Grey Agate
- chalcedony (kal-SED-uh-nee) is microcrystalline or cryptocrystalline quartz; hexagonal (trigonal) crystal system; chemical composition SiO2
- semitransparent to opaque
- milky chalcedony – semi transparent to translucent, nearly colorless or white
- natural material no any treatment, we should call this material “chalcedony”, while always use grey agate to call it in the gemstone business
- agate is use for the banded material, while there is no stripes in it
Identification
- Optic Character: AGG
- Refractive Index: 1.535-1.539; 1.53 or 1.54 spot reading
- Birefringence: usually not detectable, but may show .004
- Pleochroism: none
- Ultraviolet Fluorescence: generally inert (LW and SW); some may fluoresce a yellowish green (LW and SW)
- Absorption Spectra: dyed green – vague lines around 645 and 670 nm
- Specific Gravity: 2.60 (+.10,-.05)
- Polish Luster: greasy to vitreous
- Fracture: conchoidal; sometimes granular
- Luster: dull to waxy
- Cleavage: none
- Identifying Characteristics: dyed green and dyed blue appear red or pinkish through Chelsea filter
- Crystal Habit: aggregate, often in botryoidal forms
- Hardness: 6 ½ to 7
- Toughness: good
Birthstone Designation(s)
- chalcedony – 8:00 pm
Stone information is reference from
Gem Reference Guide, Published by GIA. ISBN 0-87311-019-6
Gemstones of the World, Published by Sterling Publishing Co., Inc NY, ISBN 1-4027-4016-6
Encyclopedia of GEMSTONE, Published by ISHINSHA CO., LTD. ISBN 978-986-251-831-1