In your best Marilyn Monroe, sing it with me, “Diamonds are a girl’s best friend”. And who would have guessed that the mother lode was 1 state away. Well, not really the mother lode but Arkansas is host to the only diamond-producing site in the world that’s open to the public. So grab your shovel we’re going to the Crater of Diamonds State Park in southwest Arkansas and prospect for white, yellow and brown diamonds. The great thing is that, unlike most state parks where collecting the “rocks” is frowned upon, here they actually let you keep what you find.
Now we’re not talking diamonds of the highest quality when it comes to the four Cs (cut, color, clarity, and carat) but it still sounds like a hoot and I bet they have one helluva gift shop.
Now let’s see what happens when I add a diamond bead to my necklace. First of all, I didn’t even know that you could get diamond beads but I was able to find some raw diamond beads in yours and my favorite store, how fun is that. As a symbol of purity, the diamond is said to help bring love and clarity into our relationships. (Anyone still wonder why a traditional engagement ring is a diamond.) To the brilliant woman who originally started that rumor, the women of the world salute you. The diamond also represents commitment, fidelity, and trust.
The diamond is believed to stimulate creativity, inventiveness, imagination and ingenuity. Sing it John - “Lucy in the Skies with Diamonds”, okay, different diamond. It’s also known to treat dizziness and vertigo, and fight severe depression. But I think that’s only the really big rocks. So the next time your husband accuses you of being “a dizzy broad” you can tell him what he can get you to solve the problem. He might not “go to Jared’s” but it will certainly cure him of making these wild accusations.
Arkansas designated the diamond as the official state gem in 1967. (Interestingly enough, that was the same year that “Lucy in the Skies with Diamonds” was released by the Beatles, ponder that one a little.) At the same time, quartz crystal was recognized as the state mineral. So just for fun, we’ll include a quartz crystal to the necklace to add balance and positive energy.
A Gem of a Country
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Saturday, February 26, 2011
South Dakota - FAIRBURN AGATE
If you followed my 50Plus2in52 blog, you’ll know that the Fairburn Agate is the culprit behind this blog concept. And I have my work cut out for me to best the Fairburn sunset behind Mount Rushmore on that map.
The Fairburn Agate is distinguished by its sunset color bands in patterns that appear to suggest that an artist’s paintbrush was used during its creation. Although these banded agates can be found in other areas of the states, the “mother lode” has been found near Fairburn, South Dakota in the southern Black Hills area. The search for a perfect specimen of this striated agate brings amateur and professional “rock hounds” from all over the globe to the badlands. Interestingly enough, that’s one of the reasons that Fairburn enthusiasts lobbied to make the Fairburn Agate the state gemstone of South Dakota, hoping that it would bring the treasure hunting tourists to the area.
The Fairburn Agate, like most other agates can be used to ease stress and anxiety and since it’s a mellow stone can be helpful to heal and improve relationships.
When I add the Fairburn Agate to my necklace, as well as easing stress, it will reduce tooth and stomach issues and help cure insomnia.
The Fairburn agate was nominated as South Dakota's state gemstone on February 11, 1966.
The Fairburn Agate is distinguished by its sunset color bands in patterns that appear to suggest that an artist’s paintbrush was used during its creation. Although these banded agates can be found in other areas of the states, the “mother lode” has been found near Fairburn, South Dakota in the southern Black Hills area. The search for a perfect specimen of this striated agate brings amateur and professional “rock hounds” from all over the globe to the badlands. Interestingly enough, that’s one of the reasons that Fairburn enthusiasts lobbied to make the Fairburn Agate the state gemstone of South Dakota, hoping that it would bring the treasure hunting tourists to the area.
The Fairburn Agate, like most other agates can be used to ease stress and anxiety and since it’s a mellow stone can be helpful to heal and improve relationships.
When I add the Fairburn Agate to my necklace, as well as easing stress, it will reduce tooth and stomach issues and help cure insomnia.
The Fairburn agate was nominated as South Dakota's state gemstone on February 11, 1966.
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Illinois – FLUORITE
Fluorite can be found in a rainbow of colors; white, yellow, blue, green and purple, it’s literally a Mardi Gras in a stone. The term fluorescence is derived from the word fluorite, which is understandable when you see a truly vibrant specimen. With yellow, green and purple all wrapped into one gem, who needs beads?
But as pretty as Fluorite is, it’s lacking in personality. Most of the domestically mined fluorite is used in making steel, enamels, aluminum, and glass. Gemstone quality is typically mined outside of the States in Austria, Switzerland and Mexico. And, of course, Illinois is the largest producer of Fluorite in the United States. By the way, Fluorite is actually Illinois’ official mineral, with no state gemstone designated.
Now let’s see what ailments I’ll reduce, eliminate or cure by adding a fluorite bead to my necklace. Fluorite is called the "Genius Stone" as it’s said to increase your ability to concentrate, helps in decision-making and dissolves mental blocks. As a member of the over 50 club, I’m ordering a bib of fluorite. It also uncovers your free spirit. Too late.
A bill was passed in 1965 that declared Fluorite to be the Official State mineral of Illinois.
But as pretty as Fluorite is, it’s lacking in personality. Most of the domestically mined fluorite is used in making steel, enamels, aluminum, and glass. Gemstone quality is typically mined outside of the States in Austria, Switzerland and Mexico. And, of course, Illinois is the largest producer of Fluorite in the United States. By the way, Fluorite is actually Illinois’ official mineral, with no state gemstone designated.
Now let’s see what ailments I’ll reduce, eliminate or cure by adding a fluorite bead to my necklace. Fluorite is called the "Genius Stone" as it’s said to increase your ability to concentrate, helps in decision-making and dissolves mental blocks. As a member of the over 50 club, I’m ordering a bib of fluorite. It also uncovers your free spirit. Too late.
A bill was passed in 1965 that declared Fluorite to be the Official State mineral of Illinois.
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Nebraska – BLUE AGATE (CHALCEDONY)
Oh boy, off with a bang. Blue chalcedony is a marvelous vision of striations from light blue (almost periwinkle) to royal blue but what I didn’t know was that it contained such strong spiritual properties. If all the gems that we explore have such powerful healing traits and I make a necklace with one bead of each stone (now that’s an idea), I’ll live forever.
It is said that Blue Chalcedony supports the immune system, lowers blood pressure and has an anti-inflammatory effect. It can even heal the lungs and respiratory system of the effects of smoking and cures the eyes, gallbladder, blood and circulatory system of whatever ails them. This beautiful agate also promotes a sense of peace and joy. Placed as a decoration in a child’s room and the youngster will be free of nightmares. WOW!
The artistic striations are formed by layers of quartz. In the US the blue agate is found in northwestern Nebraska which adopted it as its state gem in 1967.
I think I forgot to mention in the opening that I would, once again, “color in” the map with my interpretation of the state gem image. And Blue Chalcedony was a good place to start. We’re rocking now!
It is said that Blue Chalcedony supports the immune system, lowers blood pressure and has an anti-inflammatory effect. It can even heal the lungs and respiratory system of the effects of smoking and cures the eyes, gallbladder, blood and circulatory system of whatever ails them. This beautiful agate also promotes a sense of peace and joy. Placed as a decoration in a child’s room and the youngster will be free of nightmares. WOW!
The artistic striations are formed by layers of quartz. In the US the blue agate is found in northwestern Nebraska which adopted it as its state gem in 1967.
I think I forgot to mention in the opening that I would, once again, “color in” the map with my interpretation of the state gem image. And Blue Chalcedony was a good place to start. We’re rocking now!
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