gemstone
Agate and Chalcedony (Bead Jewelry)
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)
Hardness: 6.5-7 on the Mohs scale; Colors include orange (carnelian), teal/blue, and dark green; Luster: Vitreous to waxy; Crystal structure: Trigonal (microcrystalline quartz)
- Hardness
- 6
- Luster
- Vitreous to waxy
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6.5-7 on the Mohs scale; Colors include orange (carnelian), teal/blue, and dark green; Luster: Vitreous to waxy; Crystal structure: Trigonal (microcrystalline quartz)
Formation & geological history
Formed in cavities of volcanic and metamorphic rocks through the deposition of silica from groundwater solutions over millions of years.
Uses & applications
Used primarily in jewelry making, ornamental carvings, beads, and as a collector specimen.
Geological facts
Agate has been used since antiquity for ornamentation, seals, and healing talismans, highly valued by the ancient Egyptians and Greeks.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its microcrystalline structure and distinct color banding or uniform translucent appearance when tumbled and polished into beads.
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