| Iris (Rainbow) Agates |
| SpiritRock Shop |
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| Item# IAG0508001 Polished Horse Mountain Iris Agate $69.00 Quantity Available 1 each |
Iris agate owes its spectral colors to the presence of a diffraction grating structure. The iris agate grating structure results
from the segregation of alternate layers having higher and lower refractive indexes during crystallization of the needles or
fibers of chalcedony.
Iris is observed in highly polished and thin cut agate (about 1.5mm or 1/16th inch) up to about 6mm or 1/4 inch. The iris is
observed by placing the specimen in front of a light source at about arms length and moving the specimen until the light
passing through the specimen reveals the spectral colors. It must be viewed at the correct angle to see the Iris effect.
"A specimen which shows primary colors in very thin section may show only pastel colors if it is cut too thick. If the line
spacing is not quite uniform only pastel colors may be seen, and if it is very irregular only a chatoyance will be observed."
The conditions for Iris to occur are quite specific. When the conditions are close but not good enough then the occurrence
is chatoyance and not Iris. Simply put, If there is not a play of color, it is not Iris.
(quotes from American Mineralogist Vol 37 pages 578-587, published in 1952)
This stone is 1.6" x 1.3" X .10 " in size. The area of iris banding is 7/16" wide and goes from one side of the stone to the
other side. This has a vivid level of multicolor banding that is a different look than the clear body color agate and is very
vibrant. Adding to this vibrancy is the extreme turtleback pattern that starts from the white band and goes through the
piece lending an unusual appearance to the whole stone. A fine specimen of two collectible agate types in one stone.
Pictures highlight the turtleback pattern and shows the body color. The peculiar nature of this stone make it very difficult
to photograph and it looks better in person.
other side. This has a vivid level of multicolor banding that is a different look than the clear body color agate and is very
vibrant. Adding to this vibrancy is the extreme turtleback pattern that starts from the white band and goes through the
piece lending an unusual appearance to the whole stone. A fine specimen of two collectible agate types in one stone.
Pictures highlight the turtleback pattern and shows the body color. The peculiar nature of this stone make it very difficult
to photograph and it looks better in person.
| Horse Mountain Iris Agate This rare material is from long ago closed sites in Bedford County, middle Tennessee. Iris Agate is relatively unknown today, to all but some of the old time rockhounds. This is some of the "WORLDS BEST". Mentioned in Judith Zeitners " APPALACHIAN MINERAL & GEM TRAILS " in 1968. This material has been totally mined out and has not been available for many years. The Horse Mountain agate is between 443 to 495 million years old (Ordovician Age). This specimen is shown in front of a 40w incandescent bulb and photographed with a Nikon D40X camera. |
| Item # IAG0608002 Oregon, Princess Mine 12.5g Iris Agate slab $40.00 Quantity Available 1 each |
Plume Agate formation on the Oregon high desert puts out some of the highest quality agate in the northern hemisphere
Plume Agate formation on the Oregon high desert puts out some of the highest quality agate in the northern hemisphere
and this is a rare rainbow iris agate slab from that location.and this is a rare rainbow iris agate slab from that location.
Plume Agate formation on the Oregon high desert puts out some of the highest quality agate in the northern hemisphere
and this is a rare rainbow iris agate slab from that location.and this is a rare rainbow iris agate slab from that location.
| Item# IAG0608003 23g Iris Agate slab $50.00 Quantity Available 1 each |
| Sorry, This Unique and rare specimen is sold and on its way to Manhattan, Kansas |