AGATE

Semiprecious stones, Gems Characteristics of the mineral.

Agate is famous for its drawings and coloring. A variety of fine-grained chalcedony, a semi-transparent variety of quartz. Chalcedony is a grayish translucent silicon oxide with a cryptocrystalline structure (consisting of the finest fibers that can be distinguished only under a microscope). The formation of agates occurs in the voids of volcanic rocks. When weathering, agate tonsils are released from the less solid rock containing them and accumulate in placers. Coloring from yellow, orange to red, brown and black is given to it by iron, green color is given to chlorides.

Semiprecious stones, Gems
Agate is bastion. The mine is Leningrad, Chukotka, Russia (CIS). Photo: © А.А. Evseev.

Figured or layered chalcedony - this is the agate of the most diverse shades (natural painting in stone), it can also occur in a rhythmic alternation layer by layer: chalcedony, quartz, quartz and opal. Inclusions of other minerals give a variety of coloring layers of this stone. Zigzag pattern has agate, parallel bands form onyx. Inclusion of manganese oxide gives a picture of a tree (dendritic agates). The admixture of manganese, contained in agate, painted by mural depicts the branches of individual trees or bushes. The moss agate has visual inclusions similar to the moss lumen. If the agate contains green impurities of chlorite or actinolite, then the picture changes. We see a colorful green forest, thickets of ferns or moss, among which you can see the smooth surface of the lake. On some thin transparent agate plates, the moss seems to stretch from the bottom of the lake to the sun's rays making its way through a thick layer of ice. Blue agate is sapphire (sapphirine).

Semiprecious stones, Gems
Agate in limestone. Staraya Sitnia, Moscow Region, Russia, CIS. Polished spili ~ 10x13 cm. Photo: © А.А. Evseev.

Layered agates are usually formed in natural cavities (geodes) and can repeat the contours of this cavity with their pattern. In ocular (agglomerate) agates, concentric circular layers are located around the central point (this point may contain several crystals of rock crystal), these are the most valuable agates. In some agates, in a zone 1 cm wide, there may be several thousand different layers. Natural agates are not very bright, usually grayish or reddish, but they absorb synthetic dyes well. Painted agates have very high brightness and color saturation. More dense (milky) layers absorb the paint weaker, more transparent - stronger.

Agate is one of the most beautiful and popular stones among chalcedony. Smart banding, formed by layers of width from fractions of a millimeter to several millimeters, subtle color transitions, a rich palette of color of this stone - all this makes it extremely attractive. Various products from agate are known since ancient times. Agate deposits are widespread. Placers are an important source of agate extraction. The origin of agates is associated with volcanogenic complexes of rocks: lavas, tuffs, tuff breccias, where tonsils are formed. In the voids there are layers of different colors due to the penetration of solutions through a colloidal gel-like substance represented by silica.

Everyone who is interested in gems knows that another stone can not be confused with agate. Of all the varieties of chalcedony, agates have the most attractive patterns of a wide variety of colors. Agate - one of the few minerals, for the creation of which nature has put a lot of imagination. A variety of colors and line shapes give the samples uniqueness, and many of them - uniqueness. Thanks to the beautiful pattern and multicolor agate has always found wide application.

Often there are agate ghosts (cavities) filled with crystals of rock crystal (crystalline quartz), amethyst with other inclusions. Nature has given us an even more beautiful stone. Its volumetric form consists of agate and chalcedony, and inside there is a cavity (geode) filled with crystals of violet amethyst or rock crystal. Forming a druzu of extraordinary beauty, the crystals uniquely decorate these unique patterns, demonstrating the beauty and unity of the gems.

In the Urals there is a special kind of Ural agate - overflow, in which the layers of chalcedony flow like quaint streams and stripes, and the color changes from white and bluish to yellowish, orange and red. Particularly famous was Shaitan's overflow - a very beautiful patterned multi-colored stone.

Magic properties of stones.

It is believed that only pure, highly moral person can find agate. Agate giving causes an arrangement to the giver. This stone - an amulet from the bites of poisonous creatures, saves from the "virulence" of different essences and equally "poisonous" people, protects from the intrigues of enemies. Agate is a talisman that brings the ability to speak beautifully and make the right decisions, to make right choices and actions, it strengthens the mind and makes a person shrewd. Agate promotes the development of gifts and gives confidence to the owner. Especially it is good for artists seeking to improve their creativity. Tan agate brings the owner invincibility in life situations, promotes love, friendship and builds relationships; He also leads his master to wealth and glory. Promotes the development of internal "qi" and gives confidence to the person. In llam beliefs, yellow agate expels evil spirits from the home and body. It is recommended to wear jewelry with agate on the left hand. Agate is the amulet of Taurus and the Gemini talisman (because it helps to overcome bad character traits).

Semiprecious stones, Gems
Agate. Sev. Timan, Russia, CIS. Polished sawed ~ 7 cm. Photo: © А.А. Evseev.

White agate contains the features of the Moon, Venus, Saturn, therefore it is considered a stone of peace and tranquility, and is used as an amulet from the influence of the forces of evil. He helps to show kindness, gentleness, calmness, self-confidence in a person. Women are recommended to wear it in earrings.

In a yellow agate, Venus, Mercury, and Saturn are connected in turn. This is also a stone of kindness, gentleness, tranquility, a stone that promotes the well-being of the home, the strengthening of the family, the acquisition and accumulation of knowledge. Since ancient times it is considered a stone of educators, the ring with it was always worn by the teacher (guru). His medicinal qualities affect the physical condition of a person, the return and preservation of vital energy.

Gray agate is a stone of honest people, it helps to avoid false situations, to protect yourself from deception. It reduces anger, aligns quarrels and conflicts, restores peace and balance between people. It contains the properties of Venus, Mercury and the Moon.

Blue agate contains Venus, the Moon and Uranus. In the life of those who have it, it brings peace and love, contributes to various innovations, enhances the creative abilities. It is a stone of active, active, creative people. It is not recommended to wear it constantly, periodically it is necessary to remove it. This stone is very good for Aquarius, Gemini and Dev. Lions and Capricorns are not recommended. The rest of the signs are contraindicated.

Black agate encompasses Venus and Saturn, a stone is an amulet protecting a person from catastrophes and black-magic onslaught. He gives people greater inner strength, firmness of spirit, strength of morale and financial position. It helps to strengthen the life position of a person, helps him to be more thoughtful and purposeful, makes relationships with loved ones more stable and lasting.

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Transformations of opals in the course of evolution: from opal to chalcedony and agate.

In the process of evolution, completely lost their water, opals and semi-ovals pass into agate and chalcedony, which are the final stage of the evolution of all opals. The history of noble opals began millions of years ago, when part of the land was covered by the sea, on the lagoons of which sedimentary rocks were deposited. In the cracks and voids of these rocky sedimentary rocks accumulated rich in silicon water, the remains of plants and animals. Silicon slowly turned into opal, because opal is silicic acid and water. In the process of aging, over millions of years, opal has lost all water, but can continue to be as layered chalcedony and agate lenses coated with a crystal quartz brush in the cavities of other rocks in which silicic acid was previously accumulated and opals formed (the final stage of aging of opal is given below : Thin-layer agate, formed from opal, while a structure demonstrating the process of primary flow and further formation of a thin-layer agate is very clearly visible). Opal can contain up to 21-35% water. As the aging and loss of water over millions of years, the total volume of the mineral gradually decreases, haddedones and agate form along the edges of the cavity, and in the middle of the cavity a cavity filled with quartz crystals formed as the solution of silicic acid gradually decreases. If the temperature conditions change periodically over time, then the formation of agate also goes in layers. The most beautiful agates are irrigated, with intermittent thin, pronounced translucent and milky layers.

Semiprecious stones, Gems

Poisonous and radioactive dangerous stones and minerals

** - poisonous stones and minerals (mandatory check in the chemical laboratory + explicit indication of toxicity).

** - radioactive stones and minerals (mandatory check on the standard dosimeter + ban on open sales in the case of radioactivity over 24 milli / g / h + additional measures of population protection).

All rare stones are subject to mandatory inspection at the standard dosimeter for the permissible level of radiation and in the chemical laboratory for the absence of poisonous and evaporating components that are dangerous to humans and the environment.

  1. Adamine *
  2. Annabergite * Erythrin *
  3. Antimonitis *
  4. Arsenolit **
  5. Arsenopyrite **
  6. Auripigment **
  7. Baildonite *
  8. Beryl **
  9. Betafit **
  10. Billietite **
  1. Bismuthinite *
  2. Breithauptit *
  3. Witherite *
  4. Gadolinite **
  5. Galit * *
  6. Geocronite *
  7. Glaucodot *
  8. Decloisite * Mottramite *
  9. Jordananite *
  10. Carnotite **
  1. Kinovar **
  2. Cobaltin *
  3. Kotunit *
  4. Lyroconite *
  5. Marcasite *
  6. Monazite *
  7. Mytalian *
  8. Nickeline *
  9. Otenith **
  10. Pyromorphite *
  11. Pyroclor *
  1. Proustite *
  2. Rammelsbergit *
  3. Realgar **
  4. Mercury *
  5. Senarmontitis *
  6. Sulfur *
  7. Scutterudite *
  8. Strontianite * *
  9. Antimony *
  10. Tetrahedrite *
  11. Thorionite **
  1. Torit **
  2. Uraninite **
  3. Pharmacolit *
  4. Chalcosine *
  5. Hutchinsonite *
  6. Celestine * *
  7. Zircon **
  8. Euxenite **
  9. Enargite *
  10. Ashinit **
  11. Conichalcite

Catalog of stones - all stones in alphabetical order

  1. Aventurine *
  2. Agat ***
  3. Azurite *
  4. Aquamarine *
  5. Alexandrite
  6. Almaz ***
  7. Almandine
  8. Amazonite *
  9. Amethyst **
  10. Ametrine
  11. Ammolite
  12. Ammonite
  13. Apatite
  14. Belemnite
  15. Beryl **
  16. Mammoth tusk
  17. Turquoise
  18. Bulls-eye
  19. Verdelit
  20. Gagat (coal) * *
  21. Heliodorus **
  22. Heliotrope
  23. Hematite **
  24. Hessonite
  25. Hovlit, kaulit
  26. Garnet
  27. Grossular
  28. Demantoid **
  1. Diopside chromediopside
  2. Dravit
  3. Wood fossilized
  4. Dumortierite
  5. Jade
  6. Pearl
  7. Emerald **
  8. Calcite *
  9. Cajolong
  10. Quartz
  11. Quince-hairy
  12. Quartz pink
  13. Kinovar **
  14. Coquihalcite **
  15. Corals
  16. Corundum
  17. Cat's Eye Quartz
  18. Cat's eye of chrysoberyl
  19. Flint * *
  20. Kunzite **
  21. Labrador **
  22. Lapis lazuli
  23. Moonstone
  24. Malachite
  1. Meteorite
  2. Morganit **
  3. Morion **
  4. Jade **
  5. Obsidian **
  6. Onyx marble. **
  7. Onyx chalcedony
  8. Opal
  9. Orthoclase, microcline **
  10. Pegmatite **
  11. Nacre
  12. Pyrite * *
  13. The pie
  14. Half-Fear
  15. Prase
  16. Rauchkwartz smoky quartz **
  17. Rhodonite
  18. Ruby
  19. Rubellit
  20. Sapphire **
  21. Sardonyx
  22. Selenite
  23. Serafinite
  24. Cornelian
  25. Serpentine (coil) **
  1. Simbirtsit **
  2. Sodalite
  3. Hawkeye
  4. Staurolite **
  5. Tektit *
  6. Eye of the Tiger
  7. Tourmaline *
  8. Topaz
  9. Uvarovite
  10. Uleksite * *
  11. Fluorite
  12. Haliotis
  13. Chalcedony
  14. Chrysolite *
  15. Chrysoprase **
  16. Crystal mountain
  17. Celestine * *
  18. Citrine
  19. Zircon **
  20. Charoite **
  21. Schorl
  22. Spinel *
  23. Shungite * *
  24. Eudialyte *
  25. Euclase
  26. The Epidote (Jasper)
  27. Amber
  28. Jasper