Tumbled Black Banded Agate crystals
Tumbled Black Banded Agate crystals

BLACK BANDED AGATE

pronunciation – Black Banded Agate – “blak – “ban-duhd” – “ag-it”

Black Banded Agate soothes, protects, and balances. This beautifully striped crystal reminds us of the peace and harmony that reside between life’s highs and lows and our own inner light and shadow. What healing properties does this stone hold that sets it apart from other Agate variations? Read on to learn more about Black Banded Agate!

SPIRITUAL HEALING PROPERTIES OF BLACK BANDED AGATE

Black Banded Agate provides protection and supports inner balance. By creating an equilibrium between energetic polarities, this stone assists the user in accepting that light cannot exist without darkness. It protects the wearer by deflecting negative energy and returning it to the sender.

Black Banded Agate makes space to accept and integrate the user’s many inner layers. It accomplishes this by harmonizing the spiritual and physical bodies and by simultaneously grounding and elevating one’s vibration. This stone further encourages connection to spirit, deep introspection, and spiritual maturity and stability.

This crystal soothes and calms the wearer, offering understanding and strength. A stone of truth, Black Banded Agate facilitates self-acceptance and speaking one’s truth. Additionally, it helps to heal heartache and bitterness through fostering courage and love and inspiring the drive to continue.

PHYSICAL HEALING PROPERTIES OF BLACK BANDED AGATE

Black Banded Agate improves mental and emotional clarity, increases energy, and stabilizes the metabolism. This stone activates a creative flow state and can help maintain it for longer periods of time. The mental clarity it creates also serves those who are in school or in the process of learning new skills.

A strong sexual healer, this crystal helps to relieve physical, mental, and emotional sexual dysfunction. It offers the peace of mind necessary to accept one’s feelings toward their sexuality and also lends aid in releasing and healing from sexual trauma.

Black Banded Agate can even enhance lymphatic drainage which helps to flush toxins from the body.

BLACK BANDED AGATE CRYSTAL CORRESPONDENCES

HEALING PROPERTIESGentleness, Strength, Sexuality, Energy Transfer, Transformation
CHAKRASRoot
ZODIAC SIGNSCapricorn, Gemini
PLANETARY RULERSSaturn, Mercury
NUMBERS4, 8, 12
TAROTThe Emperor, Strength, The Hanged Man
COLORSBlack, Dark Brown, Banded
ELEMENTSEarth, Air
DEITIESGaia, Bona Dea, Nyx, Cerridwen
PAIRINGSHematite, Garnet, Peridot, Amethyst, Tiger’s Eye

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 BLACK BANDED AGATE

On the Body: Black Banded Agate can be worn or carried and is useful for grounding, protection, acceptance, clear vision, and universal connection. Keep a piece on hand while meditating or studying.

Inside: Black Banded Agate can be kept in spaces of the home or workplace where relaxation, focus, grounding, and clarity are needed.

Outside: Black Banded Agate is a relatively hard stone and can safely be exposed to the elements. Place a piece outside the home to invite protection and grounding.

CLEANING AND CLEANSING BLACK BANDED AGATE

Physical Cleaning: Clean Black Banded Agate with canned air to remove dust and debris. It 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 Black Banded 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

Black Banded 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

Black Banded 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 BLACK BANDED 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)
SHAPEMicrocrystalline
CRYSTAL SYSTEMRhombohedral
HABITCryptocrystalline Silica
COLORBanded, multicolored specimens are not uncommon due to embedded minerals.
STREAKWhite
LUSTERWaxy, Dull, Vitreous when polished
DIAPHANEITY Transparent
HARDNESS6.5 – 7 Mohs
CLEAVAGENone Observed
FRACTUREConchoidal, Sub-Conchoidal
SPECIFIC GRAVITY2.6 – 2.65 kg/cm3
REFRACTIVE INDEX1.54
OPTICAL PROPERTIESUniaxial (+), w=1.543-1.545, e=1.552-1.554

To learn more about Agate, visit our Agate page! These fascinating stones contain hidden layers of meaning within their banding.

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.