Agate
Image: <bdi><a href="https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q120083272" class="extiw" title="d:Q120083272"><span title="Turkish-German attorney">Anıl Öztaş</span></a></bdi> (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Mineral NameAgate
Chemical FormulaSiO2
Mohs Hardness6.5
Crystal Systemtrigonal
Streak Colorwhite
Cleavagenone
Fractureconchoidal
Specific Gravity2.6
Colorsblue, white
Transparencytranslucent
Type LocalityBrazil, Uruguay, Mexico, USA
Mineral GroupSilicates
Usesjewelry, ornamental objects, collector's items
Associated Mineralsquartz, calcite, zeolites
Raritycommon
Description
A polished slice of blue agate, displaying distinct concentric bands of deep blue, lighter blue, and white, with a rough, unpolished outer rind.
Geological Context
Agate forms from silica-rich hydrothermal solutions depositing layers of chalcedony within cavities of volcanic rocks, such as basalt, creating its characteristic banded patterns.
