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16.6.1.1: Agate

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    4103
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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 \(\PageIndex{1}\): Moss Agate from a Priday thunderegg (Oregon). Green moss.

    File:Moss2.JPG

    Figure \(\PageIndex{2}\): Detail of a Moss Agate from a Priday thunderegg (Oregon).

    File:Moss5.JPG

    Figure \(\PageIndex{3}\): Detail of a Moss Agate from a Priday thunderegg (Oregon).

    Moss Agate (from 'thunderegg')

    File:Agt0005.JPG

    Figure \(\PageIndex{4}\): Moss Agate from Oregon, red moss.

    File:Moss1.JPG

    Figure \(\PageIndex{5}\): Moss Agate from Oregon, red moss, detail.

    File:Moss7.JPG

    Figure \(\PageIndex{6}\): 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 \(\PageIndex{7}\): Mexican Cathedral Agate cab

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    Figure \(\PageIndex{8}\): Cathedral agate, detail of the red moss/plumes and purplish agate fortification

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    Figure \(\PageIndex{9}\): 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 \(\PageIndex{10}\): Crazy Lace Agate cabochon

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    Figure \(\PageIndex{11}\): Photomicrograph showing the fine banding ("fortification")

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    Figure \(\PageIndex{12}\): 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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