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Agate is a chalcedony (pronounced kal-sed-on-ee) distinguished by characteristic colors and banding.
The bands can be multicolored or of the same color.
Agate occurs in a wide assortment of colors, the most common being blue and green. It occurs in nodular masses
in rocks such as volcanic lavas. When split open, they reveal an amazing variety of colors and patterns. This banding
is what distinguishes agate from other types of chalcedony (the compact microcrystalline variety of quartz).
The thickness of the agate bands can vary, but tend to stay consistent throughout a nodule. Sometimes if the
cavity is not completely filled with agate, the center may contain crystals such as rock crystal, amethyst or smoky
quartz.
There are many varieties of agates. These are named according to their appearance:
- Fire Agate - fiery red inclusions as iridescent as an opal
- Fortification Agate (dry-head agate) - bands resembling the jutting-out corners at the bastions
of old fortresses
- Eye Agate - banded rings form an eye
- Snakeskin Agate - resembles snakeskin
- Blue Lace Agate - bands of delicate translucent white and blue
- Moss agate, Tree Agate (Dendritic agate) - contains green moss-like
inclusions
- Petrified Wood - fossilized wood that has had its organic matter replaced by agate.
- Onyx - black and white banded agate
- Sardonyx - reddish brown and white bands
- Scenic agate - Shows landscape-like images through dendrites
- Brecciated agate - Agate, broken, but cemented together by quartz.
Sources of Agate
Probably the most famous place that agate has been mined is Idar-Oberstein in Germany where it has been collected
since 1548. Most agate today comes from the huge deposits in Uruguay and Brazil. Agate is also found in the United
States, Mexico, Madagascar, Italy, Egypt, India, China, Scotland.
Agate meaning in folklore
Agate is the oldest stone in recorded history. Agates have been used in jewelry since Biblical Babylonian times.
They were used to ward off storms. They were prized gems in antiquity. The agates with banded colors were placed
at the head of a sleeper to give rich and varied dreams.
Agate is considered a protection stone. It is believed to attract strength and offer protection from bad dreams,
stress and the draining of energy.
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