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 — that is 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.