AGATE

pronounce – Agate – “ag-it”

Agates are highly versatile stones with banding that reflects their many healing layers. There exist many fascinating variations of this crystal such as Moss Agate, Blue Lace Agate, and many more. Read on to learn more about Agate!

SPIRITUAL HEALING PROPERTIES

Agate harmonizes the positive and negative while also balancing yin and yang energies. By improving one’s equilibrium, this stone helps the user to see both themselves and their circumstances clearly. This clarity illuminates anything that interferes with one’s well-being so that it can be released through a slow and steady healing process.

Agate soothes and calms by offering understanding and strength. The banding in some variations reinforces these healing qualities by mirroring our hidden emotional and mental layers; as we work through each band or layer, we overcome more heartache and bitterness and replace them with courage and self-acceptance. As a result, these crystals wonderfully support those who are healing from emotional trauma and navigating the resulting inner conflict.

Also serving as a stone of safety and protection, Agate guards against dangers and grants strength and stamina. It safeguards the user by returning negative energy and ill intentions back to their sources. In doing so, this crystal enforces taking responsibility for one’s actions and acknowledging how they affect other people.

Agate encourages exploring the unknown and seeing the bigger picture in life. Due to this, these gemstones support those who have difficulty seeing solutions to issues because of destructive mental patterns and obsessive thinking.

Agate also possesses the ability to strengthen the user’s link to the collective. By raising one’s awareness of their innate connection to others, this stone can inspire spiritual growth and maturity. It encourages connection to spirit, deep self-introspection, contemplation, and positive, lasting change.

Because it is highly programmable, Agate makes a wonderful tool for crystal gridding.

PHYSICAL HEALING PROPERTIES

Agate improves mental and emotional clarity, increases energy, and helps to stabilize the metabolism, even lending aid to conditions such as ulcers. These qualities can not only activate the wearer’s creative flow but also maintain it for extended periods of time. Agates also enhance analytical abilities and concentration, making them useful for those who are in school or those who are in the process of learning new skills.

Several variations of Agate can help to relieve physical, mental, and emotional sexual dysfunction, thereby offering peace of mind and deeper acceptance of one’s sexuality. Because of this, they also support those who are healing from sexual trauma or abuse and those who struggle with reproductive or menstrual problems.

These crystals further serve to support lymphatic release and drainage, releasing toxins to be flushed from the body. They are even said to oxygenate the brain and circulatory system, ease brain disorders, and enhance overall well-being.

PHOTO GALLERY

CRYSTAL CORRESPONDENCES

HEALING PROPERTIES	Gentleness, Strength, Sexuality, Energy Transfer, Transformation
CHAKRAS	Depends on the variety/color
ZODIAC SIGNS	Depends on the variety/color
PLANETARY RULERS	Depends on the variety/color
NUMBERS	1, 6, 7
TAROT	The Magician, The Lovers, The Chariot
ELEMENTS	Depends on the variety/color
DEITIES	Depends on the variety/color
PAIRINGS	Depends on the variety/color

LORE & HISTORY

Agate gets its name from the Achates River, which is now known as the Dirillo River. Lore tells us that the Greek philosopher Theophrastus discovered Agate sometime between the 3rd and 4th century BCE. Agates have been discovered in the artifacts of ancient Egypt and India, and even from the Neolithic period.

Many of these stones which have been found in ancient sites are carved into cabochons with eye-like shapes; these are now believed to be protective talismans. Deposits of Agates have since been unearthed all over the globe since their initial discovery, making them easily accessible to amateur gem hunters.

HOW TO USE

Agate has many different qualities that are based on and affected by the mineral inclusions, color, and location of the mine.

On the Body: Wear or carry for grounding, protection, acceptance, clear vision, and universal connection. Useful in meditation and when studying.

Inside: Keep in the home or workplace wherever relaxation, focus, grounding, and clarity are needed.

Outside: Keep by an entryway to the home to enhance protection and grounding.

CLEANING AND CLEANSING

Physical Cleaning: Clean Agate with canned air to remove dust and debris. Agate can also be cleaned with a mild soap or detergent and rinsed, or it can be wiped down with a damp cloth.

Energetic Cleansing: There are numerous ways to energetically cleanse Agate.

• Set on or next to Selenite or Satin Spar, or set in lavender.
• Use smoke from herb bundles or incense.
• Cleanse using the water method by running it under cool water with your fingers pointed toward the drain of the sink. Do this for about 30 seconds. Dry gently with a towel, and set out to dry completely.
• Charge under the full moonlight.

TOXICITY AND POTENTIAL ALLERGENS

Agate contains no known allergens or toxins; however, the possibility of harmful mineral inclusions or radiation remains, depending on the locale.

For more information and citations regarding toxic, poisonous, and otherwise dangerous crystals, visit our Toxic Crystals page!

GEM ELIXIRS

Agate is generally thought to be safe for use in gem elixirs made with the direct method. It is a hard mineral and does not contain any toxins directly. However, as with all stones, the possibility remains of harmful mineral inclusions. To be completely safe, using the indirect method is best.

OTHER NAMES FOR AGATE

Common Names: N/A
Trade Names: N/A
Trademarked Names: N/A

GEOLOGICAL PROPERTIES

A type of banded fibrous Chalcedony, Agate is found in translucent browns, grays, pinks, purples, peaches, and apricots with curved white bands and most often lining geodes.  The Peach Banded variety, for example, predominantly displays that color.

There are numerous names for the varieties of Agate that are mined globally. Many names include locale while some are reflections of each stone’s color, pattern, and banding type. People often confuse Jasper and Agate; one easy way to identify each is to remember Jaspers are opaque and Agates are translucent.

A new theory in the growth of Agates proposes that the white bands are in fact Opal; however, some continue to identify the banding as Sard.  Regardless, all Agate belongs to the Quartz family and possesses a cryptocrystalline structure.

CHEMICAL FORMULA	(SiO2)
SHAPE	Microcrystalline
CRYSTAL SYSTEM	Rhombohedral
HABIT	Cryptocrystalline Silica
COLOR	Banded, multicolored specimens are not uncommon due to embedded minerals.
STREAK	White
LUSTER	Waxy, Dull, Vitreous when polished
DIAPHANEITY	Transparent
HARDNESS	6.5 – 7 Mohs
CLEAVAGE	None Observed
FRACTURE	Conchoidal, Sub-Conchoidal
SPECIFIC GRAVITY	2.6 – 2.65 kg/cm3
REFRACTIVE INDEX	1.54
OPTICAL PROPERTIES	Uniaxial (+), w=1.543-1.545, e=1.552-1.554

AGATE VARIATIONS

Black Banded Agate

Black Banded Agate lends itself to self-control, grounding, resilience, quiet power, and peace. By inspiring balance between the physical and emotional bodies, this stone creates a calm, soothing energy that supports meditation. Check out our Black Banded Agate page to learn more about this protective and balancing black-and-white striped crystal!

Peach Banded Agate

Peach Banded Agate heals and balances the sacral chakra in order to facilitate the release of repressed emotions. This crystal gives off a gentle energy that helps soothe anxiety and motivate a problem-solving mindset over one that dwells on things.

Pink/Purple Banded Agate

Pink and Purple Banded Agates enhance self-confidence and encourage analytical thinking. These stones impart the spiritual discernment needed to speak your truth powerfully while remaining kind.

Blue Lace Agate

Blue Lace Agate heals the throat chakra in order to eliminate mental repression and banish the fear of judgment. As a result, this stone encourages honest and open expression of thoughts and feelings.

Crazy Lace Agate

Crazy Lace Agate integrates a sense of universal love and support into our daily lives. By reminding us of our inherent worth, this crystal inspires us to move through life with optimism, joy, and humor.

Fire Agate

Fire Agate stimulates the sacral chakra in order to increase physical stamina and ward against fears of intimacy. This stone grounds and supports us through life changes and elevated levels of responsibility.

Grape Agate

Grape Agate enhances intuition by clearing a path for the crown chakra to receive spiritual downloads. This gemstone both supports those struggling with panic attacks or anxiety and galvanizes light workers in times of chaos and upheaval.

Moss Agate

Moss Agate supports new beginnings by attracting abundance, releasing fear, and creating the space for personal growth. This stone balances emotions with intellect and stabilizes physical energy.

Orca Agate

Orca Agate supports communication, especially amongst family units, by stimulating the throat chakra. This enhances the ability to speak clearly and in a way that can be received with grace. Check out our Orca Agate page to learn more about this beautifully forgiving stone!

Snakeskin Agate

Snakeskin Agate grants a cheerful disposition, confidence, and an appreciation for the simple joys in life. This crystal can help with blending into a crowd and supporting self-esteem.

Tree Agate

Tree Agate connects the user to nature in order to enhance their rapport with all living things. It draws out strength, perseverance, and an unshakeable sense of self-esteem.

Turritella Agate

Turritella Agate activates the root chakra to inspire authentic strength. This stone encourages healthy choices, dispels insecurity, and supports letting go of an excessive need for control.

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DISCLAIMER

Crystallography Gems, inc. and CrystallographyGems.com do not dispense medical advice nor prescribe the use of any technique as a form of treatment for medical problems. Always seek the advice of your medical physician or a qualified healthcare provider with any questions that you might have about a medical condition.