We love Semi Precious beads, we find it so fascinating how each bead is unique, the colours, characteristics and history. Would you like to learn more about Agate? Thank you Yvonne for sharing her knowledge about this beautiful gemstone....
Do you know...
Agate is a fascinating and beautiful translucent form of chalcedony, which is a type of microcrystalline quartz. Renowned for its colourful banding and wide variety of patterns, agate has been prized for centuries both as a gemstone and for its purported metaphysical properties....
The first mention of agate was by the philospopher and naturalist Theophastus (ca.315 BCE) in his book De Lapidibus (On Stones). The name derives from the River Achates (now known as Dirillo) where it was first discovered in Southwest Sicily. The earliest carved agates date back as far as 2000 BCE found in Mesopotamia and are some of the earliest used gemstones.
As ancient lava cooled, small bubbles from steam and other gases formed creating cavities within these igneous rocks. Over time silica rich ground waters fill these cavities and solidify over time. The distinctive bands of agate are formed as different impurities are carried by the water, often incorporating traces of iron, manganese, or other minerals. When the deposits are formed around the cavity walls the layers form concentric circles, when formed from the bottom up, it creates horizontal banding. Some cavities are lined with crystals forming stunning geodes.
Agate is considered a grounding stone that brings emotional, physical, and intellectual balance. It is said to harmonize positive and negative energies, alleviate stress, and foster courage. Different types of agate are believed to have specific healing properties, such as promoting strength and protection or enhancing mental function and clarity. Agate is a popular choice for various types of jewellery, with a Mohs hardness of around 6.5 to 7 this makes it resistant to scratching, making it suitable for everyday wear. Most natural agate is a quite unimpressive colour, but as a porous material, agate takes up dye well which means a wide variety of gorgeous colours are available for jewellery making. Beyond jewellery, agate is crafted into decorative items like bookends, coasters, and ornamental objects. Slices of agate are often polished to reveal their internal beauty and used as decorative displays.
Different Types of Agate
Moss Agate: Characterized by its green, moss-like inclusions, which are often made of manganese or iron.
Blue Lace Agate: Known for its delicate light blue coluor with lacy, white banding patterns.
Fire Agate: Displays iridescent coluors resembling flames, caused by the reflection of light from thin layers within the stone.
Banded Agate: Features alternating layers of different coluors or shades, creating a striped appearance.
Botswana Agate: Famous for its fine banding in shades of pink, brown, and gray.
Indian Agate is known for it its earthy hues.
How To Care For Your Agate
To care for your agate, it is best to use warm soapy water and a soft brush. Do not use chemicals or place in an ultrasonic cleaner as this may damage the stone.
