Grape Agate w/ Stand - botryoidal chalcedony - Indonesia

Hey everyone! Check out these awesome "Grape Agate" pieces we just got in. They're seriously cool and look exactly like a bunch of tiny grapes, which is how they got their name. You'll usually see them in these really neat purple shades, sometimes lighter, sometimes super dark.

Now, here's a little secret for you serious collectors, or if you just like knowing the real deal: even though we all call it "Grape Agate" (because, come on, it totally looks like grapes!), it's not technically an agate. When you hear "agate," you usually think of those cool striped, layered rocks. That's what a "true" agate is, scientifically speaking – it's got those distinct bands.

But this "Grape Agate" is actually a type of botryoidal chalcedony. "Botryoidal" is just a fancy way of saying it forms in these rounded, bubbly clusters, like grapes! It's still quartz, just super tiny crystals grown together in this unique way. The purple color comes from little bits of manganese mixed in as it formed.

These come from Indonesia. From what I understand, they form in these old volcanic rocks, where silica-rich water seeps into little pockets and slowly builds up these grape-like formations. If you look closely at the individual "grapes," you can even see tiny little sparkling crystals on the surface.

So, yeah, it's not a "true" agate with the banding, but who cares when it looks this amazing? It's a really special piece of botryoidal chalcedony, and every one of them is pretty unique. Definitely a great addition to any collection!

Stand included with purchase