Citation

Xia Y, Dai S, Chen D, Chen H, Qu W, Xu S, Liao J. Kuangwu Yanshi/ Journal of Mineralogy and Petrology 2020; 40(2): 1-14.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2020)

DOI

10.19719/j.cnki.1001-6872.2020.02.01

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Chalcedony is one of the most prolific varieties of jade on earth, and agate is the most popular variety of chalcedony in terms of color, variety of features, beauty and oddity. However, in recent years, more and more new varieties of chalcedony or agate have been discovered at home and abroad, which are popular in different degrees in the market. Different regions have their own names, with various names and chaotic prices, which dazzle consumers and even confuse the relationship between chalcedony and agate and their respective concepts. The confusion of agate definition and classification has seriously affected the orderly development of agate market. Based on the research results and a large number of test samples and according to the existing common traditional agate varieties on the market and the characteristics of the new non-traditional agate varieties, the chalcedony has been classified into monochrome chalcedony, agate, jasper and jade suicide. This paper mainly expounds the gemological definition, classification characteristics of agate, divides agate into 16 characteristic varieties of polychromic agate, ornamented agate, pictorial agate, morphological agate, gallinate and special optical effect agate, and puts forward a scientific and reasonable gemological classification scheme with market feasibility. © 2020 Kuangwu Yanshi. All rights reserved.

Language: zh

Keywords

classification; feasibility study; Agate; chalcedony; Classification of gemology; Definition of agate; gemstone; Identification characteristics; identification method; mineralogy; petrology