sedimentary
Crazy Lace Agate
Microcrystalline Quartz (SiO2)
Hardness: 6.5-7 on Mohs scale; Color: Multicolored swirls of white, grey, gold, and brown; Luster: Waxy to vitreous; Crystal Structure: Trigonal (microcrystalline); Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture).
- Hardness
- 6
- Color
- Multicolored swirls of white, grey, gold, and brown
- Luster
- Waxy to vitreous
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6.5-7 on Mohs scale; Color: Multicolored swirls of white, grey, gold, and brown; Luster: Waxy to vitreous; Crystal Structure: Trigonal (microcrystalline); Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture).
Formation & geological history
Formed in the Cretaceous period (approx. 65-90 million years ago) from silica-rich groundwater filling cavities in volcanic and sedimentary rock layers, creating rhythmic banding.
Uses & applications
Primarily used in jewelry (cabochons, beads), decorative carvings, and as a popular lapidary material for hobbyists and collectors.
Geological facts
Often called 'Mexican Lace Agate,' it is found exclusively in Chihuahua, Mexico. Its intricate, 'busy' patterns are thought to be formed by silica-rich fluids pulsing through rocky cavities.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its complex, lace-like swirling patterns and orbicular structures. It is often found in nodules within limestone or volcanic host rocks in northern Mexico.
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