Fordite

Fordite, also known as Detroit agate or Motor City agate, is a lapidarist term for polished pieces of finely-layered paint masses from automobile factories. The masses consist of automotive paint which has hardened sufficiently to be cut and polished. It was formed from the buildup of layers of enamel paint slag on tracks and skids on which cars were painted with acrylic lacquer, which have been baked numerous times. In recent times the material has been upcycled into jewelry.

Some sources classify Fordite as a mineral. Fordite is notable for the way it displays "the history of the American automotive industry," both to illustrate the changing colors of car paint as well as the transformation and disappearance of the Ford motor factories in Detroit.

History
Gems & Gemology claims fordite "was first collected at Ford Motor Company in Michigan in the 1940s." The colors were initially dark and muted neutrals, though they still consisted of swirling patterns.

The colorful acrylic lacquers of the 1950s and 1960s caused fordite to appear "in bright metallic colors." The 1960s and 1970s allowed for the "boldest hues" as there were yet more demand for colorful vehicles during the decades.

In recent years, the advent of the electrostatic spray painting process has replaced acrylic lacquer painting. The electrostatic process "magnetizes the enamels to the car bodies," reducing or eradicating overspray.