Crazy Lace Agate is a banded chalcedony known for its complex, swirling patterns and vibrant, multi-colored lace-like designs. It is exclusively sourced from the volcanic regions of northern Mexico and is highly prized by lapidary artists for its unique, intricate aesthetics when polished.

Hardness

6.5-7

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Translucent

mineralcommonChalcedony family

Crazy Lace Agate

Hardness: 6.5-7
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: White
Transparency: Translucent

Is this crazy lace agate?

5-step field check

Run through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.

1
Test the hardness
Try to scratch crazy lace agate with a known reference. Crazy Lace Agate sits at Mohs 6.5-7 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Crazy Lace Agate leaves a white streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Crazy Lace Agate typically shows a vitreous luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: white, gray, yellow, red, orange, brown.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: banded.

Often confused with

Crazy Lace Agate vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.

mineral

Jasper

Mohs 6.5-7

How to tell apart: Luster reads vitreous on Crazy Lace Agate and waxy on Jasper.

How to tell apart: Luster reads vitreous on Crazy Lace Agate and waxy on Flint Nodules.

Often found alongside crazy lace agate

Minerals reported to co-occur with crazy 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: 2.6-2.7 g/cm³
Colors: White Gray Yellow Red Orange Brown
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Translucent
Crystal system: Trigonal
Crystal habit: Banded
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Common
Uses: Lapidary, Decorative, Collector
Host rock: Volcanic Rhyolite Cavities
Typical price: $5-50 for tumbled stones or small slabs, higher for large decorative pieces

Where rockhounds find crazy lace agate

Classic worldwide localities

Chihuahua, Mexico

Field-hunting tip

Look in volcanic rhyolite cavities country — that is the host setting where crazy lace agate typically forms. If you start seeing quartz, calcite, goethite 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

How do you identify crazy lace agate?+

Mohs hardness is 6.5-7. It typically shows a vitreous luster. The streak is white. Common colors include white, gray, yellow, red.

Where is crazy lace agate found?+

Notable localities include Chihuahua, Mexico.

How much is crazy lace agate worth?+

Typical asking prices fall in the range of $5-50 for tumbled stones or small slabs, higher for large decorative pieces. Quality, size, and provenance can move individual specimens well outside that range.

What rocks look like crazy lace agate?+

Crazy Lace Agate is most often confused with Jasper, Flint Nodules, Opal. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with crazy lace agate?+

Crazy Lace Agate commonly co-occurs with Quartz, Calcite, Goethite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does crazy lace agate form in?+

Crazy Lace Agate typically forms in volcanic rhyolite cavities. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is crazy lace agate used for?+

Crazy Lace Agate is used in lapidary, decorative, collector.

Find crazy lace agate on the map

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.