Helping to guide you on your healing journey, wherever it may take you.

• What is Agate
• Agate Meaning
• Agate Properties
• Benefits & How to Use Agate
• Types of Agate
• Shapes & Forms of Agate
• Science & History of Agate
• Final Thoughts on Agate

Agate is a type of semiprecious stone that forms in a wide range of colors and patterns. It's made up of silicon dioxide, which is the same material as quartz.

Agate is found all over the world and has been used for centuries for everything from jewelry to home décor to spiritual healing.

There are many different types of agate, each with its own unique color, pattern and healing properties.

Each variety of agate has similar primary properties with unique metaphysical characteristics that make them special and useful in their own way.

We will provide more information for each of the most popular varieties of agate below.

The name "agate" comes from the Greek word "akhates" which is the river in Sicily where the first agates were found.

Agate is known as a stone of protection, strength, and stability. It is a grounding crystal that balances emotions and the body simultaneously.

Agate is associated with Gemini, the Root Chakra, and the Earth Element.

Agate comes in many different varieties, each with its own unique meaning and spiritual, metaphysical, and physical properties. The core healing properties of stability, strength, and protection remain constant in all agate types, however.

No matter what your specific needs are, there's an agate out there that can help!

Stabilizing

• Harmonizes yin and yang energy

• Stabilizes the Aura

• Overcome bitterness of the heart

• Helps to heal inner-anger

Strength

• Aids in inner stability, composure, and maturity

• Encourages self-confidence and self-acceptance

• Fosters the courage to start again

Protection

• Eliminates and transforms negative energy

• Encourages security

• Protects from negative thoughts, bad dreams, and energy drains

• Aids in centering and stabilizing physical energy

• Can reduce stress on the mind and body through clearer and balanced decision making

Agate is the perfect stone for you if you're looking for help with:

• • Balance: mentally, emotionally, physically, spiritually

  • Grounding: Stable and clear thinking leads to stable actions

  • Protection: Shed negativity and draining energy

  • Confidence: A calm but strong you, unafraid to speak up and take action

There are many ways you can use agate in your life. Here are some of the most popular ways:

• Wearing agate jewelry. This is a great way to enjoy the beauty of agate while also benefiting from its healing properties.
  
  

• Decorating your home with agate. Agate makes for beautiful home décor, and it can also help to create a calming and peaceful environment. Slabs are often used as displays of nature's art, or even cheeseboards!
  
  

• Give agate as a gift. Agates make for beautiful and unique gifts, and they are sure to be appreciated by anyone who receives one.

Agates are a durable stone as a member of the quartz family, so any type of cleansing will be safe and effective in most cases.

If your agate is a geode, or has cracks or crevices, avoid salt water to eliminate the chance of corrosion and breaking.

Some of the more deeply colored agates may also be susceptible to color fading if left in sunlight for too long, so it would be safest to avoid using sunlight to charge or cleanse your agate crystals.

Please note, however, that color fading will not impact the energy or properties of the stone.

• Agate is a semi-precious stone that comes in many different colors, shapes, and forms. Some of the most common agate shapes are:
  
  

  • Geode (natural): An agate geode is a round rock with a hollow center that is filled with crystals. From the outside, agate geodes typically look just like any other rock!
    
    

  • Raw Chunks (natural): An agate chunk is a naturally shaped piece of stone with a rough surface that has not been altered. Raw stones are thought by some to carry the most pure energy of any form, making them common choices for meditation and energy work.
    
    

  • Tumbled Stone (shaped): An agate tumbled stone is a small piece of stone which has been sanded down in a "rock tumbler" and then polished for a smooth and shiny appearance. Tumbled agates are common choices for carrying with you during the day.
    
    

  • Cabochon (shaped): A cabochon is a smooth, rounded stone that has been cut and polished into a specific shape. Agate cabochons are often used in rings, pendants, and other jewelry.

• • Slice or Slab (shaped): An agate slice is a thin section of rock that has been cut from a larger piece. Typically, they are polished to bring out the beautiful patterns and sometimes even dyed in bright flourescent colors. These agate slabs and slices are often used as decorations, art, and even drink coasters!
    

• Agate is the general name that is given to multiple different types of Chalcedony combined with other minerals

• It is made up of silicon dioxide, which is the same material as sand and quartz.

• As a mineral of the Quartz family, it has a Moh's hardness level of 7 (same as quartz)

• Agate forms in layers, and the different colors and bands are created by different minerals in each layer.

• Agate has three characteristics which make them ideal for making into jewelry and other sculptures:

  1. Durability

  2. Easily shaped

  3. Beautiful

Agate geodes can be found on every continent near volcanic activity. Agates are found all over the world, but some of the most famous deposits are located in Brazil, Morocco, Africa, Uruguay, Mexico, Madagascar, India, and the United States (Oregon and California).

Agate forms when a gelatin-like solution fills a cavity in a rock that then begins to deposit crystals evenly throughout the cavity wall. A very slow-moving process, tightly packed micro-crystalline quartz crystals line the contact walls of the cavity.

As impurities work their way through the crystal structure, Agate will transform into the well-known colors and patterns, which is how we get the different types of Agate.

Fossils can even be agatized if it forms between the cavities in fossilized remains.

Bubbles form within a host rock from rapid gas formation from expanding volatile components. Geodic Agate moves its way into the holes of the host rock left from the bubbles created during volcanic activity while the host rock is still in a viscous state.

Eventually, the rock solidifies and cracks, letting that gas escape. Once the gas escapes, mineral-rich water makes its way into the empty cracks to provide the rock with the necessary minerals for agate to form in the cracks.

Amazing!

Agate has been used in jewelry and carvings since ancient times. The earliest known agates were found in the Achates River in Sicily. In fact, the name "agate" comes from the Greek word for the river, Achates.

It is characterized by its fineness of grain and brightness of color. Although agates can be found all over the world, they are most commonly found in Brazil and Uruguay.

In legend and history, agate has been used as a talisman or amulet to protect against evil spirits. It was said to be useful in warding off storms at sea and was believed to have the power to cure insomnia and promote good dreams.

Agate was also thought to increase strength and courage, and to bring success in competitions and games of chance. Agate was even used on the armor of ancient warriors to give them strength in battle!

Agate is a powerful crystal that can be used for a variety of purposes. The benefits of agate include improved inner strength, courage, and self-confidence. It's also thought to be helpful in overcoming fears and promoting emotional stability.

There are many different types of agate, each with its own unique properties and benefits. When choosing an agate crystal, it's important to select one that resonates with you on a personal level.

If you're looking for a crystal that can help you achieve your goals and manifest your dreams, agate is an excellent choice. Keep it close by or wear it as jewelry to receive its maximum benefits.

This Guide was created by a close group of talented & passionate crystal enthusiasts, writers, web designers & more.

Thank you to everyone who contributed their ideas, time, and talents!

- Rachel & Christopher Glarner

Owners, New Moon Beginnings