mineral

Pink Banded Agate (Dyed)

Chalcedony (cryptocrystalline silica), chemical formula SiO2

Hardness: 6.5–7 on the Mohs scale. Color: Naturally white, gray, or soft pink, but artificially enhanced to a vibrant hot pink. Luster: Waxy to vitreous. Crystal structure: Hexagonal (trigonal). Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture). Specific Gravity: 2.58–2.64.

Hardness: 6
Luster: Waxy to vitreous

Identified March 28, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed through the deposition of silica from groundwater in the cavities (vesicles) of igneous volcanic rocks. The banding occurs due to changes in the composition or pressure of the silica-rich fluids over time. Banded agates can be found in formations ranging from the Archean to the Cenozoic eras.

Uses & applications

Primarily used in jewelry (pendants, beads), decorative ornaments, figurines, and as a metaphysical healing stone. In industry, natural agate is used for precision tools like mortars and pestles due to its hardness.

Geological facts

Natural agate is rarely this vibrant 'neon' pink; most agates on the market with this saturation have been dyed. Agate is often named after its collection locality, such as Botswana Agate or Lake Superior Agate. The dye process involves soaking the porous stone in chemical solutions like chromium or iron salts and then heating them.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by looking for translucent nodules with concentric banding and a waxy luster. Common locations include Brazil, Uruguay, India, and the United States. For collectors, look for the 'tide marks' or bleeding of color into cracks, which indicates artificial dyeing.

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