mineral

Banded Agate

Cryptocrystalline Quartz (SiO2)

Hardness: 6.5-7 on Mohs scale; Color: Gray, brown, lavender with visible banding; Luster: Vitreous to waxy; Structure: Hexagonal (microcrystalline); Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture).

Hardness: 6
Color: Gray, brown, lavender with visible banding
Luster: Vitreous to waxy

Identified July 1, 2026More mineral →

Explore Banded Agate 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 on Mohs scale; Color: Gray, brown, lavender with visible banding; Luster: Vitreous to waxy; Structure: Hexagonal (microcrystalline); Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture).

Formation & geological history

Formed in cavities (vesicles) of volcanic rocks or ancient lava flows where silica-rich groundwater deposited layers over thousands of years. Usually associated with Cenozoic or older volcanic activity.

Uses & applications

Commonly used for lapidary arts, jewelry, decorative tumbled stones, and precision balances due to its durability.

Geological facts

Agate is named after the Achates River in Sicily. The banding is caused by rhythmic crystallization or variations in mineral impurities during formation.

Field identification & locations

Identify by translucency, characteristic parallel banding, and smooth waxy feel when polished. Found worldwide in places like Brazil, India, and the Lake Superior region.