2.9" Rare, Trent Agate With Stibnite & Realgar - Oregon

Trent stibnite agate, also known as "Trent agate", is a very unique and rare agate formation that occurred around crystal sprays of stibnite and/or realgar. Trent agate was collected in the 1960s from a railroad cut in Trent, Oregon. Following an accident at the site of collection, the mine was closed and eventually covered by a road. Specimens of this beautiful agate are now only obtainable through old collections.

Like many other agates, Trent agates form when microscopic silica crystals deposit into cavities in concentric layers within cavities of rocks. Its colors depend on impurities within the silica-rich depositing solutions: in this case Trent agate is colored by arsenic, realgar, and stibnite impurities.

While both realgar and stibnite are toxic and can be harmful if inhaled or swallowed, they are encased in silica in this specimen and would not pose a health hazard. We still encourage washing your hands after handling this material to be on the safe side.