How do you identify agates

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Download Article Explore this Article methods. Related Articles. Method 1. All rights reserved. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc. Compare the color and appearance of your stone to known agate samples. To do this, you will have to see the inside of the stone, so you may have to crack it open with a hammer and chisel.

Mineralogists characterize agate by the stone's multicolored bands, which can either form concentric circles that grow towards the center or, more rarely, horizontal layers. Feel the rock's weight in your hand to estimate density. Agate is a relatively dense stone, so it should appear to weigh less than it actually does. Agates are sought after by gem collectors and enthusiasts because they look amazing once cut and polished, and they can be purchased almost anywhere.

Unlike sapphire or ruby, buying agate will not break the bank. You can build your first collection of gems by focusing on lower-cost stones like agate, a type of silicate chalcedony that occurs in multiple intricate patterns and colors. Here are some methods of checking if the gem you are holding is agate or not. This is a truly simple method of weeding out a fake gem — if you have access to a genuine one.

If the stone is unpolished, you may have to crack open the specimen to see the insides. Gemologists will often point out the parallel or concentric banding patterns on agate rocks. The bans are often multicolored involving two or more colors , and they all grow from a center. Take note that a few other minerals like jasper have the same internal characteristics as agate, so if you have an agate sample, take a closer look at the layering of color to find out which is which.

If the patterns are similar, then you are holding a genuine sample of agate. If you want to check the density of an agate stone, you need to compare its weight with another stone even natural stone or pebble.

The reason this test is at least partially accurate is that agate is denser than it looks, and it displaces more water despite its scale. A real agate rock might look small, but it will be more substantial than a stone of a different type that might be slightly bigger than the sample that you have. A more scientific approach is to calculate the actual density of the gem you are testing.

Making that identification is something that any amateur geologist can learn to do. Look for translucence in the stone. If the stone has been broken and you can see telltale traces of a quartz-like mineral along with the red, brown and orange color that comes with many types of agate, there is a good chance that you have an unpolished agate.

Examine the stone for banding. If the rocky exterior of the stone is broken or worn away, check for banding, which occurs in most types of agate. The banding is a factor that is sought by many collectors and jewelry makers. Heft the stone. Most agate pebbles feel heavier than they look due to their dense composition. You may wish to compare suspected agates with other stones that are lying close by. Check for a pit-marked surface on the rough stone. Larger pieces are always harder to find and as such they will bring a higher value.

For example, a small agate the size of a marble might not be worth any real monetary value, but a large baseball size chunk be worth something. Larger material can be cut into slabs and used for lapidary. If a nice piece can be turned into nice cabochons that will certainly increase its value.

Of course, the overall beauty of each piece is the most important variable. Again, the larger piece are going to bring the highest premium because they can be used to make things like bookends, spheres, and other collectable items.

There are particular forms of chalcedony that are rarer than others, and as a result they will bring a premium. These generally have a combination of rare colors, distinct banding or other structure, and even visible crystalline formations inside of them.

These sorts of variable will add to the value of the pieces that you collect. Rare Gold Nuggets. September 17, Recent Posts , Rockhounding. A handful of beautiful agates collected from the Oregon Coast. Agates come in all sorts of different colors.

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