THE WORLD OF AGATES AND RARE STONES
discoveries from the field, collector insights , and the artistry hidden in nature's finest minerals
The Legendary Agates of Northern Chihuahua
By Del Rey Agates, Gems & Minerals Gmail account March 16, 2026
With over 100 known varieties, Mexico remains one of the most important agate-producing countries on Earth.
And despite decades of collecting, many remote areas of northern Chihuahua still hold geological treasures waiting to be found.
Picture Agates: Natural Imagery in Stone
By Del Rey Agates, Gems & Minerals Gmail account March 04, 2026
picture agates display patterns that resemble recognizable forms — landscapes, figures, animals, or faces.
Before the Polish: The Untold Story of Agate Mining in Northern Mexico
By Del Rey Agates, Gems & Minerals Gmail account March 03, 2026
Discover how agates are mined in Northern Mexico. Learn about extraction methods, labor, history, and the real cost behind Chihuahua agates.
Why Do Agates Have Color Bands?
By Del Rey Agates, Gems & Minerals Gmail account March 03, 2026
Why do agates have color bands? Learn how light scattering, crystal size, and chalcedony structure create white and blue agate without pigment.
La Guadalupe: The Ultimate Laguna Specimen
By Del Rey Agates, Gems & Minerals Gmail account March 11, 2024
La Guadalupe. This magnificent beauty is not just an ordinary rock; it is a majestic masterpiece that will leave you in awe.
The Rice Museum of Rocks and Minerals Exhibit
By Del Rey Agates, Gems & Minerals Gmail account March 11, 2024
The Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks and Minerals is pleased to announce that a significant selection of recent agate finds from northern Mexico’s famed Chihuahua agate beds will go on exhibit for a year beginning Sept. 21, 2019
The art Behind Cutting and Polishing Agates
By Del Rey Agates, Gems & Minerals Gmail account March 11, 2024
it is crucial to rely on the sun's direct light to inspect the stone for any imperfections. Natural light is essential as artificial lighting in buildings can sometimes mask imperfections, leading to a subpar final result.
The Auction Experience
By Del Rey Agates, Gems & Minerals Gmail account March 11, 2024
the "do's" and "dont's" of auctioning your agates.
Mining at Ojo Laguna
By Del Rey Agates, Gems & Minerals Gmail account July 21, 2023
the first few years at Ojo Laguna we mined at Santa Monica and then at the Alianza claims, it was an experience where we learned a lot.
Unveiling the World's Most Magnificent Agate: The Heart of Chihuahua
By Albert O Ray June 01, 2023
One of the most illustrious examples of Mexican agates is the renowned "Heart of Chihuahua," a masterpiece of nature's craftsmanship. here we go into the reason why we think that this particular laguna agate is amongst the best to ever be brought out of the earth
magazines we have been featured in
By Albert O Ray March 19, 2021