Green agate is a semi-precious variety of chalcedony stone

History and origin

Description of the stone: semi-precious or ornamental stone belonging to the silica rock. Known since ancient times: according to one legend, Alexander the Great wore a greenish stone on his belt, believing that it was an amulet that kept it in battle. Modern scientists believe that it was chrysoprase - one of the varieties of green agate.

Green agate beads

Products made from green agate were found in excavations of ancient Egyptian, Greek and Sumerian-Assyrian cities. He came to Europe after traveling a long historical path from Hellas captured by the Romans. Green agate survived the collapse of Rome and found a new life in the early Middle Ages (IX–XI centuries), when European knights began to use it as a talisman against swords and spears.

Thus, green agate acquired the glory of a warrior stone. It was used to decorate the pommels of sword hilts; amulets and amulets made from it were worn in rings and pendants. Together with the crusaders, green agate took Jerusalem - and, together with the knights of the last Christian kingdoms of Palestine, retreated to Europe.

After this, green agate acquired sacred meaning for Europeans. In Catholicism, it was used for the manufacture of church utensils as the main material for inlay. There are known golden bowls, crosses, altars, icon frames, decorated with soft-silky-looking translucent green stone.

Mosaics were laid out from different subspecies of green agate in palaces and cathedrals.

It was used to create magnificent household items for the most noble secular and ecclesiastical persons - dukes, kings, bishops and cardinals.

In Russia, green agate began to be used as a decorative material at the end of the 17th century. It came to our country at the beginning of the “Petrine era,” shortly before the reformatory achievements of young Peter I. Russian craftsmen made snuff boxes, boxes, and game sets for playing checkers and chess, which were popular at that time, from it. It was used to make writing sets, to decorate fireplaces and chests - everything that could be finished with stone.

Decorative box using green agate

In Europe, a new surge in the popularity of green agates occurred at the end of the 19th century, when high-quality stones mined in Uruguay appeared on the market. They were appreciated by the master Faberge, and some of these agates have since decorated his famous Easter eggs.

Historical reference

The first mention of agate dates back to the 5th century BC. e. The name “agate” was given to the stone by the ancient Greek philosopher Theophrastus, looking at the greenish river Achates. In ancient times, these minerals were used as amulets for warriors.

It is known that agates were valued by Alexander the Great, so they were considered royal stones. In ancient Egypt, they were worn by people with bright thoughts and aspirations - high priests and pharaohs.

The Crusaders used agates for protection against infidels and decorated their swords and ammunition with them. Subsequently, the stones acquired sacred significance. They were inlaid with church utensils, altars and even the walls of cathedrals. Then the agates were forgotten for a long time.

A new round of popularity was observed in the 19th century, when stones began to be brought to Europe from South America to create household items.

In Russia, agates have been used as jewelry since the late 17th century. In the Peter the Great era, they decorated furniture, especially chests, caskets, stationery, chess sets, etc. In the mid-19th century, the House of Faberge began to use agates to create seals, bottles and clothing accessories.

Physicochemical characteristics

Any agate is silica, silicon dioxide, a very distant “relative” of clear quartz.

Characteristics of the stone:

• hardness - from 6.5 to 7 Mohs, like glass;
• luster - glassy;
• degree of transparency - varies depending on the type.

The chromatophore, the substance that provides color, is nickel. The color saturation of green agate depends on the amount of nickel in the mineral, as well as the presence and ratio of other impurities with nickel - mainly chromium and vanadium, and occasionally copper. The chemical composition of impurities depends on the type of mineral.

Types and colors

Jewelers use the following classification of green minerals of the agate subgroup:

1. Chrysoprase is a translucent or opaque (with a thickness of over 5 cm) mineral of bright apple green or grass green color. There are emerald-hued chrysoprase, which are considered valuable jewelry raw materials.

Chrysoprase stone

2. Prasem is an opaque onion-green mineral with various inclusions. It comes in a very dark shade, which is caused by impurities of needle silicates. Some specimens of praseme are similar in pattern and texture to jasper and jadeite. Ornamental mineral.

Prase

3. Heliotrope - has a dark green color. Opaque black-green stone with numerous small inclusions of reddish, orange or light brown colors. It is also known as bloody jasper or “Stephan’s stone”.

Heliotrope

4. Plasma - a green-brown subspecies of heliotrope with a predominance of yellow inclusions. Both minerals are also ornamental and are mainly used for stone cutting.

Dendritic plasma agate stone

The chemical properties of stones - subspecies of green agate are the same. They do not dissolve in alkalis and acids, except hydrofluoric acid.

Please note: chrysoprase is considered the most valuable of all types of green agates.

Historians believe that he was the talisman of Macedon.

Varieties of green agate

There is a range of colors; there are specimens of emerald, dark green, turquoise, yellow-green, and some specimens have red veins.

• Chrysoprase is an emerald-colored stone due to chromium and vanadium, the hardest and most expensive of all agates. Translucent, in demand among collectors.

Chrysoprase

• Plasma is an opaque dark green variety. Soft material for mosaics, figurines.

Plasma

• Prasem is a translucent mineral of dull green color with a soft structure. It is rare, poorly suited for processing, and is used for decorating buildings and for medicinal and magical purposes.

Prase

• Heliotrope is a hard, completely opaque representative of agates that is dark green in color due to the admixture of celadonite. Has red veins. It is actively used in decorating church utensils, paraphernalia, and temple decoration.

Heliotrope

Where is it mined?

Agates and chalcedony are very common in the earth's crust. Various quartz formations make up 12% of its composition, so they are found everywhere. In particular, chrysoprase is mined in industrial quantities in Poland, Germany, Kazakhstan, Australia, the Russian Urals and the American state of California. It usually accompanies nickel ores.

Prasem is mined in the Ore Mountains of Germany, the Salzburg Alps - part of Austria, Scotland and Brazil. In Russia, it is found in small quantities in Altai and the Urals.

Unusual agate from the Ijevan deposit

Central Asia (Uzbekistan), India, Egypt, Brazil, as well as the subsoil of the domestic Ural Mountains can boast of heliotrope deposits.

Medicinal properties

Please note: there are differences in the properties of different types of green agate from the point of view of lithotherapy and magic.

Chrysoprase, praseme and heliotrope, when viewed from an esoteric standpoint, are different stones. Each of them has its own, unique qualities.

Since praseme is not used as decoration, and a separate article was devoted to heliotrope (plasma), here we will understand green agate as its most popular variety - chrysoprase.

Ring with chrysoprase

The healing properties of the gem are as follows:

• stimulation of metabolism;
• strengthening immunity, increasing the overall endurance of the body;
• decreased blood pressure;
• relieving pain from rheumatism;
• cleansing the blood of toxins and waste.

This gem is a good remedy for eye diseases that do not require treatment with surgery. The characteristics of the stone allow it to significantly increase the body’s resistance to stress and any diseases of a “nervous” nature; for this purpose, it is recommended to wear the stone in a ring on the ring or middle finger.

If you feel the need to make a difficult decision, meditate on the stone for a couple of minutes - your mind will clear itself of unnecessary emotions, weed out unnecessary thoughts and reject false doubts.

Water infused with chrysoprase is a good cosmetic product for women that improves skin tone. Wash your face with it every morning - the cosmetic effect will soon be felt.

For unmarried women, the gem brings good luck in love.

What diseases does it help with?

It is not only amazingly beautiful, but also has healing powers. Experts in the field of lithotherapy believe that it can be used as a reliable assistant for a number of diseases and unpleasant conditions:

• chronic fatigue;
• phobias, anxiety;
• problems with the stomach and intestines;
• colds;
• insomnia;
• immune disorders;
• anemia;
• lack of vital energy;
• skin diseases.

If you put a small pebble in water, it will acquire useful qualities. It can be drunk and used for washing: any person will get rid of bad habits in a short time.

Magical features

The magical properties of chrysoprase - green agate - lie in three main areas:

• raising money;
• protection from the evil eye and foreign influence;
• warning of dangers.

Chrysoprase loves money. A gold ring with this stone on a man’s hand will attract financial luck to its owner and protect against possible financial collapse in risky transactions. Therefore, from time immemorial, the mineral has been a talisman for bankers, merchants and generally people working with finance. Now wearing it can be recommended for stockbrokers.

Handmade pendant with green agate

Green agate in silver is a reliable indicator and protection against the evil eye or damage. Silver talismans and amulets with chrysoprase have the property of becoming cloudy if their owner is subject to a negative magical effect. Likewise, they become cloudy or dark if he is in physical danger.

Green agates are suitable as reliable advisers for young people who are at a crossroads at the beginning of their life’s journey and will protect them from wrong decisions.

But keep in mind that you need to choose a homogeneous stone as an amulet, without any defects or inclusions, especially dark ones.

Zodiac compatibility

A green stone can have different affiliations according to your zodiac sign. The chrysoprase we are considering belongs to the element of Air. According to the horoscope, he is most suitable for Aquarius. Jewelry with green agate is also suitable for Taurus, Virgo and Libra.

This stone is not suitable for fiery Sagittarius.

(“+++” – fits perfectly, “+” – can be worn, “-” – is strictly contraindicated)

Compatibility with other stones

Different green agates have different compatibility with other minerals. Prasem, heliotrope and jasper belong to the element of Earth, as do most opaque stones. But chrysoprase is part of the element of Air.

Bracelet with green agate

These “relatives” maintain polite neutrality among themselves. What you can and cannot wear heliotrope with has already been discussed in the corresponding article.

As for chrysoprase, it is categorically incompatible with carnelian and, oddly enough, with emerald, which is similar in color.

Water and Air in one company is not the best option.

You should not wear chrysoprase at the same time:

• with opal;
• topaz;
• pearls;
• moonstone;
• aventurine;
• serpentine;
• zircon;
• alexandrite;
• olivine;
• melanitis.

The proximity to other Air gems, transparent and smoky, will be favorable:

• amethyst;
• rock crystal;
• rauchtopaz;
• demantoid;
• uvarovitis;
• golden beryl;
• hessanite;
• fluorite.

But the best thing is the combination with rose quartz.

Bracelet with rose quartz and green agate

What decorations is it intended for?

Green shades allow the stone to organically fit into a jewelry ensemble with other ornamental minerals. The best metals that can be used for cutting them are traditionally gold and silver. Silver goes perfectly with stones that have cool tones and emphasizes their beauty. Pebbles of warmer colors are framed in gold, which gives the decoration tenderness and warmth.

Popular:

• rings with large stones;
• agate earrings;
• bracelets (both large and small);
• just rough stones.

Application area

The scope of application of green agates, depending on the type, is very wide. Souvenirs are made from heliotrope, plasma and praseme, as well as chrysoprase of non-jewelry quality - figurines, magic symbols, balls, pyramids, gift writing instruments and much more. Agate materials for home crafts are also produced in the form of drilled beads of various shapes, polished plates, ready-to-use cabochons, and the like.

The highest quality chrysoprase is used for jewelry inserts. The most appropriate frame for the price category is silver, gold is less common.

Produced with chrysoprase:

• earrings;
• studs;
• bracelets;
• rings and rings;
• beads;
• pendants and much more.

Best time to buy

The best time to buy is the 28th day of the moon in May or September. Astrologers guarantee that this is a period of activation of green agate energy. On the day of purchase, it is recommended to refrain from wearing jewelry.

Green Agate is a rare and beautiful stone that combines the freshness of emerald color, brilliance and personality. Wearing it will not only improve the wearer’s appearance, but will also help maintain health.

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Tags:Green agate: properties of the stone, who it suits according to their zodiac sign, talismans and amulets

How to spot a fake

This is a common and inexpensive mineral, even jewelry-quality chrysoprase, so it is rarely counterfeited. The only economically viable type of fake green agates are plastic imitations. They can be identified even by touch: plastic is warm, while natural stone is cold, slowly heating up by hand.

Ask the seller if you can test the stone with a knife.

You won’t be able to scratch real agate with a blade without applying a lot of force, but it’s easy to scratch plastic.

Place of Birth

Green emerald agate
The method of extracting green agate is industrial. The main placers of the mineral were found in the following areas:

• Uruguay;
• Brazil;
• Africa;
• Mongolia;
• South America;
• Ural;
• Transcarpathia.

The main processing method is cabochon. This allows you to show all the beauty of the color, highlight the brightness and shine.

Rules for wearing and care

This is a low-maintenance mineral. The only danger that threatens it is that from bright sunlight (if you keep it under the sun for several hours), the color of the stone may fade. To restore color saturation, it is enough to wrap the gem in a damp soft cloth such as a rag for a couple of hours.

Earrings with green agate

There are no special wearing rules other than careful handling. You can wash it with plain water and soap, or if it’s heavily soiled, use standard kitchen chemicals. It is better to clean silver frames with tooth powder.