sedimentary
Dyed Agate
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2) with artificial pigment
Hardness: 6.5-7.0 (Mohs); Color: Naturally translucent white/grey with artificial bright pink patches; Luster: Waxy to vitreous; Structure: Microcrystalline (Cryptocrystalline) quartz; Cleavage: None.
- Hardness
- 6
- Luster
- Waxy to vitreous
Identified More sedimentary →
Explore Dyed Agate in the encyclopedia →Identify your own rocks.
Get a report just like this from any photo, free.
Physical properties
Hardness: 6.5-7.0 (Mohs); Color: Naturally translucent white/grey with artificial bright pink patches; Luster: Waxy to vitreous; Structure: Microcrystalline (Cryptocrystalline) quartz; Cleavage: None.
Formation & geological history
Formed in volcanic rock cavities or sedimentary geodes through silica deposition from groundwater. This specific specimen has been tumbled and chemically dyed after extraction.
Uses & applications
Ornamental use, chakra stones, jewelry, decorative aquarium gravel, and pocket stones for collectors.
Geological facts
The vibrant, saturated 'neon' pink color is not naturally occurring in quartz and is achieved by soaking the porous stone in chemical dyes. Agates are porous because of their micro-structure, which allows them to take on color very well.
Field identification & locations
Identify by looking for concentrations of color in cracks or pits, or colors that seem too 'electrical' to be natural. Natural pink minerals like Rose Quartz or Rhodonite will have a more uniform or earthy hue.
More like this
Other sedimentary specimens
Sandstone or Siltstone
Arenite (if sandstone)
Sedimentary
Fossiliferous Concretion
Septarian Concretion containing Brachiopods/Crinoids
fossil
Shale
Shale (clastic sedimentary rock)
sedimentary
Brown Sandstone (River Rock)
Arenite
sedimentary
Mudstone
Argillite / Siliciclastic sedimentary rock
sedimentary
Cone-in-cone structure (Limestone)
Cone-in-cone structure (Secondary Sedimentary Structure)
sedimentary