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Mineral: quartz
Gem: fire agate (cryptocrystalline)
Size:
Carat:
Cut: freeform cabochon
Origin: Arizona
General Info: Agate (achates) was named from the river Achates, now the Drillo, in Sicily, where the stone was first identified. It is cryptocrystalline quartz (micro crystals) usually with a banded pattern (although not always).
Additional Information
Fire agate was created by the alternating deposition of hematite layers on chalcedony. The hematite (specular hematite) create the color from a surface oxidation caused by diffraction of light. The chalcedony (crytocrytalline quartz) layers over the hematite trapping the oxidized structure and protecting it. Stone cut by the author.