Agate

Agate is a crystalline variety of silica that is usually found in volcanic or metamorphic rocks. It’s formed when water containing silica is trapped in the cavities of molten rock and sets in layers. This gives agate a ‘banded’ appearance when it is cut through.

It has a waxy lustre and can come in a wide variety of colours and types such as Blue Lace, Crazy Lace, Laguna, Dendritic, Moss and Fire.

Agate has been used for jewelry since the earliest times, with Neolithic agate beads believed to be over 9,000 years old found in present day Turkey. Thought to provide protection from the ‘evil eye’, agate has been fashioned into amulets, bracelets, rings, pins and pendants as well as cameos.

Agate processing and carving became a major industry in the Idar-Oberstein region of Germany, flourishing from the 15th to 19th century, with agates coming from as far away as Brazil in the later years. The industry still exists today.

Art Nouveau and Arts and Crafts jewelers used agate in preference to the more traditional gemstones such as rubies, sapphires and diamonds because it was felt they looked more natural.