precious stones: agate
By zteve t evans
Agate is a type of quartz from the chalcedony family. It is created from seams of quartz that commonly consist of many colors. It most often forms in veins or in rounded shapes.
A hard gem
Agate is a hard gem and is measured from 5 – 7 in the Mohs scale though it has a tendency to fracture.
It is not unusual for small crystals of quartz known as drusy to appear inside a stone enhancing its appearance and giving distinction to individual gemstones. These stones are often cut at an angle and used as a main feature for a jewelry design.
Varieties of agate
Agate comes in a number of different varieties including; eye agate; moss agate, and plume agate, so called because of its beautiful feathered patterning. Blue and green agate is uncommon but it comes in just about every other hue and shade of the rainbow some of which is very rare such as fire agate. Agate is found in many countries all around the globe such as USA. India, Nepal, Germany, Egypt, Africa and other places.
Agate is a hard gem and is measured from 5 – 7 in the Mohs scale though it has a tendency to fracture.
It is not unusual for small crystals of quartz known as drusy to appear inside a stone enhancing its appearance and giving distinction to individual gemstones. These stones are often cut at an angle and used as a main feature for a jewelry design.
Varieties of agate
Agate comes in a number of different varieties including; eye agate; moss agate, and plume agate, so called because of its beautiful feathered patterning. Blue and green agate is uncommon but it comes in just about every other hue and shade of the rainbow some of which is very rare such as fire agate. Agate is found in many countries all around the globe such as USA. India, Nepal, Germany, Egypt, Africa and other places.
Fire agate
Fire agate is multicolored and rarer than diamonds, rubies, or emeralds. Its color range compares with that of the Lightening Ridge Black Opal. The Gem Grade Fire Agate has only been found in the southwest regions of the USA and in Mexico. It is a very hard wearing material containing little moisture and is very enduring.
Popularity of agate
Agate is a low-cost gem in relation to others but some varieties that display an unusual banding pattern or have attractive or distinctive markings can fetch a much higher value. Modern favorites include Fire agate, Montana agate and Plume agate all of which can be fashioned into extremely attractive items of jewellery.
Fire agate is multicolored and rarer than diamonds, rubies, or emeralds. Its color range compares with that of the Lightening Ridge Black Opal. The Gem Grade Fire Agate has only been found in the southwest regions of the USA and in Mexico. It is a very hard wearing material containing little moisture and is very enduring.
Popularity of agate
Agate is a low-cost gem in relation to others but some varieties that display an unusual banding pattern or have attractive or distinctive markings can fetch a much higher value. Modern favorites include Fire agate, Montana agate and Plume agate all of which can be fashioned into extremely attractive items of jewellery.
Agate as a birthstone
Agate is the birthstone of Gemini in the Zodiac while also recognized as the birthstone of those born in September. It is recognized as the gem to give for 12th and 14the wedding anniversaries.
Ancient beliefs
Agate is a substance that is found in many countries all around the world so there are many different, myths legends and folklore associated with it. It has been in use for many centuries and some ancient civilizations believed that wearing agate gave the wearer invisibility and protection from harm. In some ancient societies such as Rome it was believed to encourage the growing of good crops and worn in the belief that it would please the gods to grant this.
The ancient Persians believed wearing agate gave verbal eloquence and was used by sorcerers to change the course of storms. It was used for prophecy in parts of ancient Asia and in some parts of the world was believed to endow people with a wider world perspective. It was also thought to relieve insomnia and give pleasurable dreams.
Agate was believed to have many healing properties and was used to promote healing for many physical and emotional ailments and was believed to bring wealth and good luck.
© 06/10/2014 zteve t evans
Agate is the birthstone of Gemini in the Zodiac while also recognized as the birthstone of those born in September. It is recognized as the gem to give for 12th and 14the wedding anniversaries.
Ancient beliefs
Agate is a substance that is found in many countries all around the world so there are many different, myths legends and folklore associated with it. It has been in use for many centuries and some ancient civilizations believed that wearing agate gave the wearer invisibility and protection from harm. In some ancient societies such as Rome it was believed to encourage the growing of good crops and worn in the belief that it would please the gods to grant this.
The ancient Persians believed wearing agate gave verbal eloquence and was used by sorcerers to change the course of storms. It was used for prophecy in parts of ancient Asia and in some parts of the world was believed to endow people with a wider world perspective. It was also thought to relieve insomnia and give pleasurable dreams.
Agate was believed to have many healing properties and was used to promote healing for many physical and emotional ailments and was believed to bring wealth and good luck.
© 06/10/2014 zteve t evans
References and Attributions
Copyright zteve t evans October 6, 2013
Copyright zteve t evans October 6, 2013