Gray agate: description, properties and application

Agate is a beautiful semi-precious / ornamental stone, it can be of a wide variety of colors. This article will focus on gray agate, its properties, features and applications.

Agate belongs to the group of chalcedony. The main chemical compound in agate is silicon oxide. The layered structure of this stone is due to the duration and cyclical nature of the formation process, and there is still no generally accepted theory of the origin of agate-bearing rocks. Untreated surface of agate is matte; stones are ground and polished to give shine. The transparency of the mineral ranges from completely opaque to smoky (partially translucent).

The mineral has a fairly high hardness - 6.5-7 on the Mohs scale, and resistance to acids, lends itself only to hydrofluoric acid. Differs in strength and toughness. The density of the stone is 2.6 g / cm3.

Chalcedony layers in each stone form a unique pattern. Depending on what these paintings resemble, more than one and a half hundred types of agate are distinguished. The most famous among them are:

• bastion - cut drawings evoke an association with medieval fortresses (bastions) and / or city landscapes;
• Brazilian - it is distinguished by beautiful concentric patterns, most often contrasting (alternating black and white interlayers, for example);
• ocellular - the layers in the center of the stone seem to diverge and the cut pattern resembles an eye (by the way, such specimens are often called “the eye of the Creator”);
• dendritic (moss) - so named because of the veins of manganese or iron salts that form a woody pattern;
• landscape;
• iridescent - in bright light, such a specimen begins to glow slightly;
• star-shaped;
• black;
• blue (otherwise called sapphire);
• and many others.

Gray agate is one of the most common varieties of this stone. As the name implies, the main color is gray (gray-blue), inclusions of white, brown, black are possible. It is very popular as a raw material for stone carving, especially large stones. Smoky gray agates are highly prized.

The gray mineral is often used as a talisman, especially by representatives of the servants of the law - judges, investigators, lawyers. It is believed that wearing this stone is beneficial in conflict situations, helping to resolve misunderstandings and reducing aggression. And also in various sources, the property of gray agate is mentioned to reveal to the owner the bad actions, thoughts and feelings of other people. This mineral is the patron saint of kind, honest and just individuals. If the owner of the stone is not a worthy individual, the mineral will attract misfortune.

They also note the beneficial effect of the stone on indecisive, insecure people, as well as overly emotional and hot-tempered people. Wearing an agate talisman brings peace, serenity and confidence. If we take the therapeutic aspect, it is believed that gray agate helps in the treatment of diseases of the upper respiratory tract (bronchitis, asthma, and the like), relieves coughing attacks, especially if worn on the chest in the form of a brooch or beads.

Many people advise wearing an agate ring on the left hand - especially for people suffering from heart and circulatory system diseases. If you suffer from insomnia, try wearing one of the agate jewelry: bringing pleasant, peaceful dreams is also one of the magical properties of this stone. It is believed that gray agate is the embodiment of the elements of Air and Earth. In different sources, there are sometimes conflicting interpretations of which signs of the zodiac are suitable for agate, and for whom - not. Most agree that gray agate is ideal for people born under the sign of Taurus or Gemini. There is no categorical prohibition on wearing this stone by representatives of any other zodiac signs, even if you are Leo, nothing prevents you from choosing a jewelry with this beautiful and mysterious mineral.

Just don't forget about combining different minerals with each other - in case you are not going to be limited to one agate accessory. Astrologers advise pairing this gem with any stone dedicated to the water or earth elements - jasper, opal, lapis lazuli, jade and so on. Agate has no conflict with airy minerals - sapphire, amethyst, topaz, rock crystal. The only warning of astrologers concerns fire stones (ruby, garnet, coral, diamond and pyrope) - they are categorically incompatible with agate.

The scope of use of gray agate is quite large.

• First of all, this is, of course, jewelry. A variety of jewelry and crafts (especially figurines) made of agate, especially its semiprecious varieties, are very beautiful and are invariably in great demand among art connoisseurs and among ordinary people.
• Due to the physical and mechanical properties of the mineral (strength, hardness and viscosity), parts for precision instruments are made from its opaque varieties, for example, pestles and mortars for chemical laboratories, prisms used for analytical balances, as well as stones for quartz and mechanical watches, are grinded.
• Gray agate is very popular as a talisman (amulet); you can find many jewelry made from processed ornamental mineral on the market.
• Some designers use stone inserts as original interior details.

Even if you do not believe in astrology and the magical properties of minerals, wear gray agate simply as an adornment - even jewelry made from this mineral looks very original and beautiful, especially on the arms and neck of young girls.

For the properties and uses of agate, see the next video.