Fire Agate

Fire agate

Fire agate is a variety of chalcedony that displays fire-like iridescent flashes. It is found only in certain areas of central and northern Mexico and the southwestern United States. Despite its name, it is not a true agate, since it typically does not have bands. Approximately 24-36 million years ago, during the Tertiary Period, these areas were subjected to massive volcanic activity. Fire agates were formed when hot water, saturated with silica and iron oxide, filled cracks and cavities in the surrounding rock and solidified into chalcedony layered with crystallized iron oxide.

Fire

Fire is the rapid oxidation of a fuel in the exothermic chemical process of combustion, releasing heat, light, and various reaction products. Flames, the most visible portion of the fire, are produced in the combustion reaction when the fuel reaches its ignition point temperature. Flames from hydrocarbon fuels consist primarily of carbon dioxide, water vapor, oxygen, and nitrogen. If hot enough, the gases may become ionized to produce plasma. The color and intensity of the flame depend on the type of fuel and composition of the surrounding gases.

Agate

Agate is a banded variety of fibrous chalcedony. Agate stones are characterized by alternating bands of different colored chalcedony and often contain some visible quartz crystals. They are common in nature and can be found globally in a large number of different varieties. Most agates are concentrically banded, while some have bands that form parallel lines. Certain varieties of chalcedony without bands are commonly called agate, but these are not true agates. Moreover, not every banded chalcedony is an agate.

fire

Noun

1. A (usually self-sustaining) chemical reaction involving the bonding of oxygen with carbon or other fuel, with the production of heat and the presence of flame or smouldering.
2. An instance of this chemical reaction, especially when intentionally created and maintained in a specific location to a useful end (such as a campfire or a hearth fire).

Adjective

1. Amazing; excellent.

agate

Noun

1. A semitransparent, uncrystallized silicate mineral and semiprecious stone, presenting various tints in the same specimen, with colors delicately arranged and often curved in parallel alternating dark and light stripes or bands, or blended in clouds; various authorities call it a variety of chalcedony, a variety of quartz, or a combination of the two.
2. The size of type between pearl and nonpareil, standardized as 5+⁄2-point.

Adverb

1. On the way; agoing.