Rockhounding Events in Oregon

[tribe_events_list tags=”oregon” limit=”5″]

Agate

Streak: White

Hardness: 7

Chemical Formula: SiO2

Agate is a common form of chalcedony, a microcrystalline form of quartz. It’s banded, colorful appearance has lead to its widespread use throughout human history.

Most varieties of agate are named for its visual appearance, such as fire agate which has inclusions of red or brown hematite. Agate can also vary in its banding appearance, some agates have a dendritic habit or lace-like patterns with eyes, swirls, and other patterns.

Because this mineral is a form of quartz, it’s hardness lends itself to uses not commonly associated with such visually appealing minerals. Agate has been used to create precision pendulums, mortars and pestles, and fine knife-bearing edges for laboratory balances.

Photo: Agate by James St. John is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license.

Explore Rockhounding in Oregon

No Records Found

Sorry, no records were found. Please adjust your search criteria and try again.

Google Map Not Loaded

Sorry, unable to load Google Maps API.

Loading categories...
    • 5e rock shop

    5E Rock Shop

    • lucky strike mines 768x768

    Lucky Strike Mines

    • richardsons rock ranch madras 2

    Richardson’s Rock Ranch

    • richardsons rock shop 768x288

    Richardson’s Rock Ranch

    • screenplant

    Spectrum Sunstone Mines

Celeste
Author: Celeste

Rocks!