Agate stones are translucent varieties of chalcedony. Chalcedony is like quartz but microcrystalline or cryptocrystalline (rather than macrocrystalline), so agate is composed of tiny crystal grains packed together.

The exact definition of agate varies. Many gemologists only refer to translucent, banded chalcedony varieties as agate — while grouping the opaque banded varieties under “jasper” — but not all agate varieties are banded. Regardless, agate stones are used in beautiful jewelry and ornamental pieces like lamps, coasters, wind chimes, and other natural decor.

Agate stones come in a rainbow of patterns and colors, with blue lace, sardonyx, and moss agate for sale being especially popular. Agate is also the historical May and Gemini birthstone.

FAQs

What does agate symbolize?

Agate symbolizes balance, strength, serenity, abundance, protection, and connection to nature. Historically, agate stones were associated with the Greek goddess of Earth Gaia, the Roman goddess of the sunrise Aurora, and the Welsh goddess of inspiration & rebirth Ceridwen.

Where do agate stones come from?

Agate stones form inside nodules within volcanic or plutonic igneous rocks after silica layers build up, combining with other impurities and minerals nearby to create the stone’s stunning patterns.

You can find agate for sale sourced from all around the world. For instance, moss agate is found in the USA, India, Brazil, Uruguay, Indonesia, and Scotland. Certain agates for sale are only sourced from specific locales, like Indonesian agate, Botswana agate, Fairburn agate, Wyoming iris agate, and Montana agate.

How rare is agate?

Overall, agate stones are common, but certain varieties are rare and more valuable:

> Laguna Agate: Called the highest quality agate when displaying fluid color transitions across consistent, thin bands
> Fossil Agate: Contains various fossils like petrified wood or freshwater sea snail shells (e.g. turritella agate), with well-preserved fossils significantly increasing value
> Fire Agate: Displays fiery iridescence that’s usually vibrant orange and red
> Purple Agate: Various patterns (e.g. banded, moss); Usually the result of treatments, naturally purple specimens very scarce

In the highest quality, expect to find these agates for sale at $10 per carat ($50 per gram) or higher.

What are the different types of agate stones available?

You can find both common and unique types of agates for sale from our Verified Sellers. Some common types of agates for sale include dendritic, moss, and banded agate. Our more unique agates include varieties like plume, feather, blue lace, laguna, and sagenite agate.

Shapes and sizes vary. Most are cabochons around 20-30 carats, but some of our agate stones are over 6,000 carats!

What should I look for when buying an agate stone?

You can tell if an agate stone is good quality if it has vibrant, well-defined colors that are natural (not dyed); good translucence and eye-clean clarity (unless it’s an inclusion-based pattern like dendritic agate); no fractures or cracks; and a good cut and polish that amplifies its beautiful patterns.

How are agate stones priced at auction?

Our auction-only agates for sale typically have reserve prices (minimum bids) from around $5 to $50. Our fixed-price (non-auction) agates for sale usually range from about $5 to over $2,000 for truly unique, museum-quality collector specimens.

How can I verify the authenticity of an agate stone?

We have strict quality control measures through our rigorous Verified Seller process and Gemstone Sheriff program. With the latter, you can request a free audit of any gemstone, including any agate for sale, to have a third-party panel of certified gemology experts review if a listing is accurate.

What payment methods are accepted for agate stone purchases?

All of our Verified Sellers accept credit card, PayPal, escrow, and/or GemPay. You can find the accepted payment methods of a particular seller on their agate listing or their Verified Seller profile.

How is the agate stone shipped after purchase?

If you win an agate stone auction, you have 3 days to submit payment and confirm your shipping information. Sellers then have 1 to 2 business days for processing and shipping your order.

The shipping time, tracking number availability, carrier, insurance, and costs vary by seller. You can see each seller’s shipping information at the bottom of their Verified Seller profile.

How do I participate in an agate stone auction?

Begin by registering your account so you can message sellers and track orders. Explore the hundreds of agates for sale and determine your budget. Once you’ve found the one, click “Place Bid” on the listing and input your maximum bid.

The system will automatically outbid competitors for you up to your maximum bid, but keep your notifications on to see if you need to adjust your offer. You’ll be notified about the results when the auction closes.

If auctions aren’t for you, we have plenty of non-auction agates for sale as Buy it Now listings. These have a green price with a shopping cart icon. Click that button, go to your cart, and follow the check-out steps to confirm your purchase right away.

Further Reading