Gemstone Series --- Blue Lace Agate

Gemstone: Blue Lace Agate Birthstone Month: Agate is the birthstone for the month of May. Zodiac: Agate is associated with the zodiac sign Gemini. Chemical Make-up: Agate is a Silicon Dioxide and is a variety of Chalcedony, which is a member of the Quartz family. It is scientifically classified as a cryptocystalline or a microcrystalline Quartz. History & Lore: The name Agate is believed to derive from the Greek word given to a stone that was found thousands of years ago in the Achates River in Southwestern Sicily, now known as Dirillo River. Blue Lace Agate has also been coined the name “Gem of Ecology” because of its blue and white coloration and banding. Blue Lace Agate was discovered on Ysterputs Farm in Namibia by man named George Swanson. He had come across the stone on his farm and coined the term “Gem of Ecology” because of its swirling blues and whites that resembled soft clouds in the blue sky. It is believed that the best Blue Lace Agate still comes from the area in the vicinity of Ysterputs Farm. Blue Lace Agate is a calm, tranquil stone that can help to lessen anger, uneasiness, and nervousness. It is also considered a strong stone for communication. It can bring confidence when speaking in public and ease communication during difficult times. It is also believed to cure nervous speech habits and patterns.

Spiritually it can assist in flight, grace, reaching higher spiritual planes, and can be used to activate the throat chakra. Blue Lace Agate is also believed to bring stronger inspiration, intuition, and inner knowledge. Physically Blue Lace Agate is believed to aid illnesses such as arthritis, growth and bone pains, headaches, and digestive disorders. Availability: Currently supply meets demand. In general, prices for Agate tend to be quite modest with the majority of the price being for the fashioning of the stone rather then the stone itself. Sources: Today's main sources of Blue Lace Agate are Namibia and South Africa. Evaluation: Blue Lace Agate is rated at 6.5 to 7 on Moh's Scale of Hardness. Blue Lace stones are a light blue in color with delicate white stripes, and are often referred as light clouds in the sky.