A Look At Gemstones: Agate
The agate stone is actually a type of Chalcedony which is also a type of quartz. The Chalcedony family has many different types of stone within it including the bloodstone, onyx, and Jasper. You can always tell which is the Agate variety by its banded stripes. The Agate stone comes in many different colours, patterns and shapes. This has meant the agate stone has been given many different names, such as the Moss Agate, fire agate and lace agate. Generally, though the agate stone has a striped appearance commonly in the colours, Brown, green, red, and yellow. These are usually dyed to make the colours more vibrant. The agate stone in its natural form you also find it in pink, lilac, grey, black and white. It is a very porous stone so is dyed easily making it a very versatile stone.
Where Is The Agate Stone Found?
The agate stone is normally found in specific areas of the world where there has been some sort of volcanic activity. This is because the stone is usually found within cooling lava from the volcano. Agate is found in many places all over the world such as Uruguay and Brazil. Different types of agate stone may, however, be found in different locations. The fire agate is usually mined in North America and Mexico, you will find Moss agate in India and blue lace agate comes from Chihuahua in northern Mexico.
History of Agate As a Gemstone
The Agate stone has been around for a very long time and we know that man has used it for at least the last 3000 years. It was named by the Philosopher that found it, called Theophrastus. He came across the stone in the Achates River, in Sicily and named it Agate. The island was originally part of the Greek colony before it was taken over and conquered by the Romans. This was the main source of the Agate stone for a very long time. Agate was used making rings, ornaments and seals during this period.
The Spiritual Meaning Behind the Agate Stone
The agate stone is said to bring you harmony and balance to your life. It is known as the yinto the yang in the world of stones because it has a positive balance between negative and positive. It is also believed to keep you calm, bringing you greater self-confidence. However different colours and types of the stone may have a different spiritual meaning behind them. Fire agate will bring you high energy, inspire you, and give you that spark of fire to make a change. Blue lace agate is more calming, serene and makes you more balanced. You should research as to which agate stone is best for you if you want it for more spiritual reasons.
Caring For Agate
You need to remember that most Agate stones are dyed to enhance its colour, so extra care should be taken when it comes to cleaning. You should use warm water with mild soap and avoid any chemicals. Always follow the aftercare instructions included with your jewellery.
What Jewellery is Agate the best for?
When using the Agate stone you have a massive choice of different colours and styles so it makes it a versatile stone to work with. It has a Mohs hardness rating of 7 so is suitable for almost any sort of jewellery although seems to be more popular in rings. The stones are rather large with lots of different shapes so are also a good choice for pendants and brooches. The agate stone is also the perfect gift for your 12 th wedding anniversary, and the moss stone if you are celebrating your 14 th Wedding anniversary. This really is a very lovely unique looking stone, and clear to see why it’s such a popular choice for many with its different colours and styles. It also represents the month of May, so if you are looking for a gemstone to celebrate a birthday, this is the perfect choice.
Buying Agate Jewellery
If you are looking to buy agate jewellery, it is important that you buy from a trusted retailer. There are lots of jewellery shops online and on the high street and they’ll all offer a different quality of stone and metal. Do your research and make sure you are spending your money with a retailer that offers a good level of quality when it comes to jewellery. Pieces such as agate jewellery and other precious gemstones are often an investment piece so it makes sense that you’ll want to ensure your money is spent wisely.