Agate
Symbol: Calm & Balance
Agate is a banded variety of chalcedony that forms in concentric layers inside volcanic rock cavities, as mineral-rich water slowly deposits silica in rings over long periods of time.
Where It Comes From
Brazil and Uruguay are leading sources today. Germany's Idar-Oberstein region was historically one of the world's most important agate-cutting centers.
What Different Peoples Believed
| People | What It Symbolized |
|---|---|
| Ancient Greece | Named after the Achates River in Sicily, where it was first documented. |
| Ancient Mesopotamia | Carved into cylinder seals used to mark ownership and authenticate documents. |
| Medieval Europe | Carved into rosary beads and other religious objects. |
Birth Month
Agate isn't one of the 12 official birthstones and has no widely recognized birth month.