mineral

Banded Agate (Dyed)

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2) with impurities

Hardness: 6.5-7 on Mohs scale; Color: Multi-colored bands (magenta/pink in this specimen are likely dyed); Luster: Vitreous to waxy; Structure: Cryptocrystalline quartz; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.58-2.64.

Hardness: 6
Luster: Vitreous to waxy

Identified July 13, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed primarily in volcanic and metamorphic rocks. Created when silica-rich groundwater fills cavities (vesicles) in igneous rocks, depositing layers of microcrystalline quartz over thousands of years.

Uses & applications

Commonly used in jewelry, ornamental carvings, tumbled stones for collectors, and historically for precision bearings and mortars/pestles due to its hardness.

Geological facts

The vibrant pink and magenta bands in this specific tumbled stone are likely the result of artificial dyeing, a common practice for agate to enhance its natural banding. Agate was one of the first materials used by humans for ornament and protection in ancient civilizations.

Field identification & locations

Identified by its characteristic concentric or parallel banding and translucent nature. Natural agates are found worldwide, notably in Brazil, Uruguay, and the United States (Lake Superior region).

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