Condor agate

Condor agate was discovered and named by Luis de los Santos in 1993. It is found in the mountains near San Rafael, in Mendoza Province, Argentina. This agate exhibits colorful bands and patterns, and has become a popular stone among collectors and jewelry designers.

Mining

In the early days of condor agate collecting, a typical month of effort would yield 1 ton of good agates. Currently, excavation is required to find the agates, so an extra effort is needed to supply the ever growing demand for these gems. Initially, the agates were found scattered loose over the landscape and were readily harvested in quantity. Today, surface collecting is no longer prolific, so these agates are collected from shallow diggings in the cold agate fields in Mendoza province, Argentina.

References

Pabian, Roger, et al. "Agates. Treasures of the Earth". Buffalo, New York, Firefly Books, 2006 ISBN 978-1554070985
Faith E. Riesen, "Rock & Gem Magazine, Condor agate", Ventura, California, Miller Magazines, March 1993
Bob Jones, "Rock & Gem Magazine, South American Condor agate", Ventura, California, Miller Magazines, September 1995
Frazier, Si; Frazier, Ann (December 1996). "Soaring in from South America : Condor agate, with its dramatically contrasting bands of vivid colors, is alighting in the midst of the gem world after a long flight from Patagonia. / From desolate, windswept Patagonia comes a brightly colored agate as distinctive as the condor that soars above the region's skies". Gems. Lapidary Journal. 50 (9). Devon, PA: 40–43. ISSN 0023-8457. OCLC 1755549.