What on Earth Is Agate?

Agate is a banded variety of chalcedony, itself a form of microcrystalline quartz, so it sits in the quartz family with a Mohs hardness of about 7. It comes in many varieties, from blue lace agate and moss agate to crazy lace, dendritic, luna and fire agate, and it usually shows stripes, layers, eye-like markings or inclusions. Read on for its properties, history and lore.

The Physical Properties of Agate

Agates are created from nodular masses in rock, like volcanic and certain metamorphic rocks. When split open, they reveal a variety of patterns, colors, and bands that distinguish the gemstone from other forms of chalcedony.

Agates are made of fibrous chalcedony (cryptocrystalline silica) and the fibers in thin slices are sometimes visible in a transmitted light which causes interesting optical effects. Agate is slightly porous with threads that are not tightly interlocked and can be dyed easily.

These gemstones can be found in variety of colors like green, red, blue, white, orange, purple, brown, multicolored, or banded. Agate's crystal system is hexagonal; it has a refractive index of 1.54-1.55. and hardness of 7 (quartz) on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness. Agate has a waxy luster and was commonly used in hardstone carving.

The History of Agate

Agates are stones that have been used as precious materials and gems for the production of small sculptures and ornaments. It was named by a Greek philosopher, Theophrastus, who discovered it near the river Achates (Sicily).

Also known as chalcedony, the name originates from an ancient port on the Sea of Marmara, Chalcedon, a trading center for many gems where various ornamental materials used to be mined. Agate stones were used for stone inlay work and bases and handles of goblets (and similar gold items).

In antiquity, the value of agate was quite high when it ones one of the primary stones used. The gemstone is from Italy, Scotland, Germany, Canada, U.S.A., Madagascar, Egypt, Mexico, China, India, Brazil, and Uruguay.

The Lore of Agate

Agate was highly valued as an amulet or talisman, according to ancient texts, and people believed it protected the person who carried it. According to some legends, Persian magicians used it to affect the weather and divert unwanted storms.

Agate bowls were famous in the Byzantine Empire and were commonly found in residences of European royalty as well as museums. An example of how enthusiastically these bowls were collected is a collection by Mithridates, King of Pontus, which has over 3,000 Agate bowls.

The Metaphysical Properties of Agate

Agate is the stone of balance in crystal practice, associated with a steady mix of spiritual, intellectual and emotional outlook, as well as sharp perception.

In crystal lore, agate stands for focus, goodwill, honesty and discerning the truth. People who like to set a calm bedtime routine often keep an agate stone nearby as a gentle, soothing presence.

There are many varieties of the stone, and they are associated with different chakras. Agate in general is linked with balance across all of them, and its smooth, banded look is why people tie it to a feeling of harmony.

The Agate mantra one should use when feeling overstimulated or unbalanced is: “With ease of mind, I welcome peace and balance into my life.” Take two Agate stones in each hand and repeat the mantra during your meditation to aid the process of change.

Unlike selenite or clear quartz, which crystal fans describe as intense, agate has a steady, gentle reputation. It is tied to the energy of the Earth and to a sense of stability.