Provide the answer to the question hereTo put it simply, Agate is a name which describes a common variety of crystals. In order to explain this concept fully, the definition of an Agate will actually have to start first by defining Chalcedony.
Chalcedony is a much broader spectrum of crystals. Chalcedony is a category of cryptocrystalline minerals, specifically any crystals which contain two very fine silicates of Quartz and Moganite. From this family of Chalcedony comes many beloved subcategories: Carnelian, Onyx, Chrysoprase, Heliotrope, and of course Agate!
We’ll skip on the categorization of these other forms of Chalcedony for now and instead focus on the very simple textbook definition of Agate. Agate crystals are defined by their patterns and/or transparency, any classic Agate stone has defined and gorgeous banding patterns throughout. All of our favorite Agate crystals whether they’re Crazy Lace Agate, Blue Lace Agate, or Botswana Agate all feature these brilliant stripes! These stripes may be colorful, white, or clear but they all typically begin from a round or oblong center and continue outwards like ripples in a lake.
Though many kinds of Agate exist, and most which are tan or brown in color are particularly common, there are rare types of Agate. Perhaps the most well known rare Agate is Blue Lace Agate, considered particularly desirable for its fine pastel blue coloration. Most Blue Lace Agate is expensive in comparison to its plain Agate counterparts, due to the fact that the mine where it derives from no longer produces new raw material! So any and all Blue Lace Agate on the market is old stock.
On top of the aforementioned banded Agate crystals, we’ll talk more about the near endless types of Agate which gain the name more loosely in the next section!.