Alphabet Agate set

Item Description

A superb set of the strange but natural patterns that look like letters of these very hard-to-get matched sets of agate. Agates to 1.6 cm. Although common individually at some level, these are now uncommonly seen in good matched sets, although we saw more of them in the early 2000s and last sold a set online in 2012. Apparently, they are made by talented carvers who find the natural agate pieces and then can polish and cut the cabochons along angles that emphasize natural iron inclusions. Although accused of being manmade quite widely in the past, there is hope of clarity now and here today: a letter was published in the GIA journal about the legitimacy of these agates (https://www.gia.edu/doc/SU03.pdf). The GIA article also notes the unusually consistent size of the sets is a result of the need to cut and orient the patterns within. So they are cut - creatively - but from natural agates. A very good website documenting firsthand how they are formed and found, carved and sold, is still online here at: http://www.indoagate.com/alpha... (we also referenced it back in 2012!). It relates the process and that "A well formed alphabet set may take months to assemble. The 26 selected letters may be cut and re-cut several times from an assortment of many hundreds of letters, to create a collector quality set. The trick is not to polish thru the thin layer of color and render your stone worthless."

This specimen is part of the 2024 Dallas Mineral Collecting Symposium benefit auction, with proceeds benefiting Mineralogical Record, Rocks & Minerals, Tucson Gem and Mineral Society, and mindat.org. Thanks to all of our participants!

Billing for this auction will occur on Monday, August 19th, for payment using PayPal or a credit card. Shipping will be billed at cost.