ArizonaFireAgate

Fire agate, a variety of chalcedony with an ancient and fiery beginning, is an all natural gemstone found only in certain areas of Arizona, northern Mexico, and other parts of the southwestern United States. Approximately 24-36 million years ago these areas were subjected to massive volcanic activity during the Tertiary Period. The fire agates were formed during this period of vulcanism when hot water, saturated with silica and iron oxide, repeatedly filled cracks and bubbles in the surrounding rock, often forming a botryoidal (grape-like) growth.

Fire agate gemstones have beautiful iridescent rainbow colors, similar to opal, with a measurement of hardness on the MOHS scale of between 6.5 and 7 which prevent issues of fading, cracking and scratching. The vibrant rainbow colors found within fire agates, created by the Schiller effect as found in mother-of-pearl and fire opals, is caused by the alternating silica and iron oxide layers which diffract and allow light to pass which forms the interference of colors known as fire. Besides the thin limonite and/or geothite iron oxide layers, there is no actual objects inside the gemstones, the fire agate visual effects arise from light interference within the microstructure crystal layering of the gem.

Fire Agate Gems are one of the hardest gemstones to produce, taking highly skilled lapidary skills and the creative talents of a true artist. Dedication, patience and time will be needed if you plan on producing quality fire agate cabochons, but the the final rewards are truly spectacular.