Moss Agate
Indonesia
17.45 carats
© gemselect.com
Moss agate, although primarily green, can also show brown and red patterns due to the oxidation of the iron in the hornblende/chlorite.
The name 'Agate' is generally accepted even though the stone is not banded as a true agate should be.
Moss Agate Gemstones by Colour
This table shows the variety of hues this gemstone can be found in. Click on a photo for more information.
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Moss Agate Gemstones by Size
This table shows distribution of Moss 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:17.1 cts
Heaviest:58.40 cts
Average:24.27 cts
Total photos:12
Do you have a larger Moss Agate? Why not upload a photo?
| General Information | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A variety or type of: | Dendritic Agate, which is a variety of Chalcedony, which is a variety of Quartz | |||||
| Chemical Formula |
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| Physical Properties of Moss Agate | ||||||
| Mohs Hardness | 6.5 to 7, Gemstones of the world (2001) | |||||
| Specific Gravity | 2.58 to 2.64, Gemstones of the world (2001) | |||||
| Cleavage Quality | None, Gemstones of the world (2001) | |||||
| Optical Properties of Moss Agate | ||||||
| Refractive Index | 1.530 to 1.540, Gemstones of the world (2001) | |||||
| Birefringence | up to to 0.004, Gemstones of the world (2001) | |||||
| Pleochroism | Absent, Gemstones of the world (2001) | |||||
| Dispersion | None, Gemstones of the world (2001) | |||||
| Colour | ||||||
| Colour (General) | Translucent to white with green veins/streaks., Management Team (2012) | |||||
| Causes of Colour | Green streaks are inclusions of green amphibole or chlorite-group minerals., Management Team (2012) More from other references | |||||
| Transparency | Translucent, Gemstones of the world (2001) | |||||
| Fluorescence & other light emissions | ||||||
| Fluorescence (General) | Variable, cannot be used for a diagnosis, Gemstones of the world (2001) | |||||
| Crystallography of Moss Agate | ||||||
| Crystal System | Trigonal, Gemstones of the world (2001) | |||||
| Habit | Microcrystalline, Gemstones of the world (2001) | |||||
| Geological Environment | ||||||
| Where found: | It occurs as filler in fissures or as pebbles., Gemstones of the world (2001) | |||||
| Inclusions in Moss Agate | ||||||
| Chlorite, hornblende inclusions in moss-like pattern. - Gemstones of the world, Walter Schumann, 2001, p 130 | ||||||
| Further Information | ||||||
| Mineral information: | Moss Agate information at mindat.org | |||||