mineral

Pink Chalcedony

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 6.5–7 on Mohs scale. Color: Pale pink to dusty rose. Luster: Waxy to vitreous. Crystal structure: Cryptocrystalline (Trigonal/Monoclinic). Cleavage: None. Specific gravity: 2.6–2.64.

Hardness: 6
Color: Pale pink to dusty rose
Luster: Waxy to vitreous

Identified April 8, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 6.5–7 on Mohs scale. Color: Pale pink to dusty rose. Luster: Waxy to vitreous. Crystal structure: Cryptocrystalline (Trigonal/Monoclinic). Cleavage: None. Specific gravity: 2.6–2.64.

Formation & geological history

Formed through the deposition of silica from hydrothermal fluids in volcanic rocks or sedimentary environments. It often fills cavities (gas bubbles) or cracks in host rocks.

Uses & applications

Primarily used in jewelry making for cabochons and beads, as well as for ornamental carvings and lapidary practice. Also popular in metaphysical and crystal collecting communities.

Geological facts

Chalcedony is a cryptocrystalline form of silica, meaning its crystals are too small to be seen with a standard microscope. The pink hue is often attributed to trace amounts of manganese or microscopic inclusions of other minerals.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its waxy luster, conchoidal (shell-like) fracture, and the fact that it can scratch glass but cannot be scratched by a steel knife. Commonly found in desert regions, particularly in the western United States, Brazil, and Namibia.