Geology/History
Agates primarily consist of Chalcedony & Quartz, for a specimen of Chalcedony to classify as Agate it must display banding. Agates form all over the world in many varieties of colours & patterns. Different minerals & mineral combinations such as iron & aluminium create the vast array of agate colours.
Most Agates occur as nodules in volcanic rocks or ancient lavas where they represent cavities originally produced by the disengagement of volatiles in the molten mass which were then filled wholly or partially by siliceous matter deposited in regular layers upon the walls, from this siliceous matter crystals grow. Agate has also been known to fill veins or cracks in volcanic or altered rock underlain by granitic intrusive masses. Such Agates, when cut transversely exhibit a succession of parallel lines, giving a banded appearance to the section. Such stones are known as Banded Agate, Lace Agate & Striped Agate. There is a potential for other types of matter to be deposited during the Agate growth process, these include sagenitic growths (radial mineral crystals) & chunks of entrapped detritus (such as sand, ash, or mud). Agates can also form inside fossilised structures such as coral & petrified wood.
All varieties of Agates have been utilised by humans for centuries with a great variety of purpose, most famously for ornate carvings other uses included bowls, utensils, jewellery, decorative tiles & cameos. At least 3,000 years ago the Egyptians adorned themselves with Agate gemstones as we do in current times. Although known of & utilised for centuries by ancient humans the current name “Agate” was given by Theophrastus a Greek Philosopher & naturalist. Somewhere between the 4th & 3rd century BC he found the stone along the shore line of the Dirillo River in Sicily an area known in ancient Greek times as Achates.
Metaphysical Properties
A Mentor stone, with immense nurturing capacity Agate provides safety, harmony & security. Agate is an excellent grounding stone that cast of negative energies bringing emotional, physical & intellectual balance. The harmony of Yin & Yang or light & dark energies is found within. Agate is soothing & calming working either slowly or quickly, whatever pace serves the highest good to bring great strength, self-confidence & spiritual growth. Its earthy energy helps one to live in the now & release unhealthy energies.
Agate helps to improves concentration through healing inner anger, this eliminates distractions giving increased flow to creative thought. Agate holds within & shares a powerful force of love & strength which builds solid foundations to facilitate new growth. The bringer of peace dissolves negativity & internal tension, casting out negative self talk & replacing it with positive self love.
Agate kick starts dormant Kundalini energies raising spiritual consciousness & opening all chakra energy centres. Excellent as healing aids for they are sensitive to ones underlying needs & have the ability to transmit massive light blasts or small shots of light, either near or far. Agates transform negative influences to positive & teach us that what looks like a scar is actually a beauty spot.
They enhance psychic abilities increasing prophetic vision & divine understanding, instilling a deep sense of knowing & oneness. All chakras can be tuned & energised with Agate, it also helps clean the bodies energy fields. As a powerful booster of energy fields it releases blockages in the way of spiritual enlightenment & connects to all levels of higher existence.
Crystal Healing
Stimulates digestion, heals eyes, stomach, & uterus, strengthens blood vessels & heals skin disorders.
Mineralogy
Group: Quartz
Crystal System: Trigonal-Rhombohedral Lattice
Composition: SiO2 silicon dioxide
Form/Habit: Microcrystalline aggregates
Hardness: 6.5 - 7
Cleavage: None
Fracture: Conchoidal
Lustre: Dull
Streak: White
Specific Gravity: 2.58–2.64
Transparency: Translucent
R.I: 1.530–1.540
Colour: White, grey, blue, yellow, orange, pink, red, brown, black.
Birefringence: up to +0.004 (B-G)
Pleochroism: Absent