Agate
We tell you all about the agate stone, its properties, characteristics, meaning and legends.
At the bottom of the page you will find relevant information about the most popular and demanded types of agate.
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What is agate?
Agate is a very popular and well-known stone, but it is actually a sub-variety of chalcedony, which is itself a type of quartz.
Although all agates are a type of chalcedony, the term chalcedony is popularly used to describe just some types of agates, such as translucent white and bluish naturally or those that are crystal flower formations, usually grayish in color.
The other varieties of chalcedony are considered as different types of agate and some of them have their own name, such as black onyx, which is actually a type of agate without transparency and totally black or like carnelian, also called de carnelian that is nothing less than a reddish agate.
Characteristics of agate:
Due to the great variety of this stone, it is very difficult to establish a characteristic that defines it and perhaps its main characteristic is this diversity.
Agate can occur in nature in various shapes and colors, it may have numerous associations with other minerals, various vein patterns, and various types of inclusions. Its luster is vitreous and when polished it shows a lot of shine. Chemically, this mineral is made up of silicon dioxide (SiO 2 ).
The most common types of agate have bands of different shades and even different colors. This is due to the fact that its crystallization, in most cases, develops in the cavities of volcanic rocks through the deposition of layers of silica.
Layers overlap at different stages of crystallization causing alternating bands and colors. With that and because each cavity has a different format, the agate formations are unique in terms of colors and patterns.
Many times these formations, which are called agate geodes, they remain hollow giving rise to the formation of crystals of quartz, amethyst, calcite and other minerals. Most geodes are clad externally with layers of agate.
Agate in history and its legends:
Agate was and continues to be one of the most used materials in artistic stone carving.
Since the Neolithic period, artifacts carved in agate stone have been used. In various civilizations since prehistoric times, this stone has been used to make ornaments, amulets and decorative objects.
In ancient Greece and in the Egypt of the pharaohs, important medicinal powers were attributed to this mineral and thus the use of agate spread throughout Africa and the Middle East until the Russian Empire.
In Tibet until today, agates that have bands that resemble eyes or geometric patterns are used as amulets, these types of agates are called Dzis and according to legends they are treasures of the gods.
Originally the agate received its name from the Greek philosopher and naturalist Theophrastus, who discovered it around III and IV BC. C. along the banks of the river Archates (Dirillo) in Sicily.
In more recent history, the role of agate was fundamental for the German city of Idar-Oberstein to become one of the main gems trade poles in the world.
The Idar-Oberstein area was already, until the 18th century, a great producer of jasper and agate carvings due to the combination of several factors, but it was the emigration of several of its citizens to Brazil that pushed the local industry to stand out even more.
These emigrants found in the south of Brazil, in 1827, the most important agate deposit in the world, both in abundance and quality.
It did not take long for this mineral to be sent to its homeland and thus, with the combination of the good quality of the raw material from Brazil and the high technical knowledge they had there, Idar-Oberstein has become a world reference in the carving and trading of semi-precious stones.
Energetic properties of agate according to esotericism:
According to esotericism, the energetic properties of agate are as numerous as its plurality of colors.
When it is used to harmonize the chakras, the most appropriate is to choose agates of colors corresponding to the chakras you want to treat.
Thus we can understand that green agates are used to benefit the heart chakra and those with yellow tones are used for the solar plexus chakra.
According to metaphysicians who manipulate the energies of gems and minerals, agate is a stone that provides balance both on the physical plane and on the mental and spiritual plane.
In this framework, agate is considered a powerful ally to achieve eloquence, self-confidence and courage in addition to enhancing creativity.
Agate is also widely used in feng shui.
It is the stone of prosperity and therefore closely related to good luck and wealth. It is recommended to put a decorative piece of agate at the entrance of the home or workplace to add wealth and protect against the evil eye.
According to feng shui, this practice is especially suitable for commercial premises.
Ancient beliefs about agate:
As previously clarified, this semi-precious stone was considered by the ancients as a medicinal and magical stone.
In India it was used to treat eye diseases and in Tibet it is still considered a powerful amulet. For the ancient Egyptians, agate was effective against poisonous stings. In Arab countries there was a belief that an agate ring guaranteed longevity.
Agate and its colors: What is the true color of agate?
Agate can be found in nature in different shades of brown, yellow, terracotta, orange, reddish, gray, green, as well as white or black.
The most appreciated natural colors in use of agate in jewelry are the pale blue of the so-called blue chalcedony, the dark orange of the carnelian and the deep black of the black onyx.
The natural colors of agate tend not to be vibrant. With the exception of carnelian, which can be fiery red, the other naturally colored agates are either pale or dark in color. For example, the natural green of the agate has olive hues while the natural blue is grayish and pale.
However, it is possible to find agates of the most attractive and varied colors for sale. These very striking colors such as indigo blue, purple, pink and even some shades of bright green are actually the result of stone dyeing.
By means of pigmentation methods, the agate can have a very beautiful appearance since the colors highlight its bands and veins. These dyed agates are widely used in decoration and jewelry.
As the pigmentation process does not remove properties from the stone, artificial colored agates can be used in esotericism and feng shui in the same way as an original colored agate.
Even, according to chromotherapy, it is believed that the added color provides more beneficial properties to the stone which in turn acts as a catalyst for color power.
Most popular agate varieties:
The name given to a type of agate may refer to its appearance, such as banded agate, which refers to its parallel bands, or to its origin, as is the case of Botswana agate, which is typical of the African country. from Botswana.
Generally these names are used commercially and have no basis in geology.
We can identify the most prominent types of agate by their commercial names:
- Blue chalcedony : Its main characteristic is its delicate and light grayish-blue color. It is translucent and may have white and transparent parallel bands. In the esoteric plane it is a stone indicated for the 5th Chakra in addition to being the stone of Sagittarius.
- Carnelian or carnelian : The red-hot orange agate receives these names. It is a gem widely used in jewelry for its beautiful color. In esotericism it is used as an energy stone since it acts on the 1st and 2nd chakra. In the zodiac it is associated with fire signs such as Leo and Aries.
- Black onyx : The name onyx or onyx is given to various types of stones. The best known is black onyx, which is totally black agate without bands or transparency. It is also a stone widely used in jewelry. Onyx is considered to protect against the evil eye.
- Moss agate : It is a very interesting variety of agate, it has a certain transparency and dendritic inclusions of moss green tones, very similar to vegetable moss. When it is cut in cabochon, the structure of the "moss" can be appreciated in three dimensions.
- Tree agate : It has dendritic inclusions like moss agate, but in an opaque white agate matrix in which only the surface inclusions are visible.
- Ember agate : It presents mixed areas of white, red and black, very similar to the embers of incandescent coal.
- Brown agate : Presents grayish brown tones.
- Miracle or sardonyx agate : It has reddish and black areas in the same stone, as if it were a mixture of carnelian and black onyx.
- Indian agate : It has a very beautiful appearance due to its terracotta colors that vary from green to red. It is a stone that according to esotericism promotes physical well-being, vital energy and connects us with mother earth.
- Dragon agate : It is an agate with a cracked and cracked appearance that often receives a color treatment to highlight its cracks, thus creating a textured appearance similar to that of a dragon's skin.
- Dzi : This is the name given to agates in Tibet that have bands with very regular geometric patterns. These patterns may be natural, but in most cases they are produced by a dyeing process. The Dzis are sacred in Tibet and are widely used as amulets. They are considered divine treasures.
- Wood agate : Presents brown shades and bands similar to those of wood sheets.
- Agate geodes : It is the agate in its raw state, many times hollow and with central crystallization of quartz or others: It is the agate in its raw state, many times hollow and with central crystallization of quartz or other minerals. When cut in half, they show all the splendor of the bands and are used as decorative and collector's items.
Where to buy agate?
At UniArt we want to be your agate supplier. At buy agate wholesale or in detail In our online store you have the security of receiving quality products at the best price. On our website we have a wide variety of agate stone products from decorative pieces to the most delicate jewels.
Also, if you want to mount agate bracelets or necklaces we have a large assortment of agate beads to mount jewelry.