Rare Crystal From Indonesia Looks Like a Cluster of Grapes

Grape Agate from Indonesia

Photo: Stock Photos from Albert Russ/Shutterstock
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Grapes and crystals are two things that don't seem related, but a relatively new find in Indonesia is bringing them together. On the market since 2016, grape agate is a new sensation. Pictures of the crystal are going viral and dealers are popping up all over Etsy and eBay. The best examples of grape agate have brilliant purple spheres clustered together and look good enough to eat. But before you run out to make a purchase, it's a good idea to know more about what we're looking at.

Commercially known as grape agate, the crystal isn't actually an agate at all. While this misnomer is fun to say and easy to remember, those who know their minerals call it a botryoidal purple chalcedony. Botryoidal refers to the spherical shape of the round quartz that forms clusters. A chalcedony is a form of quartz that has a waxy sheen and can be translucent. However, since botryoidal purple chalcedony is quite a mouthful, grape agate is what's used for marketing purposes.

These crystals are found exclusively in Indonesia, more specifically in the Mamuju area of the western Sulawesi coast. Colors can range from deep purple to pale or white hues. It's even possible to find green examples. Buyers should be careful and only purchase from reputable dealers, as grape agate can sometimes be dyed to obtain a richer purple coloring.

Grape agate is thought to help enhance dreams and so it's suggested to place the crystal next to you while you sleep. It's also believed to provide mental clarity and decrease anxiety. If you want to have a piece of grape agate nearby at all times, you can even find the crystal incorporated into rings, necklaces, and earrings.

Grape agate is a crystal that can only be found in a small section of Indonesia.

Purple Agate Cluster

Photo: Stock Photos from Cagla Acikgoz/Shutterstock

Spherical pieces of quartz cluster together to form the rare crystal.

Close View of Grape Agate Clusters

Photo: Stock Photos from Jirik V/Shutterstock

Colors can range from deep purple to pale white and even green.

Botryoidal Purple Chalcedony

Photo: Stock Photos from Albert Russ/Shutterstock

Pale Grape Agate from Mamuju, Indonesia

Photo: Stock Photos from Bjoern Wylezich/Shutterstock

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Jessica Stewart

Jessica Stewart is a Staff Editor and Digital Media Specialist for My Modern Met, as well as a curator and art historian. Since 2020, she is also one of the co-hosts of the My Modern Met Top Artist Podcast. She earned her MA in Renaissance Studies from University College London and now lives in Rome, Italy. She cultivated expertise in street art which led to the purchase of her photographic archive by the Treccani Italian Encyclopedia in 2014. When she’s not spending time with her three dogs, she also manages the studio of a successful street artist. In 2013, she authored the book "Street Art Stories Roma" and most recently contributed to "Crossroads: A Glimpse Into the Life of Alice Pasquini." You can follow her adventures online at @romephotoblog.
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