First agates from Rancho Agua Nueva hit the market in the late 1950s. There are different types of agates. Nodules and vein agates, nodules were always found on higher elevations. In the early 1970s rather flat nodules up to a size of 6 inches were collected, mostly filled with calcite.
In the late 1970s colourful agate veins were mined. They were up to 14 inches thick. Thinner portions showed golden-brown moss agate. When the vein thickened one could find colourful fortification agate, purple and yellow have been dominant colours. They made Aqua Nueva agates famous.
Shortly after a new mine for nodular agates got established, on the outside edge mostly moss, inside often hollow and lined with tiny quartz crystals.
More brilliant pictures of this kind of agate are represented on the new release from the AGATE-ARCHIVES : “Laguna-Agates” - an informative and and esthetical pleasure - presented on CD-ROM.
Further informations are given from Brad L. Cross in his book “The Agates of Northern Mexico”, page 42 - 43
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Northamerica/Mexico/Chihuahua/ Agua Nueva Agate |