mineral

Banded Agate with Drusy Quartz

Cryptocrystalline Quartz (SiO2) with macrocrystalline Quartz

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness: 6.5-7 (Mohs); Color: White, black, and gray banding; Luster: Vitreous to waxy; Structure: Cryptocrystalline with central micro-crystals; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture).

Hardness: 6
Color: White, black, and gray banding
Luster: Vitreous to waxy

Identified June 30, 2026More mineral →

Explore Banded Agate with Drusy Quartz in the encyclopedia →

Identify your own rocks.

Get a report just like this from any photo, free.

App Store Google Play

Physical properties

Hardness: 6.5-7 (Mohs); Color: White, black, and gray banding; Luster: Vitreous to waxy; Structure: Cryptocrystalline with central micro-crystals; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture).

Formation & geological history

Formed by the deposition of silica from groundwater into cavities (vesicles) in volcanic rock or sedimentary layers over millions of years.

Uses & applications

Used primarily in jewelry (cabochons), ornamental carvings, and as a popular specimen for mineral collectors.

Geological facts

Agate is named after the Achates River in Sicily. This particular piece shows a 'druse' or 'geode' effect where the center remained hollow and allowed crystals to grow inward.

Field identification & locations

Identified by distinct concentric or planar banding and a waxy luster. Common in areas with historical volcanic activity, such as the Lake Superior region or Brazil.