mineral

Banded Agate (Carnelian-Agate)

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness: 6.5-7 Mohs; Color: Red-orange to white/purple banding; Luster: Vitreous to waxy; Crystal structure: Hexagonal (cryptocrystalline); Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific gravity: 2.58-2.64

Hardness: 6
Color: Red-orange to white/purple banding
Luster: Vitreous to waxy

Identified July 20, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed in volcanic cavities and sedimentary rock through the deposition of silica from groundwater. The bands are created by alternating layers of chalcedony and quartz.

Uses & applications

Used primarily in jewelry, ornamental carvings, lapidary arts, and as a focus for metaphysical crystal collecting.

Geological facts

Agate was named by Theophrastus, a Greek philosopher, who discovered the stone along the shore line of the Achates River in Sicily.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its translucent nature and distinct concentric or parallel banding. Commonly found in Brazil, India, and the United States (Lake Superior region).