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| Mineral: |
quartz |
| Gem: |
black skin agate (cryptocrystalline) |
| Size: |
26x36 mm & 21x34 mm & 29x39 mm |
| Carat: |
49.2 ct & 36 ct & 71+ ct |
| Cut: |
freeform cabochon |
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| Origin: |
India |
| 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 |
| Black skin agate from India comes in a variety of types. My favorite are those containing moss. There are fortifications, straight line patterns, and tubes in some pieces. The agate is really hard and takes a great polish, but some of the moss can be troublesome and will undercut or pit. (Some does not.)
Cabs cut by author.
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