Agate Stone: History and Properties

It is known that each stone has its own unique properties, and some of them are also owners of an interesting story. To such amazing minerals can be attributed stone agate - one of the derivatives of quartz. Its distinctive feature is uneven layered color and, often, quartz and amethyst inclusions. But as a material for ornaments and sculptures, specimens that are uniform in color and composition are of greatest value. The size of such stones can vary from a couple of centimeters to almost a meter in diameter. From one such large specimen the ancient masters performed a unique vase. In diameter, this work of art reaches more than seventy-five centimeters, and it is stored in the Vienna Museum.

There is an opinion that the name of the stone takes its origins from the Greek word "happiness" - "agates". According to another theory, it is believed that the agate stone received its name in honor of a large river crossing the island of Sicily. It was here, on the shores of Akhatem, that the rich deposits of this mineral were most often found. Later the main place for the production of agates was Germany, but after the 19th century the situation changed: there were also developments in Georgia and Crimea, the Urals, Armenia, Mongolia and Brazil. It is worth noting that in ancient times this stone was given much more importance than in our days, and in many nations it was even considered to be precious. It is not without reason that so many fine examples of ancient art, made with the use of agate, have reached our times. Thanks to the unusual layered structure, they look amazing. Especially good are various cameos, carved from this stone.

Agate Stone: Properties

There are many subspecies of this mineral. Among the huge variety of colors and shades that agate can possess, distinguish between white, light blue and gray. Also, there are often minerals of warm tones - orange, red and yellow. Most often the color of agate is a mixture of several colors, and not just a single one. Agate is opaque. On the Mohs scale, its hardness is defined as 6 (5-7), and density is about 4.7 grams per cubic centimeter. This mineral is hard enough, but well polishable. The latter property helps him to remain one of the most beautiful materials in the jewelry business.

Agate Stone: Properties of Magical Origin

From ancient times, we learned about some of the mystical features of this mineral. Ancient Romans, for example, considered agate a symbol of Pomona, the goddess of wood fruit. Jewelry with him was often presented to people whose life was connected with farming or gardening. This tradition has survived to this day. Europeans considered the amazing mineral a symbol of good health and a long life, while the people of India noticed that agate brings prosperity to the house.

Lithotherapists and mystics in our time highly appreciate the properties of this stone. It is believed that decorations with him gradually change the character of a person for the better, making their possessor more enjoyable and communicative in communicating with other people. In addition, many believe in the protective properties of the mineral: the ability not only to protect invisibly from enemy machinations, but also to "absorb" all negative energy, thereby neutralizing it. It is noteworthy that this stone can be worn by both men and women.

A ring with layered agate helps representatives of the strong half look more attractive in the eyes of the ladies. In addition, they are well suited stone in black . It is recommended to wear it only to men, but such a guard is very effective as a protection against real dangers and mystical evil power. According to Indian beliefs, agate is useful to almost all people, it is a soul stone. It can also be worn by children, since it dispels anxious thoughts and fears that a child might have.

It is also widely believed that agate sets a person in touch with the subtle world, reveals his supernatural abilities. Stones of light shades make the owner more friendly and soft, give a sense of serenity. In ancient times, when poisons were common, agate was a very popular amulet: it was believed that it neutralized the poison or weakened its effect. The healing properties of the mineral are diverse. Depending on the location of the disease, people are recommended to wear earrings, beads or bracelets from agate.