Blue Agate Slab - 5.2 x 5.4 inch

A thick band of near-black navy dominates the outer half of this Blue Agate Slab, so heavy against the pale interior that the stone reads almost as two separate materials meeting at a line. Within that dark surround the layers lighten quickly through slate to a white crystal pocket at the centre, compact and clearly bounded. The back of the piece carries a rough olive rind left unfinished. The cut face is polished to a hard even gloss and the piece stands square on a flat base.

Banded Agate is traditionally associated with balance and harmony, and secondarily with grounding and protection, with darker material long favoured where a settling, weighted presence is wanted. A piece with this much visual contrast holds attention on its own and generally does not need to be grouped with others. It suits a shelf, hearth, or desk in a room where the surrounding tones are light enough for the dark rim to register properly.

Key Properties
Primary Focus: Balance & Harmony
Secondary Focus: Protection & Grounding
Chakra Association: Root, Sacral
Zodiac Sign: Gemini, Virgo
Chinese Zodiac: Tiger, Rooster
Ruling Planet: Mercury
Elements: Earth, Fire
Mohs Hardness: 7
Stone Family: Tectosilicate
Material: Banded Agate
Origin: Brazil
Form: Slice/Slab
Finish: Polished (front face only; back/rind natural, unpolished)
Approximate Size: 133 mm (5.2 inches) H x 147 mm (5.4 inches) W
Approximate Weight: 1677 g
Listing: Single unit

Geological Information
Banded Agate is a chalcedony variety of the quartz family, silicon dioxide at Mohs 7 in the trigonal system, formed by repeated silica deposition within a cavity in host rock. The heavy dark banding at the outer edge of this piece records an early phase in which the entering fluids carried a high load of iron and other trace minerals, staining those first layers deeply before the supply cleaned and later deposition ran pale. The abruptness of the change indicates a genuine shift in the fluid source rather than a gradual dilution. Agate is a banded variety of chalcedony within the quartz family, formed through successive layers of silica deposited within a cavity over time. It is common industry practice for coloured agate to be dyed or otherwise colour-enhanced to achieve vivid, saturated tones. Agate has been worked continuously since antiquity, named after the Achates River in Sicily by the Greek philosopher Theophrastus and used extensively across ancient Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece and Rome. It is recovered from Brazil, India, the USA, Mexico and Germany; this piece is Brazilian.

AuturaSol Standard
Each natural stone is selected for its authenticity, geological integrity, and energetic clarity. Natural variations in colour, structure, inclusions, and surface features are inherent to geological materials and contribute to the individuality of each piece. Any known treatments, enhancements, stabilization, or man-made characteristics are clearly disclosed within the product information where applicable. Every piece is inspected and photographed to reflect its true character; however, lighting conditions, screen settings, and natural variation may cause slight differences in appearance. If you have any questions about a piece before completing your purchase, we're always here to help. Where authenticity meets beauty, we tell you exactly what you're holding.