Bubblegum Agate is a variety of botryoidal chalcedony characterized by its distinct, often soft pink to bubblegum-colored spherical structures. It is highly sought after by lapidary enthusiasts for cutting into cabochons due to its attractive patterns and pastel coloration.
Is this bubblegum agate?
5-step field checkRun through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.
- 1Test the hardnessTry to scratch bubblegum agate with a known reference. Bubblegum Agate sits at Mohs 6.5-7, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: white.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: waxy.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: pink, white, translucent-pink.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: botryoidal.
Often confused with
Bubblegum Agate vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside bubblegum agate
Minerals reported to co-occur with bubblegum agate. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- SiO₂
- Mohs hardness
- 6.5-7
- Density
- 2.6-2.65 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Waxy
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Botryoidal
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Common
- Uses
- Lapidary, Collector, Decorative
- Host rock
- volcanic cavities
Where rockhounds find bubblegum agate
Classic worldwide localities
- Oregon, USA
- Washington, USA
- Mexico
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: volcanic cavities. If you start seeing quartz, calcite, zeolites in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: botryoidal. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify bubblegum agate?+
Where is bubblegum agate found?+
What rocks look like bubblegum agate?+
What minerals are found with bubblegum agate?+
What kind of rock does bubblegum agate form in?+
What is bubblegum agate used for?+
Find bubblegum agate on the map
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