Hand-carved angel — Opalite

A piece carved from the solid block and then hand-polished; the motif follows the natural veins of the stone, so no two examples fall the same way on the design.

A milky glass with bluish glints that turns honey when held against the light.

What tradition says. Tradition attaches it to gentleness and to transition.

The motif. The figure of the angel, a messenger between two worlds, runs through all three monotheisms and many earlier traditions.

Use & upkeep. A piece for a cabinet, a desk or a shelf, it stands on its own. Dust with a dry cloth; avoid water on pieces with soft veining.

• Opalite is not a natural mineral but an opalescent glass — a decorative material, not a gemstone.
• A natural piece: shade, veining and dimensions vary from one example to the next

A decorative object for personal practice. It is no substitute for medical advice or treatment.