The properties of agate stone are of great importance to everyone who believes in the nature of things. Indeed, truly precious and semiprecious stones for many become symbols and talismans that they have cherished for many years. Agate itself is a semiprecious stone that is distinguished by characteristic stripes, and waves of different colors will form patterns in which, at times, you can see whole landscapes. Because of these unique images and the widespread prevalence, agate began to be used in the manufacture of jewelry and various decorative items. From this article you will learn about the properties of agate stone.
Stone properties
The most common version, dedicated to the origin of its name, claims that the word "agate" was born from the name of the river Akhates, which is located in Sicily. It is there that you can meet one of the largest deposits of this semiprecious stone in the world.
First of all, agate is found in mountain lavas, in which chalcedony is the predominant mineral. As a rule, the stone has a layered structure. Alternating layers often come in completely different colors and have varying degrees of transparency. Due to this, a unique pattern for each nugget is formed on the cut.
The properties of agate stone are very impressive. On the Mohs scale, its hardness ranges from 6.5 to 7 units. Agate is often polished, after which it becomes more bold and matte at the break, but its surface acquires exclusively a glass luster.
Varieties of Agate
In the world there are a large number of diverse agates. From each other, they differ in color, arrangement of bands and the presence of inclusions. Only about one and a half hundred varieties.
The most common - with the so-called concentric stripes, this is the Brazilian type. One of the rare ones is Uruguayan: in them the stripes are located in a straight line.
In addition to these, the most famous types of semiprecious stones are moss, with dendritic inclusions, ocellar, with a pattern resembling the eye, bastion, with a multi-color image in the form of the ruins of an ancient castle and black agate, which is also called magic. And there are tortoiseshell, star-shaped, dotted, fiery, frosty and many others.
In nature, agates of light tones are very popular, in which gray-blue layers alternate with colorless ones. Stones with layers of red, yellow and brown are considered more rare. Very unique blue or bright green stones.
Individual agates received their own unique names. For example, a stone with a large number of multi-colored layers in a parallel plane is called onyx, and agate, in the structure of which there are brown and red stripes, is called sardonyx.
Agate Products
Since ancient times, the properties of agate stone have been used in jewelry. In addition, agate was used in the manufacture of seals, all kinds of decorative products and vessels.
Ancient craftsmen made cameos from agate, skillfully using its layered structure and varied color. Often this stone was used to decorate altars, walls and ceremonial worktops.
The largest agate product in history is a dish with a diameter of 75 centimeters. It is made of solid stone. Today it is stored in Austria, in the Vienna Museum of the History of Art.
Nowadays, agate is often used in jewelry. It is included in bracelets, beads, pendants, rings and earrings.
About the properties of agate stone, a photo of which is presented in the article, will be discussed a little below. But no matter how excellent they are, it is periodically necessary to clean it. Since this mineral has high hardness, scratches may appear on its polished surfaces when it comes into contact with solid objects. Thin sections can crack at all due to temperature differences or from strong mechanical stress.
In this regard, it is advised to handle the stone very carefully. Jewelry is best stored in individual cases. Wash agate under cold running water. So the stone can be cleaned not only from standard pollution, but also from the negative energy that it accumulates in itself.
Semiprecious Stone Deposits
In principle, you can meet agate around the world. These are England, Mongolia, South America, Africa, Ukraine, Poland. He is in Russia, especially in the Transcaucasian regions. The largest deposits are located in Brazil and Uruguay.
In nature, the stone is found in a variety of sizes - from one to several tens of centimeters. Small agates, as a rule, are found in placers on the surface, but large stones can be found infrequently.
The value of agate
The properties and value of agate stone, the photo of which cannot always convey its beauty, many people attach great attention to since the Middle Ages. Then it was believed that God's blessing descends on a person who possesses this nugget. The owner could well expect that he would be considered a pleasant interlocutor, he would arouse admiration or at least sympathy among others.
To some extent, these ideas have survived in our days. It is believed that the properties and significance of agate stone for humans is to bring calm and harmony to the environment, influence the health of the owner, give him strength and self-confidence, protect him from the dangers of the outside world and negative energy.
Agate symbolizes longevity and good health, protection and harmony. He is often presented as a gift to beloved people, for whom he becomes a reliable talisman and amulet for life.
Whose stone is it in the sign of the zodiac?
Who needs agate stone according to its properties, which zodiac sign? This question interests everyone who believes in astrology. So, experts are sure that this is a universal stone that will suit most signs. It is not recommended to wear it only to Sagittarius and Aries, representatives of fire signs. In their life, he can make unnecessary nervousness and fuss, prevent him from taking confident steps towards his goal.
In this case, the properties and values of agate stone are most suitable for the signs of the zodiac Gemini and Taurus. He acts pacifyingly on them, helps to focus, make the right decision in a difficult situation. Gemini is considered a creative sign of the zodiac, agate will help them find the right application for their talent.
It is interesting that the properties of black agate stone are most suitable for Scorpions, and for Capricorn, Pisces, Libra, Taurus and Aquarius, cold and bluish shades of agate are considered to be preferable. For Virgins and Gemini, orange and yellow nuggets of warm shades are suitable.
Healing properties
Like many other semiprecious stones, agate has healing properties. No wonder it is also called the stone of health and longevity. Interestingly, the healing properties directly depend on its color and shade.
Lithotherapists claim that white-gray agates have a restorative effect on the whole body. It is best to wear them in the form of a bracelet. A blue stone is recommended for those who have problems with the thyroid gland, they will be able to fully use its properties. Who needs agate stone yet? People with liver and throat diseases. For them, you need to pick up a yellow nugget.
If cardiovascular diseases are diagnosed, it is necessary to look for red agate and wear it only in the ring on the ring finger of the left hand. It is believed that black agate has a unique reproductive effect, it is worn by men to increase potency.
Moreover, any products with agate will protect the owner from infection, will have a beneficial effect on the nervous system, help to cope with fears and unnecessary worries, and even relieve insomnia.
Magical properties
Many are confident in the strong magical properties of agate stone. One can only envy the sign of the zodiac that he suits. The nugget has amazing energy. It is based on its unique magical properties.
If a person is strong, then the stone will help him develop the gift of clairvoyance, and he will protect the weak from the effects of negative external factors. Agate will easily become a guard against energy vampires and from people with an evil eye who can impair spoilage. Helps the stone and concentrate the body in an emergency.
Upon returning home, experts advise to clean the stone from the negative energy that it absorbs during the day.
Which names are suitable?
By its energy, agate is best suited to certain names. Among the men are Boris, Anatoly, Gennady, Dmitry and Victor. And among women it is recommended to wear it Allam, Lyudmilam, Antoninam, Irin and Klaram.
Moreover, for almost any person, agate will become a stone supporting the work of most internal organs. He will give the owner confidence in himself, make him sociable, relaxed and insightful. Agate helps to quickly make the right decisions, to remain faithful and loyal to the relationship.
For individual names, agate has special properties. For example, only Anatolia will protect against deception, Boris will help to make the right choice, will direct Viktor’s energy and strength in the right direction, Gennady will help say goodbye to resentment and anger, and Dmitry will find a way out of any, even rather difficult situation.
The same situation with female names. For Alla, agate will become a symbol of longevity, Irina will help cleanse blood and strengthen immunity, Antonine will present an opportunity to avoid ridiculous mistakes and gain self-confidence, Clara will calm and protect from lies and deceit, she will award Lyudmila with kindness, gentleness and calmness.
How to wear agate?
Given that the main function of this gem is to maintain mental and bodily health, it should be worn for a specific purpose, which should not be forgotten. For example, Brazilian agate protects against pulmonary diseases, therefore it should be located on the chest, sapphirin helps to clean the lungs, therefore it is recommended for smokers.
A ring with agate on the ring finger will help with heart problems, and if you put it on the middle finger of the right hand, your nerves will become stronger, and the owner will forget the causeless fears and insomnia.
Agate pendants and beads are used for coughing. A brooch from this gem will help to recover from pneumonia and asthma. If your teeth hurt, wear agate earrings. Bracelets save from joint diseases and gout.
Agate Care
Agate must be protected. To do this, it is isolated from alkali, water and temperature changes. If you have a polished stone, then it needs to be wiped with a cloth from time to time.
Agate is a unique stone that is valued by many psychics. You can charge it with positive energy, leaving it in the sun.