mineral

Dyed Blue Agate

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2) with artificial pigment

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

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 →

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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.