Agate is a mineral, silica, hidden crystalline variety of quartz, SiO2. It is a thin-fibered aggregate of chalcedony with a layered texture and banded color distribution.
The famous ancient scholar Pliny the Elder believed that the name comes from the river Achates (Dr.-Greek Ἀχάτης) in Sicily (possibly modern Karabi or Dirillo), another interpretation is from the Greek "ἀγαθός" - good, kind, happy.
Most agates alternate layers of chalcedony proper and its structural variety - quartzine (lutetsin), which differs from chalcedony by the direction of fiber elongation; in chalcedony it is perpendicular to the "C" axis (the direction of elongation of quartz crystals), and in quartzine - parallel to it or with a deviation of 30° (lutetsin).
"The Stone of Kindness"
The mineral is of volcanic origin. Perhaps that is why it is poetically nicknamed "the petrified tears of Pluto", after the ancient Greek god of the underworld, patron of fire-breathing lava, volcanoes and fire.
People from antiquity recognized the magical properties of the mineral and used it to improve their lives. To please the goddess of horticulture, Pomona, small stones were buried in the ground along with a plant seedling. They tied them to the horns of livestock to increase the litter. Agate was attached to the eye sockets of statues of gods - the ancients believed that such eyes repel evil forces. The mineral helped in the treatment of victims of poisonous snake bites, scorpions and spiders.
The earliest items date back to the 5th century B.C. During the excavation of the burial of the Scythians near the city of Alushta in the Crimea found beads of agate, made at this time.
Ancient craftsmen carved convex or bas-relief designs from rounded and oval stones. The jewelry was called "gemma". They depicted gods, honored citizens, heroes, military leaders, philosophers and entire scenes from their lives. Such crafts became very popular in ancient Greece in 4 BC and in ancient Rome. They were set in precious settings, worn as medallions, clasps on clothes, used to decorate seals.
Among the powerful, Alexander the Great was a fan of the stone. The great general and "conqueror of the world" made a huge contribution to the development and spread of ornamental art in the 4th century BC.
In the 3rd century B.C. the famous palaces of Sicily were decorated with stone products. In Vienna, one of the largest pieces made of solid stone can be seen. This 75 cm diameter dish was made by German craftsmen in the 4th century AD.
In the XI-XIII centuries, gemma came back into fashion thanks to the talent of D. Pisano and the Vittorio brothers, who created exclusive works of art from the miracle stone. Catherine II was not on a joke fond of crafts made of agate. Buying up original gemma-cameos in Europe, she gathered a unique collection of elegant things. Napoleon and Pushkin were seen in love with the gem.
The great brand of the Russian Empire - jewelry company Faberge also did not leave the mineral without attention, creating from it more than one masterpiece of jewelry art. Among them are figurines of animals and birds, Easter eggs. Products made of agate are kept in the treasuries of famous museums of the world, including the Hermitage and the Armory in the Kremlin.
Now there are about 150 types of agate. They are subdivided by impurities, color, placement and thickness of stripes, shape of pattern, origin, processing.
Agate is a common mineral. It can be found in almost every corner of the globe. In nature it is found in the form of crystals stuck together - druse, small crystals - brush.
Since the XVIII century and for a long time the main supplier of agate in the world was Germany. Nowadays the mineral is successfully mined in large volumes in Uruguay, Brazil (Minas Gerais state, Rio Grande do Sul state).
India, Mexico, Mongolia, China, Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Madagascar, Turkmenistan and Scotland have reserves of the stone.
Deposits of the gem have also been discovered in Russia: on the Kola Peninsula, in the Urals, in Magnitogorsk, in the Far East, and in Yakutia.
Therapeutic and magical values
The healing properties of agate have been known since antiquity. Even in the period of popularity of gem-camels on them depicted various symbols of disease and used as an amulet from ailments. To wear products from the mineral experts advise in the area of the body, where there is a violation of health:
with diseases of the respiratory tract: cough, bronchitis, asthma will help to cope with agate beads or brooch;
earrings with a stone are effective for problems with teeth and oral cavity;
in nervous disorders, panic attacks, fears, phobias lithotherapists recommend wearing a ring with agate on the middle finger of the right hand.
The healing properties of agate depend on the color of the mineral:
blue stones are effective in the violation of the activity of the thyroid gland;
yellow - in diseases of the liver and gastrointestinal tract;
red mineral will become a barrier against bacteria and viruses, will put in order the work of the heart and blood vessels;
pink agate solves problems with male potency, removal of excess fluid from the body when overweight;
stone of brown, swampy shades is able to heal brain diseases, improve blood circulation.
Agate balls are used for therapeutic purposes in massages, as well as agate pyramids.
Nature has endowed the gem with the most powerful energy and magical properties. The stone is able to bring back to reality a dreamer who has lost his dreams, to inspire him to new achievements, to make a fateful decision and to start acting in the chosen direction. Wasteful it will help to avoid unnecessary purchases and spending. Vulnerable will protect from energy vampirism. In strong-hearted people will develop the gift of foresight.
White agate is the stone of moms and babies. It protects them from the evil eye and improves lactation. Indian sages believed that agate is able to calm the baby and help early to get on their feet.
Gray stone helps to establish relationships, safely resolve conflict situations, reconciles people among themselves, giving warm, kind thoughts.
Blue gem favors creative people who are accustomed to active action, gives them inspiration and strength to implement the planned.
Yellow stone gets rid of depression, gives optimism, contributes to the formation of a joyful and easy perception of the world. It is an excellent talisman for traders and businessmen.
Pink - reveals the ability to see the beauty of the world, increases sexuality and attractiveness of the opposite sex.
Red specimens are designed to protect the bonds of love.
Green stone protects the warmth of the home, kinship and friendship ties. For this purpose in the past centuries buried such a pebble in front of the entrance to the house.
Black agate has the greatest magical power. This mineral can heal heartache, protect from destructive energy-informational influences. It helps a person in a difficult moment to gather strength, concentrate and make the right decision. It can improve the health of the gastrointestinal tract, stop nausea.
Agate is an ideal talisman for Taurus. This representative of the Earth element, the gem will encourage active actions, add agility, teach patience and get rid of irritability. And as a consequence, will lead his favorite to achieve financial goals and material well-being, which is so valued by Taurus.
Useful stone will be and Gemini. Will help dual and fickle natures to make balanced decisions based on reason. Mistrustful, fearful, not too confident in their abilities Cancer agate will lead to a happy life. It will strengthen self-esteem, make a fragile nature resistant to external influences and allow creativity to blossom in full force.
Virgo agate can help during the search for a soul mate. Capricorns and Scorpios will make more cordial, friendly.
Energetically the stone will be cleansed if it is held under running water or let lie on the ground.
Rubens' vase of yellow agate depicting grapes and satyrs was created by an unknown craftsman in the 4th century B.C. For some time it belonged to the famous artist, hence its name.
Eye agate necklace from Bactria is about 4 thousand years old.
The kiwi figurine is the work of masters of the Faberge jewelry company of the early 20th century.
