California, Feb 7: Agate is a semi-precious gemstone. It is a form of quartz (crystalline silicon dioxide that develops within cavities in volcanic rocks). The cavities are formed by gas bubbles in hot lava. After a period of time, the lava cools and water infused with silicon dioxide percolates through the cavities. As the water evaporates, the silicon dioxide is left behind on the cavity walls, creating colourful layers of crystals.
Recently, a rock collector in Brazil found a unique agate crystal that bore resemblance to the Cookie Monster (a muppet character in the children’s TV show, Sesame Street).
As you can see (in the image above), this Cookie Monster agate has voids that look like a pair of muppet eyes and a joyful grinning mouth. Strange, isn’t it!