Bill Atkinson

Museum volunteer

Agate

I like theses minerals because of the way they are highly polished to reveal their patterns. I’ve enjoyed working on the mineral collection because of the beautiful specimens.

What is agate?

Agate is a variety of Chalcedony and is made from microcrystalline silicon dioxide. It is often banded and occurs in bright colours. It forms in cavities in a variety of rocks, but often in lava from silicon rich water flowing through the rock.