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Mineral: |
quartz |
Gem: |
fire agate (cryptocrystalline) |
Size: |
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Carat: |
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Cut: |
freeform cabochon |
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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. |
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