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THE GEMSTONE AGATE

Agate is a banded form of finely-grained, microcrystalline Quartz. The lovely color
patterns and banding make this translucent gemstone very unique. Agates can have
many distinctive styles and patterns, but each Agate is unique in its own habit, with no
two Agates being the same.

Chemical Formula SiO2

Color White, Blue, Red, Green, Yellow, Orange, Brown, Pink, Purple, Gray, Black,
Banded, Multicolored
Hardness 7
Crystal System Hexagonal
Refractive Index 1.54 - 1.55
SG 2.63 - 2.65
Transparency Translucent
Double Refraction .009
Luster Vitreous
Cleavage Indiscernible
Mineral Class Quartz (Chalcedony). See also the Agate mineral page.

AGATE AUCTIONS

ALL ABOUT
A generally accepted requirement in the definition of Agate is that it has to be banded. This qualification
distinguishes it from other forms of Chalcedony which are not banded. Exceptions include Dendritic
Agate and Moss Agate, which are not true Agates since they lack the banding patterns, but they are still
traditionally called Agates since they have more than one color.Onyx, when banded white and black, is
technically a form of Agate, and Sardonyx, which is a banded reddish and white Chalcedony, is also
technically a type of Agate. Some forms of Carnelian may also exhibit banding and can therefore be classified
as both Carnelian and Agate.

Deposits where Agates are commercially mined are usually very extensive, thereby enabling this gemstone to
be affordable and inexpensive. However, a fine and sharp banded pattern, combined with natural strong
coloring, will quickly increase the cost and value of and Agate. Specific Agate localities will provide
similarities in banding style and color, thereby lending many Agates a geographic prefix. Other variety names
used will connote specific colors or patterns, such as Fire Agate or Eye Agate. 

The history of Agate production is closely tied to German town of Idar-Oberstein, which has evolved as an
important gemstone center. Agates and Jasper were historically found in the Idar-Oberstein region, and cut and
polished by local craftsman. With the discovery of the enormous Agate deposits in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
in the 1800's, the new material was shipped to Idar-Oberstein for cutting and polishing. The local Agate cutters
of Idar-Oberstein were well-suited for this job, having been historically trained in this profession. Idar-
Oberstain remains today as an important cutting and polishing center.

USES
Agate is generally an inexpensive gemstone when used in jewelry. It is cut and polished into cabochons, and
used as beads for necklaces and bracelets. It is also carved into cameos which can be worn as pendants. Agate
makes an exquisite ornamental stone, and is cut into slabs, animal carvings, ornate book ends, and small
statues and figures. Ornaments such as knife handles, pins, snuff boxes and the like are also cut from Agate.

VARIETIES
Agate has an over-abundance of variety names. Some variety names are generally used by collectors and
dealers, but there are many made up by dealers to describe a locality or other habit. The varieties below are the
well-known names or varieties that are commonly encountered. Seldom-used and localized trade names are
not described here. (For additional varieties, see the Agate mineral page varieties section.)

 Agate Geode  -   Layer of Agate surrounding a cavity in a geode that is usually lined with a layer of

small Quartz crystals.

 Blue Lace Agate  -  Agate with light blue bands in a lacy or wavy pattern.

 Botswana Agate  -   Agate from the African country of Botswana banded with fine parallel lines of
white, purple, or peach.
 Condor Agate  -  Agate from San Rafael, Argentina, often with vivid colors.
 Crazy Lace Agate  -   Agate with twisting and turning bands of various colors.
 Dendritic Agate  -  Translucent Chalcedony with tree-like or fern-like inclusions. Dendritic Agate is
technically not a trueAgate, as it lacks the banding patterns exhibited in Agates.

 Eye Agate  -   Agate with banded, concentric rings that are perfectly rounded.

 Fire Agate  -  Form of Agate or Chalcedony that is iridescent with a play of colors or "fire" similar to
that of Opal. Fire Agates usually have botryoidal growth included in their interior. The play of color is
caused by inclusions of Goethite orLimonite. 

 Fortification Agate  -   Agate with a pattern in which all bands connect to each other, causing it to
resemble a medieval fortress (i.e. imaginary moat and walls surrounding the castle).
 Iris Agate  -  Rare iridescent Agate that exhibits spectral colors on a translucent colorless or white
base.
 Laguna Agate  -   Well known form of colorful Agate with very dense banding from Ojo Laguna,
Chihuahua, Mexico.
 Moss Agate  -  Chalcedony containing dense inclusions of green Hornblende that cause the pattern to
resemble moss. Moss Agate is technically not a true Agate as it lacks the banding patterns of Agate.
 Onyx  -   Type of Chalcedony gemstone whose meaning can have several connotations. Its most
practical gemstone definition describes a solid black Chalcedony, or a banded or layered black and
white Chalcedony.
 Sagenite Agate  -  Agate with acicular or or pointed inclusions of various minerals. These hair like
formations are often arranged in fans or bursts.
 Sardonyx  -   Form of Agate with parallel bands of brownish to red alternating with white or
sometimes black bands.
 Snakeskin Agate  -  Agate with a scale-like layer that resembles the skin of a snake. Also refers to a
 reddish brown Agate with small black concentric bands.

AGATE TREATMENTS AND ENHANCEMENTS

Agates used as gemstones may be naturally colored, but they are often dyed. This is especially true of the
Agates from Brazil that have more intense colors. Hot pink, blue, or green colors in Agate are always dyed.

AGATE SOURCES
Agate deposits exist in Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Mexico, Poland, Botswana, India, Australia, and the
United States (Oregon, Arizona, Montana, Wyoming, South Dakota, and Michigan).

SIMILAR GEMSTONES
The banding habit of Agate can distinguish it from most gemstones. Purple Fluorite known as Blue John may
be banded, but it is much softer. The banded form of Calcite/Aragonite known as Travertine may also occur
multicolored and be similar to Agate, but it too is much softer.

AGATE PHOTOS [Click photos for more details]

AGATE IN THE ROUGH PHOTOS [Click photos for more details]

Most Agates are rough and dull in nature, with their banding patterns and color hidden until they are sliced and
polished. The images below show examples of both Agates in their native, unpolished state, polished Agates,
and combinations of the two.

 
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

 The mineral Agate

 The mineral Chalcedony

 The gemstone Chalcedony

 The gemstone Jasper

 
DISCUSSION
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