Agate banded beauty

Agate banded beauty

No gemstone is more creatively striped by Nature than agate, chalcedony quartz that forms in concentric layers in a wide variety of colours and textures. Each individual agate forms by filling a cavity in host rock.

As a result, agate is often found as a round nodule, with concentric bands like the rings of a tree trunk. The bands sometimes look like eyes, fanciful scallops, or even a landscape with trees.

Agate was highly valued as a talisman or amulet in ancient times. It was said to quench thirst and protect against fever. Persian magicians used agate to divert storms.

 

There are many types of agates. I’ll mention a few here. Judy Hall says that Agates are grounding stones, bringing about emotional, physical and intellectual balance. They aid in centering and stabilizing physical energy. Agate has the power to harmonize yin and yang that hold the universe in place. Blue green agates are usually made glass and has no therapeutic properties. Green Agate enhances mental and emotional flexibility and improves decision-making. Pink Agate promotes love between parent and child.