Lignite - Black pitch stone

Lignite - Black pitch stone

Brandenburg, Germany

Size approx. 55mm x 30mm x 30mm. Weight approx. 60g.

The lignites in the picture are example pieces.

Lignite or gagaite has developed from ancient peat deposits, which have turned into a black-brown, 50-75 percent carbon-containing rock due to the pressure of the deposits that have accumulated on top. Lignite is lignite, where you can clearly distinguish the structure of wood. It was formed in the Cenozoic period (formerly Tertiary) about 3.6-65 million years ago. Gagaite, on the other hand, is petrified coal or wood. Gagaite may also be formed from black lignite, but in general, gagate is a variant of lignite. Gagaite is black in color and the surface of the stone is shiny. It is used as a jewelry stone and has a hardness of 3.5 on the Mohs scale. It has been used in jewelry since early times and it has been used, among other things, in monks' prayer beads. It is also known as "black amber".

Symbol meaning

The symbolism of lignite is very rich. It is believed to calm anxiety, fear and depression, to stabilize and balance the disorder and chaos of life, and to comfort and guide various grief processes. Lignite has been used as an amulet to protect from evil and ward off negative energies. Some believe that the grounding energy of lignite is very powerful. The low weight and lightness of lignite is considered to reflect the freedom of the soul.