Agates have been admired by many people for thousands of years. The gem has been used for jewelry, furniture and decorative ornaments. It is one of the most widely distributed gemstones. Agate is a variety of chalcedony which usually occurs as rounded nodules or veins. Agates come in many different forms and the stone usually shows varicolored bands, it has a hardness of 7 and classified as a microcrystalline or cryptocystalline quartz.

Perhaps you will hardly find a gemstone that is more creatively and beautifully striped by nature than agate. Chemically, it is identical to amethyst, quartz, and carnelians, but because agates form in different way, they look radically different. The conditions necessary for formation of agates are the presence of silica from devitrified volcanic ash, iron, manganese, water from rainfall or ground sources and other mineral oxides that form the inclusions and bands. The bands of agates come in many different colors and resemble the rings of a tree. These bands are extremely intricate and beautiful. Some named varieties are eye agate, plume agate and moss agate. It should be noted that each agate stone is unique, it means that no two stones are the same. They are most commonly shaped into cabochons or beads.

Agate is found all over the world including: Egypt, Africa, Asia, Mexico, Brazil, Germany, India, USA, Italy and Nepal. Agate in its raw state is rough and dull. All forms of agate take a high polish. They can be artificially stained in order to produce combinations of color more vivid than agates found in natural state. The staining and cutting of agates has long been centered in Germany (Idar-Oberstein). Pieces of agate range from less than 1.3 cm to more than 60 cm across.

The stone is named after the Achates River, the place where it was first discovered in southwestern Sicily. There are many types of agates: moss agate is dark green with clear patches. Red, white and brown varieties are referred to as petrified wood, while the white and green variety is called tree agate. Dyed stones are often sold under the name of black onyx.

Agate is said to be a powerful emotional healer, improves concentration and memory, encourages honesty and increases stamina. It is believed to enhance personal courage, prevent insomnia and protect one against danger. The stone also provides a calming influence and helps to increase and develop one's analytical talents.