gemstone
Agate
Silicon dioxide (SiO2)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale, varying translucent colors with distinct banding, waxy to vitreous luster, and trigonal crystal system.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale, varying translucent colors with distinct banding, waxy to vitreous luster, and trigonal crystal system.
Formation & geological history
Formed by the deposition of silica from groundwater in the cavities of igneous and sedimentary rocks over millions of years.
Uses & applications
Widely used in jewelry, decorative ornaments, ornate carvings, and precision laboratory instruments.
Geological facts
Agate is a microcrystalline variety of quartz known as chalcedony, with bands that record ancient changes in fluid chemistry.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its characteristic concentric or parallel color banding and conchoidal fracture; commonly found globally in volcanic rock cavities.
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