Agate - rare?!

I read someone state that agate is becoming rare ! Can anyone verify this? I find it hard to believe, and apparently the person who states this heard it at the Tuscon Show. Perhaps the person buying agate was ripped off!

Thanks!

Amanda

Probably referred to a location as opposed to a general statement. I know areas where it is plentiful so rumors of the demise, to me, are overrated.

David is right. Some agates from some cherished old localities is becoming rare and hard to get, but the world is not running out of agate. If it is just agate you want you can buy container loads (20 tons each) of if from Brazil and Uruguay for less than $2 per kg. The Chinese lapidary factories import many containers of rough agate for processing each year. In fact here on mindat we only have pictures of quartz specimens for only sixty some countries, and this makes me pretty sure that there are still major agate deposits yet to be discovered and exploited in the remaining 100+ countries that have not yet come to our attention.

Rock Currier
Crystals not pistols.

Agate is one of those minerals that the world will never run out of, although, as David stated, it might get difficult to find at some individual locality (if quarrying stops, for example).

Thank you all

Amanda

Amanda Hawkins Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> .... apparently the person who states this heard it
> at the Tuscon Show.


You know, the Tucson show is where I have heard some of the most absurd/exaggerated things about minerals.... everything from "this mineral will solve your anger issue" (the metaphysical people) to "this is the best ____ ever found".........

In all fairness though, David is probably right. The comment probably had to do with agate from a particular location.

ibrahim

If I ever make it out to Tucson for the show, 3/4 of my enjoyment will more than likely be to hear all the outrageous stories the dealers will come up with to sell minerals (the other 1/4 would be meeting Mindat folks)

Paul,
Some dealers tell it exactly as it is. Some don't and don't say much at all because they know that the customer will get upset if they tell it like it is. And of course some make up stories, that they calculate will help sell the mineral.

Rock Currier
Crystals not pistols.

Agree Rock. Most of the dealers for the Houston Fine Mineral Show are great to talk with, others are just plain amusing for their sales pitches.