Salvia Purple Chalcedony

Salvia is any of about 900 species of herbaceous and woody plants that make up the genus Salvia, in the mint family. Some members (e.g. sage) are important as sources of flavoring. Easy to propagate, transplant, and grow in poor soil and drought conditions, salvias are a garden staple. One of the best-known is Blue sage of southwestern North America, is a favorite in dried winter bouquets.

Salvia Purple Chalcedony is found in a small deposit south of Nuevo Casas Grandes, Mexico. The deposit is not too far from the Casas Grandes nodular banded agate deposit known for its fine purple banding. It was discovered several years ago and is being mined by Luis Rodriguez. The material is found in small nodules and veins contained in a white powdery matrix between layers of harder rock. The color ranges from a purplish gray to a deep purple color. It is mildly included with lighter colored purple or sometimes reddish spots. It is a high quality material, wonderfully suited for cabbing and carving.

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Examples of Salvia Purple Chalcedony Cabochons

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