Fire Agate

Big Photo

Mexico
8.52 carats
© gemselect.com

Translucent layered Chalcedony with iridescence which is created through diffraction of the light by the layered structure.

Fire Agate Gemstones by Colour

This table shows the variety of hues this gemstone can be found in. Click on a photo for more information.
 
 

Fire Agate Gemstones by Size

This table shows distribution of Fire Agate gemstone sizes that are listed on this site. This can give a good indication as to the general availability of this gemstone in different sizes.
Contributed photos
Lightest:1.47 cts
Heaviest:17.67 cts
Average:8.11 cts
Total photos:27
Do you have a larger Fire Agate? Why not upload a photo?
1.47ct to 3.09ct3.09ct to 4.71ct4.71ct to 6.33ct6.33ct to 7.95ct7.95ct to 9.57ct9.57ct to 11.19ct11.19ct to 12.81ct12.81ct to 14.43ct14.43ct to 16.05ct16.05ct to 17.67ct
General Information
A variety or type of:Chalcedony, which is a variety of Quartz
Chemical Formula
SiO
 
2
Arthur Thomas, Gemstones (2009)
Photos of natural/un-cut material from mindat.org
Physical Properties of Fire Agate
Mohs Hardness6.5 to 7
Gemdat.org, Management Team (2012)
Specific Gravity2.60 to 2.64
Walter Schumann, Gemstones of the world (2001)
More from other references
Cleavage QualityNone
Walter Schumann, Gemstones of the world (2001)
FractureUneven
Walter Schumann, Gemstones of the world (2001)
Optical Properties of Fire Agate
Refractive Index1.530 to 1.543
Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010)
Optical CharacterUniaxial/+
Ulrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda, Gemmological Tables (2004)
Birefringence0.003 to 0.009
Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010)
PleochroismAbsent
Walter Schumann, Gemstones of the world (2001)
DispersionNone
Walter Schumann, Gemstones of the world (2001)
Colour
Colour (General)Brown, red to orange
Gemdat.org, Management Team (2012)
Causes of ColourInclusions of goethite or limonite, producing an iridescent effect or "fire."
Gemdat.org, Management Team (2012)
TransparencyTranslucent,Opaque
Walter Schumann, Gemstones of the world (2001)
More from other references
LustreVitreous,Waxy
Gemdat.org, Management Team (2012)
Crystallography of Fire Agate
Crystal SystemTrigonal
Ulrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda, Gemmological Tables (2004)
HabitMicrocrystalline aggregates
Walter Schumann, Gemstones of the world (2001)
Inclusions in Fire Agate
Inclusions of goethite or limonite.
Further Information
Mineral information:Fire Agate information at mindat.org
Copyright © Jolyon & Katya Ralph 1993-2024. Site Map. Photographs are copyright of the individuals who submitted them. For more information please contact the . Gemdat.org is an online information resource dedicated to providing free gemmological information to all.