Reviews
2.3" Polished Royal Flamingo Agate (Howardite) - Nevada
This is a 2.3" wide section of red and pink agate/jasper known as "royal flamingo agate", collected in Nevada. The polish work on this specimen is second to none, really bringing out the natural vibrant color of this beautiful mineral.
About Royal Flamingo Agate (Howardite)
Howardite, also known as "Rattlesnake Jasper" or "Royal Flamingo Jasper," is a rare and captivating opalized silicate mineral found primarily in northern Nevada. This unique gemstone is characterized by its brecciated texture, displaying a rich palette of reddish-brown, yellow, orange, and white hues interspersed with clear agate or opal veins. The vibrant colors are primarily due to the presence of iron oxides within the mineral.
Howardite originates from volcanic tuff—a rock formed by the accumulation and compaction of volcanic ash and debris. Over time, silica-rich groundwater permeates the tuff, leading to opalization, where original minerals are replaced by silica, forming opal and other silica minerals. Subsequent geological events, such as tectonic movements, cause the opalized tuff to fracture, resulting in the characteristic brecciated appearance as fragments are cemented together with additional silica and minerals. The mineral's composition primarily includes chalcedony (microcrystalline quartz) and opal, with trace amounts of iron oxides and manganese.
The initial discovery of Howardite dates back to the 1940s or 1950s in a small pocket within northern Nevada. Reports suggest that the original deposit was either mined out, lost, or became inaccessible due to military restrictions. By the 1970s, attempts to relocate the site were unsuccessful. However, around 2015-2016, Dominion Gems rediscovered the deposit, subsequently locating four claims in January 2018.
Howardite, also known as "Rattlesnake Jasper" or "Royal Flamingo Jasper," is a rare and captivating opalized silicate mineral found primarily in northern Nevada. This unique gemstone is characterized by its brecciated texture, displaying a rich palette of reddish-brown, yellow, orange, and white hues interspersed with clear agate or opal veins. The vibrant colors are primarily due to the presence of iron oxides within the mineral.
Howardite originates from volcanic tuff—a rock formed by the accumulation and compaction of volcanic ash and debris. Over time, silica-rich groundwater permeates the tuff, leading to opalization, where original minerals are replaced by silica, forming opal and other silica minerals. Subsequent geological events, such as tectonic movements, cause the opalized tuff to fracture, resulting in the characteristic brecciated appearance as fragments are cemented together with additional silica and minerals. The mineral's composition primarily includes chalcedony (microcrystalline quartz) and opal, with trace amounts of iron oxides and manganese.
The initial discovery of Howardite dates back to the 1940s or 1950s in a small pocket within northern Nevada. Reports suggest that the original deposit was either mined out, lost, or became inaccessible due to military restrictions. By the 1970s, attempts to relocate the site were unsuccessful. However, around 2015-2016, Dominion Gems rediscovered the deposit, subsequently locating four claims in January 2018.
$25
SPECIES
Chalcedony var. Agate/Jasper
LOCATION
Nevada
SIZE
2.3 x 1.85", up to 1.45" thick
CATEGORY
ITEM
#316112
