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When I
first started making jewelry three years ago, I was often surprised to find
that stones with widely varying colors and patterns were just different varieties
of the same stone. This was especially
true of both jasper and agate, my two favorites. When I took the time to do a little research,
I discovered that the two are related.
Earth Tones, Mixed Stones and Crystal Bracelet
Agate and jasper are
both varieties of chalcedony, a microcrystalline form of quartz. The difference
between the two is related to how much light will pass through them. Jasper is
an opaque variety of chalcedony. Neither light nor images pass through. Agate
is a translucent to semitransparent chalcedony. This bracelet has both jasper
and agate stones. Note the orangey stone on the right side of the bracelet. It
is translucent, therefore agate. The two greenish stones are classified as
jasper because they are opaque.
Dragon Vein Agate Set
When I
started looking more closely at agate, I was interested to find that it is the
zodiac stone for Gemini, my sign, and variously listed as the astrological
birthstone for May or June. More interesting agate trivia: agate is the
official state gemstone of Louisiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Montana and South
Dakota. This is an agate pendant I found on my last trip to Montana. This one
is called Dragon's Vein Agate or Dragon's Scale Agate, and it's easy to see
why!
Humans have used agate from the earliest of times. Archaeologists have discovered arrowheads,
blades and other instruments made from agate in numerous pre-historic sites all
over the world. Some of the earliest primitive
tools ever found were stone axes made of agate in the Omo valley of Ethiopia by
our pre-human ancestors over two and a half million years ago.
This photo shows a large Clovis point made by early Native
Americans. It was discovered in central
Washington State. It is made of a very pure, translucent clear to white agate
that was probably quarried from outcrops along the Columbia River.
Early humans often
used varieties of quartz silica minerals such as agate, jasper, flint, and obsidian.
These stones were desirable because they can be chipped or knapped into sharp
edges to make effective knives, weapons and scrapers.
In
ancient historical times agate was used to make small vessels, beads, pendants,
seals and protective amulets, among other things. This is a gold pendant found on Cyprus whose
focal piece is an agate bead. It dates
from around 1000 BC.
Greek Ring Seal
This
Greek ring seal depicting Aphrodite dates from the 3rd-2nd C BC.
Vessels
such as this Roman perfume bottle from the late 1st C. BC were highly prized as symbols of
wealth and sophistication. Can you believe that it is only 2 3/8” high and
1 7/8” in diameter?
Agate is also mentioned in the Bible. In Exodus 28:19 and 39:12, Agate is named as the second stone in the
third row of the Aaron’s breastplate. It
is mentioned also in Ezekiel 27:22
for being brought to Palestine in caravans by Babylonian and Persian merchants.
Even today, agate is
still believed by some to provide general protection, healing and longevity to the
wearer. It is supposed to help the wearer connect with the earth and
nature and is believed to encourage self-discovery. It is said to help relieve stress and give peace of mind.
Green forms of agate such as Green Tree Agate or Moss
Agate are known in gemstone lore as stones of abundance. They are believed to
have an affinity for gardeners, bringing bountiful crops and helping to
increase the health of plants at home.
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Agate is
found in a wide range of colors. It is often gray, white, brown, red, yellow,
orange and black. Blues and greens are much rarer, but can occur.
Agate
will readily absorb dye, and beautiful bright pinks, blues, or purples can be
enjoyed as a result of dying or heat treating paler agate stones.
For an interactive version of this Etsy treasury, see https://www.etsy.com/treasury/OTQwNjM5NnwyNzI0MzU4NjAy/dyed-agates
Agates are principally identified by two main
characteristics: banding and
translucence. Here are some great examples of typical agate banding and
translucence:
Like many other
stones, the different varieties of agate are named in two ways: after the place
where they are found or after their physical appearance.
Botswana Agate, Laguna
Agate and Brazilian Agate are examples of place named agates.
Botswana Agate is
found in the African country of the same name.
Laguna Agate is found
in Laguna, Mexico.
Brazilian Agate
Brazil is one of the world's largest suppliers of agate.
White Plume Agate, Turritella Agate, Blue Lace Agate, Moss Agate, Tree or Dendritic Agate, and Crazy Lace Agate are examples of agates named for their physical characteristics.
White Plume Agate is
named for its plume-like inclusions.
Turritella
Agate contains thousands of tiny turritella fossil shells.
Blue Lace Agate is pale
lavender blue with a lacey white pattern.
Moss Agate is named
for its mossy inclusions.
Dendritic or Tree Agate
has tree or fern-like inclusions.
Crazy Lace Agate is
named for its wild lacey pattern.
There are over fifty items with at least some agate in my
Etsy shop www.etsy.com/shop/joyaslindas3
. Many more fine examples of agate stones and jewelry can be found on my
colleagues’ shops. Here are a just a
few.
White Agate Pendant
Fire Agate Barrel Beads
Blue Chalcedony - A Form of Agate
White Agate Pendant
Fire Agate Barrel Beads
Blue Chalcedony - A Form of Agate
Thanks to the members of these Etsy teams for contributing
examples of agate jewelry and beads to illustrate this article.
Amazon Women
Biddy & Beads BNS/BNR Team
Just Jewels BNS Team
Maryland Promotions Team
If you’d like to learn more about agate, the following
sources were very helpful to me in preparing this blog post.
Sources about ancient agates
Sources about agate’s physical properties and formation:
Thank you very much for including my blue lace agate with all of these beautiful agate stones
ReplyDeleteYou did such an incredible job with this article! I, too, love agate and have much of it. I'm attracted to all of it, but the moss agate is one of my favorite. Thanks for all the wonderful information. Thanks, too, for including my faceted agate bracelet.
ReplyDeleteWonderful reference article!
michaelann, Team AW,
AnAbundanceOfArt,Etsy
Thank you for including my earring in your blog!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful article!!
Wow, great article! Great photos, too. I'm quite honored that you included two of my necklaces in this very informative article!
ReplyDeleteWow! Amazing article and beautiful pieces. Thanks for including my Geode Agate Pendant necklace, its in such gorgeous company!
ReplyDeleteGreat article!
ReplyDeleteVery well written and very informative. Thank you for featuring my agate and tiger eye bracelet!
ReplyDelete