
Agate is a type of chalcedony, usually at least slightly translucent and banded or with inclusions. Many agates are hollow, and in such cases the center commonly consists of quartz crystals directed towards the free space, forming a crystal-lined cavity, or geode. A layer of very fine crystals is known as "Drusy" or "Druse". Often the Drusy will be the color of the mineral underneath.
Agate has a hardness of about 7 on the Moh's scale. The name is derived from its occurrence at the Achates River in southwestern Sicily.
Brazilian Agate Drusy