Rock Identifier
Agate (Silicon dioxide (SiO2)) — gemstone
gemstone

Agate

Silicon dioxide (SiO2)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness of 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale, waxy luster, and exhibits concentric or irregular banding in various colors.

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Physical properties

Hardness of 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale, waxy luster, and exhibits concentric or irregular banding in various colors.

Formation & geological history

Forms by the deposition of silica from groundwater in the cavities of igneous or sedimentary rocks over millions of years.

Uses & applications

Widely used in jewelry, decorative ornaments, and precision instruments like mortars and pestles.

Geological facts

Agate was highly valued in antiquity as a talisman and for making intricately carved cameos.

Field identification & locations

Easily identified by its distinctive multicolored bands and conchoidal fracture; commonly found globally in volcanic rock cavities.