mineral
Dyed Agate / Quartz (Tumbled)
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2) with artificial dye
Hardness 6.5-7 on Mohs scale; vitreous to waxy luster; trigonal/microcrystalline structure; smooth, polished surface with bright magenta/purple color dye concentrated in micro-fractures.
Identified More mineral →
Explore Dyed Agate / Quartz (Tumbled) in the encyclopedia →Identify your own rocks.
Get a report just like this from any photo, free.
Physical properties
Hardness 6.5-7 on Mohs scale; vitreous to waxy luster; trigonal/microcrystalline structure; smooth, polished surface with bright magenta/purple color dye concentrated in micro-fractures.
Formation & geological history
Formed as a natural chalcedony/quartz gemstone via secondary silica precipitation in volcanic rock cavities, then mechanically tumbled and artificially dyed to enhance color.
Uses & applications
Used primarily for decorative purposes, jewelry making, craft projects, pocket stones, and entry-level mineral collections.
Geological facts
Agate and quartz are naturally porous, making them ideal candidates for artificial dye treatment, which allows producers to create vivid, non-natural colors like hot pink and bright purple.
Field identification & locations
Look for unnaturally vivid magenta or purple coloration with dark color concentration along cracks and grain boundaries to identify dyed specimens. Tumbled specimens are widely available globally.
More like this
Other mineral specimens
Sandstone (with potential mineral staining/concretions)
Arenite (SiO2 based)
sedimentary
Schist
Schist
Metamorphic
Septarian Pebble
Septarian nodule / Concretion
sedimentary
Sandstone with Mineral Veining or Crust
Sedimentary Sandstone (mostly SiO2 with Fe2O3 tinting)
sedimentary
Potassium Feldspar (Orthoclase)
Orthoclase (KAlSi3O8)
mineral
Gypsum (variety Selenite or Alabaster)
Calcium sulfate dihydrate (CaSO4·2H2O)
Mineral