This is a red agate magical protective amulet. In ancient times, agate was highly valued as a talisman or amulet, said to quench thirst and ward off fever. Agates are among the oldest lucky healing stones. Basically, agate helps the wearer distinguish true friends from false ones. Agate is said to enhance receptivity in humans and to stimulate analytical abilities, as well as to bring balance to a person's physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual states. Agate is also said to reduce hostility and promote goodwill. Agate is believed to help discover the truth, accept circumstances, and heal emotions. According to legend, agate improves memory and concentration, increases endurance and stimulates honesty. It is believed to prevent insomnia and ensure pleasant dreams, increase courage and protect against danger. Agate has a calming effect, improves perceptions, concentration and helps develop and increase analytical abilities. There are also legends that Persian sorcerers used agate to ward off storms. The famous collection of three thousand agate bowls amassed by Mithridates, king of Pontus, shows the enthusiasm with which agate was regarded in the past. Collecting agate bowls also became popular among European aristocrats during the Renaissance, and many museums in Europe, including the Louvre, hold impressive examples. Each agate is formed by filling a cavity in the host rock. As a result, agate is often found in the form of a rounded nodule, with concentric bands resembling the circles of a tree trunk. Sometimes the stripes resemble eyes, other times whimsical seashells or even a landscape of dendritic trees. Agate mining in Germany's Nae River Valley, documented as early as 1497, gave rise to the Idar-Oberstein grinding center. Originally, the river was used to drive grinding wheels. When the agate deposits of the Nae River ran out in the 19th century, Idar cutters began to develop the agate deposits of Brazil, which stimulated the exploration and discovery of Brazil's rich deposits of amethyst, citrine, tourmaline, topaz and other precious stones.