General Knowledge about Agates

Agate is one of the most common used in jewelry making and carving, which results from agate's formation, characteristics and medicinal properties.

Formation of agates

The formation of agate can be dated back to 10 million years ago. Rock-magma spayed out due to movement of lithosphere. The volcanic steam met with other gas forming into bubbles when cooling. Water containing silica with dissolved alkalis percolate through the bubbles. After years of interaction and combination, fabulous colors and shapes of agate gradually come into being. Thus the formation of agate takes a long time. The volcanic movements make contribution to its formation. Therefore agate can be found all over the world. The main places of agate production are China, India, Brazil, U.S.A, and Mexico.

Characteristics ofagates

Agate is not proud of its natural shape which usually falls into potato-shaped rocks or other unattractive shapes. The outer surface of an agate is usually pitted and rough. Many types of agates win their names for their internal structure features such as moss agates and dendritic agates. Due to its hardness, agates are widely used in carving. Many amazing pieces of art crafts become people's precious wealth. Agates come in a wide range of colors and shades including red, blue, purple, and pink and so on. Its plasticity and glorious colors make great contribution to the status of agate in the jewelry world. Agates are often cut into all kinds of beads to form different jewelry such as rings, necklaces.

Medicinal properties of agates

As one of Shippou in Buddhism, agates have been used as talisman to avoid evil spirits, which also stand for kindness and hope. It can release pressure, ease tiredness and other negative emotions. Besides, placing them under the pillow is good for one’s sleep. Kids wearing agates containing water can increase their learning ability and adaptability. Appetency can also be the companion of agates. Red agates can improve internal secretion and enhance blood circulation and orange ones can prevent constipation and discharge toxins. Maybe it's a little bit exaggerated but agates indeed boast their various medicinal properties.

Identification of agates

We can identify the agates from four aspects with respect to its quality. First, it's the color. The genuine ones often enjoy bright colors and obvious lamellar structure. False ones are in uniform. Second, we can tell the genuine ones through their transparency. False ones are usually as transparent as glasses, while genuine ones are a little bit chaotic with natural waterline or "clouds". Third, weight is the most simple and direct aspect to tell them. Genuine ones are heavier the false ones. Fourth, it’s about the temperature of agates. Agates are cool in summer and warm in winter. However, the temperature of false ones is in proportion to the temperature of the season. That means they are hot in summer and cold in winter.

We have talked about agates' formation, characteristics, and medicinal properties. Some simple and effective ways to identify agates are also offered in this article. I believe all of you have a general idea about agates. Frankly speaking, agates jewelry is indeed a good choice for people of any gender, ages.