Although the trade name is Grape Agate, these are Botryoidal Purple Chalcedony. Botryoidal means that round tiny sphere-shaped crystals that have naturally formed together. Chalcedony is a silicon dioxide mineral that is composed of sub-microscopic particles of Quartz arranged in fibrous layers. The color ranges from mid to deep purple, often pieces can also have a greyish or greenish tinge to the small orbs. NOTE: some crystals minerals specimens are prone to flaking some materials are softer then others please note that it is normal to see small particles in arious materials due to packing shipping opening im an expert at packing and take all the steps to prepare and package well