mineral

Banded Agate (White Agate)

Chalcedony (Silicon Dioxide, SiO2)

Hardness: 6.5-7 on Mohs scale. Color: Translucent white to milky white with visible banding. Luster: Waxy to vitreous. Crystal structure: Hexagonal/Trigonal (microcrystalline). Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture). Specific Gravity: 2.58-2.64.

Hardness: 6
Color: Translucent white to milky white with visible banding
Luster: Waxy to vitreous

Identified May 7, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed in volcanic and metamorphic rocks as silica-rich groundwater fills gas cavities (vesicles) or cracks, depositing microcrystalline quartz in layers over thousands of years.

Uses & applications

Used primarily for lapidary arts, jewelry (cabochons), ornamental carvings (like the heart shape shown), and collection specimens. Historically used for mortar and pestles due to hardness.

Geological facts

The name Agate comes from the Achates River in Sicily. Each agate is unique due to the specific mineral impurities during formation, making no two specimens identical in pattern.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by looking for translucent edges, waxy luster, and distinct concentric or parallel banding when broken or polished. Common locations include Brazil, Uruguay, and various volcanic regions globally.

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