Rock Identifier
Chalcedony (Agate) Pebble (Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)) — mineral
mineral

Chalcedony (Agate) Pebble

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 6.5 - 7 on Mohs scale. Color: Translucent grayish-brown, yellowish-tan. Luster: Waxy to vitreous. Crystal system: Microcrystalline trigonal. Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture).

Hardness
6
Color
Translucent grayish-brown, yellowish-tan
Luster
Waxy to vitreous
Identified More mineral
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Physical properties

Hardness: 6.5 - 7 on Mohs scale. Color: Translucent grayish-brown, yellowish-tan. Luster: Waxy to vitreous. Crystal system: Microcrystalline trigonal. Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture).

Formation & geological history

Formed via secondary silica deposition in cavities of volcanic, sedimentary, or metamorphic rocks over millions of years, often rounded by river or beach water erosion.

Uses & applications

Used extensively for lapidary arts, jewelry, tumbled stones, decorative carvings, and mineral collections.

Geological facts

Chalcedony is composed of cryptocrystalline intergrowths of quartz and moganite. Its name is derived from the ancient Greek town of Chalcedon in Asia Minor.

Field identification & locations

Identified by its translucency, smooth water-worn surface, waxy luster, and lack of visible crystalline structures. Commonly found along riverbeds, gravel bars, and ocean beaches.