Agates are among the most popular gemstones among rock collectors and hobbyists. These relatively inexpensive stones are beautiful and stylish, and they can be used in a number of different jewelry settings. Agates can also be dyed to produce a rainbow of colors, using readily available supplies and easy to follow techniques. Whether you are an experienced rock collector or just getting started in the hobby, you can create some unique and highly specialized jewelry items by dying agates to meet your needs.
Beautiful Black Agates
Black agates can be stunningly beautiful, both as raw gemstones and as pieces of jewelry. Follow these simple steps to create the most beautiful black agates in town.
1. Soak the stones in a solution of sugar water for several weeks. Remove the agate from the sugar water and place it in a pan of sulfuric acid. Bring the sulfuric acid to a boil and boil the agate for several hours.
2. Create a strong solution of iron nitrate and place it in a bucket or closed container. For safety it is best to use a container that can be tightly closed, like a pail with a tightly fitted lid or a plastic container.
3. Place the agates inside the container of iron nitrate solution and allow them to remain there for several weeks. Remove the agates from the solution and allow them to dry.
Creating Ruby Red Agates
Red agates have all the beauty of rubies without the high cost. You can create our own red agates at home by using basic supplies and the right chemicals.
To create those beautiful red agates, simply heat the stones in a high heat oven for several hours. Check the color of the agates after the first treatment. If the color is not rich enough, repeating the soaking in iron nitrate and the high heating will deepen the color further.
Green Agates for Jewelry or Just for Fun
Collectors can create several different shades of green agates by varying the chemicals they use to create those colors. It is important for agate enthusiasts to consider which color they want before starting the coloring process.
Create brilliant green agates by soaking them in potassium bichromate for several weeks. Remove them from the solution and replace it with a solution of ammonium carbonate. Heat the agates in a high heat oven for several hours to seal in the brilliant green color.
Change your agates to an apple green color by soaking them in a solution of nickel nitrate for several weeks. Remove the agates from the solution, allow them to dry, then heat them in a high heat oven for several hours.
With the right tools and techniques, you can create beautiful jewelry quality agates to wear yourself, or to give as gifts. Everyone on your gift list is certain to enjoy these beautiful hand colored stones.
