How Do You Cut Lake Superior Agates?
Crack open a Lake Superior agate and you’ll discover history. These agates formed during volcanic eruptions more than a billion years ago. Glaciers then spread the rocks across the states of Minnesota and Michigan about 10,000 years ago. Lake Superior agates are unusually colored and come with bands of iron-rich reds, oranges and yellows. The agate is the official state gemstone of Minnesota. Cutting these hard stones requires special equipment, including a specialized lapidary (stone- and gem-cutting) equipment for finer detail. Find an agate. Your best bet is along the shores of Lake Superior after an icy winter or immediately after a storm. Look for beaches that are laden with pebbles. Determine the size of your agate. Is it small (less than a quarter-pound, or is it closer to a pound? Very large agates are rare, although Lake Superior agates the size of bowling balls and weighing up to 100 pounds have been discovered. Tumble small agates in drums to reveal their colors and polish t
