mineral

Banded Agate

Cryptocrystalline Quartz (SiO2)

Hardness: 6.5-7 Mohs; Color: Multi-colored bands (white, gray, brown, blue); Luster: Waxy to vitreous; Crystal Structure: Hexagonal (microcrystalline); Cleavage: None; SG: 2.6

Hardness: 6
Color: Multi-colored bands (white, gray, brown, blue)
Luster: Waxy to vitreous

Identified June 28, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 6.5-7 Mohs; Color: Multi-colored bands (white, gray, brown, blue); Luster: Waxy to vitreous; Crystal Structure: Hexagonal (microcrystalline); Cleavage: None; SG: 2.6

Formation & geological history

Formed primarily in volcanic and metamorphic rocks as silica-rich groundwater fills cavities (vesicles). Crystallization occurs in layers over thousands of years.

Uses & applications

Commonly used for jewelry (cabochons, beads), decorative carvings, paperweights, and as a collector's gemstone. Also used industrially for mortar and pestles due to hardness.

Geological facts

Agate is named after the Achates River in Sicily where it was first discovered. The 'banding' is caused by periodic changes in the concentration of silica and impurities in the fluid during formation.

Field identification & locations

Identified by its distinctive concentric or parallel color bands and translucent appearance. Often found in riverbeds, lake shores, and volcanic regions like Brazil, Uruguay, and Lake Superior.