Gray agate: description, properties and application

Agate is a beautiful semi-precious / ornamental stone, it can be of the most varied 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 the composition of agate is silicon oxide. The layered structure of this stone is determined by the duration and cyclical nature of the formation process, and there is still no generally accepted theory of the origin of agate-bearing rocks. The raw surface of the agate is matte, to give shine, the stones are ground and polished. The degree of transparency of the mineral varies 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, can only be hydrofluoric acid. Differs in durability and viscosity. The density of the stone is 2.6 g / cm3.

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

• bastion - drawings on a section cause association with medieval fortresses (bastions) and / or landscapes of the city;
• Brazilian - characterized by beautiful concentric patterns, most often contrasting (alternating black and white layers, for example);
• ocellar - the layers in the center of the stone seem to diverge and the cut pattern resembles the eye (by the way, such instances are often called “the Creator's eye”);
• dendritic (mossy) - named after veins of manganese or iron salts that form a woody pattern;
• landscape;
• irising - in bright conditions, such an instance begins to glow slightly;
• star-shaped;
• the black;
• blue (otherwise called sapphirin);
• 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), white, brown, and black colors are possible. It is very popular as a raw material for stone carving, especially large stones. Smoky gray agates are highly valued.

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 has a beneficial effect 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 bad deeds, thoughts and feelings of other people. This mineral is the patron of good, honest and fair personalities. If the owner of the stone is not a worthy individual, the mineral will attract unhappiness.

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

Many advise you to wear an agate ring on your left hand - especially to people suffering from heart and circulatory diseases. If you suffer from insomnia, try to wear something from agate jewelry: waking pleasant, calm dreams also belongs to 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, sometimes there are conflicting interpretations of what signs of the zodiac agate is suitable for, and to whom it is not. Most agree that gray agate is ideal for people born under the sign of Taurus or Gemini. There is no definitive ban on the wearing of this stone by representatives of any other zodiac signs, even if you are a Leo, nothing prevents you from choosing your jewelry with this beautiful and mysterious mineral.

Just do not forget about the combinations of different minerals with each other - in case you are not going to be limited to one agate accessory. Astrologers advise pairing up with this gem a stone dedicated to the water or earth elements - jasper, opal, lapis lazuli, jade and so on. Agate also has no conflict with air minerals - sapphire, amethyst, topaz, rock crystal. The only warning astrologers apply to 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 statuettes) made of agate, especially its semiprecious varieties, are very beautiful and are always in great demand among art lovers and ordinary people.
• Due to the physicomechanical properties of the mineral (strength, hardness and viscosity), parts for precision instruments are made from opaque varieties, for example, pistils and mortars for chemical laboratories, prisms used for analytical scales, as well as stones for quartz and mechanical watches, are machined.
• Gray agate is very popular as a talisman (amulet), on the market you can find many jewelry made from processed ornamental mineral.
• 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 just as a decoration - even jewelry from this mineral looks very original and beautiful, especially on the arms and neck of young girls.

See the following video for the properties and uses of agate.