Moss agate tower

Moss agate towerApprox height: A 3. 5 inches B 3 inches C 2. 25 inches D 2. 75 inches Alternately called points or obelisks, these towers are cut and polished from extra holey moss agate. Agate is another member of the quartz family: the term is used to describe chalcedony (a cryptocrystalline form of quartz) that is banded, meaning it has stripes of color. The trade name 'moss agate' has stuck for this material even though it does not display the banding

Approx height:

A  3.5 inches
B  3 inches
C  2.25 inches
D  2.75 inches

Alternately called points or obelisks, these towers are cut and polished from extra-holey moss agate. Agate is another member of the quartz family: the term is used to describe chalcedony (a cryptocrystalline form of quartz) that is banded, meaning it has stripes of color. The trade name 'moss agate' has stuck for this material even though it does not display the banding characteristic of agate (though C does have some!).

Instead, moss agate is known for its splotches, mottling, or dendritic inclusions composed of green minerals like chlorite and celadonite that give the agate an appearance similar to moss. These pieces can be fascinating to study up-close, because the squiggly green 'moss' inclusions are suspended in translucent chalcedony.

Note: Towers like this are often cut haphazardly and may not stand straight. In images showing a right angle over the tower, the piece has been rotated to show the most off-square angle.