Know more about the different types of Agate

There are different types of Agates available on earth. Agates are semi-precious gemstones, a form of chalcedony. These gemstones continually being formed - but ever so slowly. The stone comes from an age when the continents first started forming. During the formation of continents layers of molten lava was pushed towards the surface of the earth. The molten lava had pockets of trapped gases which escaped with the passage of time and the molten lava cooled and hardened to form igneous rocks along with hollow cavities. These cavities were filled with silica molecules and other impurities. With the passage of time the silica got supersaturated and formed fibrous micro crystals. It consists of silicon dioxide in form of fibrous quartz crystals in microscopic form. The gemstone is formed in the vacant spaces inside a host rock and layer by layer these crystals which are of microscopic size self organize, forming concentric bands. They also develop other interesting patterns. The colors and the arrangements of the pattern’s formation depends on the mineral content and changes in temperature and pressure.

There are different types of agates and they are found in nearly all countries of the world namely Fortification Agate, Water-Line Agate, Shadow Agate, Tube Agate, Eye Agate, Plume Agate, Geode Agate, Moss Agate and Seam Agate. With such a wide variety of Agate available it is not easy to discern them but a little knowledge about each will definitely help you in distinguishing the same. Fortification Agate is the most common type. The bands in this stone are crystallized into concentric layers with a shape of cavity. The patterns of the bands in this type of Agate, resembles a view of a fort. In a Water-Line Agate you can find stacks of parallel bands which are made up of parallel bands of silica. Shadow Agate exhibits a shadow effect across the layers and appears as if they are moving across. This optical effect is because of the alternating opaque and translucent bands. In this type of gemstone you will find hollow tubes which are filled with silica. Eye Agate is mysterious and it is formed of the silica gel drained out from the cavity, leaving just a droplet which are left on the inside wall of the cavity. This droplet crystallizes into solid chalcedony which resembles eyes. Plume Agate is made up of filament growth of mineral inclusions that resembling ferns or feathers. Geode Agate has a hollow center within a crystalline outer fill. Moss Agate has clusters of mineral arranged in a way that resemble plants, trees, or landscapes. Seam Agate consists of bands formed in parallel rows which look very distinctive compared to other Agate stones.

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