Fordite, or Motor Agate, is a byproduct of the car painting process used in old Detroit-area auto factories. The unique and gorgeous enamel material has become incredibly popular for use in jewelry and other decorative products, including polished stone formations that show off intricate layering.

Over the course of several decades, paint from U.S. car manufacturing facilities was forged by fire into this fascinating substance, which has quite literally encapsulated a piece of America's automotive history into stone. Before car painting became an automated task, factory workers spray painted vehicles by hand over metal racks and the paint drippings collected and hardened over time, especially when they encountered high heat during the "baking process." The deposits were often taken by factory workers to use as presents for their loved ones and today the remaining artifacts are quite valuable.

While you may see pieces out there that claim to use Fordite, many are just simulated to look like the same material. Real Fordite is much higher in value, especially because today's modern car painting practices have eliminated the process that spawned the substance in the first place - meaning no new Fordite can be created in the same way. Another interesting note about Fordite is that it reflects past color trends. For example, stones from the '40s are usually layered with blacks and browns, while those produced in the '60s show a trend in the use of more colorful polishes. Check out photos below to see some of the stones for yourself!