Gem Profile- Fire Agate and Iris Agate
Fire Agate and Iris Agate
Fire Agate
ire agate is a unique type of agate that appears brown from a distance.
Up close, it has a botryoidal appearance, meaning it looks like a boiling pan of water frozen in time or like a cluster of grapes.
What sets fire agate apart is its color play. On its brown background, a rainbow of iridescent reds, greens, golds, and sometimes blues flashes across the surface.
The name "fire agate" comes from the effect of staring into the embers of a fire, which mirrors the stone's colorful play.
Fire agate stones from Mildred Schiff's collection
ire agate is a unique type of agate that appears brown from a distance.
Up close, it has a botryoidal appearance, meaning it looks like a boiling pan of water frozen in time or like a cluster of grapes.
What sets fire agate apart is its color play. On its brown background, a rainbow of iridescent reds, greens, golds, and sometimes blues flashes across the surface.
The name "fire agate" comes from the effect of staring into the embers of a fire, which mirrors the stone's colorful play.
Fire agate stones from Mildred Schiff's collection
How did fire agate get its fiery colors? Hot water, rich in colloidal silica and iron oxide and heated by volcanic activity, flowed into rock cavities and slowly cooled to form hard agate.
Over time, alternating layers of silica and iron oxide created the schiller and iridescence that give fire agate its unique play of color.
Fire agate is especially rare. Unlike regular quartz, which is widespread, fire agate is found only in pockets of the southwestern US and northern Mexico. They are estimated to be 24-36 million years old, corresponding to the region's volcanic activity.
Jane Elizabeth Duke brought this fire agate home from Wire-SCulpture and created a stunning Argentium and Gold-Filled cabochon frame, adding a peridot stone and a fire agate bead to the orbit design.
Over time, alternating layers of silica and iron oxide created the schiller and iridescence that give fire agate its unique play of color.
Fire agate is especially rare. Unlike regular quartz, which is widespread, fire agate is found only in pockets of the southwestern US and northern Mexico. They are estimated to be 24-36 million years old, corresponding to the region's volcanic activity.
Jane Elizabeth Duke brought this fire agate home from Wire-SCulpture and created a stunning Argentium and Gold-Filled cabochon frame, adding a peridot stone and a fire agate bead to the orbit design.
Three factors make fire agate rare and expensive for use in jewelry. First, its formation is unique. Second, it is found only in specific locations.
The third factor is the lapidary effort required. The botryoidal agate must be carefully shaped, removing just the right amount of the outer layer to reveal the best colors. Remove too much chalcedony, and the iridescent effect is lost; remove too little, and the surface remains dull.
This is why most fire agate cabochons at Tucson or other gem shows are freeform rather than calibrated-cut, often resting in a tub of water or polished in a case.
Wirejewelry had a small selection of beautiful freeform, genuine fire agate cabochons, though supplies were limited.
The third factor is the lapidary effort required. The botryoidal agate must be carefully shaped, removing just the right amount of the outer layer to reveal the best colors. Remove too much chalcedony, and the iridescent effect is lost; remove too little, and the surface remains dull.
This is why most fire agate cabochons at Tucson or other gem shows are freeform rather than calibrated-cut, often resting in a tub of water or polished in a case.
Wirejewelry had a small selection of beautiful freeform, genuine fire agate cabochons, though supplies were limited.
Despite the delicate process of finishing a fire agate, the stones themselves are sturdy and durable.
Although fire agate resembles opal, it does not risk cracking or crazing.
The layers remain intact, and the stone retains its shine. Like other quartz and agate varieties, fire agate has a Mohs hardness of 6.5-7, making it much harder to scratch than window glass.
Metaphysically, fire agate is believed to have a deep, calming energy that brings security and safety. It is linked to the fire element, promoting vigor and opening the root chakra, and is said to help conquer addictions and harmful desires.
Although fire agate resembles opal, it does not risk cracking or crazing.
The layers remain intact, and the stone retains its shine. Like other quartz and agate varieties, fire agate has a Mohs hardness of 6.5-7, making it much harder to scratch than window glass.
Metaphysically, fire agate is believed to have a deep, calming energy that brings security and safety. It is linked to the fire element, promoting vigor and opening the root chakra, and is said to help conquer addictions and harmful desires.
Crackle Fire Agate
Another stone often sold as fire agate is actually crackle fire agate. This material is typically glass or carnelian that has been heat-treated to create lava-like lines in the stone.
While crackle fire agate is popular, it is not as rare or expensive as genuine fire agate.
The crackle fire agate available at Wire-Sculpture is real agate that has been dyed and heat-treated to achieve the fiery, crackle effect.
Crackle Fire Agate Cabochons.
Another stone often sold as fire agate is actually crackle fire agate. This material is typically glass or carnelian that has been heat-treated to create lava-like lines in the stone.
While crackle fire agate is popular, it is not as rare or expensive as genuine fire agate.
The crackle fire agate available at Wire-Sculpture is real agate that has been dyed and heat-treated to achieve the fiery, crackle effect.
Crackle Fire Agate Cabochons.
Iris Agate
Iris agate is a lesser-known type of iridescent agate, also called rainbow agate.
Some vendors label any colorful agate as "rainbow agate," even if it lacks true iridescence. True iris agate, when thinly sliced, displays all the colors of the rainbow. The effect is more delicate than fire agate.
This rainbow appearance comes from very tightly packed, thin layers and banding, and it can occur in colorless or pale chalcedony. Iris agate is mostly found in North America, with some occurrences in Argentina.
Because it must be sliced so thinly, iris agate is relatively rare in jewelry.
Iris agate slice - image courtesy of Karen Brzys, Gitche Gumee Museum, Grand Marais, MI www.agatelady.com and www.agatelady.blogspot.com, used with permission.
Iris agate is a lesser-known type of iridescent agate, also called rainbow agate.
Some vendors label any colorful agate as "rainbow agate," even if it lacks true iridescence. True iris agate, when thinly sliced, displays all the colors of the rainbow. The effect is more delicate than fire agate.
This rainbow appearance comes from very tightly packed, thin layers and banding, and it can occur in colorless or pale chalcedony. Iris agate is mostly found in North America, with some occurrences in Argentina.
Because it must be sliced so thinly, iris agate is relatively rare in jewelry.
Iris agate slice - image courtesy of Karen Brzys, Gitche Gumee Museum, Grand Marais, MI www.agatelady.com and www.agatelady.blogspot.com, used with permission.
Resources
AgateLady's Iris Agate at https://agatelady.blogspot.com/2011/06/golf-friends-and-iris-agate.html
Mindat.org Fire Agate
Mindat.org Iris Agate
AgateLady's Iris Agate at https://agatelady.blogspot.com/2011/06/golf-friends-and-iris-agate.html
Mindat.org Fire Agate
Mindat.org Iris Agate
Materials
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Beads - Agate
Cabochons - Agate
Blue Crazy Lace Agate 30x40mm Oval Beads - 8 Inch Strand
A1-30
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- Gold Club Price: $11.08
Blue Lace Agate 8mm Faceted Square Beads - 8 Inch Strand
A1-724
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New Brazilian Agate 13x18mm Oval Cabochon
E8-28C
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Pink Crazy Lace 4mm Round Beads - 8 Inch Strand
A1-803
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- Price: $6.30
- Gold Club Price: $4.73
Purple Crazy Lace Agate 30x40mm Oval Beads - 8 Inch Strand
A1-340
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- Price: $22.05
- Gold Club Price: $16.54
Rainforest Agate 12mm Round Beads - 8 Inch Strand
A1-400
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Turritella Agate 12mm Coin Beads - 8 Inch Strand
A1-783
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Tools
WireJewelry - Ultimate Wire-Pliers Jewelry Pliers with Case, Set of 5
G15-20
- G15-20
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- Price: $170.72
- Gold Club Price: $128.04
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- Category: General Education
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Dale Armstrong
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