Blue Agate Fading?
- Thread starter lynne_ross
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How terribly sad! I clearly see the mismatch of shades of blue within your bracelet.
Even though I don’t own a Lapis, I do remember initially feeling my BA was a “dark blue, similar to Lapis.”
I’ve had my bracelet for 5 years. I do admit I wore it pretty much 24.7 for a couple years, including in the shower - so the loss of color may be my fault. I thought I was going a bit crazy with how much the blue doesn’t look like blue anymore…
Have you been more cautious with your BA before noticing the discoloration?
I appreciate your photo and sharing
. I don’t plan on replacing my stones until Fall/Winter..it may take some time to find the correct shade. Once replaced, I’ll have to see if the color fades again…
Has anyone else had issues with their BA VA fading or losing color? Or any VA stone losing color?
I’ve owned my BA bracelet since 2020. I know it used to be a deeper shade of blue, but has since gotten dull. It shocked me in 2023, when I added the 10 Motif necklace - which was much more vibrant.
At the time, I asked my SA if the BA should fade or change colors? She noted the stones will vary in color (which I knew), but it should not change in color.
Fast forward to this month, when I received my BA earrings. Now I realize my BA 10 Motif has slightly changed in color as well.
I wore my bracelet pretty much 24.7, on and off, for a couple years. It was exposed to water and soap, but no pools or anything.
I’ve only worn my 10 Motif a handful of times, and it hasn’t even been a full two years since I’ve owned it.
Planning on having the stones on my bracelet replaced later this year (for a fee, of course). At that point I plan on taking photos of its color, and will see if it again changes over time.
I love VCA and will continue buying VCA. This really has me puzzled, and made me a little sad. I love the pop of blue, which is why the stone is in my collection.
Thank you to @lynne_ross for noting that your BA has turned more grey.
- First and second photos are of my bracelet in 2020.
- Third photo is of my 10 Motif in August 2023.
- Fourth photo is now (April 2025).
You can see the change in color in both the bracelet and necklace; the necklace now looks like a mix between the new earrings and old, faded bracelet.
I’ve owned my BA bracelet since 2020. I know it used to be a deeper shade of blue, but has since gotten dull. It shocked me in 2023, when I added the 10 Motif necklace - which was much more vibrant.
At the time, I asked my SA if the BA should fade or change colors? She noted the stones will vary in color (which I knew), but it should not change in color.
Fast forward to this month, when I received my BA earrings. Now I realize my BA 10 Motif has slightly changed in color as well.
I wore my bracelet pretty much 24.7, on and off, for a couple years. It was exposed to water and soap, but no pools or anything.
I’ve only worn my 10 Motif a handful of times, and it hasn’t even been a full two years since I’ve owned it.
Planning on having the stones on my bracelet replaced later this year (for a fee, of course). At that point I plan on taking photos of its color, and will see if it again changes over time.
I love VCA and will continue buying VCA. This really has me puzzled, and made me a little sad. I love the pop of blue, which is why the stone is in my collection.
Thank you to @lynne_ross for noting that your BA has turned more grey.
- First and second photos are of my bracelet in 2020.
- Third photo is of my 10 Motif in August 2023.
- Fourth photo is now (April 2025).
You can see the change in color in both the bracelet and necklace; the necklace now looks like a mix between the new earrings and old, faded bracelet.
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Wow I didn't know that was a possibility beforehand. That's really disappointing.
I wonder if my tiger eye and carnelian can change too. I do get the bracelet wet on occasion when I wash up and I tend to get sweaty so my necklace definitely picks that up.
I wonder if my tiger eye and carnelian can change too. I do get the bracelet wet on occasion when I wash up and I tend to get sweaty so my necklace definitely picks that up.
It really is
I loved wearing my BA bracelet, but stopped wearing it ever since the color appeared more dull.I actually forgot how much I loved my bracelet until today, when I searched for the old photo.
My SA left VCA in Fall, but the store manager has been working with me since. I did reach out to her to ask if this is a known issue.
I might have to stick to gold and pave pieces.
How long have you owned your TE and Carnelian? Curious if color has changed from when you initially purchased to the present day..
I have mine since 2021; I think the necklace might have darkened slightly by now. The carnelian isn't as for orange in direct sunlight.It really is
I actually forgot how much I loved my bracelet until today, when I searched for the old photo.
My SA left VCA in Fall, but the store manager has been working with me since. I did reach out to her to ask if this is a known issue.
I might have to stick to gold and pave pieces.
How long have you owned your TE and Carnelian? Curious if color has changed from when you initially purchased to the present day..
My bracelet ( carnelian guilloche) looks the same as it was.
I don't shower nor sleep with my jewelry or do anything rough , perhaps it's just my body oil/ sweat? I truly hope it doesn't get much darker or more opaque
I know another TPFer has posted that this happened to them too. The dark blue is quite dramatic. I kinda love it. Feels vintagey.
I think the chemicals have affected the stone. Fascinating article about the impact of water on blue agate.
www.inspereza.com
Good luck. Hope you can replace whatever stones are not to your liking.
I think the chemicals have affected the stone. Fascinating article about the impact of water on blue agate.
Is Blue Lace Agate Safe to Submerge in Water?
Is Blue Lace Agate Safe to Submerge in Water?Blue lace agate is a beautiful gemstone known for its delicate blue and white banding patterns. Many people are drawn to its calming energy and soothing appearance. However, if you have a blue lace agate gemstone, you may be wondering whether it is...
www.inspereza.com
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Is it any less translucent?It really is
I actually forgot how much I loved my bracelet until today, when I searched for the old photo.
My SA left VCA in Fall, but the store manager has been working with me since. I did reach out to her to ask if this is a known issue.
I might have to stick to gold and pave pieces.
How long have you owned your TE and Carnelian? Curious if color has changed from when you initially purchased to the present day..
Oh wow the difference is so apparent. How do you normally maintain the BA pieces? From what I've read, stones in the agate family aren't supposed to change color unless they've been exposed to some strong heat and/or chemicals and for a prolong period of time. I haven't noticed any color changes in my carnelian and chalcedony pieces though...I wonder if they've treated the BA stones with some special coating over them, like rhodium plating on the WG pieces to make the color appear more uniform and vibrant. When the coating worn off so now the stones appear more dull or back to its true shade, just a wild guess.
I think the agate can change color. See the article just about the impact of water exposure let alone chemicals.
Oh no I'm not saying it can't change color, but usually it doesn't happen until some prolong exposure of different elements, just like how the article stated. That's why I asked @sunshineshiney how she normally maintain her BA pieces. I know many people are used to cleaning their pieces with just tap water and soap knowing agate is quite hardwearing and 'water-safe', but the hardness and pH in the water can certainly cause some damage to the stones (and even metals), especially from frequent exposures. I used to do that too but only use distilled water to clean my jewelry pieces (and appliances) nowadays just to be safe.
Mine has for sure turned grey. I don’t have any original pics on me. Need to dig them up one day. I mostly wear my 10+5 together over T-shirts. I don’t wear perfume or products. I also don’t wear BA in pool or ocean. I do wear my hammered pieces in pool and ocean. But not my stone pieces. I am not harder on my BA then I am on Mala and lapis. My Mala looks good still.
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I posted in other thread. In general I am not more hard on Mala than I am on BA. I wear them about same amount as I rotate through all my pieces.How terribly sad! I clearly see the mismatch of shades of blue within your bracelet.
Even though I don’t own a Lapis, I do remember initially feeling my BA was a “dark blue, similar to Lapis.”
I’ve had my bracelet for 5 years. I do admit I wore it pretty much 24.7 for a couple years, including in the shower - so the loss of color may be my fault. I thought I was going a bit crazy with how much the blue doesn’t look like blue anymore…
Have you been more cautious with your BA before noticing the discoloration?
I appreciate your photo and sharing
I wonder if we have a vca wear and tear thread. I think that would be interesting to post all kinds of before and after pics of all pieces.