gemstone

Red agate bead pendant

Chalcedony, microcrystalline quartz (SiO₂), likely colored red; exact material cannot be confirmed from the image

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Smooth, polished, opaque-to-translucent deep red bead with a vitreous to waxy luster. Quartz hardness is about 7 Mohs; chalcedony has no visible cleavage and a cryptocrystalline structure.

Identified October 9, 2026More gemstone →

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Physical properties

Smooth, polished, opaque-to-translucent deep red bead with a vitreous to waxy luster. Quartz hardness is about 7 Mohs; chalcedony has no visible cleavage and a cryptocrystalline structure.

Formation & geological history

Chalcedony forms as silica deposits in cavities and fractures, often in volcanic rocks; agate may develop bands. The bead has been shaped and polished, and its color may be natural or enhanced.

Uses & applications

Used for jewelry and ornamental beads; agate is also collected and used for carvings and decorative objects.

Geological facts

Agate is a variety of chalcedony, but no banding is visible on this small bead. Red chalcedony is sometimes marketed as carnelian, though the image alone cannot establish the variety or treatment.

Field identification & locations

A polished, rounded red bead is consistent with chalcedony, but glass and other materials can look similar; hardness and close examination are needed to identify it reliably. Chalcedony occurs worldwide, including Brazil, India, Uruguay, and the United States.