mineral

Dyed Blue Agate

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2) with artificial pigment

Hardness: 6.5-7 on Mohs scale; Color: Intense neon/vivid blue with banding; Luster: Vitreous to waxy; Crystal structure: Trigonal/Microcrystalline; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.58-2.64

Hardness: 6
Color: Intense neon/vivid blue with banding
Luster: Vitreous to waxy

Identified June 30, 2026More mineral →

Explore Dyed Blue Agate in the encyclopedia →

Identify your own rocks.

Get a report just like this from any photo, free.

App Store Google Play

Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed as chalcedony through the deposition of silica from groundwater in the cavities of igneous rocks. The intense blue color is achieved post-extraction by soaking the porous stone in ferric salts followed by a chromium or potassium ferrocyanide solution.

Uses & applications

Primarily used for decorative purposes, jewelry (pendants, beads), tumbled stones for collectors, and New Age healing practices.

Geological facts

Natural blue agate (Blue Lace Agate) is typically very pale lavender-blue. Any agate with this level of 'electric' blue saturation is almost certainly artificially dyed, a practice that dates back to the Roman Empire.

Field identification & locations

Identify by looking for concentrations of pigment in the tiny fractures or cracks of the stone. Natural blue minerals rarely show this specific shade of neon blue. Common sources of the base agate include Brazil and Uruguay.

Other mineral specimens

See all

Sandstone (with potential mineral staining/concretions)

Arenite (SiO2 based)

sedimentary

Schist

Metamorphic

Epidote

Epidote | Ca2(Al2,Fe3+)(SiO4)(Si2O7)O(OH)

metamorphic

Gypsum (variety Selenite or Alabaster)

Calcium sulfate dihydrate (CaSO4·2H2O)

Mineral

Nephrite Jade

Nephrite

Mineral/Rock

Banded Gneiss (River Rock/Pebble)

Gneiss (specifically a banded variety often found as a river rock)

Metamorphic Rock