A striking natural agate slice of exceptional character, presenting a dramatically bold composition of deep black, rich amber and a luminous milky white centre. In natural light the slice has a strong, graphic quality, a thick black outer rind with a naturally jagged, sculptural edge encircles a broad band of warm amber and cognac brown, which in turn gives way to a soft, cloud-like centre of pale cream and white chalcedony. The transition between these zones is beautifully gradual, the amber melting into cream with none of the hard banding seen in more typical agate slices, giving this piece an unusually painterly, atmospheric quality.
Under backlighting the piece transforms entirely and utterly spectacularly. The deep black outer edge remains dark and bold, framing the slice like the edge of a solar eclipse, while the amber zone ignites with a rich, fiery orange glow. The milky white centre blazes with an extraordinary intensity, the orbicular chalcedony formations within it becoming fully visible as glowing white spheres suspended in light, resembling nothing so much as a full moon photographed from space. Pair with a light source behind the base to reveal its full spectacular beauty.