# Agate > [!material-gem] Material Details > | | | > |---|---| > | **Aliases/Varieties** | Blue Lace Agate. Crazy Lace Agate. Moss Agate. Dendritic Agate. Polyhedroid Agate. Sunset Agate. Fire Agate. Laguna Agate. | > | **Category** | Gemstone | > | **Color(s)** | Often banded; varied colors, usually white, orange, red, and brown | > | **Cost** | —— | > | **Environment/Habitat** | —— | > | **Profession(s)** | [[Alchemist]], [[Jewelcrafter]], [[Tinkerer]] | > | **Qualities** | - Alchemical<br>- Healing<br>- Ornamental<br>- Protective | > | **Rarity** | —— | > | **Size** | —— | > | **Weight** | —— | > [!material-gem] Specifications > | | | > |---|---| > | **Crystal System** | Rhombohedral | > | **Formations** | Nodules within volcanic rocks | > | **Formula** | SiO2 | > | **Hardness** | 6.5–7.0 (Mohs) | > | **Mineral Class** | Silicate mineral | > | **Primary Components** | chalcedony, quartz | > | **Refractive Index** | —— | --- ## Description A common semiprecious mineral, prized for its ornamental value. It brings wealth, health, and longevity, keeps souls safe from harm, and helps finding treasures. ### Physical Description While not very valuable, agates are favorites of healers and artisans. They can take many forms, depending on inclusions of other minerals. The most popular version is a mixture of quartz and chalcedony, set in characteristic bands visible in a cross-section. Inclusions of oxidized ferro-hornblende result in moss agates with a greenish color and moss-like pattern, while additions of manganese and iron oxides create fern-like patterns in dendritic agates. Other variations exist, varying in colors, patterns of layering, and sheen. --- ## Occurrence Formed as nodules within the cavities of volcanic rocks, agates are created when layers of silica-rich fluids from the volcanic material build up inside an air bubble. This slow build-up of quartz and chalcedony layers causes the characteristic bands of agate and their equally recognizable holes in the middle—occuring when the process of filling in the cavity is not yet complete. ### Extraction & Preparation Usually stronger than the rocks that surround them, agates are usually found detached from their eroding rocks, often in streams and rivers. To alter or strengthen their coloration, which increases their ornamental value, agates are treated with chemical and mineral dyes, readily accepted due to agate's high porosity. --- ## Properties ### Decorative Properties Agate is one of the most popular materials in hardstone carving; its multiple varieties find use as beads, brooches, pins, seals, paper knives, drinking horns, earrings, cameos, or inkstands. It gains a vitreous luster when polished. ### Industrial Properties Like other quartzes, agate is highly resistant to weathering and chemicals, and retains its polished surface for a long time. It is used for creating small weights for precise measurements and production of leather burnishing tools. Mortars and pestles made of agate are said to bestow additional healing properties upon the ground herbs. ### Magical Properties Agates are used primarily for magical healing: to extract poisons from the body, heal bites of venomous creatures, relieve insomnia, restore emotional and hormonal balance, reduce fever, and prolong life. Boiling agates in water bestows the arcane healing properties to the liquid. Agate is a transformative stone, changing dark and toxic compounds or emotions into pure and healthy ones. It eases the hold of destructive habits and thought patterns, enhancing self-esteem and assertiveness. Carried or worn as jewelry, agates protect both bodies and souls; they repel demons and thieves of any kind, including emotional vampires. In funeral rites, they keep the soul safe on the journey beyond the veil. Red agate carries a strong connection to one's ancestors and helps in summoning their spirits or asking for guidance. The stones have an affinity for other gems; they always seem to inexplicably travel towards treasures. Attached to a string and cast into water, they lead the diver towards pearl-bearing mollusks.