gemstone
Red Agate
Chalcedony (SiO2)
Hardness of 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale, reddish-brown color, waxy to vitreous luster, microcrystalline (cryptocrystalline) quartz structure, conchoidal fracture with no true cleavage, specific gravity of 2.58 to 2.64.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale, reddish-brown color, waxy to vitreous luster, microcrystalline (cryptocrystalline) quartz structure, conchoidal fracture with no true cleavage, specific gravity of 2.58 to 2.64.
Formation & geological history
Formed through the deposition of silica from groundwater, typically in the cavities of igneous and sedimentary rocks. Geological age varies greatly depending on the host deposit, commonly associated with volcanic activity.
Uses & applications
Used extensively in jewelry, ornamental carvings, beads, and as a popular specimen for rock collectors.
Geological facts
Agate has been used since antiquity for ornamentation, seals, and talismans, with famous archaeological artifacts found in ancient Egyptian, Greek, and Roman sites.
Field identification & locations
Can be identified in the field by its characteristic waxy luster, hardness that scratches glass, and smooth water-worn pebble shape found in riverbeds and gravel bars.
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