The agate deposits that formed the basis of the lapidary and cutting industry at Idar-Oberstein until the 19th century are mostly depleted. What reaches the market today is the result of rockhound activities. This article reports on a remarkable find from 2012 along a road construction site at Weierbach, near Idar-Oberstein. Found in a small outcrop of volcanic rocks, the nodules showed diameters of 2–12 cm (0.8–4.8 in.). While agates from Idar-Oberstein generally have a fine banding and pastel tones, most of these agates were not banded but showed cloud-like structures and striking sky blue and red colors. The article contains numerous images of the splendid agates and the deposit.
The agate deposits that formed the basis of the lapidary and cutting industry at Idar-Oberstein until the 19th century are mostly depleted. What reaches the market today is the result of rockhound activities. This article reports on a remarkable find from 2012 along a road construction site at Weierbach, near Idar-Oberstein. Found in a small outcrop of volcanic rocks, the nodules showed diameters of 2–12 cm (0.8–4.8 in.). While agates from Idar-Oberstein generally have a fine banding and pastel tones, most of these agates were not banded but showed cloud-like structures and striking sky blue and red colors. The article contains numerous images of the splendid agates and the deposit.
Abstracted by Rolf Tatje
The agate deposits that formed the basis of the lapidary and cutting industry at Idar-Oberstein until the 19th century are mostly depleted. What reaches the market today is the result of rockhound activities. This article reports on a remarkable find from 2012 along a road construction site at Weierbach, near Idar-Oberstein. Found in a small outcrop of volcanic rocks, the nodules showed diameters of 2–12 cm (0.8–4.8 in.). While agates from Idar-Oberstein generally have a fine banding and pastel tones, most of these agates were not banded but showed cloud-like structures and striking sky blue and red colors. The article contains numerous images of the splendid agates and the deposit.
The agate deposits that formed the basis of the lapidary and cutting industry at Idar-Oberstein until the 19th century are mostly depleted. What reaches the market today is the result of rockhound activities. This article reports on a remarkable find from 2012 along a road construction site at Weierbach, near Idar-Oberstein. Found in a small outcrop of volcanic rocks, the nodules showed diameters of 2–12 cm (0.8–4.8 in.). While agates from Idar-Oberstein generally have a fine banding and pastel tones, most of these agates were not banded but showed cloud-like structures and striking sky blue and red colors. The article contains numerous images of the splendid agates and the deposit.
Abstracted by Rolf Tatje
