Agates

Agate is a banded, concentric shell-like chalcedony, sometimes
containing opal substance. The fine quartz fibers are oriented
vertically to the surface of the individual band layers. The bands can
be multicolored or of the same color.

The agates of the exhausted German mines had soft to strong colors
(especially pink, red, or brownish) and were separated by bright gray
bands. The South American agates are mostly dull gray and without
special markings; only through dyeing do they receive their lively
colors. Transparency of agates varies from nearly transparent to opaque.
In thin slabs, even the opaque agates are mostly translucent.

The name agate is supposedly derived from the river Achates (now called
the Drillo) in Sicily. Origin Agates are found as ball- or almond-shaped
nodules with sizes ranging from a fraction of an inch to a circumference
of several yards; more rarely they are found as fillings of crevices in
volcanic rock (such as melaphyre and porphyry).

The bands are thought to be formed by rhythmic crystallization, but
scientific opinions vary as to how. It was thought that the agate bands
crystallize gradually in hollows formed by gas bubbles from a siliceous
solution. Recently, the theory that their formation is simultaneous with
that of the matrix rock has won support. According to this idea, the
liquid drops of the silicic acid cool with the cooling rock and produce
a layered crystallization from the outside. A new theory postulates that
rather than the liquids penetrating the agate walls, colloid solutions,
i.e., substances with very fine sizes of grains, flow into the agate
hollows. The various agate bands vary in thickness, but normally their
thicknesses remain constant throughout the nodule. Where the inner
cavity of the nodule is not filled with an agate mass, well-developed
crystals may have formed: rock crystal, amethyst, and smoky quartz;
sometimes accompanied by Anhydrit, Ankerit, Baryr, calcite, Goethit,
hematite, siderite, and zeolite.

Varieties of Agate

Eye Agate, Botswana Agate, and Orbicular Agate

ring-shaped design with point in the center, similar to an eye.

Layer Agate

Layers/bands of about the same size parallel to the outer wall of the agate nodule.

Dendritic Agate, Moss Agate,and Mocha Agate

colorless or whitish, translucent chalcedony with dendrites; moss-like inclusions of
hornblende or chlorite.

Enhydritic Agate (Enhydro/Water Stone)

Agate nodule or mono-colored chalcedony nodule, partly filled
with water that can be seen through the walls. After the agate is taken
from surrounding rock, the water often dries out.

Fortification Agate and Dry-Head Agate

agate bands with jutting-out comers like the bastions of old fortresses.

Fire Agate

opaque, limonite-bearing layered chalcedony with iridescence that is created
through diffraction of the light by the layered structure.

Scenic Agate

Shows landscape-like images through dendrites.

Tubular Agate

Agate with numerous tubes (old feeding canals).
The mouth opening of the canals is usually bordered concentrically.

Brecciated Agate

Agate, broken, but cemented together by quartz.

The most important agate deposits at the beginning of the 19th century
in the neighborhood of Idar-Oberstein/Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany.
These have now been worked out. Nodules were found as large as a human
head with beautiful colors of gray, pink, red, yellow, brown, and pale
blue. These could not be dyed.

The most important deposits today are in the south of Brazil (Rio Grande
do Sul), and in the north of Uruguay. The deposits are layered in
weathered materials and river\sediments, and are derived from melaphyric
rocks. The color is generally gray; the striations are hardly
recognizable. They can be given an attractive appearance by dyeing.
Other deposits are in Australia (Queensland), China, India, the
Caucasus, Madagascar, Mexico, Mongolia, Namibia, Wyoming, and Montana.

Agate is now used mostly for decorative items as well as jewelry.

Hardness:

6.5 - 7

Chemical Composition:

SiO2 silicon dioxide

History:

Agate was used for decoration in Ancient Egypt.

The Romans were possibly the first to start dying agates for decorative purposes.

Lore:
The author of "Lithica", celebrates the merits of the agate in the
following lines:
Adorned with this, thou woman's heart shall gain,
And by persuasion thy desire obtain;
And if of men thou aught demand, shalt come
With all thy wish fulfilled rejoicing home.

This idea is elaborated by Marbodus, Bishop of Rennes, in the eleventh
century, who declares that agates make the wearers agreeable and
persuasive and also give them the favor of God.

Botswana Agate spheres - Camillo Leonardo claims that these stones give
victory and strength to their owners and avert tempests and lightning.

The agate possessed some wonderful virtues, for its wearer was guarded
from all dangers, was enabled to vanquish all terrestrial obstacles and
was endowed with a bold heart. The wearing of agate ornaments was even
believed to be a cure for insomnia and was thought to insure pleasant dreams.

About the middle of the past century, the demand for agate amulets was
so great in the Soudan that the extensive agate-cutting establishments
at Idar and Oberstein in Germany were almost exclusively busied with
filling orders for this trade. Brown or black agates having a white ring
in the center were chiefly used for the fabrication of these amulets,
the white ring being regarded as a symbol of the eye. Hence the amulets
were supposed to neutralize the power of the Evil Eye, or else to be
emblematic of the watchfulness of a guardian spirit.

Metaphysical:

Agate can be used to stimulate analytical capabilities and precision. It
provides for perceptiveness to situations and awakens ones inherent
talents and adroitness. It has been used to facilitate channeling. It
has been reported to strengthen the sight, to diminish thirst, and to
promote marital fidelity.

Blue lace agate can help one to reach extremely high spiritual spaces.
It contains the qualities of flight, air, movement, and grace. It is a
highly inspirational influence when used for inner attunement.

Botswana agate can be used to stimulate the exploration of the unknown
and to further ones quest toward the enlightened state. It enhances
creativity and helps one to release the emotional nuances that have been
repressed. It also allows one to look toward the solution, rather than
dwell on the problem. It also encourages conscientiousness and vigilance
in tasks and helps one to maintain an ever-present watchfulness during
the activities requiring circumspection, deliberation, and/or vigilance.

Many Brazilian agates have been dyed, but many are natural in color.
This mineral can be used to activate success in dowsing and in divining.
Fastened with twine or leather upon the end of a willow, it has led the
user to lost items. Brazilian agate can be used to facilitate immense
strength, to assist one in diversification in fields of endeavor, and to
promote meditative states and astral projection. 

Dendritic agate enhances gentleness and encourages one to walk lightly
through the gardens of life, taking time to enjoy each moment. It helps
one to remain as a directed energy during situations of discordant
and/or disorienting confusion. It further assists one in maintaining the
centering of the self in all situations. It is used to assist one in
connecting to the natural states of the universe and to enhance
communication between ones intellectual world and the plant kingdom. It
is a "stone of plentitude", providing abundance and fullness in ones
life. It was used in ancient Greece to produce plentiful crops, and is
conducive to generous yields in both business and agricultural pursuits.

Fortification agate is conducive to deep meditative states. It furthers
the understanding of the idea of universal "brotherhood", and helps one
to maintain peace within the inner being. It affords one patience and
encourages the acceptance of responsibility. This is a highly protective
stone, helping to fortify us against unseen dangers.

Fire agate represents the spiritual flame of absolute perfection. It is
said to dispel fear from the very depths of the inner being and to
provide a protective shield that reflects all threat of harm back to the
source. It is also a stone to encourage one to be the "best" possible.
Its energy provides an impetus to actions and stimulates both
progression and advancement.

Mexican Crazy Lace Agate can be used to help one to reach extremely high
physical levels. It helps to balance physical energies. It can bring
humor and laughter to one's life, and helps to see life clearly.

Turritella agate can be recognized by the sea creature and fossil snail
patterns within the stone. It is a protective stone that also allows one
to recognize that the idea of safety is actually the relinquishment of
the idea of attack. It also provides for an opening of the communication
channels between the plant and mineral world, allowing one access to
information that would be beneficial to the healing of the Earth. It is
a stone to help one through transition as well as trials and tribulations.

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