Magical and healing stone Agate - the history of the stone, deposits, unique properties and varieties, photo of the mineral and compatibility

Agates have been popular since ancient times. The variety of agate patterns and stone colors fascinated the Sumerians and Egyptians, and in ancient Rome only patricians were allowed to wear it. It was considered a stone of magicians and healers.

History and origin of the name

There is no consensus among linguists about the origin of the name of this stone. Some associate it with the ancient name of the river Ahates flowing in Sicily, where it was found by the father of mineralogy and botany, Theophrastus, who described it, others derive the name from the Greek word "agates", meaning "happy".

There are many beautiful legends about his appearance on earth. One of them tells about a white celestial eagle, sent by the gods to save people, but fell in battle with dark forces. Having fallen to the ground, he left his eyes in it to watch people and protect them from harm. These eyes turned into agates.

In ancient times, it was believed that only a person free from evil thoughts could find agate. Agates with a pattern resembling an eye were inserted into the eye sockets of statues depicting gods so that they would drive away evil forces and distinguish between the thoughts of people.In Homer's Odyssey, one of the fans gives Penelope agate earrings. White agate in Greece was considered a talisman of speakers, poets and singers.

The Romans saw in the agates the petrified tears of the god of the underworld Pluto, and also associated him with the goddess of fertility Pomona, for her location in the ground during field work they buried agate balls.

North American Indians considered it a stone of peace and unity of people. In ancient India, it was believed that a child with an agate ornament begins to walk earlier.

The crusaders carved the face of their beloved on an agate cameo. One of the ancient artifacts, which many have spent their whole lives looking for, is the Grail, in which Joseph of Arimathea collected the blood of Christ. According to one version of the legend, it was made of agate.

Interesting: The Hermitage collection contains the famous Gonzaga cameo, the first mention of which dates back to 1542. And the "Great French Cameo", located in the National Library in Paris, dates back to the 1st century AD.

During the Renaissance, this stone was considered the patron saint of craftsmen. In Russia, imported and local agates have been used to make caskets, snuff boxes and jewelry since the end of the 17th century.

The fashion for agates in Europe was changeable. It was either forgotten for several decades, then eagerly bought up again after the appearance of some new variety, of which this stone has more than any other.

Now agates are considered an ornamental stone, and anyone can buy products from it.

Place of Birth

Gem deposits can be found in Africa, America, Europe, Asia. In Russia, they are mined in the Urals, in Chukotka, in the Magadan region, in the Nenets Autonomous Okrug, in the Moscow region and in the Crimea. There is also in Armenia, Georgia, Tajikistan.

There are large deposits in Brazil (the Minas Gerais deposit), Mexico, Uruguay, India in the Deccan Mountains, Mongolia, as well as Ukraine and Germany.

Agate deposits are confined to volcanic and sedimentary rocks, where it is a companion of other varieties of quartz.

Physical Properties

Agates have a hardness of 6.5-7, the luster at the break is oily or matte, and at the polished surface it is glassy. The colors are exceptionally varied. Characterized by zonal banding. White layers of quartz alternate with colored layers of another variety of quartz - lutecin, which differs in structure. May be translucent or opaque. Density 2.6 g/cm3.

Interesting: Up to 7000 layers can be counted per 1 cm² of agate.

Chemical properties and composition

The chemical formula of the mineral is the same as that of quartz, that is, SiO2.

The color of this variety of chalcedony is given by a wide variety of impurities.

Agates are resistant to any acids except hydrofluoric.

Varieties

Agate has a lot of varieties that differ in color and pattern, all the variety of these stones can be seen in the photo:

• Agate blue. Blue agate is recognized as the most healing of the agates. Looking at this stone, it is easy to dream.
• Agate black ("magic agate"). It is rare, considered to have the most powerful magical effect. In India, only gurus were allowed to wear it. Protects from dark forces.
• Agate white (milky). Despite the seeming modesty, this variety of agate is considered a good protection against witchcraft and natural disasters, and also contributes to sports achievements.
• Agate red. Red agates are highly valued as a talisman. They give strength.
• Eye agate. In ancient times, they were considered to have the property of distinguishing between good and evil intentions.
• Bastion agate. The pattern of these agates is similar to fortresses and bastions.
• Rainbow agate. In appearance, it is similar to a moonstone, but it does not have a blue tint, but casts with all the colors of the rainbow.
• Mossy agate. Tree-like inclusions of iron or manganese oxides create a moss-like pattern.
• landscape agate. In this agate, similar to moss, even a person who is not very prone to fantasies will see trees, mountains and lakes.
• Agate striped. On the cut, even white, blue and brown stripes are visible.
• Fire agate. Unlike ordinary red agate, this stone "burns" from the inside.
• Agate iridescent. The layers are so thin that they form iridescent overflows.
• Brazilian agate. Gray and brown layers alternate in the form of oval concentric rings.
• African agate. It is also called Crackle agate or dragon veins. The color scheme can be blue, pink or yellow. It is distinguished by a grid of "cracks" resembling frosty patterns.
• Agate Botswana. The striped stones, which include white, black, brown and gray layers, are named after the country where they are found.
• Timan agate. They are found in the Arkhangelsk region and Komi. The patterns are reminiscent of the northern lights. Named after the Timan Ridge.
• Agate Geode. The oval pebble has a cavity filled with small crystals.

The above varieties are not limited to the entire variety of agates. Some of them have their own names:

• Sardonyx is an agate with layers of red, yellow and orange, sometimes with patterns that look like stars.
• Onyx with white, blue and brown layers.
• Sapphirine is a rare light blue variety of blue agate.

How to distinguish a fake

Despite the fact that agate is inexpensive, you can run into scammers trying to pass off colored glass or plastic as it. You can distinguish a real stone by weight. Counterfeits made of glass or plastic are much lighter. In addition, if you hold a real agate in your hand, it remains cold for a long time, and a fake one becomes warm very quickly.

You can run into a pale-colored agate artificially dyed with dyes. In this case, you can distinguish a fake by a poisonous shade of color.

Fake black agate, made by pressing stone chips, can be recognized by trying to scratch the glass. A fake will not leave scratches on it.

magical properties

Without exception, all agates, regardless of the type of stone, are credited with magical properties, but the effect on a person depends on its color and pattern.

• White symbolizes kindness and peace. Amulets made of white agate are hung over the crib to protect the child from the evil eye.
• Red and brown are considered the talismans of sailors and travelers. Reds attract love and family well-being.
• Blue agates promote self-expression and are considered a talisman of artists and musicians. Give confidence to timid people.
• Black agates are called magical, they help people with supernatural abilities to establish contact with the other world and protect them from evil forces.
• Greens bring good luck in matters related to upholding their rights, and also increase the attractiveness of the owner to others.
• Purple is considered the best for those who love to meditate.
• Pink will help you endure love failures and find new happiness.
• Gray agates bring good luck in your career.

Important for the magical properties and pattern of the stone.Mokhovaya is considered a talisman of treasure hunters, they develop intuition and reduce weather dependence. Dendritic attract wealth and give the ability to enjoy every moment of life.

Medicinal properties

Agates are used for:

• toothache;
• pain in the stomach;
• insomnia;
• nightmares;
• night cramps;
• deterioration of vision;
• stress;
• mental disorders;
• lung diseases.

They are also credited with the ability to increase immunity and protect against infections.

Pink agate helps to get rid of smoking and other bad habits.

Zodiac signs

Now it's time to find out which of the signs of the zodiac suits this wonderful agate stone.

Agates have the most favorable effect on Taurus, Cancer and Gemini.

Contraindicated for Aries and Sagittarius.

Black agates suit Scorpios, and Virgos and Taurus - pink or red. Cancers should choose blue or gray agates.

Compatibility

Although agate peacefully combines with almost all stones, except for those associated with the fire element (diamond, rubies, garnets, corals), the properties are best manifested in combination with minerals associated with the elements of water, such as:

• jasper;
• lapis lazuli;
• emerald;
• cacholong;
• opal;
• chrysolite;
• nephritis;
• malachite.

Products with agate

The price per gram of agate is from 100 rubles per gram. There are also very expensive ones that become a coveted prey for collectors.

They make pendants, bracelets, beads. Agates with a beautiful color or an unusual pattern are inserted into rings. Most often cut cabochon.

Large agates are used to make figurines, caskets, snuff boxes and other items.

stone care

Agate has one unpleasant property to easily absorb dirt, so contact with dirty water should be avoided.

Agates should be wiped more often with a dry cloth, and in case of contamination, washed in a mild soapy solution. Protect them from falls and from exposure to the sun.

This amazingly beautiful and unlike other semi-precious stone has so many advantages at a low price that you should definitely pay attention to it.

Agate stone photo