mineral

Yellow Agate (Aqeeq / Chalcedony)

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2) - Microcrystalline Quartz

Hardness: 6.5-7 on Mohs scale; Color: Honey-yellow to translucent golden-brown; Luster: Vitreous to waxy; Crystal Structure: Trigonal (microcrystalline); Cleavage: None, conchoidal fracture; Specific Gravity: ~2.6

Hardness: 6
Color: Honey-yellow to translucent golden-brown
Luster: Vitreous to waxy

Identified July 24, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed by low-temperature deposition of silica from groundwater solution within cavities and fissures in volcanic rocks and sedimentary deposits. The regional location in the Karakoram/Himalayan region (Gilgit-Baltistan / Ladakh) is renowned for rich agate and chalcedony deposits.

Uses & applications

Cut and polished into oval cabochons for traditional rings, amulets, and fine gemstone jewelry. Highly valued in Islamic traditions (Aqeeq).

Geological facts

Yellow agate, known locally as Yellow Aqeeq (Sulemani Aqeeq or Sharaf al-Shams), is prized across South Asia and the Middle East as a gemstone associated with good fortune and protection.

Field identification & locations

Identified by its microcrystalline texture, waxy-to-vitreous high polish, translucent honey-yellow tone, and absence of visible cleavage. Common in volcanic suites and alluvial deposits across Gilgit-Baltistan, India, and Iran.

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