As with many of the vague terms used to describe the various microcrystalline quartz forms, the exact definition of “agate” has never been officially determined. However, most agates include more than one color and the various sub-variety names often describe what the resulting color patterns most closely resemble (e.g. fortification agate, lace agate, tube agate, dendritic agate, banded agate, etc.).
While much of the above could also be equally applicable to jaspers, it is the stone’s translucency or a lack thereof, that differentiates these two chalcedony groups, with most varieties of agate possessing some degree of translucency. This distinction can be most clearly seen when comparing the visual appearances of translucent moss agate and the similarly-named, opaque moss jasper.
The distinctive wavy parallel banding seen within banded agate make it perhaps the best-known sub-variety, with thin slices of the material being a staple of many gift shops.
Meaning of Agate
All types of agate stones have these agate properties at the heart of agate meaning. Agate significance includes yin and yang energy, supplying a balance between the negative and favorable.
There are hundreds of different kinds of agate. One could gather only agate stone varieties and accrue all the crystals one would need for healing the body and mind. This is really consisted of in agate benefits at the heart of agate significance” balance and harmony in the body and mind” and it can be achieved quickly with various ranges of agate.
Agate significance at the heart of agates with regular, constant banding consists of soothing energy, consistency and peace. Agate meaning at the heart of agates with irregular, inconsistent banding includes promoting energy that motivates action and decisiveness.
Birthstone Agate
There are agate birthstones for some fortunate individuals. All of the agate advantages at the heart of agate meaning are amplified for you if it is your birthstone. Agates are natural birthstones depending on their color. Agate birthstones are as follows:
Crazy lace agate birthstones belong to those born from October 22 to November 20 if the primary color is red. If the crazy lace agate is mainly scarlet, then it is the agate birthstone for individuals who commemorate their birthday in between September 25 and October 21.
Blue lace agate birthstones come from those born in between February 19 and March 19. This agate birthstone is specifically relaxing, as assistance by agate meaning.
Agate stone, in general, is the ancient birthstone for people born in May and June.
Moss agate is the contemporary birthstone for people born in January and September.
What does agate symbolize?
How is agate formed?
They can form in all types of host rock, many of the world’s agates established in ancient volcanic lava. When the continents were first forming, layers of molten lava pushed towards the earth’s surface through rift zone fractures, volcanoes, and other geologic events. Other cracks and seams also formed when adjacent areas of lava cooled at various rates.
Over time, the silica molecules began to form miniature fibrous microcrystals that attached to the sides of the cavity or joint. Throughout the filling-in process other mineral pollutants gathered at the inside of the chalcedony silica band, forming stepping in and typically contrasting bands. If there was an inadequate amount of mineral pollutant or if the temperature levels and pressures changed, the cavity finished filling in with macrocrystalline quartz, or another type of silica.
Agate Characteristics
-
- Mineral class: quarts
- Hue of agate
- Tone of agate
- Saturation of agate
- Hardness of agate: 7
- Colors of agate: White, Blue, Red, Green, Yellow, Orange, Brown, Pink, Purple, Gray, Black, Banded, Multicolored
- Varieties of agate: Blue Lace Agate, Crazy Lace Agate, Dendritic Agate, Fire Agate, Laguna Agate, Moss Agate
- Transparency of agate: Varies from extremely translucent to opaque
- Refractive Index of agate: 1.54 – 1.55
- SG: 2.63 – 2.65
- Typical sizes of agate
- Chemical composition of agate: SiO2
- Crystal habit of agate: Microcrystalline aggregates
- Physical properties of agate
- Cause of color for agate
- Pleochroism: Absent
- Fluorescence of agate: Varies with bands: partly strong; yellow, blue-white
- Spectra of agate
Common Inclusions in agate
Common agate cutting styles
Treatment of agate
Synthetic agate
Much agate is dyed to offer commercially appropriate and strong colours. Immersion in a hot sugar service followed by immersion in focused sulphuric acid and heating provides black; a blue colour, as soon as called Swiss lapis, is produced by immersion in potassium ferrocyanide and subsequent warming in a service of ferrous sulphate to provide a precipitate of Berlin blue.
bluish green, and nickel substances provide a brighter, apple green. Impregnation with iron substances and heating may provide reddish brown and red colours. Yellow to greenish yellow is obtained by heating dry agate that has been treated with focused hydrochloric acid.
The development of Lab produced is made with the heating process where the stone is heated up at a high temperature and often dyed due to the multi-colour schedule in the agate. The procedure happens in the chamber where color colour is included into the stone and 800-900 ° Celsius temperature level is given. The agate is then forwarded for further cleansing and use.
The hardness of the laboratory created agate steps around 6.5-7 on the MOHS scale and that is why they are not so recommended in rings as they are too much and fragile direct exposure to rough surfaces might trigger the stone scratches. The lab developed agate can be obtained easily and they exhibit comparable homes like natural agates just with more affordable cost.
-
- [gemstone]
- Properties determining value of [gemstone]
- Price of [gemstone]
- History of [gemstone]
- When was [gemstone] first discovered?
- Where are [gemstone] found?
- Cultural references to [gemstone]
- Notable [gemstone]
- Most expensive [gemstone]
- [gemstone] jewelry
- How to choose a quality [gemstone]?
- Which [gemstone] are the rarest?
- How do you know if it’s a real [gemstone]?
- Do [gemstone] increase in value?
- Is [gemstone] a good investment?
- Can [gemstone] jewelry be worn everyday?
- How to clean [gemstone]?
- Benefits of wearing [gemstone]
- Is [gemstone] rare?
- What is the more affordable stone compared to [gemstone]?