What is the difference between chalcedony, onyx, and agate?
Q. I was wondering if anybody knows the difference between chalecdony, onyx, and agate. I know that they're all a type of quartz, but could not find any real differences between the three minerals. I have to classify these minerals for Science Olympiad, and their guidelines list them as two distinct minerals(quartz: Agate/onyx and quartz: chalcedony).I did some research, but it all seems to contradict with each other. If anybody could please clarify, that would be great!
Asked by parvatip - Thu Mar 30 14:48:00 2006 - - 2 Answers - 0 Comments

A. chalcedony is the family name of a group of microcrystalline quartzes, confusingly chalcedony is also the name of one of the family members. The only real difference is the colour, and the banding patterns. the names are traditional rather than geological, the rocks having been used for jewellry and ornamentation long before geology was thought of. Agate is asymetrically banded with a wide range of colours Onyx has parallel bands and is predominantly black/white Chalcedony has a bluish colour.
Answered by joe - Thu Mar 30 15:14:11 2006

How to determine if my agate is genuine?
Q. My agate has rings of purple like a tree bark. There are translucent bands in between.
Asked by E-girl - Wed Dec 19 04:24:38 2007 - - 3 Answers - 0 Comments

A. Agate is such a common stone that no one bothers to produce a synthetic version. You mention that the colour is purple - this is not a natural colour for agate and indicates that the basic stone is natural agate which has been stained by a chemical process. The reason that it is possible to stain agate is that although it looks solid it is in fact a mass of micro crystals which have minute gaps between them which are just big enough for the liquid stain to penetrate. Almost all the brightly coloured agates you see today are treated this way.
Answered by U.K.Export - Wed Dec 19 05:58:41 2007

Would I be able to put a red agate pendant as a decoration in a fish tank that holds 2.5 gallons of water?
Q. I don't want to poison the fish but I have this pendant made out of red agate and just wanted to know if it would interfere with the water and fish. Thanks.
Asked by Starlight - Mon Oct 15 16:22:40 2007 - - 1 Answers - 0 Comments

A. Sure, they will be fine.
Answered by Random Precision - Mon Oct 15 16:26:26 2007

Can you determine if a geode contains agate, or banding without cutting it?
Q. I need to know if there are any certain characteristics to look for on the outside of a geode to determine what's inside before you cut into it? Are there any specific details, such as shape, size, or form, that I should look for to find one that has agate banding, or any agate? Thanks for your help, Samain
Asked by SamainFireNight - Sat Sep 22 08:36:26 2007 - - 1 Answers - 0 Comments

A. Its very hard to tell. You could measure it's Specific Gravity (density) or have it x-rayed using a cobalt 60 source (used to examine welding runs)
Answered by centretek666 - Sat Sep 22 09:47:01 2007

Lapidary can anyone recommend a good rock saw for halving agate and geodes in the UK?
Q. I am looking for a suitable and fairly cheap diamond saw for (flat) halving stones such as agate or geodes of various kinds ready for polishing. Can anyone recommend either a dedicated lapidary saw or an alternative system suitable for this job? Thanks!!
Asked by David R - Sat Oct 6 16:02:40 2007 - - 1 Answers - 0 Comments

A. I use an electric tile cutter with a diamond blade I have found this method effective for making the stones smaller before tumbling.
Answered by boo - Tue Oct 9 08:44:28 2007

How to cleanse he energy of a Blue Agate Geode with crystals inside?
Q. Does anyone know how to cleanse/renew the energy of a Blue Agate Geode that has crystals inside the geode? Thank you.
Asked by mme - Mon Oct 30 02:16:21 2006 - - 7 Answers - 0 Comments

A. I heard you can run stones or crystals in running water(like a stream or creek) or let them sit in the moonlight, or by smudging them(with sage).
Answered by Alias400 - Mon Oct 30 02:21:57 2006

where can i find agate in central california? and where can i find agate in pennsylvania?
Q. i now live in pennsylvania and really want to find agate. does anyone know where i could find agate around here? im moving back to california at the end of the moth and would also like to know where to find agate there... i live in central california over there... so anything around there or anywhere..
Asked by Melissa G - Sun Mar 23 22:23:08 2008 - - 3 Answers - 0 Comments

A. Very often it is where the sidewalk meets the fence.
Answered by lightperson - Sun Mar 23 23:36:52 2008

Is onyx a black and white banded agate or a black chalcedony?
Q. Which one is the more correct description
Asked by joseph2723 - Tue May 27 14:57:51 2008 - - 3 Answers - 0 Comments

A. agate is a completely different type of semi-precious stone. also, onyx is generally jet black, so it would have to be a black chalcedony
Answered by ssheffield89 - Tue May 27 15:40:03 2008

I have FSX on my computer but I want to park at agate and possilbly load passengers but ic ant the jet way?
Q. I want the jetway 2 move 2 my plane but when I hit Shift-F i get a fuel truck is their another button i need 2 press?
Asked by gtmoneyyo - Wed Jun 24 07:34:14 2009 - - 1 Answers - 0 Comments

A. You need to press ctrl + J.
Answered by Ciano35 - Sat Jun 27 20:48:58 2009

does anyone know where to go agate hunting in So Cal?
Q. I like to search for agates on the beach, does anyone know where to go in Southern California? I know where to go in Oregon. Thanks
Asked by Kissingbythesea - Fri Sep 8 18:45:14 2006 - - 1 Answers - 0 Comments

A. I am not sure, but I think you need to go through a gate.
Answered by strider89406 - Fri Sep 8 18:54:42 2006

Where is the agate gemstone located?
Q. where did you get the information?
Asked by Monique M - Tue Dec 5 18:55:05 2006 - - 2 Answers - 0 Comments

A. I've got one in my pocket.
Answered by No, I won't do your homework - Wed Dec 6 12:53:20 2006

How do I dye agate and other mineral slabs?
Q. How do I dye agate and other mineral slabs?
Asked by kbowen2 - Thu Oct 4 23:12:19 2007 - - 1 Answers - 0 Comments

A. I don't thing you can if they've been polished. If not, seek help from a store who sells the material.
Answered by Chris B - Thu Oct 4 23:17:09 2007

Can I polish an agate burnishing tool?
Q. I've got a few burnishing tools that I use for gilding. They are well taken care of, but I was curious, if I used a dremel attachment with a buffing wheel on it, and turned it on low, maybe using a little buffing compound, could I polish/clean them, without damaging them???
Asked by raniabrawner - Tue Jul 8 10:06:27 2008 - - 1 Answers - 0 Comments

A. gilding, burnishing tool you could buffer them, but the compound may not be good for next project, may want to clean and rinse after buffering, ..
Answered by unknown - Tue Jul 8 11:13:36 2008

Where to find an agate slab?
Q. I need a small agate slab maybe just 3 inches around. I've tried crafts stores and can't find it, maybe I'm looking in the wrong place. Any other stores I should try?
Asked by Michelle D - Thu Aug 14 23:34:16 2008 - - 1 Answers - 0 Comments

A. Not sure where you live, but you need to find a Rock Shop or maybe try typing in "agate slab" and hit your search key and see what pops up.
Answered by Cowboy Rance - Fri Aug 15 00:20:40 2008

I need info on Greek Agate and Egyptian Jasper?
Q. Could someone please tell me everything you know about Egyptian Jasper and Greek Agate? Thanks!
Asked by neptunekh - Wed May 23 21:34:23 2007 - - 1 Answers - 0 Comments

A. There is nothing special about Greek agate or Egyptian jasper other than they have been found in Greece or Egypt. Jasper and agate are micro-crystalline varieties of the mineral quartz, one of the most common minerals in the world, agate being banded and jasper not. There is no way you can tell where they have been found chemically or physically. Some particular patterns and colours do tend to occur in special areas but Egypt and Greece do not spring to mind in this respect..
Answered by U.K.Export - Thu May 24 06:32:37 2007

which are the most important agate collectors in the US?
Q. which are the most important agate collectors in the US?
Asked by patagonianstar - Mon May 15 21:12:03 2006 - - 1 Answers - 0 Comments

A. These people definitely must be on the list: Roger K. Pabian Research Geologist, Emeritus Conservation and Survey Division University of Nebraska-Lincoln Dale and Carmela Brown, dealers in rare forms of slabbed agates and other sought after lapidary materials. Scott Wolter, a confirmed Lake Superior agate addict, has written his third book about Minnesota s state gem, beloved by collectors throughout the Midwest. or choose from this list:
Answered by Yarnlady_needsyarn - Mon May 22 06:19:05 2006

James Agate's biography of Rachel, (Elisabeth Rachel Felix, french actress 1821 - 1858)?
Q. If anybody has read this I was just wondering whether they could tell me if it is a reasonably good read? I have never read any of James Agate's work but I am really interested in the story of 'Rachel'.
Asked by top-hat-lover - Mon May 5 13:08:03 2008 - - 1 Answers - 0 Comments

A. hmmm--not too much located... Here's a snippet on that book from Agate's wikipedia biography: His theatrical notices were published in a series of collections including Buzz, Buzz!, Playgoing, First Nights, More First Nights, etc., and are invaluable for their history of London theatre between the world wars. His anthology The English Dramatic Critics, 1660-1932 is important. He wrote an excellent biography of the French actress Rachel, a heroine of his. Arnold Bennett called it an "excited and exciting biography" and "beyond question the best life in English" of the subject.[7] Sounds interesting...hope you can find someone who has read it...no further reviews from BN.com or Amazon. All I can tell you for sure is that it was… [cont.]
Answered by Amy C--librarian - Mon May 5 13:56:44 2008

Agates...a kind of semi precious gemstone...?what is parameter of cast of agates..?which agate is costly..?
Q. I have some unfinished agates...20 gms to 2kg...weight...but I cant determine that which agate is precious..? I have some landscape agates too...from where I can find such information? how can I find the value of such stones..?
Asked by Rajendra Malviya - Tue Dec 25 07:07:11 2007 - - 1 Answers - 0 Comments

A. what you are interested in is gemology. there is a great site here here is a website that tells about agates and their value. agates really aren't valuable but some can be beautiful. good luck and happy holidays.
Answered by Deb - Tue Dec 25 10:17:17 2007

i have a brazillian agate rock with a human mandibile in it whats it worth?
Q. also how do i find someone to determine the age
Asked by w2horsesjr - Thu Jun 15 18:01:03 2006 - - 1 Answers - 0 Comments

A. I cant tell you its value, but go to a geological estimator and ask to have a carbon test done for an estimated date of formation. With that date, an accurate value will be easier to ascertain with the services of an experienced fossil valuator.
Answered by Bawn Nyntyn Aytetu - Sat Jun 24 13:48:33 2006

Is there any good places to hunt for Fairburn agates in South Dakota?
Q. I'm going to the Black Hills this summer and was just wondering if there any good Fairburn agate hunting spots. I've been to a couple of them that are mentioned on the Internet.
Asked by Chris J - Thu Feb 19 17:18:16 2009 - - 1 Answers - 0 Comments

A. These agates were originally named after a prolific locality 10 miles east of Fairburn, South Dakota, in the southern Black Hills area. According to Roberts and Rapp (1965), Fairburn agates occur in a broad elliptical belt extending from Creston in Pennington County, South Dakota, to near Orella in Sioux County, Nebraska, with the maximum width approaching 15 miles near Red Shirt, South Dakota. According to Fritzsch (S.D. School of Mines and Technology, personal communication, 1993), the area is more restricted (Figure 1). The Fairburn agate fields cover thousands of acres of very stony land and most of it is rugged terrain, well decorated with cactus, weeds, and cedar trees (Zeitner, 1964).
Answered by Emily C - Thu Feb 19 17:38:49 2009