Fordite - American Motor Agates of Paint on Display Card

A Fordite Specimen: Automotive Paint Turned Into Agate

This Fordite specimen is a hand-cut chip of layered automotive paint. It comes from the Ford River Rouge Complex in Dearborn, Michigan. It dates to the late 1950s and is mounted on a 4 in x 3 in card.

Product Details

• Specimen: Hand-cut Fordite chip, unique in shape, color and pattern
• Origin: Ford River Rouge Complex, Dearborn, Michigan
• Era: Late 1950s
• Display: 4 in x 3 in card with photos and information
• Includes: Mini Museum Seal of Authenticity on the card

How Fordite Formed

Fordite owes its origin to an accident. Paint built up in layers on factory machinery. Each layer came from a different vehicle passing through the paint booth. These automotive paint layers hardened in curing ovens. Some baked up to 100 times.

A piece 1 in thick can hold roughly 997 coats of paint, according to National Jeweler.

Detroit Agate and Motor Agate

Fordite is also called Detroit agate or motor agate. It is man-made, not a gemstone, though it can be cut and polished. It was first collected at a Ford plant in Michigan in the 1940s.

Colors vary by plant and era. Pieces from the 1960s and 1970s show the boldest hues. This late 1950s chip comes from the years when bright metallic colors began to appear. See more pieces from the past in our Authentic Historical Artifacts.

Display and Care

Strength varies from chip to chip, so handle the card with care. Keep it out of direct sun and damp.

About the Rouge Complex

The Detroit Historical Society says construction at the Rouge began in 1918 and ended in 1928. The plant made Eagle Boats for the Navy in World War I. Later it built the Ford Mustang and the 1954 Thunderbird. In later years, electrostatic painting and robots left little overspray. Every Fordite specimen is therefore a finite record of automotive paint layers from a factory floor.

For More Reading from the Web

• Get five quick facts about Fordite. 5 Things to Know About Fordite - National Jeweler
• Learn how the plant behind the paint grew. Ford Rouge Complex - Detroit Historical Society