I got some Redtop agates from a buddy who hikes up near Cle Elum. So yeah given how fancy sounding it is, I really thought I scored big... but once I started cutting, most either spider-cracked or had white centers. The few that looked bluish just had a thin layer. I had plans to make a pendant but not sure it's even worth finishing now. Is it?
Agate gone wrong
- Thread starter steven k.
- Start date
TumbleBee218
New member
- Joined
- Jun 26, 2025
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That's a bummer but the spider-cracking and white centers are pretty typical for Redtop agates from that area.
The thin blue layer can be frustrating too when you're hoping for something more substantial.
Whether you keep going with it, I think depends on what you're looking to get out of it.
Like if you're still open to working with the material's quirks, I think you could still make something interesting.
I know someone who likes the natural fractures as part of the design.
Maybe try a smaller, rougher piece or combine it with other materials?
The thin blue layer can be frustrating too when you're hoping for something more substantial.
Whether you keep going with it, I think depends on what you're looking to get out of it.
Like if you're still open to working with the material's quirks, I think you could still make something interesting.
I know someone who likes the natural fractures as part of the design.
Maybe try a smaller, rougher piece or combine it with other materials?
Honestly, if you like how the fractures look, why don't you just make it part of the design? If you're super into art, you must know that the best pieces come from stuff that didn't go as planned.
Take this and redirect.