This shot of the slab agate reveals it's primarily flat nature. It is about 2.3cm thick, and you can see the face rounding on the right side. I especially enjoy how when the rock is displayed in this fashion it looks like some type of tropical fish - the crossing patterns in the dark jeweled area are the teeth, the eye above and to the left, and the banding are "scales" moving back from the head. What a fun rock! - Dave Englund's Photos- powered by SmugMug

Welcome! These are all agates that I own. Most I purchased at various rock shows or auctions. The eye agate I found myself (see #28). Most are Lake Superior agates ("Lakers"), but there are also Luguna, Dryhead, Fairburn, Botswana, and Brazil agates here. Don't miss the original sizes that are available for many of these images. Change to the "Critique" Style, and then under "Other sizes" click on the capital "O". Enjoy!

NOTE: For purposes of online presentation colors of agate specimens may be a bit more saturated than in reality.

Did you know that God likes agates too? Besides the obvious (one who makes something so beautiful must of himself also enjoy it) we find in the Bible that God says part of the foundation of the walls of his heavenly city will be of agate (see Revelation 21:19). Don't just glory in the rock, glory in the one who made it - Becoming a Christian - A Quest for Joy.

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$Dave Englund > 2.8 oz Lake Superior Agate; 5.5cm x 2.7cm x 3.5cm. This agate has a couple of small fractures (at the top in this picture). Otherwise, it is outstanding in it's unbroken patterns. I think it is probably the finest agate I own.$

$Dave Englund > 3oz. 4.5cm x 4.5cm x 2.7cm. This fine Lake Superior Agate was purchased at a rock shop in Beaver Bay, Minnesota. Note the very defined crystal impression lower-left of center. To date I have identified only two small fractures on this rock. One is on the lower-left in this shot, running up to the large crystal impression. The other is on the back bottom edge of the rock. What appear to be fractures running up the face in this shot, and branching out at the top, are only edges of reflections. This is a remarkably un-fractured rock for it's size, and it is a jewel in it's own right.$

$Dave Englund > Lake Superior Agate. Note the crystal impression (lower left). Again, what appear to be fractures running up the face and branching out at the top are simply edges of reflections. Someone did an outstanding job of polishing this rock - the face and banding are remarkably smooth and clear.$

Dave Englund > Note the large crystal impression that was already pointed out in previous shots. However, in this shot you can also see several more crystal impressions. These "holes" are where crystals of other chemical compositions were formerly lodged. When you see the clearly defined shapes that are hexagonal, trigonal, or orthorhombic you know a crystal of some kind was a former resident!

Further information on crystal systems can be found at http://www.yourgemologist.com/crystalsystems.html.

Dave Englund > 5.4oz Lake Superior Agate; 7.5cm x 6.3cm x 2.3cm.

This amazing slab agate was one of four I purchased in a lot at an auction. It was the first time I spent anything significant for rocks, probably on the order of $40-$50 for the lot. Now, this agate alone would easily capture $200-$250. It is flater than this shot would led you to believe, the curved appearance moving toward the rear is due to camera angle.

Dave Englund > This close-up reveals some of the amazing banding. Note the circular "eye-like" region. Does that make it an eye agate? Also, note the two crossing dark bars in the dark jeweled area. These are not reflections, they are patterns deep inside the rock.

Dave Englund > This shot of the slab agate reveals it's primarily flat nature. It is about 2.3cm thick, and you can see the face rounding on the right side. I especially enjoy how when the rock is displayed in this fashion it looks like some type of tropical fish - the crossing patterns in the dark jeweled area are the teeth, the eye above and to the left, and the banding are "scales" moving back from the head. What a fun rock!

$Dave Englund > A couple of fractures are running at about 45 degrees from each other. But considering the size of this rock, they are very minor fractures.$

This shot of the slab agate reveals it's primarily flat nature. It is about 2.3cm thick, and you can see the face rounding on the right side. I especially enjoy how when the rock is displayed in this fashion it looks like some type of tropical fish - the crossing patterns in the dark jeweled area are the teeth, the eye above and to the left, and the banding are "scales" moving back from the head. What a fun rock!