As numerous regions in the United States are increasingly being closed to collecting or mining, the cost of various agates in the U.S. has risen accordingly. Certain agates that were once abundant are now no longer accessible due to legislative restrictions or depletion of mines.
Fortunately, Mexico offers a range of exceptional old agates and new discoveries. The following descriptions highlight classic favorites and newly introduced agates available for collection online or at gem shows today.
Laguna Agate
Laguna Agate is a requisite for any serious agate collector, originating in Ojo Laguna, Mexico. Laguna Agate often exhibits vibrant colors and pronounced fortification patterns. Fortification refers to the bands or rings that form in some agate, resembling the walls of a fort or castle. Due to its popularity, high-quality half nodules of this exquisite agate can be quite expensive.
Coyamito Agate
Coyamito Agate originates from a location within a 50-mile radius of the site where Laguna Agate is discovered. Much of the agate exhibits a similar appearance to Laguna Agate or other agates from neighboring locations. Coyamito Agate is distinguished by its pseudomorphs, which are mineral crystals replaced by agate, occasionally forming within the nodules.
Mexican Crazy Lace Agate
Originating in the Sierra Santa Lucia mountain range, Mexican Crazy Lace Agate features, as its name suggests, exquisite lacy patterns that permeate the agate. It is often characterized by vibrant colors, including orange, red, white, yellow, grey, and occasionally blue. This enduringly popular and highly prized agate is sometimes counterfeited through the dyeing of banded agates; however, distinguishing the authentic Mexican Crazy Lace Agate is straightforward for those familiar with it, due to its distinctive fine and intricate patterns.
Agua Nueva Agate
This wonderful agate is mined a few miles north of Chihuahua City in Mexico. It has fantastic lacy patterns of purple, pink, gold, white and other colors.This unique and beautiful agate is highly sought after by collectors.
Moctezuma Agate
No longer mined, Moctezuma Agate is known for its fine pastel colors. Moctezuma Agate is found 15 miles east of Estacion Moctezuma. Large fracture-free examples of Moctezuma Agate are very rare, as Moctezuma agate typically occurs in small sizes.
Bird of Paradise Plume Agate
Bird of Paradise Plume Agate is sourced from Chihuahua, Mexico. This highly sought-after agate is extremely rare, as it is believed to have been completely depleted through mining operations many years ago. This variant of Mexican Flame Agate lends itself well to the creation of exquisite cabochons, ideal for incorporation into distinctive jewelry pieces.
Apache Plume Agate
Apache Plume Agate is discovered near the small town of El Apache in Chihuahua, Mexico. This attractively banded agate is notable for its bright red-orange hues suspended in clear agate. Apache Plume Agate is distinctly different from most other agates found in Chihuahua, Mexico.
Crown of Silver Psilomelane Plume Agate
This unique type of manganese ore originates from the Silver Crown Mine in Chihuahua, Mexico, and is distinguished by its black color with shiny metallic silver banding that swirls throughout the gemstone. It is an exceptionally hard material that accepts a high polish, making it a fabulous looking material when cut into cabochons for jewelry.
Sangria Lace Agate
One of the newest agates from Mexico available on the market today is Sangria Lace Agate. This agate typically exhibits light pinks and grays with bands of white and pockets of druzy. This distinctive agate has already gained significant popularity among collectors.
Royal Aztec Lace Agate
This absolutely fabulous seam agate from Durango, Mexico has always been difficult to obtain. With fine lace patterns and soft pastel shades of purples and blues it is a favorite among agate collectors.Long exposure to direct sunlight will cause the beautiful colors of this agate to fade.
Amethyst Lace Agate
This exquisite agate from Durango, Mexico features bands of white, pink, blueish gray, and lavender, in addition to bands of purple Amethyst. Fractures are common in this material, making it challenging to find large slabs without cracks.
Sarape Agate
Named after the brightly colored Mexican Sarape Blanket, this agate is another new find in Chihuahua, Mexico. Sarape Agate has many different colors including reds, greens, orange, yellow, brown and gray. The patterns in this agate also varies greatly however it is most often swirling layers of different colors.
Fire Agate
Fire Agate is exclusively found in the Southwestern United States and Northern Mexico. This exquisite gemstone was formed when hot water from volcanic activity filled cracks and voids in rocks. The hot water, saturated with silica and iron oxide, cooled and formed beautiful layers of agate.
These agate layers often exhibit the appearance of Opal or Mother of Pearl, a phenomenon known as the Schiller effect. The color produced by Fire Agate is created by very thin layers of crystal that reflect light in a unique way, resulting in a colorful effect.
Due to its exceptional hardness and stability, Fire Agate is ideal for use in jewelry and serves as a suitable substitute for more delicate gemstones, such as Opal.
Other Mexico Agates
Below is a list of other Mexican agates that would be of interest to a collector of Mexican agates.
Mexican Flame Agate
Sonora Plume Agate
Riviera Plume Agate
Calandria Agate
Loma Pinta Agate
Luna Moon Agate
Cathedral Agate