mineral

Yellow Banded Agate

Silicon Dioxide (SiO₂)

Hardness of 6.5–7 on the Mohs scale. Features a waxy to vitreous luster, translucent to opaque transparency, and a cryptocrystalline structure. Displays distinct concentric and wavy yellow, cream, and brown bands.

Identified March 11, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed through the deposition of silica from groundwater into cavities (vugs) within volcanic lavas or certain sedimentary rocks. Layers form sequentially over time as fluid composition changes.

Uses & applications

Primarily used in jewelry for pendants, beads, and cabochons. Also used for ornamental carvings, paperweights, and as a 'grounding stone' in metaphysical practices.

Geological facts

Agate is a variety of Chalcedony. The name 'Agate' was given by Theophrastus, a Greek philosopher, who discovered the stone along the shore of the Achates River in Sicily.

Field identification & locations

Identify by looking for characteristic banding and a smooth, waxy surface when polished. Found globally with major deposits in Brazil, Uruguay, and the USA (as Lake Superior Agate). Non-reactive to most acids.