The facts
What dendritic Agate actually is
Mineralogically, dendritic Agate is chalcedony — SiO₂ + Mn/Fe oxide dendrites, crystallising in the trigonal (cryptocrystalline) system.
The colour is caused by colourless to milky host with black-brown manganese or iron oxide dendrites. That is worth knowing because it determines what heating, light and time can and cannot do to the stone.
A refractometer reads 1.530–1.539, and the specific gravity sits near 2.58–2.64; cleavage is none.
Where dendritic Agate comes from
The recognised sources are Kathmandu Valley, Nepal, Madhya Pradesh, India, Kazakhstan and Brazil.
Origin affects price in this material, so we name the locality on every quote rather than the country. "African" or "Asian" tells a buyer nothing.
How dendritic Agate is treated
Untreated. Dendrites are mineral deposits in fracture planes, not fossils.
None of this is a problem when it is said out loud. It becomes one the moment it is left out.
What dendritic Agate is confused with
The usual confusions are Moss agate, Included glass and Psilomelane in chalcedony.
The separation is rarely a matter of opinion: refractive index 1.530–1.539 and specific gravity 2.58–2.64 settle most of it in a minute, and magnification settles the rest.
What dendritic Agate is used for
Dendritic Agate is bought by jewellery, carving and sculpture, decorative objects, architecture and interiors and mineral collecting — and each of those trades wants a different form of the same material.
We quote each application in the unit that trade actually buys in, by the carat, by the block or by the piece.
Durability and care
Hardness 6.5–7; cleavage none. That combination decides what it can safely be set into.
With no cleavage plane to worry about, the practical limit is abrasion rather than breakage, and it takes daily wear well.
Warm water, mild soap and a soft brush. Avoid ultrasonic cleaners on anything fracture-filled, stabilised, dyed or visibly included.
What dendritic Agate costs
Indicative pricing for dendritic Agate is $0.50–15/ct.
That is a range, not a quote. Colour, size, clarity, cut and origin move the figure a long way inside it, and the only honest price is one given against a specific stone. Send us what you need and we will price it.
Questions
Is dendritic Agate treated, and how?
Untreated. Dendrites are mineral deposits in fracture planes, not fossils.
Where does dendritic Agate come from?
Kathmandu Valley, Nepal, Madhya Pradesh, India, Kazakhstan and Brazil. Origin affects price, so we name the locality rather than the country on every quote.
Is dendritic Agate hard enough to wear every day?
Yes. At 6.5–7 on the Mohs scale with no cleavage plane, it handles daily wear well. The practical limit is gradual abrasion rather than chipping.
How much does dendritic Agate cost?
Indicatively $0.50–15/ct. Colour, size, clarity and origin move the price a long way within that, so treat it as a range and ask for a quote against a specific stone.
What is dendritic Agate confused with?
Most often Moss agate, Included glass and Psilomelane in chalcedony. A refractive index of 1.530–1.539 and a specific gravity near 2.58–2.64 separate it quickly.
What is dendritic Agate used for besides jewellery?
carving and sculpture, decorative objects, architecture and interiors and mineral collecting. Each of those trades buys it in a different form and a different unit.
Related stones
Looking for dendritic agate?
Tell us the size, the quality and what it is for. We source it, photograph it and quote it — with the locality named.
Ask about dendritic agate