sedimentary

Banded Carnelian Agate

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 6.5-7 on Mohs scale; Color: Translucent orange to reddish-brown with white or lighter orange bands; Luster: Waxy to vitreous; Structure: Microcrystalline (Cryptocrystalline)

Hardness: 6
Luster: Waxy to vitreous

Identified July 18, 2026More sedimentary →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 6.5-7 on Mohs scale; Color: Translucent orange to reddish-brown with white or lighter orange bands; Luster: Waxy to vitreous; Structure: Microcrystalline (Cryptocrystalline)

Formation & geological history

Formed primarily in volcanic environments where silica-rich groundwater fills cavities in igneous rock, allowing the mineral to precipitate in layers over time.

Uses & applications

Extensively used for jewelry, lapidary art, beads, carvings, and as a healing stone in metaphysical communities.

Geological facts

Carnelian was used as early as the 4th millennium BC in Mehrgarh for decorative beads. It was highly prized by Ancient Egyptians and Romans for signet rings.

Field identification & locations

Identified by its distinctive translucency combined with concentric or parallel banding. Best found in gravel beds or volcanic regions such as those in India, Brazil, or Uruguay.