mineral

Banded Agate

Cryptocrystalline Silica (SiO2)

Hardness: 6.5-7 on Mohs scale; Color: Multi-colored bands (grey, white, brown, green); Luster: Waxy to vitreous; Crystal structure: Trigonal/Monoclinic; Cleavage: None; Specific Gravity: 2.58–2.64

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

Identified June 30, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 6.5-7 on Mohs scale; Color: Multi-colored bands (grey, white, brown, green); Luster: Waxy to vitreous; Crystal structure: Trigonal/Monoclinic; Cleavage: None; Specific Gravity: 2.58–2.64

Formation & geological history

Formed in cavities of volcanic rock or ancient hydrothermal veins where silica-rich fluids deposited layers of microcrystalline quartz over time. Many specimens date back to the Precambrian or Paleozoic eras.

Uses & applications

Commonly used for jewelry (cabochons, beads), decorative ornaments, mortar and pestles, and as a popular specimen for collectors.

Geological facts

The banding is caused by variations in the composition and impurity levels of the water during the deposition process. No two agates are exactly alike in pattern.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by looking for a waxy luster when wet, translucent edges, and concentric or parallel banding when broken or tumbled. Commonly found on lake shores and in river beds.