Description
Red Striped Agate, Dyed, Faceted Rice, 8x6mm Strand
This price is for one strand 15 to 16 inches long
6x8mm rice bead strands about 40 pieces
Red stripe agate, often sold in the gem trade as red banded agate, is a striking, naturally patterned variety of chalcedony. It is highly favored by lapidaries and jewelry makers for its crisp, contrasting bands and excellent durability.
Red stripe is found all over the world. Because agates form in the cavities of ancient volcanic lava flows and sedimentary rock, major deposits exist anywhere there has been significant historical volcanic activity combined with iron-rich soils or groundwater. The most notable geographic origins for high-quality, naturally occurring red stripe agate include: The United States (The Great Lakes & High Plains), Madagascar, Brazil, Northern Mexico & India
Like all agates, red stripe agate is a microcrystalline variety of quartz. The characteristic bands are formed layer by layer over millions of years as silica-rich groundwater seeps into cavities within volcanic rock or ancient lava flows. The rich red, orange, and terracotta tones are caused by traces of iron oxide (hematite) embedded within the silica layers during formation. The contrasting white or cream stripes are pure chalcedony layers free of those iron impurities.
Because agate is relatively porous, it responds very well to dyeing. While brilliant earthy reds occur abundantly in nature, stones displaying an intensely uniform, neon-hot pinkish-red color are often natural gray agates that have been chemically dyed to enhance their market appeal. Genuine red agates will usually showcase a broader variety of warm, earthy undertones (rust, brown, deep crimson) within the stone.
Hardness 6.5-7
Made in China
