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Mineral Specimens, Gems, Jewelry & Gifts

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Beacon Hill Moss Agate - Bell Mt. Moss Agate
Brazilian Agate -

Carnelian - Carrie Plume Agate - Cathedral Agate - Crazy Lace Agate

Denio Dendritic Agate - Eagle Rock Plume Agate - Flame Agate

Green Moss Agate - Grave Yard Point Plume Agate

Hampton Butte Moss Agate - Holly Blue Agate

Maury Mt. Moss Agate - Montana Moss Agate

Pigeon blood Agate - Plume Agate - Polkadot Agate - Priday Plume Agate

Sunset Agate - Stinking Water Plume Agate - Tennaway Agate - Thundereggs


What is Agate

Agate is one of the most varied and desired forms "chalcedony"
which is one of the many varieties of quartz. Scientifically classified as a cryptocystalline
or microcrystalline quartz, it has a hardness of 7. Quartz, in all its forms, is the single most abundant mineral on earth, making up almost 12% of the earth's crust. Quartz varieties are separated into two basic groups, macrocrystalline and microcrystalline. In macrocrystalline quartz the individual quartz crystals can be seen with the naked eye. In microcrystalline, sometimes called cryptocrystalline, the individual crystals are to small to be seen even
under slight magnification.

Agates and chalcedony in other forms:
like chrysoprase and carnelian, jaspers and flints, are some of the cryptocrystalline forms
of quartz. Some examples of the macrocrystalline forms of quartz are amethyst, ametrine, citrine, rose quartz, rutilated and smoky quartz. Agates in many different varieties are distributed worldwide but localities of agate beds of major significance only number less
than a hundred.

Humanity has admired agates for thousands of years:
In ancient times the beauty and durability of agate prompted man to use it in both practical
and ornamental forms. It was believed that agate had unique properties that protected the wearer from dangers and promoted strength and healing. Agates in general come in many different forms and are formed in at least five different ways. The main conditions necessary for agate formation, are the presence of silica from denitrified volcanic ash, water from
rainfall or ground sources, and manganese, iron and other mineral oxides that form the
bands and inclusions.

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Quartz Family Information

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Chuck and Virginia Brown
Golden Arts Fine Jewelry
1127 Snake River Ave.
Lewiston, Idaho 83501
1-208-746-1506