Fire Agate
brownorangegreen · Chalcedony family
| Also known as | Chalcedony (Chalcedony family) |
|---|---|
| Colour | Brown, Orange, Green |
| Mohs hardness | 6.5-7 |
| Lustre | Waxy, vitreous |
| Streak | White |
| Crystal system | Trigonal (quartz), monoclinic (moganite) |
| Transparency | Translucent to opaque |
| Cleavage | Absent |
| Fracture | Uneven, splintery, conchoidal |
| Chemical formula | Silica (silicon dioxide, SiO 2 ) |
| Specific gravity | 2.60- 2.64 |
What is Fire Agate?
Fire agate is a variety of chalcedony that displays fire-like iridescent flashes. It is found only in certain areas of central and northern Mexico and the southwestern United States. Despite its name, it is not a true agate, since it typically does not have bands. Approximately 24-36 million years ago, during the Tertiary Period, these areas were subjected to massive volcanic activity. Fire agates were formed when hot water, saturated with silica and iron oxide, filled cracks and cavities in the surrounding rock and solidified into chalcedony layered with crystallized iron oxide.
How to identify Fire Agate
- Lustre: Waxy, vitreous.
- Hardness: Mohs 6.5-7 — about as hard as a steel knife.
- Streak: White.
- Habit: Trigonal (quartz), monoclinic (moganite) crystal system.
Fire Agate in different forms
Stones often confused with Fire Agate
Frequently asked questions
How hard is Fire Agate?
Fire Agate is Mohs 6.5-7 on the hardness scale.
What colour is Fire Agate?
Fire Agate is typically brown, orange, green (Red to orange, brown, iridescent flashes).