Blue Lace Agate Double Braid Bracelet

Description

Discovered in Namibia, Blue Lace Agate is a variety of chalcedony, which are minerals that contain a microcrystalline structure and belong in the quartz family, that is known for its powder blue and white banded or lacy patterns that give it its distinct and attractive appearance. The soft blue color is attributed to the trace amounts of copper, manganese, and iron present in its chemical composition.

The formation of this gemstone typically occurs in vesicles, (cavities) as nodules or geodes of volcanic rocks after they’ve cooled, such as basalt. As silica-rich solutions derived from groundwater and other mineral-rich sources pass through the porous volcanic rock, layers of microscopic silica are deposited onto the inner walls of the vesicles as it crystalizes. Over a long period of time, these layers create the bands characteristic of Blue Lace Agate.

Agate gemstones have been values all over the world for thousands of years, with archaeological evidence of their cultural significance dating back to the Neolithic Era. The name “Agate” comes from the Greek philosopher Theophrastus who named the stone for the Achates River, (now named Dirillo River).