mineral

Blue Banded Agate

Chalcedony (Silicon Dioxide, SiO2)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness: 6.5-7 on Mohs scale. Color: Bright blue, white, and translucent bands. Luster: Waxy to vitreous. Crystal Structure: Trigonal (microcrystalline/cryptocrystalline). Cleavage: None. Specific Gravity: 2.58-2.64.

Hardness: 6
Color: Bright blue, white, and translucent bands
Luster: Waxy to vitreous

Identified June 18, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed by the deposition of silica from groundwater in the cavities of igneous rocks, primarily volcanic lava. The blue color in this specific specimen is enhanced through artificial dyeing, a common practice for agates.

Uses & applications

Used extensively in jewelry making for pendants and beads, decorative carvings, and as a healing stone in metaphysical practices. Industrial uses include mortars and pestles.

Geological facts

Agate was named by Theophrastus, a Greek philosopher, who discovered the stone along the shore line of the river Achates in present-day Sicily. Intense blue banding like this is almost always the result of staining porous chalcedony with iron salts.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its distinct concentric banding and waxy appearance. Commonly found in Brazil, Uruguay, and India. Collectors look for unique patterns and transluency.