All about black agate

Black agate is one of the stones of the extensive chalcedony family, the basis of which is the most common mineral quartz. These ornamental and semiprecious stones have a layered structure, although in the black variety the layers and stripes are almost imperceptible. Such a peculiar color gives a high content of manganese. To meet the black variety in nature is a great success, because it is the rarest. Agate has been used by esotericists and lithotherapists for a long time, a technique has been developed for its use in accordance with the signs of the zodiac. The popularity of the stone caused attempts to obtain its original color artificially, based on more common varieties.

Black agate is an unusual mineral, as already mentioned, the bands typical for agate and the layers in it are hardly noticeable. The even velvety black color due to the matte sheen of the stone gives a striking depth effect. The mineral looks like a peculiar fragment of the 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.

Decorations from it are difficult not to notice, they are surely paid attention. Agate is able to emphasize exactly the business style, adjust for appropriate communication with those who wear it. It is this property that made it attractive to the rulers of antiquity. It is hard to imagine the frivolous treatment of a person wearing a ring or crown with black agate.

Such a specific value for a person results from the unexpected for quartz, from which it mainly consists, of the physical properties of black agate. It is not transparent, besides the stone is distinguished by a natural matte shine. Only polishing can make the stone gloss glass.

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

There are agate deposits on all continents. However, the quality of stones is different everywhere. A very rare coal-black variety is found not in all deposits. Sicily was one of the most famous black agate mining areas. 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, and Uruguay. Agate is mined in the Crimea. Some of the best black agates are mined in Mongolia.

Black agate is considered to be one of the strongest magical stones. To use it in magical rituals began in ancient times. In Europe, it was called the stone of witches and sorcerers. It was believed that he protects from the poison of snakes and scorpions. Agate powder was used to alleviate the suffering of women in labor.

And to this day the stone is widely used by lithotherapists for the treatment of a number of diseases: insomnia, depression, children's fear, weakened immunity, impotence, metabolic problems (obesity and anorexia).Moreover, to obtain a therapeutic effect, the stone does not have to be worn at all; you can drink water in which the agate has lain all night. Black agate necklaces or necklaces can be useful for toothache and coughing.

From ancient times, one of the recognized magical properties of black agate is its ability to awaken the hidden possibilities of a person, to open the gift of clairvoyance. A stone, donated to another person, is capable of transmitting 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, begins to give up the accumulated negative and then he really becomes dangerous. Black agate is considered to be a very effective means of protection against energy vampires. People who need to suppress someone else's energy, have a subconscious antipathy to this stone. A person wearing agate acquires a kind of protective field, fencing it off from various kinds of influences at the level of the etheric body.

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

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

The gem was an amulet in some aristocratic families of ancient and medieval Europe. In ancient India, black agate was considered a stone of leaders. And today, the ring of it - an attribute of various kinds of spiritual mentors and gurus. In the environment of the ancient inhabitants of Europe - the Germans, the mineral was considered capable of strengthening the marriage bond. The warrior who was going on a campaign gave the decoration of him to his wife, and in response she usually gave him a ring of agate. It was a kind of vow of loyalty.

Agate was used in the rituals of the druids. Archaeological finds of stones with runes stacked on them are known, as the ancient Celts tried to enhance the magical effect of the runes. In Georgia, it was decided to give jewelry with this stone to a newborn as a talisman against dark forces.

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

Mineral since ancient times was used as an ornamental stone. Jewelry made from it - rings, pendants, necklaces are perfect for a sophisticated dress and business suit. Due to the deep black color, the mineral emphasizes the classic style. In addition, agate is not bad combined with other stones, and red copper is considered to be the best setting, although it is straightened into noble silver and gold. Large copies of agate are used for the manufacture of dishes and even for the decoration of rooms.

Black agate will suit a strong and, of course, charismatic man accustomed to rely on his mind. The stone will not only emphasize courage, but will also contribute to the adoption of balanced decisions, activating intuition. However, do not think that this is a purely “male” stone. He successfully reveals the properties of any person, regardless of gender. If the owner of the stone notices the tarnishing of its surface, this can be regarded as a signal of a violation of interaction with the outside world, of the need to adjust his life course.

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. 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.
• Capricorns with the help of agate receive new opportunities in self-development and even in professional activities.
• Gemini and Sagittarius stone can send on a truly true path. However, for Sagittarius, as well as for Aries, the stone may be contraindicated.
• Crayfish and Pisces with agate can significantly enhance self-confidence, for them it is a real talisman. Fish with it can acquire clairvoyance.
• Lviv's quick temper can also be moderated with black agate. However, the Lions should not wear a stone all the time, its impact may enter into discord with the energy of this sign. Instead of help, you can get the strongest anchor, stopping all mental impulses.
• Virgin stone will help to establish personal life and strengthen family ties.
• For Libra, it is useful as a universal means of healing.
• Scorpios can gain determination and patience in completing many of their endeavors.
• Aquarius with his help get the opportunity to get rid of depression and move confidently through life.
• The greatest effect from the use of the black variety can reach Taurus, this is really their stone. It is the representatives of this sign that agate will reveal its properties fully 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, wearing it in a uniquely aggressive environment should be done carefully, in this case it is better to hide the agate from prying eyes in a pocket or under clothing.

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

Sometimes for the manufacture of fake stone use processing waste - stone crumb. Scratching a stone with a needle can be one of the ways to determine such an imitation of artificial origin. Fake will start to crumble.

Of these stones are often made beads. If on the beads there are absolutely no Bole light and sometimes reddish stripes - this is most likely a fake. You can detect a fake glass or plastic by holding a stone in your hand. Real agate will heat up slowly and keep the feeling of the cold coming from it.

Sometimes for black agate give onyx. Indeed, both are varieties of an extensive group of chalcedonies. Both have a layered structure. You can distinguish their friend in terms of gloss, in onyx it is glassy, ​​and agate has a more pronounced matte gloss. Onyx stripes are always thin and run parallel. In agate, the thickness of the bands is usually greater, their strike is more chaotic. The most effective way to expose fake stones is to study them under a microscope.

Caring for black agate is simple. If a stone is used as a talisman, it will have to be “cleaned” periodically. For energetic cleaning of agate, it must be washed in spring water and put to dry on the windowsill. After lying the night, the stone will restore its properties.The decoration of agate also need to be washed. To do this, use a warm soap solution. Under no circumstances should chemical detergents be used. The surface of the stone may react and after a series of procedures will begin to break down.

The mineral reacts negatively to the temperature drop, the layered structure contributes to the uneven heating and cooling of the stone. This leads to cracks and delamination of the stone. The black agate product cannot be heated at all. Although it is not fragile, it is better to protect the product from bumps and scratches. A scratch on the surface of the stone can leave steel, another harder stone.

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