POLISHED BRAZILIAN AGATES

Agate is a translucent variety of microcrystalline quartz. Agate generally forms when silica deposits from groundwater into hollow cavities of volcanic rocks. Agates' colors are caused by other minerals present in the silica.

Agates from Brazil are mined from decomposed volcanic ash and basalt from the late Permian age (248-275 million years old) around Rio Grande do Sul. These agates can be very colorful and polish beautifully.