Agate, pronounced as agit, was christened by a Greek philosopher and a naturalist Theophrastus way back in between 4th and 3rd centuries BC when he first spotted agate on the banks of the river Achates in southwestern Sicily. Agate is an impure crystalline form of quartz defined by distinctness of grain and brightness of color.
Agates have an interesting history attached to them; they tell the story of Earth’s evolution. Creation of agate has an intriguing connection to volcanic eruptions that have been responsible to a great extent in shaping the Earth. Most of the agates have been known to have formed during ancient volcanic activities. The empty spaces or cavities formed by lava gave opportunity to silica rich water to enter to spell magic. When the silica in the solution travelled out, it formed silica crystals filling empty spaces from outside inwards. This is how agates acquired their characteristic and Nature’s most creative bands and cloudy patterns.
A logical corollary is that no two agates look alike. So much so that two stones cut from one single rock are dissimilar. Though most agates are related to volcanic rocks, some have their genesis in metamorphic rocks as well.
There will hardly be a color agate is not found in. There are black, grey, brown, yellow, pink, green, blue agates used for making jewelry, mortars, pestles, burnishers polishers and for healing purposes.
Agates are fairly resistant to weathering and remain as nodules in soil or as gravel in riversides. Though they’re found throughout the world, Brazil and Uruguay top the list of agate producing countries. Scottish agates are enviously second to none in their color and texture; they were often called “Scottish Pebbles” during nineteenth century due to their ready availability on Scottish seashores.
Agate gemstone is as mystical in its properties as it is magical in its appearance. It is the birthstone for September and also for sun sign Gemini. During ancient times, it was highly prized as talisman; it was often employed to protect against fever, divert storms and to even quench thirst. Collecting agate bowls was one fancy among European royalty during the Renaissance and many museums, including the Louvre.
Even in modern times, agates are used for rebalancing and harmonizing body, mind and spirit. It is known to dispel negativity while it cleanses and stabilizes aura. Agate belongs to Crown chakra. It heals eyes, stomach and uterus. White agate is often addressed as “the ultimate pregnancy stone” as it known to protect mother and baby, soothes labor pains, provides relief from morning sickness and ensures healthy lactation.
The largest use of agate is for jewelry making. Fashionistas, pan-world, have a common desire to own at least one jewelry piece of agate. Why not when agate is surrounded by so much mystique! Knotted agate necklaces and beaded agate necklaces are very popular. Here is a word of advice for agate jewelry lovers: make sure you take care of this prized gemstone well. Agate easily gets chipped and cracked despite its hardness factor of 7.0. It is better to not wear agate jewelry while household chores. To clean it, gently wipe with a clean soft damp cloth, or with soapy water and soft brush to remove dust and grime. And yes, beware of imitation. Fake agate keep floating in the market, but be sure you either learn to tell authentic from fakes.
The splendid history and exquisiteness of agates gets its acknowledgment in museums like Montana Agate Museum Collection. Here 500 pieces of some of the best Montana Agate gathered and assembled from the last 75 years. The pieces are like handcrafted metal agate and Montana jewelry, polished specimens, sculpts, etc.,.
Agate, by all parameters, is the most gifted gemstone. Indeed other gemstones’ envy, Nature’s pride.
Some of the Museum Collection of Agates
