mineral

Amber Agate (Chalcedony)

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2) - Microcrystalline Quartz

Hardness: 6.5-7 on Mohs scale. Color: Translucent amber to brown with band patterns. Luster: Waxy to vitreous. Crystal structure: Hexagonal (trigonal) microcrystalline. Cleavage: None, exhibits conchoidal fracture. Specific gravity: 2.58-2.64.

Hardness: 6
Color: Translucent amber to brown with band patterns
Luster: Waxy to vitreous

Identified June 27, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed through the deposition of silica from groundwater in the cavities of igneous rocks, particularly volcanic lavas. These specimens often date back 10 to 50 million years depending on the specific deposit site.

Uses & applications

Used primarily in lapidary arts for jewelry, decorative carvings, and cabochons. In industry, due to its hardness and chemical resistance, it has been used for precision mortars and pestles.

Geological facts

Agates are named after the Achates River in Sicily where they were first found. The 'amber' variety is particularly prized for its honey-like translucency when held up to a light source.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its waxy exterior, translucent edges when backlit, and presence of concentric banding. Commonly found in riverbeds, gravel pits, and volcanic regions like Brazil, India, and the Lake Superior region of the US.

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Arenite (SiO2 based)

sedimentary

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Metamorphic

Epidote

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metamorphic

Nephrite Jade

Nephrite

Mineral/Rock

Banded Gneiss (River Rock/Pebble)

Gneiss (specifically a banded variety often found as a river rock)

Metamorphic Rock

Green Apatite on Albite

Fluorapatite [Ca5(PO4)3F] on Albite [Na(AlSi3O8)]

mineral