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Geosciences LibreTexts

16.6.1.1: Agate

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Agate
Chemical composition Silicon dioxide SiO2
Crystal system Trigonal
Habit Aggregate
Fracture Conchoidal
Hardness 6.5-7
Refractive index 1.535 - 1.539
Specific gravity 2.60
Lustre Vitreous

Agate is a variety of banded microcrystalline quartz, or chalcedony. There are countless varieties of agate usually named after their physical characteristics or location of origin. The layers of agate form as layers of chalcedony line a cavity (or vug) in a host rock. Since the 12th century, agate has been attributed with the power of improving one's disposition as well as their eyesight. These beliefs still carry on today. One claim for agate was stated in The Book of Saxon Leechdoms written in 1864, where it was written that agate prevents harm from thunder, sorcery, demonic possession, poison, and drunkenness!

Varieties

Moss Agate

This variety is called "moss" agate because of the inclusions (chlorite, clays, various oxides/hydroxides, etc.) in transparent/translucent chalcedony. The final effect makes the stone resemble "moss". Depending on the inclusions the moss can show different colors, with green/brown and red as the most common. They usually take a good polish and make attractive stones.

Priday Moss Agate, Oregon

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Figure 16.6.1.1.1: Moss Agate from a Priday thunderegg (Oregon). Green moss.

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Figure 16.6.1.1.2: Detail of a Moss Agate from a Priday thunderegg (Oregon).

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Figure 16.6.1.1.3: Detail of a Moss Agate from a Priday thunderegg (Oregon).

Moss Agate (from 'thunderegg')

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Figure 16.6.1.1.4: Moss Agate from Oregon, red moss.

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Figure 16.6.1.1.5: Moss Agate from Oregon, red moss, detail.

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Figure 16.6.1.1.6: Moss Agate from Oregon, red moss, detail.

Cathedral Agate

The "Cathedral agate" is found in Mexico and features red and gold moss/plumes in a light purplish or white agate with very fine fortification (typical banding pattern).

Cathedral Agate, Mexico

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Figure 16.6.1.1.7: Mexican Cathedral Agate cab

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Figure 16.6.1.1.8: Cathedral agate, detail of the red moss/plumes and purplish agate fortification

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Figure 16.6.1.1.9: Cathedral agate, slab.

Crazy Lace Agate

This agate comes from Chihuahua, Mexico. This agate shows a very fine banding, often with striking and contrasting colors. Another interesting fact about this kind of agate is that the banding often grows parallel to the surfaces of the crystals that were present before the crystallization/deposition of the agate (usually calcite, quartz, zeolites). The presence of these layers provides very interesting patterns in the slabs and in the finished cabochons.

Crazy Lace Agate, Mexico

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Figure 16.6.1.1.10: Crazy Lace Agate cabochon

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Figure 16.6.1.1.11: Photomicrograph showing the fine banding ("fortification")

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Figure 16.6.1.1.12: A slab of Crazy Lace Agate showing the typical structure of this material


This page titled 16.6.1.1: Agate is shared under a CC BY-NC-SA 2.5 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by gemology via source content that was edited to the style and standards of the LibreTexts platform.

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