mineral

Swirled Agate Bead

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 6.5-7 Mohs; Color: Gray, white, and translucent blue-gray swirls; Luster: Vitreous to waxy; Structure: Cryptocrystalline; Cleavage: None; Specific Gravity: 2.58-2.64

Hardness: 6
Color: Gray, white, and translucent blue-gray swirls
Luster: Vitreous to waxy

Identified July 12, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 6.5-7 Mohs; Color: Gray, white, and translucent blue-gray swirls; Luster: Vitreous to waxy; Structure: Cryptocrystalline; Cleavage: None; Specific Gravity: 2.58-2.64

Formation & geological history

Formed in volcanic rock cavities or sedimentary rocks through groundwater silica deposition. Agates can be millions of years old, often dating to the Tertiary or Cretaceous periods.

Uses & applications

Primarily used in jewelry making, beadwork, decorative arts, and as a pocket stone for collectors.

Geological facts

This specimen is a manufactured spherical bead made from natural agate. The swirling patterns are characteristic of chalcedony varieties, where different layers of silica impurities create banding.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its waxy luster, conchoidal fracture (if chipped), and high hardness which prevents scratching by steel. Agates are common in Brazil, Uruguay, and the United States.