Rose agate is a microcrystalline variety of quartz characterized by delicate pink to rose-colored bands or translucent layers. It is typically found in volcanic cavities or sedimentary nodules where silica-rich fluids deposited layers over time, often featuring beautiful botryoidal or banded structures.
Is this rose 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 rose agate with a known reference. Rose 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. Rose Agate leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Rose Agate typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: pink, rose, white, reddish.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: banded, botryoidal, massive, nodular.
Often confused with
Rose Agate vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside rose agate
Minerals reported to co-occur with rose 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
- 2.6-2.7 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Banded, Botryoidal, Massive, Nodular
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Common
- Uses
- Lapidary, Collector, Decorative
- Host rock
- Volcanic Vesicles and Sedimentary Geodes
- Typical price
- $5-50 for small specimens and polished cabochons
Where rockhounds find rose agate
3 mapped spotsClassic worldwide localities
- Botswana
- Brazil
- USA
- Mexico
- India
Field-hunting tip
Look in volcanic vesicles and sedimentary geodes country, the host setting where rose agate typically forms. If you start seeing quartz, calcite, goethite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a banded, botryoidal, massive, nodular habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop. In the U.S., the densest reported localities are in Oklahoma, New Mexico. Start trip planning there.
Common questions
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Find rose agate on the map
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