Mineral/Treated
Dyed Crackle Quartz/Agate (resembling Watermelon Tourmaline)
SiO2 (Silicon Dioxide)
Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale, but crackling can weaken it); Color: Artificial pink and green; Luster: Vitreous; Crystal Structure: Trigonal (quartz/microcrystalline); Cleavage: None; Specific Gravity: ~2.65
- Hardness
- 7 (Mohs scale, but crackling can weaken it)
- Color
- Artificial pink and green
- Luster
- Vitreous
Identified More mineral/treated →
Identify your own rocks.
Get a report just like this from any photo, free.
Physical properties
Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale, but crackling can weaken it); Color: Artificial pink and green; Luster: Vitreous; Crystal Structure: Trigonal (quartz/microcrystalline); Cleavage: None; Specific Gravity: ~2.65
Formation & geological history
Formed artificially by heating quartz or agate and rapidly cooling it to create internal fractures, then dying the stone with artificial colors.
Uses & applications
Used primarily in inexpensive costume jewelry and crafts.
Geological facts
Also known as 'Firestone' or 'Crab Fire Agate'. The bright contrasting colors are chosen to mimic the appearance of Watermelon Tourmaline or just to be visually striking.
Field identification & locations
Identify by the highly unnatural, vivid colors and the distinct web-like fracture pattern ('crackle') that holds the dye. Often sold as pendants or beads.
More like this
Other mineral/treated specimens
Citrine Quartz
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2) with iron impurities
mineral
Citrine
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)
mineral
Citrine
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)
mineral
Citrine Quartz
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)
mineral
Yellow Quartz or Citrine
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)
mineral
Yellow Quartz (Citrine Quartz or Yellow Chalcedony)
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)
mineral