This silver hinged specimen is one of our teaching pieces we use at Gem Shows to demonstrate where the Fire Agate colour layer might be found in Slaughter Mountain rough. As an intact nodule, there was little to no indication of fire. Luckily (or unfortunately) for us the top corner had broken off (and was saved) during the mining operation and the colours shone through below the chip (so we paid a premium price!) After grinding away the rest of the chalcedony covering the stone we decided to leave the gem in-situ and rebuilt, with modeling clay, what had been ground away. This allows people to see the incredible discovery process of finding the magic hidden beneath the chalcedony.
If not for the broken off chip of chalcedony, this Fire Agate nodule (intact) would have passed unnoticed and no-one would have had any idea of what colours were inside. Any fast grinding/trimming attempt of removing the chalcedony cap on this stone would have most likely destroyed the piece due to the lack of indicators. Seeing the suspense and 'discovery' process as this specimen is shown in Gem Shows is a major delight.