Grape Agate M/L Chrysanthemum An absolutely remarkable show piece

An absolutely remarkable show piece that has a dramatic ability to catch light on two levels

and because of this they are one of the most frequently found vertebrate fossils on earth

the so-called “Benz” calcite comes from specific formations in Hubei

roughly 20 million years ago

or the formation of equally thin layers of secondary minerals due to hydrothermal or other alteration

Grape Agate M/L Chrysanthemum An absolutely remarkable show pieceGrape Agate is a unique and distinctive mineral known from only a few locations on earth. Not technically an agate, it is instead formally known as botryoidal purple chalcedony. Named for the small spherical crystal nodules, these individual grapes can range in color from turquoise to deep purple, depending on the presence of minerals like manganese or iron during the formation of the crystals. Grape agate is a relatively new mineral and sought after