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This month’s crystal feature is all about Agate. Read on to discover the geological and crystal healing properties of this multilayered stone.

Table Of Contents

• GEOLOGICAL
• COLLECTING
• CRYSTAL HEALING
• FOR SALE IN THE SHOP

Geological Properties

What is Agate? Agate is a type of Chalcedony, a cryptocrystalline silica (meaning its crystals are too small to see). Chalcedony is typically composed of fine intergrowths of Quartz and Moganite. Agate is what we call Chalcedony when it forms in bands or layers of different colours.

Read CRYSTAL TREE: CHALCEDONY to find out more about this mineral and the incredible range of varieties that fall under it!

The different colour bands or layers present in Agate are produced as liquids of different compositions seep into cavities, forming layers of varied colour Chalcedony on top of each other, over geologically long time periods.  

Note: Some stones without bands or layers have been given a trade name ‘Agate’ (e.g. Moss and Tree Agate). These are not true Agates by the purest definition.

I’ve heard some opine that if the Chalcedony is translucent, it qualifies as Agate. I disagree – since most translucent non-banded Chacedonies have their own unique names. For example:

• Chrysoprase – green translucent Chalcedony
• Carnelian – yellow, orange and red translucent Chalcedony
• Onyx – dark brown to black translucent Chalcedony

Of course, nothing is ever clear cut when it comes to naming and crystals! Carnelian, for example, sometimes has bands, in which case it is more correctly termed Agate. And if it’s more solid than translucent, and leaning more towards brown tones, it becomes Sard. You can read more about defining Agate on Mindat’s Agate page.

Collecting Agate

Agate is a fantastic stone to collect, and as anyone with any kind of Agate collection will tell you: quite addicting! No two Agates are ever alike, so you’ll find an endless supply of potential new stones for your shelf. Make that shelves plural, let’s be real.

Apart from the array of colours and patterns, there are some great famous localities to collect too. This month’s feature is inspired by Shashe River Agate, a highly collectable brightly coloured Agate coming from the Shashe River in Zimbabwe that we’ve just received stock of.

Other famous locality types include Botswana Agate, Laguna Agate (Mexico) and Lake Superior Agate (USA).

Read more about varieties of Agate in Geology In’s article “Types Of Agate With Photos“

Crystal Healing Properties

Agate is all about layers and going deep. I love this stone for healing, because true healing needs us to sift down through the layers to find the root cause of dis-ease, and that’s what Agate excels at. Spiritually, Agate shines as a stone that can assist in multidimensional work. Its said that the layers of Agate can bring hidden information to light, making it a valuable meditation aid and exploratory stone. 

Agate is not a lightning quick solution by any means (look to Obsidian or other amorphous stones for speed), but it is extremely strong as it works in tune with Divine timing, steady and methodical. Gently soothing and calming, they make a brilliant stone for treating shock and trauma.

Read AGATE HEALING PROPERTIES to find out more about working with this stone

In general, Agates all have a wonderful stabilising and grounding energy that can harmonise yin and yang energy in the body and bring about balance. You can work with Agate to build self-confidence and self-acceptance as you open to strengthened perception and analytical (including self-analytical) abilities. 

For Sale In The Shop