Laguna Agate is a world-renowned variety of chalcedony known for its intense, vibrant color banding and complex fortification patterns. Found exclusively in the volcanic rhyolite of Ojo Laguna in Chihuahua, Mexico, it is highly sought after by lapidaries for its ability to take a high polish and create exceptional jewelry pieces.
Is this laguna 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 laguna agate with a known reference. Laguna 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. Laguna Agate leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Laguna Agate typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: red, orange, yellow, white, purple.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: botryoidal.
Often confused with
Laguna Agate vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside laguna agate
Minerals reported to co-occur with laguna 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
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Botryoidal
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Uncommon
- Uses
- Lapidary, Collector, Decorative
- Host rock
- Rhyolitic Volcanic Rocks
- Typical price
- $20-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find laguna agate
Classic worldwide localities
- Ojo Laguna, Chihuahua, Mexico
Field-hunting tip
Look in rhyolitic volcanic rocks country — that is the host setting where laguna agate typically forms. If you start seeing quartz, chalcedony, calcite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a botryoidal habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find laguna agate on the map
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