Agate Semi Precious Gemstone

Agate is a milky form of quartz, and even more distinctly chalcedony. Agate is often formed inside of rocks, particularly hollow types of rocks, like volcanic rocks. Water that is carrying silicon dioxide will seep into these rocks since they are often very porous. However just like rock salt forms as water evaporates (if the correct conditions are available), so will the silicon dioxide. As it crystallizes it forms in different patterns of crystallization that mock both quartz and moganite. As the different layers form, we get what we see as bands when we cut into these rocks.

Since agate is formed relatively easy in nature, in that it doesn't require high temperatures or pressures to form,  agate can be found all over the world including places like Brazil, Uruguay, and Germany. You can also find agate in the western part of the United States in the following states, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana.

Agate is also thought to have had a magical meaning to it. According to findyourfate.com, agate is thought to:

• Defend against the evil eye
• Protect against storms and lightning
• Protect against headaches and fever
• Draws the venom out of reptile and insect bites
• Cure eye infections and fever
• Will improve eye site
• Remove inflammation and tiredness of the eyes
• Staunch bleeding
• Relieve skin irritation
• Promote Fertility
• Increase athletic prowess

As well as many other things!

Agate is one of my favorite kinds of gemstones. It can have so many colors and patterns that you can never quite be sure what all your going to see upon deeper inspection.



http://geology.com/rock-tumbler/gemstones/agate.shtml
http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-an-agate.htm
http://www.rps.psu.edu/0109/form.html <----- is a Penn State Article
http://www.desertusa.com/mag98/april/papr/geo_agate.html
http://www.findyourfate.com/gemology/superstition.htm#agate

Introduction To My Gemstone Blog

I have had a passion for beaded jewelry for 4 years. Anything that is involved in hand crafting jewelry intrigues me, and one of the most intriguing things are gemstones. I love gemstones for their wide variety of appearance and textures. To me a gemstone can meet any need you have from creating that casual piece of jewelry that you want to wear to the grocery store, to that stunning dressy jewelry you need for prom.

As a desire to know more about the many kinds of gemstones that we have access to, and a way to document it, I have decided to store all of my discoveries here. I hope to find out how the stones are formed, where they can be found, and any other fascinating information that I can find.

I will be sure to document all of sources in each post so that you and I both can refer back to it at any point. If you have anything at all to share, I would love to hear any information you have. Feel free to comment here for any reason.

Finally, I do want to mention that you can find me also, at www.beadsbylindsay.com, so please feel free to look me up there as well.