AGATE

Introduction

Chalcedony (also spelled Calcedony), is a catch all term that includes many well known varieties of cryptocrystalline Quartz gemstones. The two main varieties are Chalcedony, which is uniformly coloured, and Agate, characterized by bands/zones of different colours.
Agate is distinguished by its multiple colours that are often vivid. The bands of colour may be white, red, blue, grey, brown, or black. These are irregular and sometimes curved, caused by traces of iron and manganese. The parallel bands follow the wavy contour of the cavity where silica gel solidified.
Agate's name was derived from the site of its initial discovery, the River Achates (now Dirillo), in Southwest Sicily.
Legends

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Orignal From: AGATE