The name “grape agate” has stuck as a marketing term. However, the name is a misnomer. Misnomers are names that are scientifically incorrect. There are no arguments with “grape” because of its purple color. But, the use of “agate” as a species/variety name draws objections. Here is an analysis… Grape Agate: This name is inappropriate because agate should…

Grape agate is a marketing name for purple aggregates of tiny quartz crystals with a spherical (botryoidal) habit. The name reflects their purple color and how they occur in clusters that resemble bunches of grapes. This material is found in the Mamuju area, near the western coast of Sulawesi, an island of Indonesia. Grape agate entered the mineral market…