Fire Agate

Item Description

Fire Agate is not your typical Agate for two reason. First, Agates are typically banded, and cut in order to show off their layered patterns. Second, Fire Agate stones primarily have a dark brown hue, which is not the most desirable shade for Agate, but the best stones show botryoidal or grape-like growth forms that features brilliant iridescent flashes that cover the entire spectrum. By definition Agate is a form of chalcedony or microcrystalline quartz which forms in layers in a remarkable variety of colors and textures. Fire Agate has been available commercially only in the last 60 years. What is special about fire agate is that it contains layers of plate-like crystals of iron oxide (limonite) in various planes. The iridescent colors of red, gold, green and, occasionally, blue-violet, result from interference between diffracted light rays traveling through and reflecting from these thin layers. High quality Fire Agates can be as impressive in their play of color as fine Black Opal, but Fire Agate is significantly more durable than Opal. Fire Agate is suitable for any kind of jewelry, including rings. This "Oval Cabochon" is a beautiful example of this well known material, showing gorgeous green, yellow, gold and orange flashes when rotated in the light, which dance over the botryoidal forms. Great quality and size, and a wonderful stone for any collector.