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# Did You Know That Detroit Has Its Own Rare Gem?
- URL: https://www.dailydetroit.com/did-you-know-detroit-has-its-own-rare-gem/
- Published: 2015-11-17T22:18:17.000Z
- Updated: 2015-11-17T22:22:28.000Z
- Author: Joel Gullickson
- Tags: Detroit, Fordite, Rock, #wordpress, #Import 2024-02-25 18:12

Well, believe it or not, this is real. It’s called [Fordite](http://www.fordite.com/Home%5FPage.html?ref=dailydetroit.com), or Detroit agate. The beautiful “rocks” are actually chunks of old, over sprayed automobile paint that were hardened over time by the large ovens formerly used to cure freshly painted cars.

[![fordite](https://storage.ghost.io/c/47/f5/47f528d4-7214-4519-b2b2-26249e48460d/content/images/wordpress/2015/11/fordite.jpg)](https://storage.ghost.io/c/47/f5/47f528d4-7214-4519-b2b2-26249e48460d/content/images/wordpress/2015/11/fordite.jpg?ref=dailydetroit.com)

Although Fordite been referred to anthropogenic mineral because it is originated by human activity, minerals by definition are naturally occurring. Whatever your scientific definition, these are still really cool.

[![J5yXkJe](https://storage.ghost.io/c/47/f5/47f528d4-7214-4519-b2b2-26249e48460d/content/images/wordpress/2015/11/J5yXkJe-1024x768.jpg)](https://storage.ghost.io/c/47/f5/47f528d4-7214-4519-b2b2-26249e48460d/content/images/wordpress/2015/11/J5yXkJe.jpg?ref=dailydetroit.com)

We’re going to call it a gem, as that’s “a precious or semiprecious stone, especially when cut and polished or engraved.” And boy, does Fordite look great as jewelry.

[![pEcna0m](https://storage.ghost.io/c/47/f5/47f528d4-7214-4519-b2b2-26249e48460d/content/images/wordpress/2015/11/pEcna0m.jpg)](https://storage.ghost.io/c/47/f5/47f528d4-7214-4519-b2b2-26249e48460d/content/images/wordpress/2015/11/pEcna0m.jpg?ref=dailydetroit.com)

Employees at the plants noticed the strange beauty of the paint and took to cutting and polishing it until it reached the magnificent sheen as pictured.

[![zjfRKTT](https://storage.ghost.io/c/47/f5/47f528d4-7214-4519-b2b2-26249e48460d/content/images/wordpress/2015/11/zjfRKTT.jpg)](https://storage.ghost.io/c/47/f5/47f528d4-7214-4519-b2b2-26249e48460d/content/images/wordpress/2015/11/zjfRKTT.jpg?ref=dailydetroit.com)

Today it’s still used for jewelry, but it is becoming increasingly rare as auto painting practices have changed, and the material is no longer produced in the original way.

[![o8zVBPj](https://storage.ghost.io/c/47/f5/47f528d4-7214-4519-b2b2-26249e48460d/content/images/wordpress/2015/11/o8zVBPj-1024x946.jpg)](https://storage.ghost.io/c/47/f5/47f528d4-7214-4519-b2b2-26249e48460d/content/images/wordpress/2015/11/o8zVBPj.jpg?ref=dailydetroit.com)

Some of these rare items can represent America’s automotive history. The older Fordite examples have colors like pastel yellow or sea-foam green that are no longer popular today.

[![fordite-polished](https://storage.ghost.io/c/47/f5/47f528d4-7214-4519-b2b2-26249e48460d/content/images/wordpress/2015/11/fordite-polished-1024x736.jpg)](https://storage.ghost.io/c/47/f5/47f528d4-7214-4519-b2b2-26249e48460d/content/images/wordpress/2015/11/fordite-polished.jpg?ref=dailydetroit.com)

Although some modern jewelers are working on the process and creating some of their own Fordite, the stones with an actual history to them are the most valuable.

[![fordite-detroit-agate-car-paint-stone-jewel-22](https://storage.ghost.io/c/47/f5/47f528d4-7214-4519-b2b2-26249e48460d/content/images/wordpress/2015/11/fordite-detroit-agate-car-paint-stone-jewel-22.jpg)](https://storage.ghost.io/c/47/f5/47f528d4-7214-4519-b2b2-26249e48460d/content/images/wordpress/2015/11/fordite-detroit-agate-car-paint-stone-jewel-22.jpg?ref=dailydetroit.com)

The layers and colors are amazing. Even if you have heard of Fordite before, they’re worth a look. If you’re a Michigan-based jeweler or artist who works with Fordite, we’d love to hear from you – put your name and a link in the comments!