This 6.4 carat fire agate nodule showcases a wonderful interplay of vivid colors including varying shades of red, orange, green and blue hues. This natural gemstone nodule is shaped as it was found in nature with only minor outer rim trimming occurring and a surface polish performed to bring out the colors. It has remarkable iridescence and a wonderful natural botryoidal shape. Measuring 14.91 x 13.4 x 7.41 mm at its widest points, this natural stone is an ideal choice for a high grade thumbnail sized fire agate gemstone specimen.
Carefully polished, this fire agate nodule specimen offers both beauty and provenance. The stone was mined at Deer Creek, Arizona, a region renowned for its premium fire agates that often exhibit striking rainbow color variations. These natural nodules are the rarest form of agates from Deer Creek, much more unique and harder to find then the normal chalcedony cap style fire agate that is common to the region.
Images were captured indoors under artificial full spectrum lighting to best showcase its vibrant fire and color play. These colors are a result of the Schiller effect, like that seen in mother-of-pearl and opals. This phenomenon arises from alternating layers of silica and iron oxide that diffract light, creating the interference colors recognized as fire. Optimal lighting is essential to reveal the gem’s best fire display, as in dimmer conditions the stones tend to appear darker and more brownish in color.
Deer Creek is well known for producing exceptionally vibrant fire agate gemstones, celebrated for their mesmerizing play of color and intricate internal banding. The fire agates from Deer Creek are a treasure trove of beauty for collectors and carvers which prize this locality for its mesmerizing gemstones, high quality rough and exquisite mineral specimens. The fire agate often display brillant vivid flashes of bright red, orange, green, purple, and blue colors. The uncut rough specimens often feature opal formations created during the geologic formation process. Many Deer Creek pieces have a protective chalcedony cap which preserves the vivid fire layers beneath and enhances the carving potential. These natural features make Deer Creek fire agate ideal for lapidary artists who seek material that allows for deep carving and a high contrast polish which reveals the stone’s full spectrum of fiery brilliance.
