Laguna Agate

Laguna Agate is a variety of chalcedony from Mexico, renowned for its particularly vibrant colours and intricate patterns

Shop for Laguna Agate

Laguna Achat Laguna Agate

Origin of name: after the location near the town of Estacion Ojo Laguna, Ahumada Municipality, Chihuahua

Can be confused with: Laguna agate is amongst the most colourful agates but can of course be confused with agates from other deposits

Localities: more than a dozen deposits around the town of Estacion Ojo Laguna, Ahumada Municipality, Chihuahua. Most deposits are situated in remote mountain areas, cannot be reached by car and thus are worked entirely by hand.

Handling: like all quartzes agate is sensitive to hydrofluoric acid only and generally unproblematic to work with

Worth knowing: Laguna Agate is estimated to be around 38 million years old

Gemmological Properties of Laguna Agate

Formula:
SiO2
Crystal system:
trigonal
Mohs hardness:
6.5 - 7
Specific gravity:
2.60 - 2.64
Refractive index:
birefringent 1.543 - 1.552
Max. Birefringence:
0.009
Dispersion:
none
Pleochroism:
none
Lustre:
vitreous
Cleavage:
none
Fracture:
Conchoidal, Sub-Conchoidal
Colour:
red, orange, yellow, pink, purple, white, sometimes blue or green