Gemstones: Agate

Agate is a type of quartz from the chalcedony family.  It is created from seams of quartz that commonly consist of many colors.  It most often forms in veins or in rounded shapes.

Fire Agate - Public Domain

By Wraithwing

 A hard gem

Agate is a hard gem and is measured from 5 – 7 in the Mohs scale though it has a tendency to fracture.  It is not unusual for small crystals of quartz known as drusy to appear inside a stone enhancing its appearance and giving distinction to individual gemstones. These stones are often cut at an angle and used as a main feature for a jewelry design. Read more