mineral

Tumbled yellow-orange agate

Agate, a banded variety of chalcedony (microcrystalline SiO₂)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness about 6.5–7 Mohs; waxy to vitreous luster, translucent orange-yellow coloring, and curved pale bands. Microcrystalline quartz; no visible cleavage and conchoidal fracture.

Identified October 13, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness about 6.5–7 Mohs; waxy to vitreous luster, translucent orange-yellow coloring, and curved pale bands. Microcrystalline quartz; no visible cleavage and conchoidal fracture.

Formation & geological history

Forms as silica-rich groundwater deposits chalcedony in cavities and veins, commonly in volcanic rocks. The image does not reveal its geological age or source.

Uses & applications

Used for beads, jewelry, ornaments, and collections; agate is also used for small precision components and decorative objects.

Geological facts

Agate colors and bands vary with trace impurities and successive silica deposits; polishing makes the surface glossy but does not change the underlying mineral.

Field identification & locations

Look for translucence, curved or concentric banding, and hardness sufficient to resist scratching by a steel blade. Agates occur worldwide, notably in Brazil, Uruguay, India, and the western United States.