Rock Identifier
Dyed Quartz (often sold as 'Blue Quartz' or 'Blue Agate') (Silicon Dioxide (SiO2) with artificial pigment) — mineral
mineral

Dyed Quartz (often sold as 'Blue Quartz' or 'Blue Agate')

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2) with artificial pigment

Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale); Color: Vibrant electric blue with darker pigment concentrated in internal fractures; Luster: Vitreous/glassy; Structure: Hexagonal/Trigonal (cryptocrystalline if agate); Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture).

Hardness
7 (Mohs scale)
Luster
Vitreous/glassy
Identified More mineral →

Identify your own rocks.

Get a report just like this from any photo, free.

App StoreGoogle Play

Physical properties

Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale); Color: Vibrant electric blue with darker pigment concentrated in internal fractures; Luster: Vitreous/glassy; Structure: Hexagonal/Trigonal (cryptocrystalline if agate); Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture).

Formation & geological history

Formed through hydrothermal processes where silica-rich fluids cool. This specific specimen has undergone a post-mining industrial dyeing process where natural translucent quartz or agate is submerged in heated chemical dyes.

Uses & applications

Primarily used for decorative purposes, jewelry (pendants/bracelets), and 'healing crystal' collections. Tumbled stones are popular in gift shops and aquarium decor.

Geological facts

Natural blue quartz is extremely rare and usually appears as a pale, dull grayish-blue. The intense 'neon' blue seen here is a sure sign of human-made color enhancement. The dye is often permanent but can fade if left in direct sunlight for long periods.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by looking for 'pooling' of color within cracks—natural minerals have uniform color or transition smoothly between layers. Natural blue minerals like Apatite or Fluorite are much softer and can be scratched by a steel blade, whereas quartz cannot.

More like this

Other mineral specimens

Sandstone (with potential mineral staining/concretions) (Arenite (SiO2 based)) — sedimentary

Sandstone (with potential mineral staining/concretions)

Arenite (SiO2 based)

sedimentary
Epidote (Epidote | Ca2(Al2,Fe3+)(SiO4)(Si2O7)O(OH)) — metamorphic

Epidote

Epidote | Ca2(Al2,Fe3+)(SiO4)(Si2O7)O(OH)

metamorphic
Nephrite Jade (Nephrite) — Mineral/Rock

Nephrite Jade

Nephrite

Mineral/Rock
Banded Gneiss (River Rock/Pebble) (Gneiss (specifically a banded variety often found as a river rock)) — Metamorphic Rock

Banded Gneiss (River Rock/Pebble)

Gneiss (specifically a banded variety often found as a river rock)

Metamorphic Rock
Green Apatite on Albite (Fluorapatite [Ca5(PO4)3F] on Albite [Na(AlSi3O8)]) — mineral

Green Apatite on Albite

Fluorapatite [Ca5(PO4)3F] on Albite [Na(AlSi3O8)]

mineral
Epidote (Epidote - Ca2(Al2,Fe3+)3(SiO4)3(OH)) — mineral

Epidote

Epidote - Ca2(Al2,Fe3+)3(SiO4)3(OH)

mineral