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.
Description
Blue agate has a layered structure that creates a striped color. The layers are heterogeneous in content, therefore they have different shades of white, blue, and dark blue. Thin strips on the cut of the stone are connected in such a way that they resemble either a cloud, or an eyeball, or openwork lace. The layers are separated from each other by a boundary - clear or blurred.
The intensity of the blue tone depends on the amount of zirconium oxide.
The mineral has a matte sheen and is translucent at the edges. After polishing, blue agate loses its matte shine and becomes glassy.
Because of its blue, white, azure stripes, the mineral is sometimes called the earth's rainbow.
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 |
Material for jewelry makers
Connoisseurs of the true natural beauty of stones have always seen extraordinary beauty in agate. Blue agate, when delivered to a jeweler, does not have the shine that is inherent in a processed stone. The rock is used to make boxes, figurines, and various items for decorating rooms. The initial shine of natural samples is matte, but after polishing it acquires a glassy shine. The mineral is afraid of high temperatures; if the sample is overheated, it loses its blue tone and becomes colorless, almost white. They return the heavenly shade by staying in water for many hours.
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.
Price
The cost of the mineral may vary depending on various factors. It is influenced by the crystal deposit. Lacy stones can only be mined in Namibia; it is in this place that you can find pristine natural samples that attract with their naturalness. For a long time, mining was carried out manually, which is why the cost of such pebbles is quite high. Today, many minerals are processed in production and then transferred to jewelry makers.
The price of crystals includes:
- transportation costs;
- customs duty;
- price of equipment and components for processing and production.
Small stones can cost:
- up to 50 grams - more than 1,500 rubles;
- up to 30 grams - about 1,300 rubles;
- about 8 grams - 800 rubles.
Minerals in jewelry will have a different value.
When purchasing a stone, you need to be sure of its authenticity. Jewelry professionals can suggest some ways to distinguish imitation from natural crystals. Artificial jewelry is created from crumbs, glass or plastic.
Agate is considered a calm crystal, so you can buy it at any time. The most favorable period for purchasing jewelry is spring, in the morning.
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.
What is sapphirine
The name "sapphirine" often leads to errors. The fact is that the term “sapphirine” refers to:
- To magnesium aluminosilicate - an independent transparent mineral of blue, gray or green color.
- A variety of chalcedony, colored blue or light blue with an eye-shaped wave-like pattern. This mineral is called blue agate. "Sapphirine" in this case is its jewelry trade term, which is used by jewelers, traders and some stone lovers.
This article will talk about sapphirine, a blue agate that is a type of chalcedony. Blue agate is also sometimes called this mineral.
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.
When to buy a stone
The time to purchase a gem can be any time. Esotericists advise going for decoration in the spring, on Monday morning, since this period symbolizes renewal. However, even if purchased at another time, the stone will not lose its magical and healing properties.
average cost
Agate is considered affordable. The cost of a sample depends on the size, color and location of the crystal. A small pendant can be purchased for 1 thousand rubles, beads 50 cm long will cost 3,700 rubles.
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.
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.
Areas of application
Earrings with blue agate
Blue agate is often found in jewelry, so one might get the impression that this is perhaps the only area where the mineral has found its application. However, masters skilled in artistic carving make amazing things from it.
Among such items are:
- mortars, which are used to grind spices, dried herbs, medicines, and dry dyes;
- handmade dishes that fall into the hands of collectors;
- boxes, stands for jewelry;
- decorative carvings, ashtrays.
In the jewelry industry, the mineral is used as inserts for necklaces and earrings. Beads, bracelets, and pendants are also made from gemstones. Usually this stone is found in an elegant silver frame, because neither the massiveness nor the shine of gold is combined with the delicate shade of the mineral.
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
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.
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.
How much does blue agate cost?
Agate and its price depend on various factors. The first is the deposit. Lace samples are mined in Namibia. This is the only place where you can now see the pristine formation of nature. For a long time, mining was carried out manually, so it was considered very labor-intensive.
For processing, pieces of rock are transported to another country – South Africa. There the magic of jewelry craftsmen begins, the creation of interesting decorative items and jewelry. What becomes the basis for the price of crystals:
- fare;
- customs duty;
- cost of leasing and equipment for mining and processing.
Small stones are graded by weight and color saturation:
- from 30-51 gr. – 30-35 $;
- from 13-31 gr. – 20-30 $;
- from 4-8 g – approximately $15.
Blue agate in the form of jewelry will have a different price.
The type of stone in the decoration matters for the price:
- Cabochon. If the sample is designed using the method of obtaining a cabochon, then it will become of interest to collectors. The number of carats, saturation and pattern are measured. The internal pattern and beauty of the wave will only make the cabochon more expensive.
- Decoration form . Any product has its own characteristics. An equal amount of rock takes on a different appearance under the hands of craftsmen. The ring in some workshops is unique in its own way. Therefore, the originality of the decoration is important. The same applies to objects. Some figurines may be ordinary and beautiful only in color, while others are elegant in shape, decoration and mineral inserts. In other words, the price directly depends on the complexity of the work and the skill of the jeweler.
- Wholeness and uniqueness . Jewelry items can consist of more than just blue agate. It can become the main one, one of the other crystals. Often the gem is cut into a precious metal. Then the price increases by its value. It cannot be said that silver will cost more than gold. Everything will again depend on the complexity of the metal pattern.
Cost and originality, weight and complexity, uniqueness and commonality are just some of the factors that influence the price of a product.
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.
Talismans and amulets
Blue agate talismans
Blue agate, like other shades of gems, has since ancient times acted as a strong amulet against witchcraft and black magic, so these properties are often used in magic - women's and children's amulets in the form of beads are often made from it. The main condition for preserving the protective properties of the mineral is constant contact of the stone with its owner.
Blue agate is a wonderful talisman that gives light, harmony and peace. This is a stone of humility and peace of mind, a stone of love and family well-being. Blue agate helps its owner uncover deception, identify all ill-wishers and warns of impending troubles.
The mineral makes its owner receptive to the surrounding world. Agate will become a wonderful amulet for them, which will develop communication skills and bring the fulfillment of desires closer. The power of the stone favors all creative figures, giving them peace and perseverance.
