agate

Agate is a variety of the mineral chalcedony (a type of quartz), specifically one with bands or stripes or other markings. It is often considered a gemstone.

It can occur in a wide variety of colors, including white, yellow, red, and black.

The key quality of agate is its banding, which is crystal that has formed in the rock.

Agate is considered a semiprecious stone, which is a label assigned to some stones that have a lesser value than those considered precious.

When used in jewelry, agate is often cut into a shape called a cabochon, which is polished but not cut into facets. When loose (not set in jewelry), they are often sold in the form of a geode or slab.

Several forms of chalcedony are considered agates if they contain banding, including the gemstones onyx and sardonyx. Specific kinds of agate are named for their colors and patterns. For example, moss agate features a green pattern that resembles moss.

Agate is one of the traditional birthstones for the months of May and June. It is associated with the zodiac sign Gemini.

Example: I bought a beautiful yellow agate geode at the rock and crystal shop.

The first records of the word agate come from the 1100s. It comes from French, from the Latin achātēs, from the Greek akhatēs.

Agate is a variety of chalcedony with the same physical qualities as fine-grained silica quartz. Its bands are formed when silica-rich water fills empty spaces within the rock. The silica then forms crystals and gradually fills the space from the outside inward. The different colors are the result of various impurities in the water.

What are some other forms related to agate?

• agatelike (adjective)
• agatoid (adjective)

What are some words that share a root or word element with agate? 

• agatize

What are some words that often get used in discussing agate?

• chalcedony
• quartz
• banded
• gemstone
• gem
• mineral
• stone
• semiprecious
• geode

Agate is used in jewelry but is also collected as a mineral, including among crystal collectors.

Bought a couple more nice polished Agate slabs to add to my collection 😍😁 pic.twitter.com/MKuRce1Rnh

— 𝓜𝓪𝓻𝓴 💎😀 (@mbcrystal1) March 7, 2020

can't stop thinking about agate geodes making faces pic.twitter.com/HJ7ALTIfy5

— Allergic to my own Swag (@coherentstates) January 27, 2021

Did you know we can set your own stone? Trina got this Agate cabochon in Florida and brought it to the Gresham Farmers Market to have Alan turn it into a ring for her 👍 pic.twitter.com/eslfFmSg1s

— Sandy River Jewelry (@SandyRiverJewel) May 17, 2021

True or False? 

The bands in agate are formed from crystals.