Blue agate is famous for its delicate colors and smooth outlines. Its unusual palette, which alternates blue, white and yellow-brown, has long attracted the attention of lovers of natural stones. There is an opinion that in addition to its beautiful appearance, blue agate also has interesting magical properties.
Blue agate stone
History and origin
How agates were formed has not yet been precisely established.
Since ancient times, this blue stone has been used to make seals, jewelry and vessels. Eyes were made from agate and placed in the sockets of the statue to ward off dark forces. So history has known this mineral for quite a long time.
Previously, it was believed that it helps in the treatment of spider and scorpion bites, medicines crushed in agate mortars cure diseases, and rings with this mineral contribute to the development of eloquence and success in sports. These statements were subsequently found to be incorrect.
Pliny the Elder suggested that the name comes from the Achates River in Sicily, another interpretation is from the Greek word meaning “good”, “kind”, “happy”. The name Agatha comes from the same word.
Physicochemical characteristics
The hardness of the mineral is average, closer to high. The shine on a fracture is matte or greasy, on a polished surface it is glassy. Resistant to acids. This is a type of quartz.
Formula | SiO2 (silica) |
Color | Blue |
Shine | Matte |
Transparency | Not transparent |
Hardness | 6,5—7 |
Cleavage | absent |
Kink | uneven, conchoidal |
Density | 2.6 g/cm³ |
Place of extraction
It is less common than other types of agate. But there are large deposits in which blue agate is mined in large quantities. These are deposits in South America (Brazil), North America (Mexico, the United States of America), Australia, China and the island of Madagascar.
Blue crystal
In Russia, it is mined on the coasts of the Yenisei, Vilyui, Lena and off the coast of the Black Sea.
Deposits and cost of stone
Blue and blue agates are very rare in nature. Large deposits of this mineral have been found in the following countries:
- Mexico;
- Australia;
- Brazil;
- China;
- USA;
- Madagascar.
In our country, this valuable gem is found in eastern Siberia, the Far East, and also in the Ural Mountains. The blue gem is found along the following rivers: Yenisei, Lena, Vilyuy, as well as along the Black Sea coast.
The average price for a stone weighing about 7 g is about 1,500 rubles. Therefore, it is actively used in jewelry for the manufacture of various crafts and decorative items.
Healing properties of blue agate
Warning: all the information provided in this part of the article has not been scientifically proven, therefore the use of the mineral for medicinal purposes cannot in any way replace turning to official medicine. For each specific disease, you should consult your doctor. Using the healing properties of blue agate can only be an addition to official treatment!
It is believed that agate has healing properties: it can relieve nervous tension, relieve headaches and itching from insect bites, and help with sleepwalking. It has the greatest impact on the emotional state: wearing it in the middle of the chest helps to smooth out the emotional imbalance that does not allow a person to open up to romantic feelings, although he himself desires it. At the same time, agate develops confidence and determination in a person, and encourages the owner to analyze his own actions. Pebbles of the correct shape bring harmony to a person, while pebbles of the wrong shape encourage specific actions.
Magical properties of blue agate
Due to its rarity, it is not easy to establish the magical properties of the stone.
Some Italian Renaissance artists allegedly wore blue agate jewelry as talismans. Perhaps this is where the idea came from that this mineral promotes inspiration, the manifestation of a person’s creative abilities, the discovery of previously unknown talents, and confidence in one’s creativity. If combined with fire stones such as ruby, it can, in rare cases, also contribute to the active generation of new ideas.
Beads
Agate should be worn by those who dream of speaking eloquently, because it gives the wearer confidence and improves his oratory abilities.
For unbalanced people, the mineral helps restore mental balance, which is why it is often used for meditation. Allows you to speak more restrainedly and thoughtfully with people, push the emotional component of relationships into the background, and fight depression and depression.
The mineral is great for controlling emotions and achieving balance. For a person who wants to open up emotionally, this mineral will allow him to do so. For those who, on the contrary, are too hot-tempered, it will help them control themselves.
Ring with blue agate
Wearing a cut of blue agate as a decoration helps to improve aesthetic taste, which will also be useful for creators and representatives of certain professions, say, designers or fashion designers, especially if the cut is worn on a black cord or a thin silver-colored chain, not necessarily made of real silver.
It helps the owner to have great trust from others and encourages the wearer to keep trusted secrets. This property can be used to rid yourself of excessive talkativeness and a tendency to gossip.
This ornamental stone promotes restful sleep with pleasant dreams, relieves nightmares, but does not put the owner to sleep. The stone can protect the owner from minor troubles.
Some esotericists say that it is worth “getting to know” a mineral by focusing on it for a while, but you cannot do this for too long: the stone has a strong connection with the world of the unreal, so long-term concentration on it can cause too much distance from the real world, after which followed by a painful fall into reality.
Previously, it was believed that this stone has one negative property: despite raising the owner’s self-confidence, the mineral increases the wearer’s receptivity, pliability to various kinds of suggestions, and makes a person vulnerable to skilled manipulators.
How true this is, we find it difficult to answer.
Healing abilities
The mineral may help support human health. It guides people towards an active lifestyle. Previously, it was considered the mineral of active and strong personalities. It has been proven that the gem is able to combat various changes in internal energy. Blue agate can eliminate pain and relieve irritation. In ancient times, tribes of different nations used stone to make lotions. The mineral was ground with water to a paste. The homemade suspension perfectly saved people from the poison of snakes and insects.
Blue agate has a sophisticated appearance. The heavenly color of the stone, according to psychologists, can restrain human feelings. The mineral helps well in resolving disputes between fathers and children. Jewelry with this gem stops coughing attacks and eliminates throat pain. It is believed that the mineral improves potency. Its healing qualities support human immunity. The energy of the mineral is felt in diseases of the cardiac and respiratory systems.
Many believe that blue agate can have a beneficial effect on eliminating infectious diseases. The effect of the mineral on the thyroid gland and lymphatic system is being studied. It is known that the gem is able to prevent diseases of the endocrine system.
It has long been known that agate has great power. For fractures, bruises and other injuries, the mineral should be applied to the sore spot. The healing abilities of a gem will depend on the zodiac sign of its owner. Blue agate has a beneficial effect on the health of representatives of the following signs: Taurus, Cancer and Aquarius. The gem should be worn in a frame made of gold or silver. Representatives of the Sagittarius sign should not wear jewelry made from this mineral. It has an exciting effect on them, people can panic.
Who is suitable according to their zodiac sign?
The blue agate stone is well received by water and air signs (perhaps this is due to its azure color), in particular, it is suitable for Aquarius and Pisces. But this mineral is best suited for Gemini according to the horoscope. In astrology, it is often believed that agate corresponds to the zodiac sign Taurus.
Zodiac sign | Compatibility |
Aries | — |
Taurus | +++ |
Twins | + |
Cancer | + |
a lion | + |
Virgo | + |
Scales | + |
Scorpion | + |
Sagittarius | — |
Capricorn | + |
Aquarius | + |
Fish | + |
(“+++” – fits perfectly, “+” – can be worn, “-” – is strictly contraindicated)
Zodiac correspondences
Blue agate, despite its beauty and brilliance, cannot adorn any person. To experience the strong properties of a mineral, you need to know who the crystal is suitable for.
Several signs of the zodiac circle have full compatibility:
- Aquarius;
- Scales;
- Capricorn;
- Twins.
A zodiac sign who is passionate about any kind of art or engaged in creative work, becoming the owner of a talisman, will feel an improvement in life. She will be filled with luck, happy moments and success.
The Gemini zodiac sign will experience other possibilities of the gem:
- quickly solve problems that arise;
- be flexible and practical;
- be able to communicate;
- become more savvy.
If the amulet acquires the zodiac sign Aries, it becomes nervous, fussy, and unnecessary. Sagittarius will notice the same changes.
The mineral also has magical properties in relation to other signs:
- Cancer. Protects from ill-wishers, adds self-confidence. The representative of the Constellation ceases to be timid and suspicious. Beads must be cut in silver.
- Calf. Helps improve family relationships. The spouses will maintain love and fidelity for many years. To do this, you can keep small products made of blue mineral in the bedroom or living room.
We recommend reading: Obsidian - volcanic glass or stone of change
Compatibility with other stones
The mineral is calm and well compatible with others, but it is better to avoid combining it with fire stones: they can destroy most of the beneficial magical properties of blue agate and enhance others. But the combination with any of the stones does not have negative effects or danger for the wearer - the owner of blue agate can be calm in choosing jewelry for his image.
Products with blue agate
The stone is best combined with topaz and aquamarine, which will enhance the magical properties of agate. Combining with other stones can give various interesting properties that do not contradict each other.
Where is it used?
The largest agate product is a dish with a diameter of 75 cm, carved from a single stone.
The stone is used for artistic carving. Due to its strength, toughness and high hardness, it can also be used for the manufacture of mortars and pestles for chemical analytical work, prisms for analytical balances and watch stones.
Jewelry is made from agate. Most jewelers believe that a massive setting can only spoil the appearance of this stunning stone, so they make it invisible and use exclusively precious metals for its production. You won't find these stones set in gold because the color of gold doesn't go well with them.
Jewelry with blue stones
Talismans and amulets made of blue agates can be very diverse: from a simple piece of jewelry, that is, a large stone in a frame, to a cut of agate on an inexpensive cord.
Agate amulets (especially beads with blue agate, or just a stone inserted into a pendant will do) are recommended to be worn by pregnant women to avoid the initial fear of motherhood and child care.
In general, blue agate is inserted into both necklaces and bracelets, earrings and rings. The shape of the decoration does not matter for a person who wants to own agate, since the magic of this stone almost does not depend on the shape.
silver ring
Benefits for managers
Thanks to the calming effect of magic, blue agate makes people completely non-conflict. If you have a ring on your hand, a pendant on your chest or earrings in your ears with this stone, then you will never have the desire to quarrel with anyone.
Therefore, it is recommended that all managers, regardless of level, keep such a talisman with them. The presence of blue or dark blue agate will not allow the boss to lash out at his subordinates or express anger by shouting or acting.
In many cultures and religions, picking stones on strings leads to calmness of the soul and peace. A person becomes happy with everything and he doesn’t want to get angry, make noise or do bad things. Therefore, it is especially good to have a rosary made of blue and blue agate beads.
How to spot a fake
This mineral is very porous, so it lends itself easily to artificial coloring. They say that they learned how to turn gray agates into blue ones back in Ancient Rome. When purchasing a stone, take a closer look at its shade. Avoid too “poisonous”, overly bright and saturated colors: most likely, this is an artificially colored stone.
Often, fake agates are made of plastic or glass, and in appearance they are almost no different from real ones. However, if you squeeze them in your hand, they will heat up quickly. Real agate itself is cold and remains cold for a long time. Following these tips will help you avoid running into a fake.
As with all stones, it's worth paying attention to the cost: blue agate is a fairly rare stone, so it's unlikely to be too cheap. However, nothing prevents scammers from selling the stone at the price of real blue agate, so this is not a universal method.
Description
Blue agate forms in the voids of volcanic rocks through which silica-rich water flows. It is this substance that fills the voids of the stone and gradually creates a blue tint of agate. The color of a gem is sometimes striking in its depth and richness, but it is never uniform. The intensity of the shade may vary depending on impurities and inclusions. The characteristic banding, which is formed due to the layered structure of the mineral, can have a very different color:
- white;
- beige;
- violet;
- bright blue;
- lactic;
- herbal.
Layers contain clear or blurred boundaries and can be located either in one direction or randomly. The luster of the stone is usually matte, but closer to the edges it becomes more transparent. After sanding you can achieve the best possible shine. But if you are going to buy blue agate and are offered a stone with perfect shine, then most likely you are looking at a fake, since the natural mineral is not characterized by a high level of radiance or play of light.
The gem does not react to acids or heat treatment. But if you heat the mineral, its color will change to white. To return the original shade, just immerse the stone in a container of cool water for several hours.
Main deposits of blue agate:
- India;
- Australia;
- Mexico;
- Brazil;
- China;
- Uruguay.
Blue Agate Care and Wearing
It is better to store blue agate in a soft case and keep it away from moisture and direct sunlight. Thus, if a person wears blue agate as a pendant, it is better to hide it under his clothes. Many esotericists argue that if you wear blue agate solely as an amulet, say, protective, it is generally undesirable to open it to the eyes of other people. But this statement should be taken with skepticism.
Agate should only be washed under cold water and not too often.
How to care for stone
Blue agates
Blue agate will retain its attractiveness for a long time with proper care, for this you need:
- The stone should be stored under the protection of a personal soft bag or case.
- During wearing and storage, it should be protected from excessive humidity, sunlight, heat, temperature changes, shocks and falls, and exposure to aggressive chemicals.
- Clean the gem as rarely as possible, using a weak soap solution (it is better to use baby soap) and a soft brush. After cleaning, the stone is washed with cool water and wiped dry with a soft cloth. The duration of water procedures should not exceed 5-10 minutes. Drying in the fresh air is not advisable.