Plume Agate

Plume agate is a beautiful variety of chalcedony known for its feathery, branch-like inclusions that resemble delicate plumes, ferns, or underwater coral. These inclusions are usually made of minerals such as manganese, iron, or other trace elements, and they can appear in colors ranging from white, cream, and tan to gold, red, orange, and even deep black.

Formed in volcanic rock cavities over millions of years, plume agate gets its patterns when silica-rich water deposits quartz microcrystals around the mineral inclusions, essentially “preserving” the plume shapes inside the translucent to semi-transparent stone.

Key characteristics:

Appearance: Translucent chalcedony with intricate feather-like inclusions.

Colors: Inclusions may be soft and subtle or vivid and dramatic, often contrasting against a clear or softly colored base.

Locations: Found in places like Oregon, Montana, Idaho, Texas, and Mexico, with each locality producing unique color and pattern variations.

Metaphysical associations: Often considered a stone of inspiration, creativity, and inner clarity.