The new English edition of Spirifer's book on agates from Ploczki Gorne, Poland, is an excellent reference to this classic agate locality in Poland.

The Ploczki Gorne agate fields are famous for the wide variety of colours and patterns in the agates, and are highly sought after by collectors the world over.

The book is divided into two sections. The first 50 pages describe the geology of the region, theories of the formation of these agates, and a visual guide to the different terms used to describe different structures in and types of agate.







The second section contains 150 pages of photographs of the best agates from this region, from a range of private and public collections.







Before I visited Poland, I'd never heard of this locality, and in fact I am ashamed to say I had never even heard of Polish agates in general. But in 2010 I visited the Lwowek Crystal Days festival, and the special exhibition theme was agates from this locality (and the original Polish edition of the book was produced to coincide with this). I was astonished with the variety and quality of agates that had been found there.

This book contains photos of every significant specimen that was on display in that exhibition, and many more. It contains not just the classic agates, but also the prasiolite green quartz which is famous from this area.

Agates are a popular theme in books currently. The Agate books from Bode Publications have proven immensely popular and the original Agate 1 is now sold out and highly sought after by collectors. I have no doubt that this book will also sell out soon.

This book belongs in every serious collector's library, and I have no hesitation in recommending it. It is available directly from Spirifer (see their advert on this website).

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