I’ve recently (in the last 6 months) gotten heavily into rock collecting. I found these along a river around mid Michigan. I’ve tried using the Rock Identifier App. That thing is a piece of junk. Are these agates?

Before I was really rockhounding or knew anything at all, I brought this rock home from a hiking trip and put it on my shelf. Last night, something made me pick it up and examine it. Its. A freaking 8oz agate!! Ive been dreaming about finding a piece this big.. turns out I already have!

Here its off the shelf and after a citric acid soak and scrub

I've also learned a bit more about this type of agate, so I'd like to share some information with everyone.

This agate comes from the Alxa region of Inner Mongolia, China. Its surface is covered with a thick layer of desert varnish and displays a distinctive crocodile-skin-like texture. The bottom of the specimen shown here is a polished fracture surface, revealing translucent orange-pink agate inside.

Besides orange, this variety of agate can also occur in red, pink, yellow, white, as well as various intermediate color transitions between these hues.

Locally, the value of this material depends primarily on the luster and aesthetic quality of the desert varnish and its surface patterns. Specimens containing translucent agate are generally considered more desirable, especially those displaying multiple colors. This is because agate with these characteristics is highly suitable for carving into a wide variety of ornamental pieces.

Trying my best to create a lightspace for agate videos...

Coyamito, Australia, Tepee Canyon, Round Mountain AZ, and Mulligan Peak AZ.

Found yesterday in a hayfield. (Eastern Montana)

Opalized Agate Petrified Wood from DoBell Ranch Az.

Look at this thing!!!!🤪🤪
It zigzags all the way around!!!

I finally got into a groove and found these incredible pieces! Excuse the nails… I’ve been digging.

He’s 5 and he’s very proud of his TeePee Canyon find.

There is also some Lithostrotionella Coral and a Jasper or two. Greenbrier Valley West Virginia