A striking matched pair of agatized fossil coral, cut from a single specimen to reveal botryoidal caverns framed by crisp black and white agate banding.
Measuring approximately 3.6" and 3.8", the two halves feature a remarkably varied blue palette. Pale baby blue and icy blue-gray botryoidal formations transition into slate, steel blue, and areas of deep midnight blue. Against them, bold bands of black and white agate trace the perimeter of each piece and wind around small pockets of natural matrix, creating an almost illustrated outline around the interior formations.
The most distinctive feature is the botryoidal cavern exposed through the polished face. Rounded, bubble-like formations rise and fall beneath and through the polished plane, with several larger formations projecting prominently from the surface. Because the pair was cut from the same original specimen, the two halves preserve complementary structures and patterns while each has its own character.
Under UV light, the pair fluoresces in cool blue tones, accentuating the botryoidal texture and fine agate banding.
Details
- Matched pair of agatized fossil coral
- Cut from a single original specimen
- Approximately 3.6" and 3.8"
- Baby blue, blue-gray, navy and midnight blue coloration
- Bold black and white agate banding
- Polished faces with natural matrix retained
- Deep botryoidal caverns and three-dimensional formations
- UV reactive
- You will receive the exact pair pictured
Agatized coral forms when silica-rich groundwater gradually replaces the original material of ancient coral, preserving elements of its structure while transforming it into chalcedony and agate. Each cut can reveal completely different mineralization, making specimens with pronounced banding and exposed botryoidal formations especially visually distinctive.
Natural cavities, pits, fractures, irregular edges, and areas of rough matrix are inherent to this specimen and have been retained as part of its character.