| Condor agate | |
|---|---|
 A cut and polished piece of condor agate | |
| General | |
| Category | Tectosilicate minerals |
| Group | Quartz group |
| Variety of | Chalcedony, agate |
| Formula | SiO2 (silicon dioxide) |
| Crystal system | Trigonal (quartz) or monoclinic (moganite) |
| Identification | |
| Color | Red, yellow, orange, pink, gray, blue |
| Crystal habit | Cryptocrystalline silica |
| Cleavage | None |
| Fracture | Conchoidal, subconchoidal |
| Tenacity | Brittle |
| Mohs scale hardness | 6.5–7 |
| Luster | Waxy, vitreous when polished |
| Streak | White |
| Diaphaneity | Translucent |
| Specific gravity | 2.6 |
| Density | 2.6 g/cm³ |
| Optical properties | Uniaxial (+) |
| Refractive index | 1.530–1.543 |
| Birefringence | Up to 0.004 |
| Pleochroism | Absent |
| References | [1][2] |
Condor agate is a variety of agate found in the mountains near San Rafael, in Mendoza Province, Argentina.[3] It was discovered and named by Luis de los Santos in 1993.[citation needed] Condor agate often exhibits brightly contrasted bands of red and yellow and may have inclusions of moss or sagenite.[4] It has become a popular stone among collectors and jewelry designers.
Mining
[edit]In the early days of condor agate collecting, a typical month of effort would yield 1 ton of good agates. Currently, excavation is required to find the agates, so an extra effort is needed to supply the ever growing demand for these gems. Initially, the agates were found scattered loose over the landscape and were readily harvested in quantity. Today, surface collecting is no longer prolific, so these agates are collected from shallow diggings in the cold agate fields in Mendoza province, Argentina.[citation needed]
References
[edit]- ^ "Agate". mindat.org. Hudson Institute of Mineralogy. Retrieved 11 October 2025.
- ^ "Agate". gemdat.org. Retrieved 11 October 2025.
- ^ "Condor Agate beds, Mendoza Province, Argentina". mindat.org. Hudson Institute of Mineralogy. Retrieved 18 November 2025.
- ^ Pabian, Roger; Jackson, Brian; Tandy, Peter; Cromartie, John (2016). Agates: Treasures of the Earth. Firefly Books. pp. 129–131. ISBN 978-1-77085-644-8.
- Faith E. Riesen, "Rock & Gem Magazine, Condor agate", Ventura, California, Miller Magazines, March 1993
- Bob Jones, "Rock & Gem Magazine, South American Condor agate", Ventura, California, Miller Magazines, September 1995
- Frazier, Si; Frazier, Ann (December 1996). "Soaring in from South America : Condor agate, with its dramatically contrasting bands of vivid colors, is alighting in the midst of the gem world after a long flight from Patagonia. / From desolate, windswept Patagonia comes a brightly colored agate as distinctive as the condor that soars above the region's skies". Gems. Lapidary Journal. 50 (9). Devon, PA: 40–43. ISSN 0023-8457. OCLC 1755549.