Amber R

Mearto specialist

Hello, I am sorry for my delayed response to your inquiry, Mearto offices were closed during the holidays. I was made aware of your submission today. From images alone, it is difficult to give a quality rating on the crystallization of this specimen. The crystal quality and crystal formation construction are important to rate. Ellensburg Blue Agate, as any gem, is measured for quality on a MOHs scale of 1 – 10 (10 being the hardest). This type of stone hardness will come back 7.5 or harder. This test helps arrive at a true assessment of value, and to best understand what application this agate would be best used for (i.e.: a museum quality display specimen; sectioned for jewelry making; industrial application). Ellensburg Blue agate is specific to one location, but other agates and minerals that present this type of crystallization and hue are also present in the region. From images, I do question if this is a complete Ellensburg Blue agate specimen or a large quartz geode. The formation does not look like other Blue agate: it is not bulbous and lacks banding, cloudy coloration and streaks. I do suggest an in person valuation to assist in categorizing, precise measurement, and suggestions on removing (if any) matrix from the agate to best arrive at the most accurate assessment. I do believe it is worth your time and the possible fee for this in-person assessment. The probability of this specimen containing the precious gem is real, and again, worth the investigation. If you have further information on the exact excavation location and from when the agate was extracted; this will also help the gemologist or geologist you meet with. I suggest researching with a geology department or regional natural history museum. Being so close to Seattle, I suggest reaching out to the Burke Museum (affiliated with UW). I have found that this type of agate can range in price from $5 to $150 per carat, but without a weight it is difficult to give a FMV price range. I have created an estimate weight on the section you have the the image next to a human hand (approx. 16 oz). Please respond with the weight of your specimen and I will update the current FMV price range. Or, you are able to weigh with a standard scale and use this online conversion chart: https://www.metric-conversions.org/weight/ounces-to-carats.htm to discover the cart weight and potential value.