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The mineral atlas
Explore banded agate, translucent chalcedony and patterned jasper materials. Compare iron-colored carnelian, nickel-bearing chrysoprase, mineral inclusions, fossil-rich silica and dyed trade varieties.
12 specimens · Geology, history, and spiritual attributes
12 specimens
Bands, Cavities and the Architecture of Silica
Patterned, commonly banded chalcedony, a fine-grained silica material.
Agate is a patterned variety of chalcedony, not a separate mineral species.
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Pale Banded Chalcedony from a Complex Vein System
Pale blue-and-white banded chalcedony.
Blue lace agate is recognized by pale blue and white bands that curve, branch and fold across a cut surface.
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Mineral Landscapes in Fine-Grained Silica
Chalcedony with mineral inclusions resembling moss or branches.
Moss agate contains inclusions that resemble branching plants, tangled foliage or small landscapes.
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Branching Mineral Patterns in Chalcedony
Chalcedony with branching mineral inclusions.
Dendritic agate contains dark, branching inclusions that can resemble ferns, roots or distant trees.
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Warm-Colored Chalcedony, Carved and Worn Across Centuries
Orange to reddish chalcedony.
Carnelian is the orange to reddish-brown member of the chalcedony family.
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The Fine Structure Behind a Family of Gemstones
Microcrystalline/fibrous silica aggregate; includes many named gem varieties.
Chalcedony connects stones that can look entirely unlike one another: pale blue cabochons, orange carnelian, banded agate and green chrysoprase.
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Nickel's Green Signature in Chalcedony
Nickel-colored green chalcedony.
Chrysoprase is green chalcedony whose color is associated with nickel-bearing material dispersed through its fine silica structure.
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Green Silica Marked by Iron-Red Inclusions
Green chalcedony/jasper material with red markings.
Bloodstone, or heliotrope, is green chalcedony marked by red iron-oxide inclusions, commonly hematite.
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Layered Chalcedony for Seals, Cameos and Contrasting Color
Parallel-banded chalcedony; sardonyx includes sard-colored bands.
Onyx and sardonyx turn mineral layering into a design material.
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Opaque Silica in Color, Pattern and Geological Context
Opaque, impure, fine-grained silica-rich material; retail use of the name is broader.
Jasper is a broad name for opaque, fine-grained silica-rich material selected for its color and pattern.
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Orbicular Chalcedony from Madagascar
A lapidary trade name associated with orbicular silica-rich material from Madagascar.
Ocean Jasper is a trade name for patterned, silica-rich material from northwestern Madagascar.
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Western Australia's Radiolarian Stone in Red, Ochre and Cream
Silicified radiolarian sedimentary material from Western Australia.
Mookaite is a decorative rock from Western Australia, valued for broad fields of mustard yellow, cream, red and wine-purple.
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