agate; plume agate; condor agate; tube agate containing visible flow channels or pinhole-sized "tubes"; fortification agate with contrasting concentric banding reminiscent of defensive ditches and walls around ancient forts; Binghamite, a variety found only on the Cuyuna iron range (near Crosby) in Crow Wing County, Minnesota; fire agate showing an iridescent, internal flash or "fire," the result of a layer of clear agate over a layer of hydrothermally deposited hematite; Patuxent River stone, a red and yellow form of agate only found in Maryland; and enhydro agate, which contains tiny inclusions of water, sometimes with air bubbles. Agate is a beautiful and versatile gemstone that is often used in jewelry making. It is a type of chalcedony, a mineral in the quartz family, and is known for its colorful, banded patterns and wide range of hues. Here are a few reasons why agate makes amazing jewelry: Durability: Agate is a relatively hard and durable gemstone, which makes it a good choice for jewelry that will be worn frequently or subjected to rough handling. It has a Mohs hardness rating of 6.5-7, which means it is resistant to scratching and chipping. Versatility: Agate comes in a wide range of colors, including shades of red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, and pink, as well as black and white. This makes it a versatile choice for a wide variety of jewelry styles and color schemes. Metaphysical properties: Agate is believed to have grounding and stabilizing properties, and is often used to promote balance, harmony, and calm. It is also said to enhance mental function and increase energy. Affordability: Agate is generally more affordable than other gemstones, which makes it a good choice for those on a budget. Uses Agate is one of the most common materials used in the art of hardstone carving, and has been recovered at a number of ancient sites, indicating its widespread use in the ancient world; for example, archaeological recovery at the Knossos site on Crete illustrates its role in Bronze Age Minoan culture. It has also been used for centuries for leather burnishing tools. The decorative arts use it to make ornaments such as pins, brooches or other types of jewellery, paper knives, inkstands, marbles and seals. Agate is also still used today for decorative displays, cabochons, beads, carvings and Intarsia art as well as face-polished and tumble-polished specimens of varying size and origin. Idar-Oberstein was one