Agates - Physical and Metaphysical Properties

Agates are common stones that are found in numerous countries around the world. In fact, it would be difficult to identify a country on the map that does not possess one or more deposits of agates. The great abundance of this stone can be explained by it composition. It primarily consists of silicon dioxide or silica (SiO2). Since silica is the most common mineral on earth, the abundance of agates should come as no surprise. In the geologic past, i.e. tens of millions of years ago, water dissolved silica in the rocks and volcanic ash on the surface of the earth. When the water gradually evaporated with time, the salts were left behind as a precipitate.

Under the forces of nature – temperature and pressure – these salts were hardened and were converted to rock or stone as we see them today. The primary factor that gives agates their characteristic patterns and colors is that the silica was deposited in thin and usually concentric layers. Each layer brought with it a variety of secondary minerals, some of which altered the color of the silica. In other cases, the silica solution contained organic materials such as wood. With time, the organics decomposed and were replaced with silica and other minerals, forming petrified wood. Agates typically have a hardness of around 7 on the Mohs scale. The specific gravity of most agates varies over a fairly narrow range between 2.6 and 2.7.

Followers of metaphysics believe that agates have many beneficial properties. Most commonly, agates are believed to help balance one’s energy, give courage to the wearer, calm disturbing emotions, help a person heal quicker, and promote the overall well being and protection of the person. Children in particular are said to benefit from its powers. It is for this reason that agate is considered to be an excellent stone for children's amulets and jewelry. Throughout history, agate has symbolized strength. Warriors going into battle adorned their armor with agates since they believed that agate gave them the physical strength needed to be victorious. Artists and intellects also believe in the power of agates because it is supposed to improve creativity and enhance the mind. Agates are believed to cleanse the aura by removing negative energy. They are also believed to help in forming friendships and relationships, and promoting marital fidelity and romance.

There are literally hundreds of varieties of agates found on earth, and most of them fall under the generic banner of "agates". However, certain types of agates stand out among the crowd, and some of these are worthy of special mention. Botswana agates are known for their bright colors and beautiful banded or concentric patterns. These agates are particularly popular for jewelry making. Fire agates from Mexico and Central America are also in great demand. These stones get their orange to brownish-orange color because of the presence of ferric compounds within the silica matrix. Eye agate is a less common variety of the stone and has concentric patterns of dark and light bands, giving it the appearance of a single eye.

In the world of fashion jewelry, agates have ascended in importance because of the wide range of patterns and colors in which they can be found, and because they are relatively inexpensive. Because of their hardness, most agates can be cut and polished to a high shine. Colorful and more exotic types of agates are mounted in silver settings to create beautiful sterling silver pendants. Agate beads are generally cut with a smooth finish or in the form of cabs. Beads can be round or flat, depending on the design.