All about black agate

Black agate is one of the stones in the extensive chalcedony family, based on the most common mineral, quartz. These ornamental and semi-precious stones have a layered structure, however, in the black variety, the layers and stripes are almost invisible. Such a peculiar color is given by the high content of manganese. To meet a black variety in nature is a great success, because it is the rarest. Agate has long been used by esotericists and lithotherapists, a method of its use has been developed in accordance with the signs of the zodiac. The popularity of the stone has prompted attempts to obtain its original color artificially, based on more common varieties.

Black agate is an unusual mineral, as already mentioned, stripes typical of agates and the layers in it are hardly noticeable. The uniform velvety black color, thanks to the matt luster of the stone, gives a striking effect of depth. The mineral looks like a kind of splinter of a bottomless other space, as if it absorbs the light falling on it. Not everyone is able to consider black agate for a long time, it is this indescribable effect of immersion that made agate one of the attributes of magical rituals.

Jewelry made from it is hard not to notice, they certainly pay attention to them. Agate is able to emphasize the business style, to tune in to proper communication with the one who wears it. It was this property that made it attractive to the rulers of antiquity. It is difficult to imagine the frivolous treatment of a person wearing a ring or crown with black agate.

Such a specific meaning for humans stems from the physical properties of black agate, unexpected for quartz, of which it is mainly composed. It is not transparent; moreover, the stone has a natural matte sheen. Only polishing can make a stone look like a glass.

Most of the black agates still have lighter inclusions (from grayish to white), usually located in layers or rings. There are also so-called stellate blotches. Absolutely black or, as they say, coal-black agates are very rare.

Agate deposits are found on all continents. However, the quality of the stones is different everywhere. A very rare coal-black variety is not found in all deposits. Sicily became one of the most famous areas for the extraction of black agate. It is believed that the name of the stone comes from the Sicilian river Agates. Currently, black agates are known from deposits in India, Georgia, Tajikistan, Brazil, Uruguay. Agate is mined in the Crimea. Some of the finest black agates are found in Mongolia.

Black agate is rightfully considered one of the strongest magic stones. It was used in magic rituals in ancient times. In Europe, it was called the stone of witches and sorcerers. It was believed to protect against the venom of snakes and scorpions. Agate powder was used to relieve the suffering of women in labor.

And to this day, the stone is widely used by lithotherapists to treat a number of diseases: insomnia, depression, childish fright, weakened immunity, impotence, metabolic problems (obesity and anorexia). Moreover, to obtain a therapeutic effect, it is not at all necessary to wear a stone; you can drink water in which the agate has lain all night. Black agate necklaces or beads can be helpful for toothaches and coughs.

Since ancient times, one of the recognized magical properties of black agate has been considered its ability to awaken the hidden capabilities of a person, to reveal the gift of clairvoyance. A stone donated to another person is capable of transmitting both energy and even the thoughts of the donor.

The magic of a stone is based on its ability to actively absorb negative energy directed at its owner. In this case, he protects as a talisman, prolonging life, however, falling into other hands, he begins to give up the accumulated negative and then he really becomes dangerous. Black agate is considered a very effective defense against energy vampires. People who feel the need to suppress someone else's energy experience a subconscious antipathy to this stone. A person wearing agate acquires a kind of protective field that fences him off from all sorts of influences at the level of the etheric body.

Black agate is very useful for people whose lives are burdened with the burden of leadership, helping to make informed decisions and weakening inevitable emotions, it can greatly enhance leadership qualities.

For this, the person was offered to look at this stone for some time.

The gem was an amulet in some aristocratic families of ancient and medieval Europe. In ancient India, black agate was considered the stone of the leaders. And today the ring made of it is an attribute of various kinds of spiritual mentors and gurus. Among the ancient inhabitants of Europe - the Germans, the mineral was considered capable of strengthening the marriage bond. A warrior leaving on a campaign presented an adornment of it to his wife, and in return she usually presented him with an agate ring. It was a kind of vow of loyalty.

Agate was also used in druidic rituals. Archaeological finds of stones with runes applied to them are known, so the ancient Celts tried to enhance the magical effect of the runes. In Georgia, it was customary to give jewelry with this stone to newborns as a talisman against dark forces.

As a talisman, a mineral is not suitable for everyone. A stone will definitely not work for a person with bad intentions, trying to outwit others, creating an image that is not supported by inner good aspirations. Strengthening the negative coming from a person, he will not allow him to play a role, on the contrary, he will contribute to the disclosure of the true essence of his master.

The mineral has been used since ancient times as an ornamental stone. Jewelry made from it - rings, pendants, necklaces are perfect for an exquisite dress and business suit. Thanks to its deep black color, the mineral emphasizes the classic style. In addition, agate combines well with other stones, and red copper is considered to be the best setting, although it is also set in noble silver and gold. Large specimens of agate are used for making dishes and even for decorating premises.

Black agate will suit a strong and, of course, charismatic man who is used to relying on his mind. The stone will not only emphasize masculinity, but will also contribute to making informed decisions, activating intuition. However, one should not think that this is a purely "masculine" stone. He successfully reveals the properties of any personality, regardless of gender. If the owner of the stone notices the tarnishing of its surface, this can be regarded as a signal about a violation of interaction with the outside world, about the need to adjust its course of life.

The effect of the mineral on representatives of different signs of the zodiac is also not the same.

• Aries can hope to gain wisdom, especially men. For women of this sign, agate will give sensuality and a sense of confidence. Some astrologers do not recommend Aries to wear black agate due to the opposite energy of the stone.
• With the help of agate, Capricorns get new opportunities in self-development and even in professional activity.
• Gemini and Sagittarius, the stone can send on a truly true path. However, for Sagittarius, as well as for Aries, the stone may be contraindicated.
• Cancers and Pisces with the help of agate can significantly strengthen self-confidence, for them it is a real amulet. Pisces can use it to gain clairvoyance.
• Lions' hot temper can also be tempered with black agate. However, Leo should not wear the stone all the time, its effect can enter into dissonance with the energy of this sign. Instead of help, you can get the strongest anchor that stops all mental impulses.
• For Virgos, the stone will help establish personal life and strengthen family ties.
• For Libra, it is useful as a versatile remedy for healing.
• Scorpios can find determination and patience in completing many of their endeavors.
• With its help, Aquarians get the opportunity to get rid of depression and move confidently through life.
• Taurus can achieve the greatest effect from the use of the black variety, this is indeed their stone. It is to the representatives of this sign that agate will fully reveal its properties both as a talisman and as an assistant in business.

All the positive properties of the stone "work" only in a clean environment. By actively absorbing the negative, the stone is capable of distorting its energy, therefore, you need to be careful when wearing it in an unambiguously aggressive environment; in this case, it is better to hide agate from prying eyes in your pocket or under your clothes.

Black agate has been forged for centuries. As the rarest of the entire family of layered gemstones, it has spawned a number of technologies seeking to replace them with cheaper imitations. The basis for a fake can be a natural stone and also agate, but of lighter varieties.Light agates are turned into black ones by keeping them in sugar syrup and then treated with sulfuric acid. Such fakes find themselves immersed in water, paint is washed off from them.

Sometimes, for the manufacture of counterfeit stone, processing waste is used - stone chips. One of the ways to determine such a fake of artificial origin can be a scratching of the stone with a needle. The fake will begin to crumble.

Beads are often made from such stones. If there are no more light and sometimes reddish stripes on the beads, this is most likely a fake. You can find a fake made of glass or plastic by holding a stone in your hand. Real agate will heat up slowly and keep the feeling of cold coming from it for a long time.

Sometimes onyx is passed off as black agate. Indeed, both are varieties of an extensive group of chalcedony. Both have a layered structure. You can distinguish their friend by their shine, for onyx it is glass, and agate has a more pronounced matte shine. The stripes of onyx are always thin and run parallel. In agate, the stripes are usually thicker, their strike is more chaotic. The most effective way to expose fake stones is to examine them under a microscope.

Caring for black agate is easy. If the stone is used as a talisman, it will periodically have to be "cleaned". For energetic cleansing of agate, it must be rinsed in spring water and put to dry on a windowsill. After spending the night, the stone will restore its properties. Agate jewelry also needs to be rinsed. To do this, use warm soapy water. Under no circumstances should you use chemical detergents. The surface of the stone can react and after a series of procedures will begin to deteriorate.

The mineral reacts negatively to temperature changes, the layered structure contributes to uneven heating and cooling of the stone. This leads to cracks and separation of the stone. The product made of black agate must not be heated at all. Although it is not fragile, it is still better to protect the product from impacts and scratches. Steel, another harder stone, can leave a scratch on the surface of the stone.

For more information on the magical properties of black agate, see below.