Botswana agate is considered one of the most attractive stones. It has a fairly high price, but is very popular. This mineral is often used to create jewelry and interior decoration. It is characterized by a layered structure and pronounced shine. The shades of the mineral also vary - from gray to pink.
Botswana agate has a beautiful striped color.
Story
The mineral is named after the place where it was first discovered and where it was mined. Its deposits were discovered in 1971 in the vicinity of the city of Babanong in Botswana.
Botswana is a country in the very south of the African continent. Two thirds of its territory is occupied by the Kalahari Desert. Its sands still offer magnificent pebbles today.
African sorcerers say that this stone is the eye of an eagle. According to legend, an eagle and a magician went out to duel. The eagle flew away, but not far. The wizard cast a spell, after which the bird turned to stone. Having fallen, she broke into a million pieces.
Today, pebbles are found in agglomerates of siliceous volcanic rocks.
The poetic name of agate is the stone of dawn. Its delicate pink color is truly similar to the shades of the early morning sky.
Which zodiac sign is suitable as a talisman?
This stone should be chosen taking into account your zodiac sign:
- The gem will give Gemini peace of mind. It will help you become more rational and reasonable.
- For Taurus, a stone of a blue hue is suitable. It will help improve your emotional state and increase your vitality. Black gems will help you attract material well-being and good luck in your career.
- For Libra and Capricorn, the stone will help cope with their shortcomings. This will have a good effect on communication with loved ones.
- With the help of this type of stone, Cancers will be able to become more confident and get rid of excessive vulnerability. Agate will make representatives of this sign calmer and help them discover their talents.
The stone will also benefit other signs. However, when choosing it, it is important to consider the shade. So, Virgos are recommended to choose a yellow crystal, and Scorpios should choose a blue one.
The gem is strictly contraindicated for Aries and Sagittarius. Its energy contradicts the inner nature of the representatives of these signs.
Depending on your zodiac sign, you need to choose the color of the mineral.
Description
Botswana agate is a translucent or translucent stone. Its surface is heterogeneous, but the pattern is visible implicitly. Colors – gray, pink, their combinations and shades.
Unlike other varieties of agate, Botswana is not "improved". Colors are the main factor by which a mineral is identified.
Stone processing involves only light polishing of the surface.
Agates of other colors found in this country are also called Botswana. For example, trade offers peach or apricot agate from Botswana. But this is a different variety, and the stone is called Botswana after the place of discovery (the state of Botswana).
Only gray or pink specimens are Botswana agates.
Mining locations
The mineral is widespread on the planet. Found in sedimentary and igneous rocks. In Russia it is mined in the regions:
- Ural;
- Chukotka;
- NAO;
- Crimea;
- Moscow and Magadan regions.
The mineral is found everywhere
There are industrial deposits in the countries:
- Georgia;
- Armenia;
- Tajikistan;
- Brazil;
- Mongolia;
- India;
- Uruguay;
- Ukraine;
- Germany.
Physico-chemical characteristics
For a mineralogist, Botswana agate is a silicate of igneous origin. It has a simple composition and short formula.
| Formula | Volcanic silica – SiO2 |
| Color | The whole palette (White, grey, blue, yellow, red, black). Characteristic banded zoning of flowers |
| Stroke color | White |
| Shine | Matte |
| Transparency | translucent or opaque |
| Hardness | 6,5—7 |
| Cleavage | absent |
| Kink | uneven, conchoidal |
| Density | 2.6 g/cm³ |
Botswana agate beads
An amazing stone, on the cuts of which pictures of fabulously beautiful landscapes unfold. Many stripes, folding into a wide variety of patterns. In them, in their amazing interweaving, is the whole world in all its diversity. He is like our life: a stripe of light, a stripe of dark. But this is precisely its charm: if it were the same, light color, the endless joy would definitely get boring and stop pleasing. In the same way, agate, if it were of any uniform color, would become completely different, much less expressive and artistic. Here, as in life - it seems that there is only dull monotony all around - change the angle of your gaze, find among the layers of feelings and events that one, amazing strip that can change everything.
Agate is a natural stone with a clearly defined striped and textured pattern. The structure is layered, predominantly of a concentric type, in some cases (for example, in Uruguayan agates) combined with horizontal layers. It is characterized by alternating transparent, semi-transparent and opaque wavy stripes of different colors, the number of which can reach 7 thousand per 1 cm2.
Easily processed, agate has been valued by stone craftsmen since ancient times. Almost five thousand years ago in Babylon they made carved seals from it. The ancient Hellenes carved medallions from agate depicting the faces and figures of gods, eyes for statues, portraits of heroes and famous citizens. The multi-layered nature of the stone made it possible to create entire pictures: faces were carved from light layers, clothes from colored layers, and hair from dark layers.
In Russia, the popularity of agates occurred during the reign of Catherine the Second. The greatest work of art is considered to be the Agate Room in the Tsarskoe Selo Palace, decorated with thin stone plates. It was during this period that the world's largest collection of agates began - about 20 thousand copies, which today is stored in the Hermitage.
Large specimens of natural origin are very rare. The largest agate product in size was made in Trier in the 4th century. AD. Today it is kept in Vienna, in the Museum of Art History. This is an almost flat dish carved from solid stone, the diameter of which is 75 cm.
Today, agate is one of the most spectacular stones used in the manufacture of designer jewelry. In its sections you can see a mountain landscape or a forest pond, sea expanses or wide steppes, amazing clouds or the ruins of an ancient castle, a starry sky or magical landscapes of unknown lands. Moreover, each “picture” is unique: there are no two identical agates in the world. There are also completely unique specimens. The eighth wonder of the world is called a stone found near Kozakov, on a cut of which you can see a map of the Czech Republic, and with fairly accurate small details.
Dossier
| Name | agate |
| Nationality (class) | cryptocrystalline variety of quartz of the chalcedony group |
| Chemical formula | SiO2 (silica) |
| singonia | trigonal |
| Color | Agates come in a wide variety of colors, with both transparent and opaque varieties found. One sample may contain different shades of color. The color is striped. |
| Shine | dull greasy or matte, glassy on a polished surface |
| Transparency | opaque, translucent at the edges. |
| Density | 3,5 — 3,84 |
| Kink | uneven |
| Fragility | No |
| Hardness | 7 |
Areas of use
Botswana agate is classified as semi-precious. But thanks to its rarity, it has found application in the luxury sector:
- White gold, platinum, silver or natural leather of exotic varieties are used as jewelry settings.
- Particularly good are large beads, bracelets, pendants, inserts of rings, earrings, and brooches.
- For stone cutters, this is a fertile material for demonstrating personal skill.
This is a coveted specimen in any mineralogical collection.
How to identify a fake
The Botswana variety is perhaps the only agate that is sought to be counterfeited.
You can distinguish imitation in several ways:
- Botswana agate cannot be scratched or damaged by a needle. Only the applied polish can be damaged.
- There is no monochromatic Botswana.
- The colors of natural stone are delicate and gentle. The imitation usually looks flashy and bright.
A real stone placed in water for several hours will not fade or lose its shine. And the water will not be colored in any way.
Amulets and talismans
Since the mineral is saturated with energy, it is suitable for making personal talismans. They began to be made thousands of years ago - people noticed that the stone attracts good dreams and protects from evil. The properties of the amulet depend on the shape and color of the raw materials used.
Colors
Mystical qualities depend on the shade of the breed used:
- whites call on the help of the light gods, help maintain spiritual purity, achieve enlightenment, protect against intriguers and corruption;
- green protects against natural disasters and attacks by wild animals;
- light grays harmonize the soul;
- light yellows set you up for a positive dialogue with the outside world;
- pink strengthens mutual tender feelings;
- black gives mystical power, protects against dark energy, and helps turn negative into positive. Find out more about him here;
- rich grays protect against stress, depression, cleanse the aura and fill with energy of life;
- blue ones are good for children;
- mosses open up the future, facilitate learning, and extinguish irritability;
- red protects against enemies, awakens inspiration, and enhances performance.
The properties of a gem depend on its color
Varieties
Different peoples know different forms and types of talismans:
- Egyptians use them to protect themselves from natural disasters;
- in southern Europe they lure fertility;
- desert dwellers believe in the amulet’s ability to relieve thirst;
- Tibetans are protected from darkness, evil, bad dreams;
- Mongols use it to develop the spirit and increase self-confidence.
Agate talismans preserve tender feelings and the fidelity of a lover. Children's amulets protect against fears and help quickly master upright walking.
All agate amulets protect against vampires and dark forces, evil energy, making the owner convincing and respected in society.
Various amulets are made from agate
How to wear and care
Like other types of agate, the Botswana variety is unpretentious. But it’s expensive, so it makes sense to take good care of the stone:
- For the products there is a separate, soft inside box.
- Protect from falls, shocks, and mechanical impacts of any kind.
- The stone does not like heat, direct sun, temperature changes, or high humidity.
- It is enough to clean every week with a dry or slightly moistened cloth. To keep the surface beautiful, water is used as a last resort. Water procedures do not take too long; after them, the stone is immediately wiped dry.
If Botswana agate is used as a magical or healing artifact, it is given a “rest” one day of the week. That is, they are not taken out of the box.
Jewelry with delicately colored stones can be worn in sets. Even if it's large beads or a bracelet.
Features of stone care
Since the main task of Botswana stone is to absorb negative energy, it should be in the most visible place at home. If you wear the stone regularly, you need to give it a rest once every seven days, putting it in a dark and secluded place - for example, in a box or a specially designated container. It is better to put a velvet cloth inside to prevent scratches on the stone.
Periodically it is necessary to rinse the product or pebble under running warm water. This will help cleanse it. After contact with water, you need to wipe the mineral with a dry and soft cloth.
Botswana agate is a rare representative of chalcedony, each of which has a unique color shade and unique pattern. If you look closely, you can independently unravel its meaning or the message addressed by the universe especially to you.
Price
Botswana agate is the most expensive in its family. You can buy any types of jewelry, but they are not cheap (price / rub.):
- pendant (65 mm, on a leather cord) – 2,500;
- beads (8 – 10 mm) – 23-34.
To avoid purchasing a fake, you should contact trusted sellers. And remember: there is no such thing as too much Botswana.
Varieties and colors
All variety is divided into varieties:
- disk;
- ruinous;
- star-shaped;
- thunder egg;
- Timanskiy;
- pinnate;
- mossy;
- point;
- blue;
- Brazilian;
- Botswana;
- enhydros;
- lace;
- lactic;
- Uruguayan;
- Buddha's eye;
- rainbow;
- Snake skin;
- ocellar;
- woody;
- fiery;
- frosty;
- bastion;
- black.
You can learn about black agate from the video:
A special variety is craquelure. It is produced industrially - by tinting, heating and cooling natural stone. This leads to the formation of microscopic light cracks on the surface. If the variety is dyed after heat treatment, the result is dragon veins, darkened against the main background of the crack.
Another different variety of agate is the geode. These are oval specimens with a cave-like cavity filled with crystals.
There are many varieties of gems
Therapeutic effect
Lithotherapists have identified the spectrum of therapeutic effects of Botswana agate:
- Improves the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract.
- Helps overcome tobacco cravings. For this purpose, the rough stone is worn as a pendant or in the breast pocket.
- Drinking the water in which the stone was placed speeds up metabolism, promoting weight loss. This property is equally valuable for women and men.
- Massage with a Botswana agate roller normalizes blood circulation, relieves cramps, and relieves muscle tension.
Banded agate is classified as a stone with feminine energy. But its healing capabilities are also suitable for men. For example, to increase potency.
Compatibility with other stones
This agate goes well with earth element stones or water minerals.
It can be safely combined with jasper, jade, and lapis lazuli. Peridot, opal, and aventurine will be an excellent addition to the gem.
Botswana agate is strictly forbidden to be combined with stones that belong to the element of Fire. These include garnet, pyrope, coral, and diamond. Also, you should not combine a gem with a ruby.
The mineral can be combined with other stones.
Magic properties
African sorcerers and European esotericists agreed on the magical properties of Botswana agate:
- Activates mental abilities.
- Makes a person an intuitive, sometimes even clairvoyant.
- Suitable for meditation sessions.
The magic of the stone helps you make a career and become financially successful.
- Absorbs external negativity, transforms it into positive and transfers it to the owner of the talisman.
- Makes him a speaker capable of winning over even his enemies.
The home amulet stone is placed in the most visible place.
The type of decoration also matters:
- Botswana agate ring gives men sexual attractiveness in the eyes of ladies.
- Girls will be protected from gossip and envious people by earrings with pink Botswana agate.
However, Bostwana of gray shades honors only justice, honesty, and truth. A fraudster or someone trying to harm a neighbor will receive a retaliatory blow in the form of bad luck or illness.
AREAS OF USE
Botswana agate is used in the jewelry industry for making jewelry, as well as decorative items for home decoration: figurines, bowls, vases. Amulets and talismans are carved from Botswana.
Due to its special strength and resistance to acids and other reagents, Botswana is used for the production of tableware in the pharmaceutical and chemical industries. More often than not, jewelers do not even process it, so as not to spoil its original beauty.
Botswana agate - paired amulet
Magic properties
The volcanic nature of the stone endowed it with strong energy. In all centuries, healers and sorcerers have used Botswana agate magic for healing and witchcraft. We recommend: SERAPHINITE - angel feathers on earth
- The ancient Egyptians considered it a fertility stone; in medieval Europe, the mineral was a symbol of health and financial wealth; in India it symbolized well-being.
- From the depths of centuries comes the belief that Botswana agate helps in career advancement, makes indecisive people bold, and balances the energies of yin and yang in combination with purple crystals.
- The mineral gives energy to life, awakens the mind and enhances intuition. Placed on your desktop or near your computer, it will help you work efficiently.
- There is a belief that the talisman protects against energy vampires and helps in uncovering deception.
Volcanic origin gives Botswana powerful energy
Medicinal properties
In addition to its magical properties, the gem is also valued for its medicinal qualities:
- ring on the middle finger – relieves nervous conditions, insomnia,
- improves potency:
- strengthens the immune system;
- improves vision and hearing;
- helps to quit smoking if you wear a Botswana on a string in the chest area;
- Stone massage will relieve depression and normalize blood circulation;
- will help with cough, sore throat, nerves, intestinal problems, skin ailments, renal colic.
Bracelet with Botswana, 34 USD
