Man has been using agate for the longest time as jewelry. The antiquity of this gemstone was highly valued back in the day. Agate is among the first gemstones that were recorded in ancient documents. Around 3,500 years ago, Egyptians fetched this impressive stone from the Achates River. It was found on Sicily Island in the Mediterranean. You will discover ancient Egyptian royalty tombs with agate jewelry and ornaments.
Archaeological digs discovered agate carvings on Crete Island in Greece, just a few kilometers. These carvings were believed to be from the Bronze age. In Germany, locals have been polishing and cutting mined agates for more than 500 years. Documents indicate that agate mining has been going on in the country for about 3000 years. It is where high-quality dyed agates were first seen.
Even though dying was still doing rounds, it did not live up to the standards set in Idar-Oberstein in Germany. As the locals exhausted the existing agate mining fields in Germany, the German immigrants in Brazil discovered resources and fields where they could mine white agate. The stone was sent to Germany for enhancement since it was already a profitable industry. Agate remains a popular gemstone for modern-day lapidaries, especially the orange agate.
Orange Agate Geological Properties
They are a variety of microcrystalline quartz. Agates generally have inclusions of tiny crystalline inclusions that give them a striped pattern.
| Category | Chalcedony variety |
| Formula (repeating unit) | SiO2 silicon dioxide |
| Crystal system | Rhombohedral (microcrystalline) |
| Crystal habit | Cryptocrystalline silica |
| Fracture | Conchoidal with very sharp edges |
| Mohs scale hardness | 6.5–7 |
| Luster | Waxy |
| Streak | White |
| Diaphaneity | Translucent |
| Specific gravity | 2.58–2.64 |
| Refractive index | 1.530–1.540 |
| Birefringence | up to +0.004 (B-G) |
Minerals in agate form layers resembling tree rings or snail shells called pinnules. Agates can also be classified as pseudomorphs: after an existing mineral such as quartz or feldspars.
The most common colors for agate are black, brown, yellow, green, and red. Agates can have variations in shades ranging from white to orange-brown to chocolate brown with dark spots of light to dark brown color on the surface of the stones.
Agates are formed by laterally accreted sedimentary material progressively buried into volcanic magma – often rhyolite. Agates are porous and have a high-water content, making them easy to dye. These agate deposits are formed when there was an eruption and the acidic magma dissolved the surrounding rock leaving behind agate-bearing chert.
Orange Agate Types
Orange Moss Agate
Moss agate is also called mocha stone and is known for the greenish filaments on its surface. The green filaments look like some vegetation or moss is growing on the stone’s surface. Many people have used moss agate for personal ornamentation, like other gemstones. There are ancient cultures that see this gemstone as a healing stone. To some British cultures, the stone was considered good luck. Because of the inclusions resembling ferns or moss, many people see this stone as a stone of agriculture mainly used by farmers and gardeners.
Its metaphysical properties help those people with intense aggression. It is regarded as a stone of emotional balance and tranquility. It helps balance female and male energies at any point they become extreme. The stone has a calming vibe that brings humans closer to nature. It will also help you foster new relationships.
Orange Lace Agate
Many also know it as Mexican Agate. This gemstone is relatively young when compared to other existing minerals. The stone is exclusively found in Northern Mexico in Chihuahua and is famous for its potent healing energies. Like other silica and agate rocks, orange lace agate is a general healing stone.
Some refer to it as a “happy lace” or “laughter stone.” Orange lace agate is a protecting and balancing stone that will help absorb emotional pain and bring joy.
The stone is technically a banded chalcedony infused with aluminum and iron. Orange lace also has a complex pattern and is brightly colored. That is why you will discover the golds, greys, blacks, and browns on this stone.
Orange Botswana Agate
You will come across this stone in the market being called Banded Agate. Orange Botswana agate is native to Botswana and occurs with impressive bandings of grey, black, white, or blue. It is superior to other agates just because of the perfect bandings on its surface. The stone is also limited in supply which makes it even more valuable.
This stone has high vibrational effects and resonates well with crown and third eye chakras. Orange Botswana agate will open your mind and offer you an opportunity to gain knowledge. Use this stone with Angelite, as it will help you boost your consciousness and more understanding of different perspectives in life.
Orange Dendritic Agate
It is a chalcedony found in the agate family and occurs with a milky body tone. These stones can also be opaque or translucent in appearance. The milky base on the gemstone’s surface creates a stunning contrast between black and dark brown inclusions.
Just as their name suggests, these stones bear dendrites as inclusions. Dendrites as a perfect blend of iron oxide or manganese minerals trapped in the rock during the formation process. If a white agate occurs with black dendrites, you will see a scene resembling snow that is blanketing tree branches.
On a Mohs scale, this gemstone will have a hardness of about 6.5 to 7, making it durable enough for daily wear as jewelry.
Orange Montana Agate
It is an impressive chalcedony that occurs in the Yellowstone River. This gemstone was formed in the Pleistocene period and spreads over a wide area. It covers millions of square miles. Some people call it Yellowstone Agate because of where it was first discovered. However, its origin is in the Yellowstone Park area. Several years ago, the incredible volcanic activity that happened here generated conditions crucial for the formation of this agate years ago. Many people fancy this stone because of its lusty healing eminence. It has emotional mending properties that can help you see truth and light in most situations.
Orange Plume Agate
Plume agate is rare and features alluring plumes that look like feathers. You can easily distinguish it from other agates because of the feathery patterns. The stone is chalcedony, with these patterns naturally glued to its translucent body. Many people love this stone because of its unique and colorful swirls.
There are few places on earth where you can find this gemstone which explains its rarity. Some places include Agoura Hills in Los Angeles, Hatchet Mountains in New Mexico, and Agua Fria River in Arizona.
Orange Enhydro Agate
Enhydro agates are geodes or nodules with water inside them. These stones are made of chalcedony but are closely related to fluid inclusions. Most of these gemstones occur in volcanic rocks. Enhydro agates have a hollow center and partially contain water. They can also have petroleum or debris in them.
They could vary in size, with the largest enhydro agate having a diameter of around 63 cm and weighing 310 kg. This deposit was found in China.
Orange Fortification Agate
Fortification agate is a name given to gemstones whose bands appear at sharp angles. This name came from stones that had shapes resembling lines of a particular fortress. As you may know, fortification is a reinforcement built to protect yourself against an attack like the Great Wall of China. Most of these fortification agates will bear bands that appear like a fortress. Keep in mind that crazy lace and blue lace are types of this gemstone.
Orange Fairburn Agate
This gemstone occurs in the Northwestern Nebraska and Southwestern South Dakota agate beds. Orange Fairburn agate is also South Dakota’s state gemstone. The rock can be distinguished from other agate stones thanks to its colors and band shapes.
Like other agates, this gemstone bears cryptocrystalline chalcedony layers that receive its colors from diverse trace minerals. Fortification banding makes this gemstone different from other agates. Fortification banding is where its concentric layers bear sharp directional changes causing the bands to create angles that are not seen in other agates.
The colors on the stone’s bands are because of the trace minerals included in the rock. These may be goethite, hematite, iron oxide, magnetite, and other minerals. When these materials mix with silica during the crystallization process, they produce the diverse colors of cryptocrystalline quartz. Interested individuals collect Fairburn for lapidary or jewelry works and geologists. Annual conventions are organized in Nebraska, where collectors can socialize and exchange rocks. Attend these conventions to find the missing half of your Fairburn.
Coyamito Agate
This gemstone is found in several deposits in the Rancho Coyamito ranch in Chihuahua, Mexico. Rancho ranch sprawls across 23,000 acres of land, orchestrating several small mines. The coyamito agates could be somewhere between 38 million years old. It has been mined since 1945, though significant mining occurred in the 2000s.
Coyamito deposits occur with more pseudomorphs than other agates, mainly in small deposits. Coyamito is famous for the yellows, pinks, brilliant reds, and oranges. This agate is slightly translucent, bears inclusions or bands, and may have a variety of textures and colors.
Sagenite Agate
It is a gemstone with needle-like or acicular mineral growths intersecting like a grid. The stone bears hair-like filaments arranged in sunbursts. Its deposits can be found all over the world where other agates occur. Sagenite agate occurs in veins or nodules. The stone gets impressive inclusions to form from needle-shaped gypsum, aragonite, zeolites, antimonite, and goethite.
The Sagenite agate occurring in Mongolia is known as Chopstick Agate. In the metaphysical world, agate enhances energy and memory. It stabilizes and strengthens your mind.
Orange Condor Agate
This gemstone was discovered back in 1993 by Luis de Santos. It occurred near San Rafael, Argentina, in the mountains. Condor agate bears stunning and colorful patterns and bands, making it a famous stone among jewelry designers and collectors.
During the early years of discovery, you would easily rake up 1 ton of the stone in one month. Today, you have to excavate to get to the agates. Back then, they would scatter all over the surface, and harvesting would be accessible in massive quantities. Due to continued depletion, collectors must collect the stones from shallow diggings in Mendoza, Argentina.
Healing Properties and Benefits
Agate stones are known to be healing stones. These gemstones will heal every aspect of human life, whether emotional, physical or spiritual. Keep in mind that all agates have some similar trains in terms of healing. They are grounding and stabilizing and will prepare you to receive what the universe throws at you.
Emotional Healing Properties
Orange agate will quickly boost your self-confidence. It is ideal for people struggling with decision-making. This agate will help tap into your intuition and give you a sense of direction that will get you answers from the inner you rather than from external sources.
Agates are crystals of courage and strength that enhance our mental functions. The stones will help you remain clear at heart and sharp at mind. Agate will also help you see the reality of things, giving you balanced thinking. These traits are helpful, giving individuals a sense of grounding and making them feel safe. If you are ready to embrace your truth and let go of trauma, make sure you secure the orange agate.
Physical Healing Properties
As mentioned earlier, agates are grounding rocks. They will offer you physical, emotional, and intellectual balance. The stones are fantastic for stabilizing physical energy. Orange agate will help heal the stomach, eyes, and uterus. It will also cleanse your pancreas and lymphatic system. Orange agate also heals skin disorders and strengthens the blood vessels.
Agate enlightens us that sexuality is natural and appreciation of life by the senses. Orange agate helps reprogram the cellular memory after flesh or spirit mortification in the present or previous life. Orange agate will help with the perception of hidden circumstances and self-analysis. That means it will help bring attention to anything that interferes with your health.
Agate is known to relax the muscles and nerves and boost the natural regenerative ability of your body. The gemstone helps prevent any issues that could alter blood circulation and enhance your immunity. Anyone that quickly falls sick should make good use of this stone.
Spiritual Healing Properties
Orange agate links into awareness of life and collective consciousness. The gemstone will help encourage assimilation of life experiences and quiet contemplation, giving you inner stability and spiritual growth. Agate will transform and eliminate all the negative energies, stabilizing your aura.
The gemstone has a powerful cleansing effect that cleanses at physical, spiritual, and emotional levels. Agate will also protect you from dangers. These may include averting storms and lightning, opening you to receive unexpected favors, and giving you victory in most of your endeavors.
Agate is used in sacred rituals as it is believed to turn your enemies’ words against themselves. The stone is ideal, especially when you need a sudden burst of energy. You could use the crystal to protect yourself against troublesome spirits or black magic.
Orange agate is known to support spiritualization encouraging a contemplative and calm view of life. The stone also encourages an in-depth understanding of life experiences leading to inner stability and maturity growth.
Orange Agate and Chakra
Orange agate resonates well with the Solar Plexus Chakra. It is the third chakra in the primary lineage, is found under the breastbone, and is responsible for your ego and personal power. The stone will help you stand firmly on issues as it offers you tranquility by wiping away darkness. If your solar plexus chakra is blocked, you might struggle to find confidence in yourself.
The gemstone also enhances your sacral chakra. This chakra is where your creativity, intimacy, and passion are. It is found close to the pubic bone and where the well of joy lies. If this chakra is blocked, you will feel lost, overwhelmed, and lose control in life. That will often lead to detachment and emotional drainage. However, thanks to the orange agate, both chakras will align and play their part in your life.
Zodiac Connection
Orange agate is initially not a birthstone, even though some agates are natural birthstones. Agates are stones for the zodiac Gemini, the sign that ushers in the summer. Geminis are typical inventors and are symbolized by twins standing beside each other. This sign is associated with Mercury. Mercury embodies travel and communication.
Geminis are flexible and will see two sides to any issue. They are talkative, lively, and very friendly. These are the individuals that bring life to a party. Without them at a party, you would not call it a party. However, the issue is that these individuals can be nervous, restless, and unstable. That is where agates come in. The stone will help ground them and return them to an ideal spiritual, mental and emotional state.
How to Care for Orange agates
Cleaning agates are not as complicated. Use a soft brush and warm soapy water to clean. As you clean, remember agate is quartz and may not be as durable as diamond. Avoid using harder materials when cleaning or scrubbing as you will damage them. Do not use household chemicals while cleaning the gemstone or its jewelry pieces.
You should also avoid exposure to high heat levels as you may damage the stone permanently. During storage, wrap the stone in a soft cloth or store it in a fabric-lined box. Also, please keep it away from other jewelry and gemstones to avoid scratching from harder stones.
