Pink agate is a microcrystalline variety of quartz characterized by its distinct banded appearance and shades of pink caused by trace inclusions of manganese or iron. It is a favorite among lapidary enthusiasts for its durability and attractive polish, typically found as nodules in volcanic rock or as cavity fillings.
Is this pink 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 pink agate with a known reference. Pink 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. Pink Agate leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Pink Agate typically shows a waxy luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: pink, rose, salmon, magenta.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: banded, massive, botryoidal.
Often confused with
Pink Agate vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Luster reads waxy on Pink Agate and vitreous on Rose Quartz.
How to tell apart: Pink Agate is noticeably harder (Mohs 6.5-7 vs. 3.5-4); luster reads waxy on Pink Agate and vitreous on Rhodochrosite.
How to tell apart: Luster reads waxy on Pink Agate and vitreous on Thulite.
Often found alongside pink agate
Minerals reported to co-occur with pink 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
- Banded, Massive, Botryoidal
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Common
- Uses
- Lapidary, Jewelry, Decorative, Collector
- Host rock
- Volcanic Vesicles and Sedimentary Cavities
- Typical price
- $5-50 for slabs and polished specimens
Where rockhounds find pink agate
2 mapped spotsClassic worldwide localities
- Botswana
- Brazil
- USA
- Mexico
- India
Field-hunting tip
Look in volcanic vesicles and sedimentary cavities country, the host setting where pink agate typically forms. If you start seeing quartz, chalcedony, calcite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a banded, massive, botryoidal habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop. In the U.S., the densest reported localities are in Arizona, Missouri. Start trip planning there.
Common questions
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Find pink agate on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
