mineral
Dyed pink agate slice
Agate (microcrystalline quartz, SiO₂), commonly chalcedony with artificial dye
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness 6.5–7 Mohs; vividly pink, translucent to opaque, with a gray-brown crystalline rim and likely polished face. Waxy to glassy luster; cryptocrystalline quartz, lacking visible cleavage, with conchoidal fracture and specific gravity around 2.6.
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Physical properties
Hardness 6.5–7 Mohs; vividly pink, translucent to opaque, with a gray-brown crystalline rim and likely polished face. Waxy to glassy luster; cryptocrystalline quartz, lacking visible cleavage, with conchoidal fracture and specific gravity around 2.6.
Formation & geological history
Agate forms when silica-rich groundwater fills cavities in volcanic rocks, commonly basalt, in concentric or irregular bands. The specimen appears cut and polished, then artificially dyed; the natural agate may be Paleozoic to Cenozoic depending on its source.
Uses & applications
Used as a decorative stone, cabochon, coaster, jewelry component, and collectible slice; vivid dyed pieces are primarily ornamental rather than high-value gemstones.
Geological facts
Strongly saturated pink is usually dye-enhanced, often concentrated along pores, fractures, and the outer rim. Agate is a variety of chalcedony composed of intergrown microscopic quartz fibers.
Field identification & locations
Look for banding, translucent edges, a natural quartz-like rim, and color concentrated in cracks; dye may bleed with solvents. Common sources include Brazil, Uruguay, Mexico, India, and Madagascar.
