SiO₂
Agate
Banded chalcedony, cut at Idar-Oberstein since 1548, when the river stopped being the only craftsman.
- Formula
- SiO₂
- Mohs hardness
- 6.5–7
- Crystal system
- trigonal
- Colour
- many-coloured
- Element
- earth
- Chakra (tradition)
- root
- Zodiac
- Gemini, Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn, Libra, Scorpio, Aquarius
- Month
- September
- Where the earth keeps it
- Idar-Oberstein, Uruguay, Brazil, India, Madagascar
What it actually is
Agate is SiO₂ before it is a story. The lattice is trigonal, Mohs 6.5–7, and the eye meets many-coloured.
The better pieces still come out of the ground in Idar-Oberstein, Uruguay, Brazil, India, Madagascar. Banded chalcedony, cut at Idar-Oberstein since 1548, when the river stopped being the only craftsman.
What the old tradition whispers
The parlour tradition ties Agate to earth and to the root centre. The old site stood it near: Gemini, Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn, Libra, Scorpio, Aquarius. Old tables sit it beside September.
How not to turn it to ash
Quartz will take lukewarm water and a cloth. Long sun fades amethyst and rose quartz. Perfume is a worse neighbour than dust.