QuestionHI my Name is Kathy Bryan
I have rare Mexican Fire Agates and Fire Agate can be a very huge Challenge to Cab or Carve
I sell on eBay and this one seller had a fire agate with all the Chalcedony Bubbles untouched
She said that she would only except Refunds unless a Gemologist looked at it first
I looked at it and I could not see how she could have had it appraised in the Natural state
I am a Mexican Fire Agate Dealer plus a Lapidaries/Silver/Goldsmith
I work with them all the time and their sometimes are Pit Falls that can't be seen unless its a Finished Cab
Can you appraise Fire Agates in their Natural State?
Thanks Kathy
AnswerDear Kathy , although its not my area of expertise , I am an Opals pecialist , we have had a lot to do with agates over the years . Like boulder opals in the rough , its very difficult to see what they will be like until one is either split open or cleaved . To answer your question directly , I would suggest that it be too difficult to appraise agate in the rough , Without seeing at least one split open . If they are all out of the one mine pocket then the chances are that they will be rather uniform , but nature is not perfect so variations are normal. I Hope that helps alittle . best regards Rod Keady www.keadyopals.com
