This impressive Aguascalientes fire agate gemstone measures 32.55 x 22.94 x 7.51 mm and weighs 30.65 carats. This large gemstone cluster features multiple fire agate nodules grouped together with different color displays and viewing aspects which provide unique color combinations as the gem is turned. The largest nodule has a bright full peacock display of colors ranging from a fiery red dome encircled by orange, green and purple colors; the middle section features bands of green, blue and purple; and the smaller nodule on the end has a bright orange and green display.
This gemstone comes from the Magueyes fire agate mine in Aguascalientes, Mexico. Renowned for its high quality gemstones, this mine yields stones exhibiting a diverse range of bright rainbow colors, including reds, greens, purples, and blues. This polished flat bottomed stone is ready for final setting or display in a gemstone collection.
The photographs shown highlight the stone’s color and unique formation under both artificial full spectrum indoor lighting and natural sunlight to best display its internal fire layers. The vibrant colors within fire agates arise from the Schiller effect, like what is seen in mother-of-pearl and opals. This phenomenon results from alternating layers of silica and iron oxide that diffract light, creating the interference patterns known as fire. Optimal lighting enhances this color play while in dimmer conditions the colors will be less vivid and will appear darker with a brownish hue.
Aguascalientes Mexico is known for producing quality fire agate gemstones, celebrated for their mesmerizing play of color and intricate internal banding. The fire agate rough from Aguascalientes is a treasure trove of fire agate beauty for collectors and carvers which prize this locality for its rough specimens. The fire agate rough often features these traits: Multiple stacked layers of limonite fire banding, creating dynamic flashes of red, orange, green, purple, and even electric blue. Some pieces from this area have a very dark colored chalcedony, which provides a striking difference from the colorful fire layers and enhances the carving potential. These natural features make Aguascalientes fire agate ideal for lapidary artists, who seek material that allows for high contrast gemstones, which help reveal the stone’s full spectrum of fiery brilliance.
