See Scotland’s most stunning stones at new exhibition
Staff Writer |
A new display at the National Museum of Scotland explores the beauty and variety of the nation’s hidden gems.
Article continues below
br>
Sometimes called ‘Scotch pebbles’, agates are semi-precious gemstones famous for their colourful, banded layers, which look particularly striking when cut and polished.
Formed in volcanic rock, they can be found all over the world, but Scottish agates are considered among the most beautiful and diverse.
In its purest form agate has little or no colour, usually grey or white, but because its microscopically fine fibrous crystal structure is porous, it takes on colours from mineralised ground waters circulating though rocks in active volcanic areas.
The result is the distinctive banding (or moss or tree-like structures) and the huge variety of colours separating them from other kinds of chalcedony.
The nature of the formation of agates means that no two will ever be alike and though widely available, there are forms of agate exceedingly rare and quite expensive to acquire.
Used for ornamentation and physical healing amulets dating back to Babylon, their medicinal use continued through Ancient Greek and Egyptian civilizations, spreading throughout Africa and the Middle East and into Russia, the agate has found favour in civilisations across the globe throughout the ages.
Folklore mentions the use of agates as early as the 8th century while astrologers of the Middle Ages wore engraved signet rings as amulets.
During the 1700s it was believed that the stone embodied the power to banish evil spirits and nightmares and to endow their owners with love, strength, courage, security and to provide comfort, dispel anger, help to balance the ego and support fidelity.
Two Scottish collectors are featured in the display; the 19th century scientist, Matthew Forster Heddle and the contemporary collector John McKenzie, Earl of Cromartie.
Scotland’s Agates runs at the National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street, Edinburgh, until Sunday 2 September. Admission is free. ■