Agate Geode Research Articles

Water and moganite participation in agates from Bou Hamza (Morocco)

Basalt-hosted monocentric agates from Bou Hamza (Morocco) were examined to unravel a discrete relationship between moganite content, water content, and the abundance of various types of chalcedony/quartz microtextures, so that the agate-forming process is refined. Herein, moganite content is noticeably low in length-slow chalcedony (quartzine, up to 18 wt.%), as compared with the co-occurring length-fast (LF) chalcedony (up to 31 wt.%). Such a type of disparity reflects a stabilization of the crystallization front during the formation of chalcedonic bands. Recrystallization-related quartz types (i.e. feathery and mosaic/jigsaw puzzle) show low and high moganite content (0 and up to 34 wt.%, respectively) since they have likely originated from different silica precursors (i.e. opaline and chalcedonic, respectively). Meanwhile, the initial formation of mosaic quartz can be exclusively witnessed in the so-called zebraic variety of length-fast chalcedony (i.e. with twisted fibres) that should be hence regarded as a ,,metastable” variety of silica though. The range of total water content remains quite stable across chalcedonic bands (0.5–0.6 wt%) and reaches the highest values (0.7 wt%) in feathery quartz. However, there is rather a general negative relationship between the content of molecular water and silanol-group water. This can stem from the recycling of water species following the condensation reaction of silanols within the agate geodes. The agates originated from Fe-Ti-bearing solutions that co-precipitated goethite, hematite, and rutile, but also contain minor low-grade carbonaceous material.

World-class amethyst-agate geodes from Los Catalanes, Northern Uruguay: genetic implications from fluid inclusions and stable isotopes

AbstractThe amethyst and agate geodes from the Los Catalanes Gemmological District in Uruguay represent one of the main deposits of its kind worldwide. The geometry of the deposit is horizontal, with an irregular distribution of amethyst geodes within the upper level of the basalt lava flows and shows strong variations in their abundance, as well as quality, geometry, and shape. Reliable exploration guides are scarce, and the limited knowledge of the geological parameters controlling its occurrence makes exploration unpredictable, leading to inaccurate reserve estimation. Based on cutting-edge methods including nucleation-assisted microthermometry of one-phase fluid inclusions and determination of triple oxygen isotope in silicates and carbonates, as well as analysis of geode-hosted water and groundwater, we estimate the crystallisation temperatures in the range between 15 and 60 °C. These low temperatures point to amethyst crystallisation after the emplacement of the complete basalt pile. The mineralising fluid shows isotopic signatures consistent with meteoric water and very low salinities from pure water up to rarely over 3 wt% NaCl-eq., likely sourced from the groundwater hosted in the aquifers in the basaltic sequence and underlying units. Based on the insights provided by the new data, we propose the combination of open- and closed-system crystallisation inside pre-existing cavities due to the episodic infiltration of meteoric water in a rather stable geological context.

Chemically Oscillating Reactions as a New Model for the Formation of Mineral Patterns in Agate Geodes and Concretions

Agate geodes contain spheroidal patterns characterized by spectacularly coloured and circularly concentric laminations with radially aligned quartz crystals, yet the origin of these geometric patterns has remained enigmatic. Here, detailed comparisons are documented between these kinds of patterns in a selection of geodes and concretions and those produced by abiotic chemically oscillating reactions. We find strikingly comparable self-similar, fractal patterns in both natural volcanogenic geodes and sedimentary concretions as well as in these benchtop experiments. In addition, the mineralogical composition of patterns and associated organic matter point to the oxidation of organic compounds in both geodes and concretions. This process occurred during diagenetic or supergene alteration, and it is consistent with spontaneous and abiotic chemically oscillating reactions. It is concluded that the oxidation of organic acids was involved in the formation of these patterns and that these rocks indicate oxidation–reduction reactions involving organic carbon, which itself may be abiotic or biological in origin. Hence, agate geodes and concretions represent the abiotic biosignatures of possible biological origin in volcanic and sedimentary rocks.

Location of agate geodes in Permian deposits of Simota gully using the GPR

The article describes the establishment of the location of agate geodes using the GPR method in the area of the Simota gully (Lesser Poland Voivodeship). Agates (a multicolored variety of gemstone of chalcedony group) have multifaceted values that informed their study. Traditional methods of geode location are less reliable, hence the attempt to use the GPR method. Measurements were taken at two study test sites with subsurface geology of weathered melaphyre and pyroclastic deposits using a GPR system (ProEx). A high-frequency antenna (1.6 GHz) was used along with the pre-established profiles of lengths of 6-m and 10-cm intervals. Furthermore, simple soil tests using the soil sampler tool were made prior to the GPR measurement. The GPR results show significant high attenuation of the electromagnetic energy interpreted to be due to clay components of the regolith. Advanced signal processing procedures (such as the attribute of the signal) were used on the data for better enhancement that aided interpretation. Other anomalies depicted on the radargrams were thought to be the presence of roots, pieces of melaphyres-targeted agates. Furtherance to ascertain the reflection coefficients as recorded on the GPR data, in situ samples (root pieces, melaphyres, agates) taken were tested in the laboratory for electric permittivity property. Based on the interpretation results, several agate geodes were dug out from the ground.

Discovery of agate geode and nodules at Mount Conner, Semporna, Sabah

An exposure of agate geode and nodules in Mount Conner, Sabah, provides an essential aspect to the geological formation in Semporna. This paper briefly report results from petrography analyses on the agate geode and nodules and its significance to the volcanic rocks and sedimentary rocks formation in Mount Conner. The geode and nodules can be divided into agate, and nodules and most of them are sub-rounded. Nodules are usually small in size and display brownish colour. It commonly occurs in volcanic rocks (dacite and rhyolite) and contained amygdale filled by secondary mineral such as microcrystalline and macrocystalline quartz. In contrast, sedimentary rocks in Mount Conner contain both nodules and geodes, which nodules shows similar characteristic with nodules in volcanic rocks and geodes contained empty vesicles or spaces surrounded by colourless to milky white quartz crystals. Both geode and nodules exhibit conchoidal fracture, while geode shows vesicle features and nodules in volcanic rocks show amygdale texture. The formation of geodes and nodules in Mount Conner might as result of precipitation under low temperature from hydrothermal solution.

Novo Hamburgo Complex formed by hydrothermal, explosive injection of Botucatu erg sand into extensive tracts of Paraná Volcanic Province (S Brazil)

The Parana Volcanic Province follows Siberia as the second largest in the continents and offers a unique opportunity to study the hydrothermal relationship between basalt-rhyodacite lavas and buried erg-turned aquifer in an intraplate setting. Injected sand fluidized after basalt sealing and was succeeded by amethyst and agate geode opening and filling. Excellent exposures in the Herveiras cuesta, southern Brazil, allow the comparison of processes over long distances (1500 km) in the volcanic group. Fieldwork and basalt chemistry led to the identification of three hydrothermal processes-amygdales filling (H1), sand injection (H2) and amethyst geodes formation (H3). Sand injection was triggered by high temperature (150 ℃) and seismicity. These low-temperature processes identified in the Herveiras cuesta demonstrate the homogeneity of relationships between the paleoerg, giant aquifer and intraplate volcanic rocks across the volcanic province.

A new model of agate geode formation based on a combination of morphological features and silica sol–gel experiments

Agates are unable to be reproduced in a laboratory environment, and hence the mechanism of their formation remains unknown. Present hypotheses regarding genesis are thus, inevitably, speculative. We describe novel experiments, at room temperature and pressure, producing banded amorphous silica gel ( via a sol–gel transition) whose morphology is compared to that of agates. In addition, macro- and microscopic examination of agates from several sites revealed some distinctive physical features: surface pitting, indentations of the agate bands, the variation in morphologies of the bands, thinning and narrowing of the bands around the indentations and the escape tubes, shapes of the coloured impurities and persistence of the sharp angle of the bands at sector boundaries. These observations and experimental data lead us to conclude that agates can be formed in four stages: sol–gel transition with concomitant band formation, formation of escape tubes, rapid crystallization from multiple nucleation sites and late dissolution/recrystallization of the inner layers.

Environmental Issues on the Industrial Processing of Raw Agate

Agate geodes are treated and stained for the production of handmade artifacts and jewelry, which greatly increases their aggregate value. Unit operations involve storage, sorting, cutting, crushing, dyeing, polishing, washing, and finishing. Substantial amounts of waste materials are produced, which include agate pieces, powders (with or without oils), and wastewaters from organic and inorganic staining procedures. The aim of this work was to quantify the amounts of these waste materials, their characteristics, and possibilities for reuse or recycling in other productivity sectors in the context of the second decade of the 21st century. A review of the theme was carried out and possibilities were analyzed in the light of classic and new technologies.

Basalt stratigraphy and silica gossans in Campo Grande and Serra de Maracaju, Mato Grosso do Sul, Paraná Volcanic Province

Thousands of silica gossans are exposed at the top of the Lower Cretaceous basalt hills in the Paraná volcanic province, strongly indicating the presence of calcite, amethyst and agate geode deposits along with native copper mineralization. The Embrapa silica gossan in the northwestern portion of the province (Campo Grande region) is an excellent example of such novel geological structure in the continental flood basalts. This silica gossan has a size of 450×350m standing out as a treeless area in the densely wooded savanna and makes part of the stratigraphy of six basalt flows of Paranapanema intermediate-Ti chemical type. The base of the volcanic column is constituted by two Pitanga types and the overlying column is Paranapanema type. Every basalt flow has a silicified sand layer or breccia at the top and these are fed by abundant sand dikes. The Anel Viário Norte (AVN) flow is the most intensely altered by hydrothermal fluids producing voluminous secondary calcite infillings in the amygdales and fractures. In this region the basalts contain higher copper content than the average of the volcanic province. The studied silica gossans display negative anomalies in gamma spectrometry as a response to K, U and Th depletion during alteration. We propose a new exploration methodology by observing GoogleEarth images complemented with field studies and geochemistry to readily locate favorable areas for amethyst and agate geode deposits and native copper mineralization.

Geochemical and scintillometric characterization and correlation of amethyst geode-bearing Paraná lavas from the Quaraí and Los Catalanes districts, Brazil and Uruguay

AbstractGeochemical studies of the six lowermost lava flows of the Cretaceous Serra Geral Formation (Paraná volcanic province) in Quaraí (Brazil) and Artigas (Uruguay) were combined with flow-by-flow field studies of structures and scintillometric profiles to establish a consistent regional stratigraphic framework over at least 100 km. This greatly improves exploration capability for amethyst and agate geodes. A basalt, colada Mata Olho (Alegrete facies, Serra Geral Formation), was the first lava to flow over the ancient Botucatu desert in the region, but an andesite, colada Catalán, overstepped this basalt in many places, perhaps palaeohighs. Four basaltic andesites complete the lava stratigraphy in this formation, adding up to 300 m of lavas. The stratigraphic sequence of contrasting lava compositions is 51.0 wt% SiO2 in the first lava, followed by 57.5, 52.5, 56.0, 53.0 and finally 54.5 wt% SiO2. Overall MgO variation is between 2 and 7 wt%. All lavas in the two districts are low-Ti (<2.0 wt% TiO2) of the Gramado type. The characteristic contents of most major and trace elements (124 rock samples analysed) allow the ready identification of each lava. Contrasting rock chemistry also results in strong variation in scintillometric values (270 points measured in the field and nineteen continuous borehole profiles); from bottom to top of the stratigraphy, the cps values are 49±3.2, 123±10.3, 62±4.7, 94±4.6, ~45 and ~85. Colada Catalán has the structure of aa lava, particularly the contorted igneous banding and autobreccias in the upper and lower crusts. In some places, a 2 m thick, silicified sandstone layer lies on top of some coladas, and silicified sandstone forms breccias with volcanic rocks. Geochemistry of the six lavas indicates complex evolution, involving melting of lithospheric mantle, injection into the crust and assimilation of crust followed by fractional crystallization. This study indicates the possibility of world-class deposits of amethyst geodes on the Brazilian side of the border with Uruguay.

Structural Constraints on Paraná Basalt Volcanism and their Implications on Agate Geode Mineralization (Salto do Jacuí, RS, Brazil)

The Paraná-Etendeka Continental Flood Basalt province hosts world-class agate and amethyst geode deposits in Rio Grande do Sul (Brazil; Serra Geral Fm.). Salto do Jacuí Mining District (Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil) has different types of agate geode hosted in vesicular basalt. A series of structural features has recently been investigated in the Salto do Jacuí Mining District, and indicates at least two volcanic episodes: i) normal tholeiitic basalt and dacite eruption, and ii) vesicular basalt and dacite intrusions as sills and dikes. These structural features include: basalt and aeolian sandstone xenoliths in vesicular basalts, vesicular basalt apophyses in massive basalts, sandstone and basalt breccias, sandstone dikes cutting across vesicular lavas and connected to mixed sandstone-agate geodes, sandstone assimilation by vesicular lava, and mixed sandstone and agate geodes. These features show that agate geodes were formed by melting of Botucatu sandstone xenoliths. High density contrast between vesicular basalt and Botucatu sandstone melts makes them immiscible during flow. Botucatu sandstone xenoliths melting is favored by degasing of intrusive volatile-rich basalts. The high-silica globs crystallize dynamically in a closed-system environment, giving rise to agate banding and fibrosity.

Aluminium in quartz as an indicator of the temperature of formation of agate

AbstractAn ‘Al-thermometer’ was applied to agate samples of volcanic parent rocks to provide information about the temperature of agate formation. The temperatures were calculated from concentrations of [AlO4]0 centres determined by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) measurements. The calculations for agate bands in some cases yield temperatures of up to 655°C, which are assumed to be invalid; they are thought to be artifacts resulting from non-equilibrium crystallization processes. In contrast, the formation temperatures (60–198°C) estimated for associated quartz incrustations within the agate geodes are in good accord with those calculated from oxygen isotope data. Direct estimation of the formation temperatures of agates is problematic. The best results will be obtained by analyses of associated phanerocrystalline quartz incrustations.

The nature of water in chalcedony and opal-C from brazilian agate geodes

The water species (H2O(SiOH) and H2O(mol)) of length-fast chalcedony and opal-C in Brazilian agates were studied with thermoanalytical, chemical and infrared absorption methods. Specific surfaces were measured with the BET nitrogen adsorption method and the specific densities were determined. Chalcedony and opal-C have fully hydrated crystal surfaces at the open porosity. They contain additional water at inner surfaces, which are closed micropores in the case of opal-C and regions of accumulated defects (e.g. twinlamellae boundaries) in chalcedony. All surfaces are covered with silanole groups, hydrogen-bonded to molecular water. Additional hydroxyl groups, weakly hydrogen bonded to the structural framework within the crystallites, are located at structural point defects. Wall-lining chalcedony ranges from translucent gray to milky white bands corresponding with decreasing total water content, the H2O(SiOH)/H2O(mol)-ratio, BET-surfaces and increasing density. The H2O(SiOH)/H2O(mol)-ratio is sensitive to subsequent hydrothermal treatment and indicates a low temperature formation of chalcedony.