Dwarves' Earth Treasures Museum: Crazy Lace Agates
Sierra Santa Lucia, Ejido Benito Juarez, Chihuahau Pro.,
Mexico
.
The Crazy Lace Agates may be one of most well-known
agates coming from a main mining site surrounded by many smaller claims
(different lace names) in northern Mexico for they are widely used
in many lapidary arts since 1950s. The name "Crazy Lace" refers to the
irregular and geometric patterns resulting from agates encrusting and later
replacing the large calcite crystals lining the fissures within the limestone
formations. Since the miners tend to break up the Crazy Lace agate veins
into clunks with explosives and heavy tools, any agates with whole patterns
are somewhat scarce. The most common colors are red, yellow, white, gray
and black, but they can come in a wide spectrum of colors except purple
and often come with excellent shadowing effects.
Rare to find a colorful Crazy Lace with such whole pattern.
