THE MINERALOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF AGATE:

Agate is a variety of quartz, characterized by a texture in concentric or parallel zones of various colours and generally filling a cavity. Agate is itself a cryptocrystalline variety of quartz with the chemical formula SiO2, which includes variants such as onyx, carnelian, sardony, jasper, heliotrope … Agate, transparent to translucent, is d ‘a hardness between 6 and 7, its luster is glassy. Its luminescence is white, greenish yellow or green, the crystal system is trigonal and pleochroism is zero. Density: 2.58 to 2.64.

THE MAIN AGATE DEPOSITS

Agate is formed in volcanic regions, from silica, water and various minerals (manganese, iron oxides, etc.) which give their colour to the bands formed by rhythmic crystallization. Beautiful agates have been discovered in Germany, Czechoslovakia, Russia, Mongolia, China, Yemen, Morocco, Iceland, India… However, today, the main exploited deposits are in the south of Brazil (Rio Grande do Sul) and in Uruguay, where specimens of several meters wide have been extracted, but also in Mont-Lyall, Quebec. This ancient volcano produced lava 350 million years ago. On cooling, the rocks crystallized in the form of quartz, amethyst, chalcedony and carnelian. There is also therapeutic green clay.

THE COLORS OF AGATE

Natural agates are usually in shades of Gray, sometimes soft blue, or in shades from yellow to brown. But the porosity of this stone made it possible from Roman times to develop artificial dyeing techniques, by soaking in coloured solutions. Today, the brightest colours (pink, blue, yellow, etc.) are obtained by soaking in chemical baths (acids, sulphates, etc.) followed by heating to fix the colour.

HISTORY AND LEGEND OF AGATE

Agate takes its name from the Akhatês river, today the Dirillo, in southern Sicily, where it was found in abundance. It was the Greek philosopher Theophrastus who gave it its name. Present in many regions of the world and rich in its beautiful colours, it was used since High Antiquity: in Egypt and Mesopotamia, among the Hebrews, as well as by the peoples of the Indus Valley, then the Greeks and Romans. They were made into jewellery and ornamental objects, such as vases, or even cult objects. Among the Celts, she is associated with Ceridwen, goddess of fertility and death. Pliny the Elder mentions in his work “Natural History” the agate of Pyrrhus, which would have represented, thanks to the natural design of its colours, Apollo playing the lyre as well as the nine Muses …

WHAT IS THE METAL TO ASSOCIATE WITH AGATE?

The metal most commonly associated with agate when it is mounted in jewellery is silver, whose soft and luminous luster highlights the coloured streaks of the stone. It is also found cut in various shapes, in original and sober assemblies, on black cords for example, or strung in the form of a pearl.

THE ADVICE OF OUR GEMOLOGIST TO CHOOSE YOUR AGATE

There are many colours of agates, to choose according to your tastes, from the most pale and natural shades to the shimmering colours of tinted stones. But some varieties, often rarer, have interesting peculiarities. Thus, we can cite onyx (black and white), sardony (brown and white), moss agate (moss green inclusions, rust), flame agate (jasper inclusions giving a red colour), dendritic agate (white Gray, spots in the shape of ferns), and finally the landscape agate which seems to draw surprising landscapes of realism …

MAINTAIN YOUR AGATE

Water with washing up liquid will be enough to gently clean your agate. When it comes in a thin decorative slice, it is obvious that a fall can be fatal, but mounted as a jewel, it is not a fragile stone: very resistant to abrasion, it is even used in certain techniques. polishing ceramic or gold leaf.

VIRTUES AND BENEFITS OF AGATE

In the Middle Ages, agates were tied to the horns of oxen to obtain a good harvest. This rock has often been linked over the centuries to man’s relationship with nature, promoting the generous growth of garden plants, protecting against snake bites, insect or scorpion bites. It was also a protective stone against small daily ailments and troubles. It has indeed the reputation of promoting the balance of body and mind, avoiding falls as well as energy blockages. It would alleviate blood and skin problems, preserve the health of the lungs. This stone is associated with the second chakra, related to sexual energy, human relationships and creativity.

ASTROLOGICAL CORRESPONDENCES

Agate does not correspond to any birth month or wedding anniversary, but, probably because of its many properties, it is associated with the planet Mercury and the god of medicine Aesculapius (the equivalent of Asclepius in Greece). The green hue is related to the sign of Taurus and Aquarius, yellow to Leo, red to Libra, blue to Pisces. During a divinatory draw, it would represent an improvement in the situation. In Chinese astrology, blue and green agates as well as onyx are among the twelve love stones believed to promote the sentimental life of their wearer