Alashan Agate is a popular trade name for a variety of banded agate and chalcedony that comes from the Alxa (Alashan) region of Inner Mongolia, China. It is known for its beautiful natural patterns and wide range of colors.
What Is Alashan Agate?
Alashan Agate refers to agate/chalcedony nodules mined in the Gobi Desert of the Alxa League. It often features:
Banded patterns
Scenic or landscape-like textures
Swirls and stripes
“Skin” textures from desert polishing
Bright, saturated natural colors
It is sometimes called Gobi Agate, Alxa Agate, or Desert Agate.
Hardness
Because it is quartz-based:
Hardness: 6.5 – 7 Mohs
This makes it durable and excellent for jewelry, beads, and carvings.
Color
Alashan Agate comes in a wide variety of natural colors, including:
Orange
Red
Yellow
Purple
Gray
White
Brown
Peach
Multicolored banding
Some pieces display:
Eye patterns
Landscape patterns
Fortification bands
Bold striping
The Gobi Desert’s wind and sand naturally polish the outer surface, giving the stones a smooth matte “desert varnish.”
Where It Comes From?
Alashan agate is mined exclusively from:
Alashan Region, Inner Mongolia, China
Specifically, the Gobi Desert areas, where stones weather out of ancient volcanic rock and are collected on the desert surface.
