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Agate

· Updated · 1 min read · Materials

Agate is a banded chalcedony (6.5-7 on Mohs); often dyed, cut into cabochons and slices, and very affordable.

Illustration: Agate

Agate is a type of chalcedony, a microcrystalline variety of quartz, with concentric colored bands. It has been used since antiquity in cameos, seals and beads.

Properties #

  • Composition: silicon dioxide (chalcedony)
  • Hardness: 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale.
  • Color: bands in brown, gray, white, blue, red and more; many are dyed.
  • Origins: Brazil, Uruguay, India and Madagascar.
  • Treatments: dyeing is very common.

Uses in jewelry #

  • Cabochons, beads and cameos.
  • Polished slices for pendants.
  • Ethnic and studio jewelry.

Pros and cons #

Advantages #

  • Very affordable and durable.
  • A great variety of patterns.
  • Every piece is unique.

Limitations #

  • Dyed color can fade in the sun.
  • It is translucent, not transparent.
  • Mistaken for imitation glass.

Care and cleaning #

  • Clean with lukewarm water and mild soap.
  • Avoid prolonged sun if dyed.
  • Do not use abrasive products.

See also #

This entry was drafted with the help of AI and is pending review by the author.