This Agate Slice is in my opinion, one of the loveliest forms of Chalcedony, and it consists of coloured, usually blue, white, grey, brown, red, and black bands that follow the contours of the cavity. Many natural specimens produce wonderful images which resemble sea and landscape. They are receptive to artificial colouring, however the ones that I have are all natural.
As a form of chalcedony (silicon dioxide) they occur in cavities and sometimes are not completely filled with solidified silica gel and therefore the centres may contain crystals of amethyst, rock crystal or smokey quartz. Most Agates will have formed in volcanic lava flows.
They can be found in Scotland where they are often known as “Scotch pebbles”, as well as in Germany and New South Wales but the main sources seem to be Uruguay via Brazil.
They have been used historically in carving for cameos, intaglios for seals and beads. Agate is very hard and used in metallurgical pestles and mortars.
These large Agate slices make wonderful interior design pieces. As you can see here it has been illuminated from behind to make a striking natural feature piece in this apartment.
The name Agate comes from the river Achates where it was found by the Greek Theophrastus when the island (Sicily) was colonised prior to the Romans. The river is now known as Dirillo or Fiume Grande stretching approximately 54 kilometres (34 miles).
Charlotte
© Copyright Charlotte M Bailey 2013
