Quartz var: Chalcedony (''Blue Holly Agate'')

Item Description

Typically Chalcedony is defined as a fibrous and/or cryptocrystalline variety of Quartz. Recent analysis shows that Chalcedony is more often than not, a mixture of Quartz and Mogánite, another silicon oxide mineral. This piece is what is called "Blue Holly Agate" in the gem trade, and is one of the better quality specimens, we've had to offer in the auctions recently. The color reminds me a bit of the blue Chalcedony specimens that came out of Blinkpan, Namibia several years ago, which I would describe as a blue hue with a slight amount of lavender. Typically this material is reserved for the lapidary trade, but this piece features a vug filled with gemmy, botryoidal aggregates, making is highly desirable for collectors, especially with such amazingly good translucency and eye-catching color. If you collect Quartz and its many varieties, do NOT pass up this attractive and certainly hard to find specimen. Valued $1,500.