Editing Agate (section)

=== Level-banded agates ===
Agates with level banding are traditionally called ''[[onyx]]'', although the formal definition of the term onyx refers to color pattern, not the shape of the bands.<ref>{{cite web |title=Onyx |url=https://www.mindat.org/min-2999.html |website=mindat.org |publisher=Hudson Institute of Mineralogy |access-date=February 9, 2025}}</ref> Accordingly, the name "onyx" is also used for wall-banded agates. Onyx is also frequently misused as a name for banded [[calcite]]. The name originates from the Greek word for the human nail, which has parallel ridges.<ref name="pabian">{{Cite book |last=Pabian |first=Roger |title=Agates: Treasures of the Earth |last2=Jackson |first2=Brian |last3=Tandy |first3=Peter |last4=Cromartie |first4=John |date=2016 |publisher=Firefly Books |isbn=978-1-77085-644-8}}</ref>{{rp|p=37}} Typically, onyx bands alternate between black and white or other light and dark colors. ''Sardonyx'' is a variety with red-to-brown bands alternated with either white or black bands.<ref>{{cite web |title=Sardonyx |url=https://www.mindat.org/min-7604.html |website=mindat.org |publisher=Hudson Institute of Mineralogy |access-date= February 10, 2025}}</ref>

[[Thunderegg|Thunder eggs]] are frequently level-banded, however they may also have wall banding. Level banding is also common in [[Lake Superior agate]]s.<ref name="lynch water-level">{{Cite book |last=Lynch |first=Dan R. |title=Lake Superior Agates Field Guide |last2=Lynch |first2=Bob |date=2012 |publisher=Adventure Publications |isbn=978-1-59193-282-6 |pages=34–37}}</ref>

<gallery mode="packed" heights="130px">
Agate 6 (32375570980).jpg|Agate with both wall banding (top) and level banding (bottom)
Agate Braziilia.jpg|Brazilian agate with classic fortification banding
Crazy Lace Agate 06.jpg|Crazy lace agate
Eyeballed by all the eye agates (27395607964).jpg|Tumbled Lake Superior eye agates
Detail, Dendritic agate (cropped).jpg|Dendritic agate from India
Four moss agate cabochons.jpg|Moss agate cabochons
Iris Agate from (Agatized Petrified Wood), Stinking Water, Oregon detail, from- Oregon004 (cropped).jpg|Iris agate from petrified wood
Agate D Bruyere.jpg|Level-banded agate
Onyx Mainzer Becken.jpg|Onyx agate
Thunder Egg Agate (Priday Blue Bed, John Day Formation, Miocene; near Madras, Oregon, USA) 5.jpg|Level-banded thunder egg from Oregon, USA
</gallery>