The youngest and rarest agate

Blue lace agate is a variety of Chalcedony and a member of the Quartz family. When talked about in scientific circles, blue lace agate is a classified as a microcrystalline Quartz. However, blue lace agate has not been talked about for long periods of times. It is a bit of a newcomer to the world of semi-precious gemstones.

Agate has been around for billions of years, but the discovery of blue lace agate was much more recent. It was discovered by an American prospector named George Swanson almost fifty years ago in the southwestern part of Africa. Swanson first collected blue lace agate on his farm in the country of Nambia, right on the border of South Africa.

Swanson remarked on the brilliant look of the stone and referred to it as the ‘Gem of Ecology.’ He did so because the blue and white colors swirling throughout it reminded him of the earth and clouds. Swanson than took advantage of this discovery and began to mine and market blue lace agate.

Some of our blue lace agate selections

A little bit later on in 1974, a contingent of prominent ecologists gathered in Los Angeles and declared blue lace agate a symbol of world ecology. One of the main reasons behind this was because blue lace agate was very similar to the way the earth looked when photographed from space.

Almost a half-century after Swanson made this unexpected discovery, his original mine in southern Africa remains the world’s only source of blue lace agate.

But you won’t need to take a trip to southern Africa to get your hands on your very own blue lace agate. Brightlings Beads offers a variety of beautiful blue lace agate.

Since blue lace agate is a relatively new gemstone, it does not have much of the folklore and legend that comes with other kinds of agate. However, blue lace agate is believed by many to have calming and soothing effects. And because it is a variety of Quartz it is believed to have healing powers.

Quartz is basically a crystal that naturally forms within the earth. When crystals are rubbed they give off electrical currents. Coincidentally, crystals have been used in the invention of lasers, telephones, radios and even computers.

Because Quartz can naturally vibrate, many believe there are healing powers within its crystals. The same applies to the blue lace agate as many believe it can be used to as a stress reliever. It has also grown to symbolize peace and happiness.

But the legend of blue lace agate has only just begun. As generations pass, there is likely to be more stories shared about this stone.

And with more stories, a legend will grow and the rarest form of all the agates will carve out its place in future generations.