Agate (Light red, orange-red, deep red, with banded or cloudy colors, transparent or translucent)

【Name】

Agate

 【Source】

Jiayou (嘉祐)

 【Frequency of Use】

F

 【Botanical Origin】

One of the cryptocrystalline varieties of quartz in minerals.

 【Characteristics】

It is an irregular lump, varying in size, light red, orange-red to deep red, with banded or cloudy colors, transparent or translucent, with a smooth or uneven surface, and a waxy luster. It is hard and brittle, easy to break, and the fracture surface is slightly smooth. Odorless, tasteless. Soluble in hydrofluoric acid and potassium hydroxide solution.

 【Identification】

《Bencao Pinhui Jingyao》: “The best is the one that doesn’t get hot when polished against wood.”
The best is the one with red color and transparency. White or grayish-white ones are inferior.

 【Category】

Minerals