Gray Botswana Agate | Tumbling Rough

the brief

Botswana agate, which originates in Africa, is a classic rock tumbling material known for sharply contrasting black, grey, and white banding. Occasionally, colors of purple, orange, brown, pink, and yellow can be found as well, although the latter colors are rare. Prized for taking a great mirror shine when polished, this also a highly preferred tumbling material due to its variety of patterns and colors that can be exposed from the tumbling process, including the opportunity for rare and unusual color combinations. Thus, it is a favored tumbling material for beginners and veteran tumblers alike. On rare occasions, botswana agates can also produce shadow-banding effects!

how it's formed

Botswana agate is formed naturally over time by the earth's activities. The agates are formed during ancient lava flows when liquid magma settled into fault lines. When the liquid magma cooled, silica acid transformed from a liquid gas to a solid material. The thin layers of silica acid create the fine banding found in agates.

where it's found

Botswana agate was mined in large quantities in the 1970s, however, due to recent restrictions on the export of rough gemstone materials leaving Africa, this classic tumbling material has become harder to find.

how it tumbles

We personally never tire of tumbling this material because each stone is highly unique from the next one, we find ourselves constantly searching to the next "perfect" botswana agate.

See our detailed tumbling guide here.

how it looks after tumbling

We're pretty happy with how these turned out! As you can see, each agate is so individual and unique. The colors and banding on each agate speak for themselves! Note that these polished stones are not included in the purchase of rough rock.