Agate; Physical Properties And Origin, Archaeology And Folk-Lore

By Oliver C Farrington

An intimate, exacting study of one of nature's most intricate gems. Small, exact, and quietly authoritative. Oliver C. Farrington turns methodical observation to agate physical properties and origin, pairing mineralogical detail with notes on archaeological uses and the folklore of minerals. Part mineralogy reference guide and part gemstone identification book, it lays out structure, banding and classification with the lucid precision nineteenth century science prized, while situating specimens within archaeological gemstone studies and the broader illustrated agate history of natural historians. The prose alternates clear description with measured interpretation, describing texture, colouration and formation hypotheses in language accessible to a non-specialist without flattening technical nuance. As such it functions as both a practical mineral collecting companion, helpful to collectors and hobbyists, and a steady resource for geology students, amateur antiquarians and natural history enthusiasts drawn to the material past. A document of Victorian era mineralogy as much as a technical study, Farrington's work preserves a period voice without losing empirical clarity. Its pages reflect an age when natural science and antiquarian curiosity intersected, offering modern readers not only data but evidence of nineteenth century science in practice. Republished by Alpha Editions in a careful modern edition, this volume preserves the spirit of the original while making it effortless to enjoy today - a heritage title prepared for readers and collectors alike. Accessible enough for casual readers curious about the folklore of minerals, yet grounded enough to serve as a resource for geology students and a reference for scholars of archaeological gemstone studies, the book bridges eras. Measured judgements in Farrington's prose and the period observations he records give modern readers context for how minerals were read, collected and valued in the past. Whether consulted at a desk or kept on a collecting shelf, Farrington's study rewards close technical reading and leisurely browsing, and sits comfortably among classic literature and scientific works for collectors and hobbyists alike.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 9354302173
• ISBN13: 9789354302176
• Release Date: December 2020
• Publisher: Alpha Edition
• Length: 68 Pages
• Weight: 0.25 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.2" x 6.0" x 9.0"