Agate is a variety of quartz. The agate family is part of the greater chalcedony family, which is a sub family of quartz. In the agate family we find onyx, chalcedony, carnelian, sardonyx and all kinds of agates, such as moss, fossil, snakeskin agate and many others. It comes from Brazil, India, Madagascar, and Uruguay. Its name comes from the Greek akhatês, referring to a river in Sicily where it was found in great numbers. Egyptians, Greeks and Romans used amber to make beautiful pieces, such as scarabs, cameos and various jewels. Romans used dendritic agate to encourage abundant harvests, Greeks used it to help fight dehydration, later, and Muslims mixed agate powder with apple juice to heal mental illnesses and delirium. It is a highly spiritual stone. It will shed light on the mysteries of the Earth, and on our own nature. According to its colour and composition, different uses can be beneficial in lithotherapy.