AGATES (AQEEQ)

What is Agate (Aqeeq)

Agate is a micro crystalline form of Quartz mostly made out of Chalcedony a type of micro crystalline Quartz.

It is formed inside hollow pockets where Agates self-organize to fill in those hollow pockets. Agate should be Chalcedony and self-organized structure.

They are normally formed in volcanic and metamorphic rocks. Agates have a very rich history that goes back to ancient Greek.

It got its name from a Greek philosopher, Theophrastus. Who discovered the stone along the Shore of Achates River (Dirillo River) situated at Ragusa Province, Sicily, Italy between 3^rd to 4^th centuries.

Agate is a French word it’s Achates in Latin, Akhates in Greek and Aqeeq in Arabic. This stone is very valued in Islam because it is said the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) had Yemeni Aqeeq ring on his right hand set in silver. They say that it was of dark reddish brown color.

Agates are translucent due to micro crystalline form. Experts say there are almost 3000 types of agates around the world.

Agates can be found in single color but mostly they are found with lines, bands, circles even art like beautiful textures and patterns that make Agates look so mesmerizing.

Agates are found almost all around the world and are semi-precious stones. They take their place at 6.5 – 7 out of 10 at Mohs Hardness Scale.

Often people mistake Agate with Carnelian, though they are different but from the same family. Likewise Jasper & Onyx are also from the same family as Agate.

Agates are very modest when it comes to the price range. It is not the material rather the design or colors that form unique and beautiful patterns are valued and priced high.

Even the origin with some strong history like stated before Yemeni Agate is valued a lot in Islam because of Holy Prophet (SAW). Though Yemeni Agates come in many colors and patterns but that rich reddish brown color is valued a lot.

If you ask otherwise, most people state that Ellensburg Blue or E-Blue Agate is very rare.

Types of Agate (Aqeeq)

Yemeni Agate (Aqeeq)

Yemen is located in south west Asia between Oman and Saudi Arabia. Yemeni Agates (Aqeeq) are being traded around the world from ancient times and are valued a lot.

They say it is stated in Aristotle’s writing 384 – 322 BC that the best quality Onyx and Agates are found in Yemen.

Yemeni Agates are found in many colors Red Agate (Aqeeq) is called Al- Rumani, Brown Agate (Aqeeq) is called Al-Tamri, Yellow Agate (Aqeeq) is called Al-Rutbi, Black, Blue, White and even with different patterns called Suleimani Agate (Aqeeq).

But the most valued among these is the brown or dark reddish one due to Sunnah.

Ellensburg Blue Agate (Aqeeq)

It is said that Ellensburg Blue or E-blue Agate (Aqeeq) is the third rarest gemstone in the world. It has such a beautiful blue color which is valued a lot. It also comes in purplish color as well.

They are said to be found at Kittitas County and were used for very short period of time. These Agate (Aqeeq) are so rare now but yet gem hunters go for its hunt especially to Rock n Tomahawk Ranch which is a private property.

Formation of this beautiful Agate (Aqeeq) dates back to millions of years. It was valued too much in Native Americans that only chiefs were allowed to wear it. 

Blue Lace Agate (Aqeeq)

Blue Lace Agate (Aqeeq) has beautiful bands of blue and white with such soothing color that it looks very beautiful because of sky-blue and white lines.

Many healing therapies and yoga include this Agate (Aqeeq), on this believe that it brings peace to your mind.

They were found mainly in Africa and very small amount was found in China, America and Brazil but it is found in Africa.

Fire Agate (Aqeeq)

Fire Agate (Aqeeq) is a very beautiful form of Agate (Aqeeq) with rainbow colors display because of Iron Oxide and Silica.

It is 26-36 million years old and caused by volcanic activities which caused it when hot water saturated with iron oxide and silica that filled in the hollow gaps of surrounding rocks.

They are found in Mexico and United States, New Mexico, Arizona and California.

Moss Agate (Aqeeq)

Moss Agate (Aqeeq) is a beautiful stone it looks like it’s filled with green colored moss. Formed due to the presence of silicon dioxide.

As the name suggests moss, some people believe that it has some organic matter in it but that’s not true. It is formed through same volcanic rocks.

The moss is because of impurities inside it such as Chrome and Iron.

It is present in many locations and colors due to oxidite state. Moss Agate (Aqeeq) are found in Yellowstone River, Sydney and Montana.

Iris Agate (Aqeeq)

Iris Agate (Aqeeq) is a beautiful stone which also shows many colors like Fire Agate (Aqeeq) those of Rainbow.

If when properly cut and placed in right position show such beautiful hues when light passes through its bands.

It is made up of silicon dioxide. It is found in America.

Crazy Lace Agate (Aqeeq)

Crazy Lace Agate (Aqeeq) it is also a banded form of Chalcedony. Its dominant color is white or you can call it the base color.

It has layers of different colors on it like Beige, Brown, Black, Gray, Yellow, Gold, Scarlet and even Red. When you look at it with layers of such colors it looks so beautiful.

It is said to be 65 – 90 million years old formed when Chalcedony was infused with Iron and Aluminum.

It is found in Chihuahua in Northern Mexico.

Lake Superior Agate (Aqeeq)

Lake Superior Agate (Aqeeq) has a beautiful Red and White color stone. Red color is due to presence of Iron in it.

As the name gives the idea that this Agate (Aqeeq) is found at the shores of Lake Superior of Minnesota. It was formed during lava eruption that happened billion year ago and it scattered in large amount in many regions of Minnesota through glacial movement.

It is richly found in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan.

Dendritic Agate (Aqeeq)

Dendritic Agate (Aqeeq) is one of the beautiful Agate (Aqeeq) out there due to its appearance it is of white or grayish color.

This agate can easily be spotted because of brown or black tree or fern like dendrites (Tree Like) present inside it. That looks like someone drew it inside it.

Those appearances are because of Iron or Manganese inside it. Dendritic Agate (Aqeeq) are found in many places like Brazil, China, America, India, Mongolia, Madagascar, Kazakhstan and Namibia.

 

Thunder-Egg Agate (Aqeeq)

Thunder-Egg Agate (Aqeeq) are said to have agate nodules inside the rock. Though they all look similar from outside but cut from the center one finds unique colors and patterns like some scenery.

Every Thunder-Egg Agate (Aqeeq) is different from the other. They are found in the layers of Rhyolite Lava Stones, spread all over in billions of years. Experts say that they are 60 million years old look before the humans walked the earth.

Thunder-Egg Agates (Aqeeq) can be found in sizes ranging from few inches to feet, mostly found in the size of a baseball.

They are abundantly found in various parts of Western America but, Jefferson County in Central Oregon or Richardson’s Ranch near Madras is the best place to acquire them.

Polyhedroid Agate (Aqeeq)

Polyhedroid Agate (Aqeeq) is a beautiful geometric formation of Agate (Aqeeq) which shows shaped instead of lines or other patterns.

It is said to contain nodules of Agate (Aqeeq) with crystals of Barite or Calcite which make it look like Triangular or Trapezoidal shaped formation. Its real colors come out when polished.

It is found in Paraiba, Brazil.

There is a huge list of Agate (Aqeeq) which will go on and on and they are one of very beautiful stones called the “Art of Nature” because of unique shaped, Patterns, Tree formations and Sceneries like textures present on its surface in unique colors.