What Do Agates Look Like? (Pictures of Agates)

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Agates are a topic in and of themselves, with numerous kinds producing a stunning array of color and design. While they all have certain similarities, they also all offer unique and striking imagery. Knowing what makes up each form of agate is the trick.

So let’s dive in and take a look at pictures of different kinds of agate!

But First. What Do I Mean By Agate?

Agate is a curious term that has several different meanings. It used to largely refer to many kinds of banded chalcedony in the past, even in the recent past. These agates feature distinct banding patterns, and they are typically fortification or seam agates.

Agate now mostly refers to any translucent material, including chalcedony. The family is diverse because the inclusions can take many different forms, from simple color to sophisticated 3D designs.

In this article, the pictures of agates that I publish will be agates as in the modern sense.

What Do Agates Look Like?

Agates are primarily composed of chalcedony, which is a form of silica dioxide(SiO₂). It’s the same stuff that makes up glass, quartz crystals, and even opals. And the defining characteristic of chalcedony is that it is transparent.

As such, most agates will have a translucent appearance to them. Many will be banded, like the famous fairburn and Lake Superior agates, while others will consist of one primary color like the agates found in streams in the Pacific Northwest.

All of this to say that due to the variety of different types of agates there are, it’s difficult to describe what agates look like with words. Instead, let’s take a look at the following pictures of agates to get a better idea of what they look like.

Pictures of Agates

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