Agate
Attributes
Stone of Strength. Agate gives courage, emotional strength, self-confidence and eliminates fears. It improves self-esteem. It is great at reducing anxiety and stress.
It was used by the Ancients as an element of armor to give strength to warriors and ensure their victory in battle.
Agate is also the Stone of Love, because it is good to give it to loved ones with the belief that they will awaken or strengthen the big love.
Origin
Agate has been formed around 50 million years ago and can be found throughout the world.
Usually it occurs in cavities in eruptive rocks or ancient lavas. It is characterized by colored band patterns inside various rocks which has been formed during the process of lava cooling.
Agates in S&A collections are sourced from Brazil.
Name
The name comes from the river Achates (today Dirillo) in southern Sicily, Italy, where it was mined already in ancient times. The island was
a Greek colony before it was conquered by the Romans and was the source of agate gemstones for many centuries.
History
Agate is the first gemstone mentioned in ancient documents. Already 3500 years ago it was brought out of the Achates River by the Egyptians. This can be proved by the multitude of jewellery and ornaments with agate found in the tombs of an ancient Egyptian royal family.
The Ancient Romans set up sophisticated gem-cutting facilities, powered by the running water of the river and this technique of cutting
the stones remained in existence for over 2000 years.
The Ancients discovered also that agates can be processed to enhance its colour and such techniques have been going for thousands of years.
Astrology
Stone associated with: Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Sagittarius, Capricorn
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