mineral

Banded Agate

Cryptocrystalline Quartz (SiO2)

Hardness: 6.5-7 (Mohs), Color: Brown, tan, and reddish-brown bands, Luster: Vitreous to waxy, Crystal Structure: Hexagonal (cryptocrystalline), Cleavage: None, SG: 2.58-2.64

Hardness: 6

Identified June 17, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 6.5-7 (Mohs), Color: Brown, tan, and reddish-brown bands, Luster: Vitreous to waxy, Crystal Structure: Hexagonal (cryptocrystalline), Cleavage: None, SG: 2.58-2.64

Formation & geological history

Formed primarily in volcanic and metamorphic rocks through the deposition of silica from groundwater into cavities (vesicles) over thousands of years as concentric layers.

Uses & applications

Commonly used for tumbled stones, decorative ornaments, jewelry beads, and precision pendulums due to its durability.

Geological facts

Agate was named by Theophrastus, a Greek philosopher, who discovered the stone along the shore line of the Achates River in Sicily. Each agate is unique in its banding pattern.