mineral

Moss Agate

Silicon Dioxide (Chalcedony variety)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness of 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale, colors include green, white, and translucent areas due to hornblende or chlorite inclusions, vitreous to waxy luster, microcrystalline crystal structure, conchoidal fracture with no true cleavage, specific gravity of 2.58 to 2.62.

Identified July 29, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed from silicon-rich groundwater solutions depositing silica in cavities or fractures of volcanic or metamorphic rocks at low temperatures. Geological age varies widely depending on the host rock, often found in Cenozoic or older formations.

Uses & applications

Widely used in jewelry, ornamental carvings, polished crystal towers, and as a popular collector specimen for crystal healing and lapidary arts.

Geological facts

Despite its name, moss agate does not contain organic matter or true moss; the green inclusions are actually mineral dendrites of manganese or iron oxides that resemble plant life.

Field identification & locations

Easily identified visually by its translucent chalcedony body filled with moss-like green dendritic patterns. Commonly sourced from India, Brazil, the United States, and Madagascar.