Agate: Rainbow Of The Earth
Agate is believed to be the rainbow of planet Earth, follow me smoothly to find out why. First and foremost, what is Agate: Agate is simply silicon dioxide (SiO2), or microcrystalline quartz, formed by Silica in hollow cavities after Volcanic Lava has cooled, (that’s after volcanic emission has cooled).
There are many colourful stones in the mineral kingdom. Some exhibit bold, bright colours, like yellow sulfur and red rhodochrosite crystals, but none of these compare to the multi-coloured banding of agate- greater still is its potential to fool one from the ground due to its natural covering . This precious stone is found all over the world in planet earth.
For agate to maintain its colour, the volcanic lava is cooked over time’ by adding pigments of iron, manganese, copper etc. Each element imparts a different colour. For example, iron oxides impart red, brown, black, or green. Combinations of metals can mix to form wonderful hues unknown to man.
We can find them either on the ground or rock. The precious stone was given its name by a man named (Theophrastus), a Greek philosopher and naturalist, who discovered the stone along the shore line of the river Achates. Sometime between the 4th and 3rd centuries BC, colourful agates were obtained over 3,000 years ago from the Achates River, now called Dirillo.
Some Historical Stories to Agate:
-Biblical scholars and historians can tell us that early Jewish high priests would put on a breastplate with inlaid precious stones, one of the stones being agate.
-In ancient time, the noble nature of the agate stone is believed to lend to the giving of attributes of power. The ancients believed that agate would protect the soldier in battle, make one invisible, or even to heal wounds.
-From being sacred to the earliest toolmakers, to acting as vessels for ceremonies, it is believed that scholars might speculate that the Holy Grail was crafted of agate, as it was of common usage in ancient Roman times.
In the present time, couples choose to offer a gift of agate to their spouses on a wedding anniversary.
-Also in the ancient days, Agate was thought to assist in finding hidden treasures, increase happiness, build confidence and bring victory. For instance, in Persia, agate was worn to confer eloquence, used to turn away storms. It was believed to protect the wearer from thirst, fever, and insomnia.
-The original place of agates, as we know them today, is in the Achates (now Drillo) River in Sicily. The word ‘agate’ comes from the ancient Greek ‘agathe’, meaning ‘good’. The proper name, ‘Agatha’ derives from this classic term.
Different names people call Agate:
In German = Achat, Achate
In French = agate
In Spanish = ágata
In Greek = achatis, akhates
In Latin = achates
In Italian = agata
In Dutch = agaat
In Polish = agat
Types of Agate:
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