Ellensburg Blue Agates
from Washington State
Ellensburg Blue agates are only found in Central Washington from the Teanaway Basalt flows. Formed over 2 million years ago, before the Columbia River Basalts started flowing, they are limited to only one lava flow. This flow was first burried by the Columbia Basalts then a small portion was uplifted with the creation of the Mt Stuart range. The blues are found among many white agates and crystal filled geodes. Some have washed down into the Ellensburg Valley where they can sometimes be found in farmers fields. Very rare, many think they no longer can be found. They are still out there, but you may have to dig or find thousands of ordinary agates to find one small blue. Some people spend a life hunting and never find one.
Ellensburg Blues are considered one of the three rarest agates in the world and are known world wide. They have a cornflower blue color (with a hint of purple) and are dichroic. This means 2 color. When held up to sunlight, they look pink. Although there are other blue agates out there, none of them have the depth of color of the Ellensburg Blue. Be careful when buying, if the stone is gray blue it is not an Ellensburg blue. We call them Teanaway Gray. They are not valuable like the blues.
We do the legwork and find our own stones, (we are avid rockhounds) and Karen cuts and polishes each stone then wire wraps and sets them in sterling silver. She also handmakes our chains.
We show only our finished pieces on the website, but can make earrings, rings, or bracelets with the blues. Custom work is our favorite.
Ellenslburg Blue and 14k gold ring, Karen Snyder
Ellenslburg Blue Lace pendant, Karen Snyder
