An amorphous or microcrystalline mineral, SiO₂.nH₂O ; may be tridymite or cristobalite; has a varying proportion of water (as much as 20% but commonly 3% to 9%); occurs in nearly all colors; transparent to nearly opaque; typically shows a marked iridescent "play of color"; differs from quartz in being isotropic; has a lower refractive index than quartz and is softer, more soluble, and less dense; generally occurs massive and may be pseudomorphous after other minerals; deposited at low temperatures from silica-bearing water; occurs in cracks and cavities of igneous rocks, in flintlike nodules in limestones, in mineral veins, in deposits of thermal springs, in siliceous skeletons of various marine organisms (such as diatoms and sponges), in serpentinized rocks, in weathering products, and in most chalcedony and flint. The transparent colored varieties exhibiting opalescence are valued as gemstones.