Quartz, chalcedony, and agate are related stones. I’m sure you know of quartz, an abundant mineral that comes in many beautiful varieties. Several types of quartz are semi-precious gemstones, including citrine and amethyst. Chalcedony is closely related to quartz, but in addition to quartz it contains another mineral called moganite. When we refer to chalcedony, however, we usually mean stones in lighter colors, especially the angelic looking, milky white variety. Other forms of chalcedony have their own names or are prefaced by a color, such as onyx, carnelian, aventurine, and blue chalcedony.
Agate, too, is a type of chalcedony and is known for its banded appearance. If you ever played marbles as a kid, or had a brother who did, you know that agate marbles are astoundingly beautiful. Looking into them is like peering at a miniature, magical 3-D diorama. The yellow agate in the picture to the left has very subtle white banding as well as an orange brown wave on one side.
A few days ago when I visited a local shop that sells incense, stones, and other goodies, I was immediately drawn to the yellow agate. It rested in a basket with other flat palm stones, and when I picked it up it felt like an old friend in my hand. Three family members were with me, and they each picked out a palm stone from the basket. My 7 year old Snickerdoodle went for the sodalite, as blue is his favorite color, while his 5 year old brother likes green and selected the aventurine. My lovely daughter-in-law chose an agate in her favorite color, orange.
Yellow stones relate to the solar plexus or 3rd chakra of will, balance, mental connection, psychic connection, and personal power. This is the vortex where the emotions are balanced with the mind. It is also our center for the assimilation of food into energy. I believe I am drawn to that yellow stone because at this time in my life I need balance, emotional peace, and true nourishment. Holding it and being calm with it can bring about alchemical changes and, according to metaphysical teacher Diane Stein, can help alleviate depression, strengthen the will, stimulate blood circulation and clear thinking, and open the channels to expanded creativity and positive growth. A yellow stone can refresh and expand ways of thinking and reacting to reality. Yellow agate has immense grounding qualities. It stabilizes emotions and balances the mind. It is meaningful in food assimilation and digestion of both physical food and energetic sustenance. All of these things are apparently needs of mine at this time. Hence, the stone calls to me as a kindred spirit.
How about you? Are colors important in your life? What colors or color of stones are you attracted to? What colors bore or repel you?
Cheers & Happy Reading!
Flossie Benton Rogers, Conjuring the Magic with Paranormal Fantasy Romance
What an intriguing post! I love stones and I love color. When it comes to stones, amethyst and onyx are my favorite, but with colors I gravitate toward blues and greens. White and silver also attract me, with blue and silver being my favorite color combination!
Wow! How interesting. A real lesson in stones. I enjoyed it. I love amethyst, though it’s not my birthstone. Ancient Greeks believed amethyst protected its owner from drunkenness so they made drinking vessels of it. I wonder if it prevented intoxication indeed. I had an amethyst ring but, unfortunately, was stolen from my house. I love most colors. The only one I avoid is black- the mourning color here- though it helps one look slimmer.