gemstone
Agate
Silicon Dioxide (Chalcedony variety), SiO2
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness: 6.5-7 on the Mohs scale, Color: Various including gray, white, blue, yellow, red, and brown, Luster: Waxy to vitreous, Crystal structure: Trigonal (microcrystalline quartz)
- Hardness
- 6
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6.5-7 on the Mohs scale, Color: Various including gray, white, blue, yellow, red, and brown, Luster: Waxy to vitreous, Crystal structure: Trigonal (microcrystalline quartz)
Formation & geological history
Formed by the deposition of silica from groundwater in the cavities of igneous or sedimentary rocks, often over millions of years.
Uses & applications
Used in jewelry, ornamentation, making mortars and pestles, and as a collector's specimen.
Geological facts
Agates are known for their distinct concentric banding patterns which form as different impurities enter the silica solution during deposition.
Field identification & locations
Can be identified in the field by its waxy luster, conchoidal fracture, and characteristic banding. Commonly found in riverbeds, volcanic regions, and pebble beaches worldwide.
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