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 — that is 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
How do you identify rose agate?+
Where is rose agate found?+
Can I find rose agate in the United States?+
How much is rose agate worth?+
What rocks look like rose agate?+
What minerals are found with rose agate?+
What kind of rock does rose agate form in?+
What is rose agate used for?+
Find rose agate on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
