Agate grape agate crystal cluster - Height: 18 cm - Width: 12 cm- 1085 g

Grape agate is the commercial trade name for a rare, unique form of botryoidal (grape-like) purple chalcedony, a microcrystalline variant of quartz.

The most sought-after variants range from soft lilac and lavender to deep dark purple. The color arises from traces of iron and manganese within the crystal structure. Sometimes the spheres have a microscopically thin layer of sparkling crystal points, which gives a beautiful 'druzy' glitter effect.

Unique locality: The vast majority of high-quality grape agate was not discovered until around 2014 and is mined exclusively in the Mamuju region on Sulawesi Island in Indonesia.

The mineral forms deep within the cavities of volcanic rock (andesite).

Over millions of years, silica-rich fluids layered to form perfect spheres around a central point.

Hardness: It scores 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale. The loose spheres can, however, be fragile and break with rough handling.