Agate

Agate is an unusual stone. It has class as well as an earthy quality. There are many varieties of agate. Common types are: blue lace agate, moss agate, tree agate and petrified wood. Usually agate is shaped into cabochons or beads. It is commonly made into pendants, neckalces or earrings. I've seen beautiful agate bolo ties, hair sticks and bracelets.

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Pictures & Products

Agate Pendants and Earrings courtesy of The Crystal Ball Inc Agate Pendants, Agate Earrings, Agate Rings, Agate Bracelets, Agate Pins and Agate Jewelry through Amazon Search our stores for Agate

Agate comes in most colors. Blue agate is as expected, light blue. Moss agate is dark green, often with clear patches. Tree agate is green and white. Petrified wood is usually brown, white or red.

Agate can crack and chip rather easily even though its hardness rating is 7.

Petrified wood is fossilized wood that has had its organic matter replaced by agate.

Since agate is porous, it is usually dyed to enhance its natural color. Often treated agate is sold as Black Onyx.

Agate is found in Brazil, Eygpt, Germany, India, Italy, Madagascar, Mexico and the USA (Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Jersey, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah. Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming).

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Actual Gem-related books:
• The Lake Superior Agate - by Scott F. Wolter
  Back Ordered. Nice book on Lake Superior Agate.

• Gem Identification Made Easy: A Hands-On Guide to More Confident Buying & Selling New 2nd Edition - by Antoinette L. Matlins & Antonio C. Bonanno
  This book is really great for knowing he latest gems, synthetics, treatments, and instruments. Easy to use.

• Gemstone Buying Guide: A Guide to Buying - by Renee Newman
  Very nice gemstone identification book.

• Gemstones of the World - by Walter Schumann
  A very well written source on gemstones with great descriptions and photographs

  Books with Agate in their Title:

• The Complete Line of Akro Agate with Prices - by Roger Hardy, Claudia Hardy
  Of all the books on Akro Agate Glassware out there, this is the most complete and accurate guide out there.

• Agateware: Pottery Magic - by Mireille De Reilhan
  Pottery craft book.

  Bibliography:

• The Curious Lore of Precious Stones - by George Frederick Kunz
  The definitive book on fascinating, traditional gem lore. Very practical.

• Gemstones (Eyewitness Handbooks) - by Cally Hall, Harry Taylor (Photographer)
  A field guide to gemstones. Nice pictures and good, brief, well-written descriptions of over 130 varieties of gemstones.

• Spiritual Value of Gem Stones - by Wally Richardson and Lenora Huett
  Very sweet book on the mystical properties of gemstones.

  
  

  Thanks to Amazon.com for fast, efficient, and reliable book processing

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Birthstone Months with Agate

• May Birthstone: Ayurvedic Birthstone
• September Birthstone: Mystical Birthstone
• Capricorn (Dec 22-Jan 19): Birthstone
• Aquarius (Jan 20-Feb 18): Birthstone [Moss Agate]
• Gemini (May 21-Jun 20): Birthstone, Lucky Charm
• Cancer (Jun 21-Jul 22): Lucky Charm

Agate is the anniversary gemstone for the 12th year of marriage. Moss Agate is the anniversary gemstone for the 14th year of marriage.

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Moss Agate is said to help one get in touch with nature. Tree Agate is said to help with introspection. It helps one view themselves with more clarity and see the world through a broader viewpoint.

 
More Agate Lore

Legend has it that agate guarded the wearer from all dangers and endowed the wearer with a bold heart.

Wearing Agate was believed to cure insomnia and thought to insure pleasant dreams.

State Gemstone:

• Fortification Agate with red, black and yellow banding is the US State Gemstone of Kentucky.
• Agate is the US State Gemstone of Loisiana.
• Lake Superior Agate is the US State Gemstone of Minnesota.
• Blue Agate is the US State Gemstone of Nebraska.
• Fairburn Agate is the US State Gemstone of South Dakota.
• Petrified Wood is the US State Gemstone of Washington (and Canadian State Gemstone of Alberta, Canada).

State Mineral:

• Fire Agate is the US State Mineral of Arizona
• Agate is the US State Gemstone of Montana.

State Stone:

• Prairie Agate is the US State Stone of Nebraska.
• Agate is the US State Stone of Tennessee.
• Petrified Wood is the US State Rock/Stone of Arizona & Mississippi

What is the hermit's favorite stone?
Agate.

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