Description
Blue Lace Agate is a type of chalcedony, a microcrystalline quartz, and takes its name
from its appearance. It is light blue in colour, with fine white lines or banding running
through it. In large specimen pieces the lace effect of the white markings is more
noticeably lace-like.
The Science
Blue Lace Agate is silicon dioxide (quartz) and owes its colour to traces of copper salts.
7.0 on the Moh's Hardness Scale
Care and Cleaning
Soft polishing cloth, plain water rinse or mild solution of soap and
water. It is slightly porous and so may be discoloured by oils. Never soak
Blue Lace Agate.
History
Blue Lace Agate is a young stone in gemstone terms. It was discovered
in Namibia, about 50 years ago, by an American prospector called George Swanson. Realising
how this beautiful rock could be used for carvings and jewellery, he staked a claim on his
discovery and started to mine and market it. It quickly became a very fashionable stone,
as its appearance was so reminiscent of the photographs of Earth from space which were
published for the first time at around the same date. Even today this original mine is
still the only source of Blue Lace Agate in the world. In 1974, at a gathering of
prominent ecologists in Los Angeles, Blue Lace Agate was declared to be a symbol of World
Ecology.
Today, Blue Lace Agate is the State Gem Stone of Nebraska.