DigMyGem Gem encyclopedia

Crazy Agate

Chalcedony & Agate Family

Crazy lace agate is a recognized trade and variety name for agate with tightly twisting, multicolored bands. It is banded chalcedony—microcrystalline quartz—not a separate mineral species; typical colors include white, red, yellow and gray.

Identity

Material or variety
Agate (banded chalcedony)
Scientific or material identity
Agate (banded chalcedony)
Classification
Natural mineral or mineral variety
Aliases or trade names
Crazy lace agate · Mexican lace agate
Composition or formula
SiO₂
Crystal system or structure
Aggregate or composite structure
Geological or manufacturing origin
Forms from silica- or mineral-rich fluids in cavities and fractures.
Mohs hardness
6.5 to 7
Specific gravity
2.58 to 2.64

Origins

Chihuahua, Mexico

Appearance & optical properties

agate with chaotic red, cream and gray zigzag bands.

History & discovery

The name describes the stone’s crowded, looping lace-like bands rather than a distinct mineral discovery. Documented Mexican material occurs as vein agate in Late Cretaceous sedimentary rock, including the classic Sierra Santa Lucía locality in Chihuahua.

Uses & care

Common uses
Its intricate bands are displayed in polished slabs, cabochons, beads, spheres and small carvings.
Handling and cleaning
Clean with warm soapy water and a soft brush. Avoid steam, ultrasonic cleaning, hard knocks and abrasive cleaners, particularly where the agate has natural fractures.

Jewellery

5 pieces of Crazy Agate jewellery. Learners earn each one in DigMyGem by learning words; until then it shows as a silhouette.

  • Silhouette of Kaleidoscope Brooch

    Kaleidoscope Brooch

    Brooch

    A tilted disc of crazy agate swims inside a gold ring, its jumbled bands breaking into a dozen colours at once.

  • Silhouette of Mosaic Cuff

    Mosaic Cuff

    Bracelet

    Three irregular slabs of crazy agate are set side by side along a wide silver cuff so that no two bands ever line up.

  • Silhouette of Madcap Ribbon Brooch

    Madcap Ribbon Brooch

    Brooch

    An imagined brooch built around a wildly swirled crazy agate, framed by a twisting gold ribbon.

  • Silhouette of Carnival Mask Brooch

    Carnival Mask Brooch

    Brooch

    An imagined Venetian mask brooch made of crazy lace agate, whose wild swirls of red, cream and grey suit a carnival.

  • Silhouette of Harlequin Snuff Box

    Harlequin Snuff Box

    Jewel

    An imagined gold snuff box whose lid and sides are panels of crazy lace agate, every one patterned differently.

Sources