How can we distinguish Dyed agates from Gobi Desert Agates.

I have seen many times somebody buy the dyed agates as the Gobi Desert agates. I think I should do something for everyone to identify dyed agates and avoid mistaking them for natural Gobi Desert agates.

Dyes agates are natural agate that has been artificially colored to enhance its appearance or create more vibrant or unusual hues. The process involves soaking porous agates in dyes, often under heat or pressure, to achieve vibrant or unnatural colors.

Characteristics of Dyed agates:

Unnatural and intense colors: often displays bright, vivid, or even artificial-looking colors that are not typically found in natural agate, such as electric blues, greens, pinks, or purples.

Enhanced or Artificial patterns:

The dyeing process can accentuate existing bands or create stark, high-contrast patterns, particularly in concentric "eye"formations. Colors within these patterns may appear sharply defined rather than naturally blended.

Color Concentration in porous areas: Dye tends to accumulate in porous sections, cracks, and along banding lines, potentially leading to uneven color distribution or very intense color saturation in specific areas。

 

Potential for color bleeding or transfer: in some cases, the dye may not be entirely stable and could potentially leach or transfer color if rubbed vigorously with a damp cloth or solvents like acetone( though this test should be done cautiously as it can damage the specimen.

Lower relative value: dyed agates are generally less valuable then naturally colored and patterned agates, especially when misrepresented as rarer forms like Gobi Desert agate.

Furthermore, Dyes agates can potentially be harmfully due to the chemicals used in the dyeing process.

Next, I'll show you the gobi agate I've collected.