Frequently asked questions

• What's the difference between agate, chalcedony, jasper, and onyx?

  All four are forms of microcrystalline quartz, which is why they share the 6.5–7 Mohs range and similar polish. Agate is banded chalcedony — translucent layers deposited in volcanic gas pockets. Plain chalcedony is the same material without the visible banding. Jasper is the opaque, iron- and clay-rich cousin; it takes a more matte polish and shows broader color fields rather than concentric bands. Onyx in the strict mineralogical sense is parallel-banded black-and-white agate, though the bead trade often uses 'onyx' for solid-black dyed chalcedony. When you see 'agate' on a Dakota listing, expect banded translucent-to-semi-translucent material; the variety name (Botswana, Crazy Lace, Moss, Fire) narrows it further.
• Is the color on dyed agate stable, and how should I care for it?

  Dyed agate is a long-standing trade practice — porous bands accept dye while denser bands resist it, which is how saturated blues, magentas, greens, and blacks are produced. The color is generally stable under normal wear, but dyed material can fade with prolonged UV exposure, hot ultrasonic cleaning, or solvents like acetone and bleach. Clean with mild soap, warm water, and a soft cloth; skip the ultrasonic and steamer. Treatment should be disclosed — ask before buying if it isn't specified. Natural varieties (Botswana, Crazy Lace, Moss, Montana) are typically undyed and don't carry the same fade risk.
• Which agate varieties does Dakota typically carry, and how do they differ?

  The agate family covers a wide visual range. Botswana shows fine grey-pink-white parallel banding. Crazy Lace (Mexico) has chaotic red, yellow, and white swirls. Moss and Tree agate are translucent white with green dendritic inclusions — technically chalcedony with chlorite, but trade-named as agate. Fire agate shows iridescent brown layers. Blue Lace is pale blue with white banding. Dyed varieties (Druzy, Crackle, Fire-and-Ice) deliver saturated novelty colors. Each shows up as its own SKU in the collection, so the variety name in the product title tells you what banding pattern and color story to expect.
• What jewelry applications does agate work well for?

  At Mohs 6.5–7, agate handles any jewelry application — rings, bracelets, necklaces, earrings, daily wear. It's harder than opal, turquoise, and most feldspars, and it doesn't have cleavage planes, so beads tolerate stringing tension and the occasional knock. Rounds in 6mm and 8mm are the workhorses for multi-strand bracelets and beaded necklaces; 10mm and 12mm rounds carry well as statement strands or focal sections. Barrels and rondelles work as spacers between metal or pearl. Banded varieties like Botswana and Crazy Lace reward larger sizes where the pattern reads; uniformly colored dyed agate works in any scale.
• How do I match agate strands across a multi-strand or batch project?

  Agate is a natural banded material, so bead-to-bead variation within a single strand is expected and pattern continuity across strands isn't guaranteed. For multi-strand designs, order strands together when possible so they ship from the same lot — banding tone and saturation can shift between production runs, especially in dyed colors and in varieties like Crazy Lace where every bead is unique. For matched pairs (earrings, symmetrical designs), plan to sort beads from one or two strands rather than expecting cross-strand matches. If exact color matching matters for a production run, contact Dakota before ordering to confirm current lot availability.