The volcanic activity that produced these lovely stones dates back nearly 187 million years ago. Some collectors consider them royalty among Agates. Botswana Agate and Gray Botswana Agate are sometimes called the "Change Stone", because of its mystical property of helping one handle change in a positive way. It is known to gently help one make transitions of any kind in a way that change is not as difficult or painful as could be without it; it is a comforting stone. Carrying a bit of Botswana agate in your pocket is said to help one cope easily with the minor changes that life throws at us daily. Historically it was placed in water for cooking or drinking to dispel sickness. Named for the area in Africa where it is mined, Botswana.