mineral

Banded Agate (Chalcedony)

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 6.5-7 on Mohs scale; Color: Translucent tan to light brown with white banding; Luster: Waxy to vitreous; Crystal structure: Trigonal (microcrystalline); Cleavage: None; Specific gravity: 2.58-2.64.

Hardness: 6
Color: Translucent tan to light brown with white banding
Luster: Waxy to vitreous

Identified June 28, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed in cavities within volcanic rocks or ancient sedimentary formations where silica-rich groundwater deposits layers of microcrystalline quartz over long periods of time.

Uses & applications

Commonly used in jewelry, lapidary arts, decorative carvings, and as a healing stone in metaphysical practices.

Geological facts

Agate is named after the Achates River in Sicily where it was first discovered. The banding represents individual pulses of mineral-rich fluids entering a cavity.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its waxy luster and translucency when held to light. Often found in riverbeds, gravel pits, or volcanic outcrops in locations like the Lake Superior region or Brazil.