mineral

Lavender Chalcedony

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 6.5-7 on Mohs scale; Color: Soft purple, lavender, lilac, or pale violet; Luster: Waxy to vitreous; Crystal structure: Trigonal (microcrystalline/cryptocrystalline quartz); Cleavage: None; Specific gravity: 2.58-2.64.

Hardness: 6
Color: Soft purple, lavender, lilac, or pale violet
Luster: Waxy to vitreous

Identified July 24, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed via secondary precipitation of silica from low-temperature hydrothermal fluids or percolating groundwater in cavities, fractures, and vesicles of volcanic rocks or sedimentary formations.

Uses & applications

Popular for lapidary work, cabochons, carved ornaments, wire-wrapped jewelry, and polished pocket stones for crystal collectors.

Geological facts

Chalcedony is composed of microscopic intergrowths of quartz and moganite. Its soft lavender to violet coloration is often attributed to trace amounts of iron or manganese impurities or optical scattering.

Field identification & locations

Identified by its microcrystalline texture, soft translucent purple appearance, shell-like (conchoidal) fracture, and lack of visible individual crystal faces. Found in Brazil, Madagascar, Namibia, Turkey, and the USA (e.g., Oregon, California).