Arizona Fire Agate

The fire agates from Arizona are a truly one-of-a-kind material. You have no doubt heard of the famous mines, such as Deer Creek, Slaughter Mountain, and others. These agates form in basalt and other volcanics, from a unique process wherein agate is layered in vugs from a hydrothermal solution, one micro-thin layer at a time. Some of these layers diffract light back in a rainbow pattern, creating brilliant bubbles and sheets of red, green, yellow, and the elusive blue. It's best to work this agate with a diamond wheel to first expose the fire layer, then switch to a Dremel or a Foredom tool with a good sintered diamond bit to patiently wear away to right on top of the fire layer. Tumble them with crushed fire agate (of course don't smash up the good stuff!) to finish them. Following are pics of some finished fire agates cabochons, most look like they're Slaughter Mountain or Deer Creek. The colors don't show up too well in these pics, but most of these cabs have red, green, and yellow fire.

Order Arizona Fire Agate rough