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In addition to physical beauty and affordability, agates are also believed to possess metaphysical powers. Agates have been associated with the Goddess of Harvest, and superstitious farmers and cattlemen often wore amulets containing agates. Metaphysical enthusiasts claim that agates can control passion, anger, hysteria, insomnia, and panic. Agates are also believed to help those with physical ailments. Some believe that agates help heal sores and wounds, and help with curing asthma, pneumonia and bronchitis.
Agates are primarily silicon dioxide or quartz or silica. Silica is the most abundant mineral on earth, so it logically follows that agates can be found in great abundance all over the world. Millions of years ago, ambient water from rain and groundwater sources dissolved silica in bedrock. This silica solution then flowed along the rock and collected in cavities in the rock. The water evaporated and the dissolved silica was left behind. This process of dissolution and deposition continued and additional salts were added in thin, concentric layers. Silica itself is white to colorless. However, in some cases, the silica solution contained secondary minerals or impurities. These impurities gave the salts a distinct color. For example, if the secondary mineral was iron, then the color of the layer was orange to brownish-orange. Manganese gave the stone a purple color while chromium caused the layer to be green. Over millions of years, the salts hardened to form the agate stone that we see today.
Since agates are quite common, they are also relatively inexpensive. This makes them perfect for use in fashion jewelry where bold colors, unique designs and low cost are critical. Some of the more uniquely colored stones such as Botswana agates are cut and polished and set in sterling silver settings to create higher end fashion jewelry. A more innovative application is the combination of agates and base metals such as copper. In the case of a copper pendant for example, the rose colored copper is cast into an ornate and large setting and serves as the focus of the piece. The agate stone is more of an accessory rather than the focal bead for the pendant.
Published at Sooper Articles
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