Eye agate is a variety of chalcedony characterized by concentric, eye-like bands or ring formations. Collectors prize these stones for their striking circular patterns, which are best revealed through careful cutting and polishing of the nodules.

Hardness

6.5-7

Mohs

Luster

Waxy

Streak

White

Transparency

Translucent

mineralcommonChalcedony family

Eye Agate

Hardness: 6.5-7
Luster: Waxy
Streak: White
Transparency: Translucent

Is this eye agate?

5-step field check

Run through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.

1
Test the hardness
Try to scratch eye agate with a known reference. Eye Agate sits at Mohs 6.5-7, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Eye Agate leaves a white streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Eye Agate typically shows a waxy luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: white, gray, brown, red, black, yellow.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: botryoidal.

Often confused with

Eye Agate vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.

How to tell apart: Luster reads waxy on Eye Agate and vitreous on Opal.

Often found alongside eye agate

Minerals reported to co-occur with eye 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: 2.58-2.64 g/cm³
Colors: White Gray Brown Red Black Yellow
Streak: White
Luster: Waxy
Transparency: Translucent
Crystal system: Trigonal
Crystal habit: Botryoidal
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Common
Uses: Lapidary, Collector, Decorative
Host rock: Volcanic Vesicles
Typical price: $5-50 for slabs or polished cabochons

Where rockhounds find eye agate

Classic worldwide localities

Mexico
USA
Brazil
Botswana
India

Field-hunting tip

Look in volcanic vesicles country, the host setting where eye agate typically forms. If you start seeing quartz, calcite, goethite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a botryoidal habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify eye agate?+

Mohs hardness is 6.5-7. It typically shows a waxy luster. The streak is white. Common colors include white, gray, brown, red.

Where is eye agate found?+

Notable localities include Mexico; USA; Brazil; Botswana; India.

How much is eye agate worth?+

Typical asking prices fall in the range of $5-50 for slabs or polished cabochons. Quality, size, and provenance can move individual specimens well outside that range.

What rocks look like eye agate?+

Eye Agate is most often confused with Jasper, Opal, Flint Nodules. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with eye agate?+

Eye Agate commonly co-occurs with Quartz, Calcite, Goethite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does eye agate form in?+

Eye Agate typically forms in volcanic vesicles. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is eye agate used for?+

Eye Agate is used in lapidary, collector, decorative.

Find eye agate on the map

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.