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 — that is 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.
