mineral
Polished agate beads
Agate, a banded variety of chalcedony (microcrystalline SiO₂)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectMohs hardness 6.5–7; beads show brown, cream, gray, and white patterns with a waxy to vitreous luster. Quartz crystals are microscopic and too small to distinguish individually; agate has no visible cleavage.
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Physical properties
Mohs hardness 6.5–7; beads show brown, cream, gray, and white patterns with a waxy to vitreous luster. Quartz crystals are microscopic and too small to distinguish individually; agate has no visible cleavage.
Formation & geological history
Agate forms as silica-rich fluids fill cavities in volcanic rocks, depositing chalcedony in layers. The beads are cut and polished natural material; the specimen’s geological age cannot be determined from the image.
Uses & applications
Used for jewelry and decorative objects; agate is also used for small ornaments and historically for precision components.
Geological facts
Agate’s contrasting bands arise from successive deposits of silica, sometimes with iron-oxide or other mineral impurities.
Field identification & locations
Identify agate by its hardness, curved or irregular banding, and glassy-to-waxy polish; common sources include Brazil, Uruguay, India, and the United States. The image shows a strand of polished beads on a sizing board.
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