
What actually are Moss Agate stones?
Primarily, Moss Agate is a part of the Agate family, but it isn’t always the case as Moss Agate is made up of silicon dioxide. It is a semi-precious stone that comes under a variety of chalcedony, which is an ore of the Quartz family. Moss agate is not a pure agate, but it shows some chemical compositions and fascinating agate patterns. It belongs to the quartz family, made of fragments of weathered volcanic rocks. It includes the layering of fissures or pebbles rather than traditional agate covering.
Moss Agates are widely used in making moss agate engagement rings. It dissolves readily in milky white solutions, displaying a blooming effect of manganese or iron that has grown into patterns like moss or lichen. The minerals that include in the process are oxides of manganese or iron.
The other names given to them are “Mocha stone” or “Mocca Stone.” These names are derived from Mocha’s Arabian city in Yemen, an ancient gemstone source.
Moss Agate is a form of chalcedony, including green color minerals embedded in it. This gives rise to filaments and other suggestive patterns of moss. These beautiful geometrical patterns are then converted to kite and hexagon moss agate rings.
Moss Agate does not have any organic compounds in it and is generally formed from weathered volcanic rocks. The colors present in it are the result of traces of impurities like chrome or iron. The metals can transform into different colors depending on their valence (or oxidation state).
The dendritic inclusions that are seen in moss agate are the result of oxides of manganese or iron. The countries rich in Moss Agates are India, Brazil, Uruguay, and the United States.