mineral

White Agate (Chalcedony)

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 6.5-7 (Mohs scale); Color: Translucent white to milky cream; Luster: Waxy to vitreous; Crystal Structure: Trigonal (microcrystalline/cryptocrystalline); Cleavage: None; Specific Gravity: 2.58–2.64.

Hardness: 6
Color: Translucent white to milky cream
Luster: Waxy to vitreous

Identified March 25, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed in volcanic and sedimentary rocks as a primary deposit during the cooling of lava or as a secondary deposit from silica-rich groundwater filling cavities (vugs). It is typically found in host rocks across all geological ages, from the Precambrian to Cenozoic.

Uses & applications

Used primarily in jewelry as beads and cabochons, ornamental carvings, and historical applications in mortars and pestles due to its hardness. Also used in industrial bearings and precision tools.

Geological facts

Agate is named after the Achates River (now Dirillo) in Sicily. The white variety is often called 'Peace Agate' in metaphysical circles and was used by ancient civilizations for amulets and seals.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its translucent edges, waxy texture when polished, and lack of visible crystalline faces. Commonly found along shorelines, riverbeds, and in volcanic areas like Brazil, India, and the Lake Superior region of the USA.