Tree Agate Gemstone Beads

Frequently asked questions

• What gives tree agate its branching pattern?

  The branching, tree-like inclusions in tree agate are dendrites — mineral growths of iron oxide or manganese oxide that formed inside the chalcedony base as mineral-rich solutions infiltrated the stone. The patterns are intrinsic to the rough and survive cutting and polishing unchanged. Each bead is unique because the dendrites grew in different orientations through every piece of rough.
• Where does tree agate come from?

  The dominant commercial source for tree agate beads is India, which supplies most of the material in the global bead trade. Additional deposits are worked in the United States and Brazil. Tree agate forms in the same chalcedony-bearing geological settings as other agates — silica-rich solutions depositing in cavities and fractures in volcanic and sedimentary host rock.
• Is tree agate natural or dyed?

  Tree agate is sold natural across the bead trade. Unlike candy-colored banded agates that are sometimes dyed, dyeing tree agate would defeat the variety's entire appeal — the green-on-white branching dendrite pattern *is* what designers buy, and the inclusions are intrinsic to the stone. If a strand specifies a treatment, it should be disclosed; treatment-honest natural status is the variety's norm.
• What's the difference between tree agate and moss agate?

  Both are chalcedony bases hosting mineral inclusions and both are sold within the agate family. The visual distinction is the pattern: tree agate's inclusions are distinctly linear and branching, organized like tree branches, in an opaque white or cream base. Moss agate's inclusions are more diffuse and fern-like, organized like moss spreading across a stone, in a typically more translucent base. Designers choose by which pattern they want.
• How durable is tree agate?

  Tree agate is Mohs 6.5–7 — durable enough for any jewelry application including rings, bracelets, and necklaces. The chalcedony base and the mineral inclusions are equally hard, so the pattern doesn't compromise structural integrity. Standard care: soft cloth with mild soap.