A way of getting into colourful quartz (5)

I believe the answer is:

agate

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'quartz' is the definition.
(agate is a kind of quartz)

'a way' is the wordplay.
'way' becomes 'gate' (I've seen this in other clues).
'a'+'gate'='AGATE'

'of getting into colourful' acts as a link.
I am not very happy about this link. Some or all of it may belong to another bit of the clue.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for agate that I've seen before include "Ornamental form of quartz" , "Type of quartz" , "Hard stone with concentric bands of colour" , "Old drama critic" , "Quartz variety" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.

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