AGATE LOVE

My latest design crush is agate.  The last few years have seen agate slowly creep into designer's consciousness. Agate is one of nature's many wonders, and with their natural gemstone quality, agate items offer a more glamorous and luxurious look in interior design. 

Agate is a semi-precious gemstone that can be found in a variety of colors, patterns and concentric bands. Agates naturally develop when an empty pocket inside a host rock fills in molecule-by-molecule, layer-by-layer as these microcrystals self organize to form concentric bands or other patterns. The colors and arrangement of the microcrystals are influenced by changes in pressure, temperature, and mineral content that occur during the formation process. Unlike other gemstones, each agate is unique. Even slabs cut from the same specimen will vary in color and design.

These minerals can help foster an eclectic look and can even make a sparkly statement in your decor.  Minerals, like agate have not only taken center stage in today's design world, they have inspired a range of products, from wallpaper to tiles to artwork and coasters; the possibilities are endless.

The vivid colors of this stone match with its innate energy patterns that is said to protect and induce positivity at the same time. With more interest in feng shui, vastu and naturalistic design, it is no surprise that agate is high on every designer's list this year.