Blue Lace Agate is a translucent variety of chalcedony characterized by its distinct parallel banding of light blue and white layers. It is highly sought after by lapidary artists for its soothing color palette and typically occurs in volcanic cavities or geode linings.
Is this blue lace agate?
5-step field checkRun through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.
- 1Test the hardnessTry to scratch blue lace agate with a known reference. Blue Lace Agate sits at Mohs 6.5-7 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Blue Lace Agate leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Blue Lace Agate typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: blue, white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: banded.
Often confused with
Blue Lace Agate vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Luster reads vitreous on Blue Lace Agate and waxy on Blue Chalcedony.
How to tell apart: Blue Lace Agate is noticeably harder (Mohs 6.5-7 vs. 4-4.5).
How to tell apart: Blue Lace Agate is noticeably harder (Mohs 6.5-7 vs. 4.5-5).
Often found alongside blue lace agate
Minerals reported to co-occur with blue lace agate. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- SiO₂
- Mohs hardness
- 6.5-7
- Density
- 2.6-2.65 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Banded
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Common
- Uses
- Lapidary, Collector, Decorative
- Host rock
- Volcanic Cavities
- Typical price
- $5-50 for cabs and specimens
Where rockhounds find blue lace agate
Classic worldwide localities
- Namibia
- South Africa
- Brazil
- USA
Field-hunting tip
Look in volcanic cavities country — that is the host setting where blue lace agate typically forms. If you start seeing quartz, calcite, zeolites in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a banded habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find blue lace agate on the map
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