ABOUT THE STONES
Geodes
Frequently asked questions about our gemstones
The eye-catchers in Karolin Van Loon’s line of exclusive jewellery are, without a doubt, the agate geodes. Thanks to their organic shapes and colours, these true gifts of nature make her designs stand out – not to mention the fascinating journey that has transformed them from a product of nature into a stunning work of art.
AGATE GEODES: HIDDEN GEMS & UNIQUE GIFTS OF NATURE
What are geodes?
Looking at their exterior, geodes appear to be nothing more than rocks with a spherical shape. But once they are cracked or cut open, they reveal the most beautiful and colourful crystals imaginable. These hidden gems are shaped by a natural process that can take millions of years to complete before the geodes are ready to be collected. They are truly precious gifts from Mother Earth, which is exactly why we call them geodes. Their name is derived from the ancient Greek word geoides, which means ‘earth-like’.
Every geode is 100% unique. Although geodes that are found in the same area often share similar features due to the minerals in the soil and the type of formation, no two are ever the same. This is what makes them so valuable and highly cherished: if you are wearing one of Karolin Van Loon’s unique agate designs, you can be certain that no one else can possibly have a piece of jewellery that is identical to yours.
What is the difference between geodes and agate geodes?
‘Geode’ is a collective name. To help identify the geode in question, this term is usually preceded by either the mineral material that has filled the geode, a geographical indication, or the type of formation (vol- canic, sedimentary) through which it was created.
Karolin Van Loon uses exclusively agate geodes in her work. Agate is a cryptocrystalline type of quartz that produces fascinating patterns inside the geode, and which reveals several layers of colour. They are the perfect gemstones for creating our stunning KVL jewellery.
THE INTRIGUING, MILLIONS-OF-YEARS-OLD ORIGIN OF GEODES
How are geodes formed?
Geodes can be formed according to two processes:
volcanic or sedimentary. Volcanic geodes are formed by gas bubbles and sedimentary geodes by the weathering of rock by exposure to air, mud or tree roots which can create hollow cavities over time.
While the outer shell of the geode hardens, the flow of groundwater carries a variety of minerals (such as quartz) through the rocks, creating the almost magical interior of the geodes over time.
How do geodes get their colours?
The colour of an agate geode depends on how the minerals are layered on the inside of the geode. As every geode is formed differently, no two agate geode colourways are ever the same. The colours may vary from almost transparent to cream, pink, purple, blue and green. The darkest agate geodes can even appear almost black!