GRAPE AGATE

(Sulawesi, Indonesia)

Found in 2016 on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi, grape agate is a form of botryoidal chalcedony. This unique form growns in cavities inside andesite pillow lava rock. These cavities are hard to reach, and are mined by hand, on the slopes of dense jungle mountains & carried down by the miners to sell in the city. It comes in deep purple to lavender, dark green to light green, white and gray. Many specimens have a secondary growth of druzy quartz over the grape-like forms, giving an appearance of sparkly velvet grapes. It is highly prized in large form, with good coloring and unbroken grape structure. The name is a bit of a misnomer, but has stuck. It would be more appropriate to call it Botryoidal Amethyst than Grape Agate, as it doesn’t have the banding of agate, and the druzy makes it macrocrystalline, not chalcedony all the way through.

Associated with the heart through the crown chakras, zodiac signs of Cancer & Scorpio & vibrates to the number 9.

– Guides one in understanding the messages present in dreams & visions, serendipity & patterns.
– Boosts psychic abilities, and helps connect to the etheric realm by raising one’s overall vibration.
– A stone for energy healers, aiding in channeling healing vibrations and allowing them to flow through.
– Useful in meditation practice to strengthen one’s connection to their higher self.
– Inspires one to stay in the present and quiet the mind, ego and superego voices. There is only now, be here, now.
– Physically aids in mental processes and retaining one’s faculties. Helps dementia, stress, anxiety, forgetfulness, worry & epilepsy.

Crystal System: Hexagonal
Fracture: Conchoidal
Tenacity: Brittle
Hardness: 7 Mohs
Specific Gravity: 2.6-2.7
Refractive Index: 1.535-1.539