RocksdayAgate vs Blue Lace Agate
To tell Agate from Blue Lace Agate: Most agate is not this pale, even blue.
Banded chalcedony — quartz made of microscopic crystals — that fills cavities in volcanic rock layer by layer. Light passes through the bands when held up to the sun.
Photo: James St. John, CC BY 2.0
Pale blue and white chalcedony with wavy, lace-like bands. The classic rough came from one Namibian mine.
Photo: I2Overcome, CC0
Key differences
- Most agate is not this pale, even blue.
Side by side
| Property | Agate | Blue Lace Agate |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Mineral | Mineral |
| Mohs hardness | 6.5–7 | 6.5–7 |
| Luster | Waxy to vitreous | Waxy |
| Streak | White | White |
| Colors | Red, Orange, White, Gray, Brown, Blue | Blue, White |
| Crystal system | Microcrystalline quartz (chalcedony) | Microcrystalline quartz (chalcedony) |
| Specific gravity | 2.58–2.64 | 2.6–2.65 |
| Formula | SiO₂ | SiO₂ |
| Found in | Lake Superior shores; Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil | Namibia |
Properties that are the same for both are grayed out.
How to identify agate
- Concentric or parallel bands, often in red, orange and white.
- Translucent at the edges when backlit.
- Waxy surface on rough, weathered pieces ('pitted' rind).
- Hard enough to scratch glass.
Crystal system: Microcrystalline quartz (chalcedony)
Full Agate guide →How to identify blue lace agate
- Soft sky blue and white in wavy bands, not a deep dyed blue.
- Translucent at the edges.
- Hard enough to scratch glass.
Crystal system: Microcrystalline quartz (chalcedony)
Full Blue Lace Agate guide →More comparisons
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between agate and blue lace agate?
Agate is a mineral (SiO₂) with a Mohs hardness of 6.5–7 and a waxy to vitreous luster, usually red, orange, white, gray, brown or blue. Blue Lace Agate is a mineral (SiO₂) with a Mohs hardness of 6.5–7 and a waxy luster, usually blue or white.
How can you tell agate from blue lace agate?
Most agate is not this pale, even blue.
Could you tell them apart from a blurry close-up?
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