Hawaii – BLACK CORAL

The Hawaiian state gemstone, black coral (‘ēkaha kū moana), is in reality a skeleton from the living organism and is almost exclusively used, commercially, in jewelry. Live coral is considerably rarer and almost never used in jewelry, although I’m picturing a perfect Lady Ga Ga ensemble. Black coral is a tree-like coral that is mostly found in the deep warm waters of the south Pacific and the Caribbean. I personally prefer the vibrant reds and coral color versions but I’m warming up to the shiny luster of the black coral.

Coral has so many healing and protective properties associated with it that it’s not surprising that it plays a significant role in the talisman, amulets and sacred jewelry of so many cultures. It is often seen in spiritual jewelry and adornment from the ancient Romans, who believed it protected children from harm and cured snake and scorpion bites. And have you ever seen an Egyptian antiquity that doesn’t incorporate coral? This gemstone was also thought to be magical since it was a favorite of and frequently visited by the mermaids.

All corals are linked to soothing and the release of stress while black coral is also thought to increase creativity. It is told that black coral will absorb the surrounding negative energy. I think I need a door made out of black coral for my office.

The addition of a black coral bead to my necklace will bring peace, stimulate creativity, relieve stress, and assist in curing blood-related ailments. (Although I’m told that it works better if it is rimmed in silver and worn on the ring finger.)

Black coral was designated as Hawaii’s official state gemstone in 1987.

Texas – PETRIFIED PALMWOOD / BLUE TOPAZ

As we move from Louisiana to Texas, Petrified palmwood goes from being a state fossil to the state stone. This quartz-like stone comes from the fossilization of palm trees from between 20 - 40 million years ago, when the area from western Louisiana through eastern Texas was a lush tropical forest. Over time the trees that fell into the mineral-rich mud decayed into petrified wood. Petrified wood is called the most beautiful of fossils.

A bead of petrified palmwood added to my necklace will increase stamina and endurance while relieving melancholy, fever, gallstones, and eye problems. Petrified wood is also known as the stone of patience.

The blue Topaz is the official Texas state gemstone. Blue topaz, often treated by irradiation to produce vibrant blues, is one of the most popular and widely used of all gemstones.

The topaz is said to dispel sadness, anger and nocturnal fears. The Greeks believed it had power to increase strength and the Egyptians wore it as an amulet to protect them from injury.

A bead of blue topaz will promote artistic inspiration and encourage weight loss. (Forget the bead; I want a 10 carat lavaliere.)

Blue topaz was adopted as the state gemstone on March 26, 1969. The same legislation named petrified palmwood as the state stone.

Louisiana – AGATE

The agate is the state gem of at least 5 other states beside Louisiana, and that’s not including the Fairburn Agate, making it the most popular state gemstone. You’ve got your fire agates and your moss agates, your Mexican, Greek and Lake Superior agates. You’ve got your lace agate and your banded agate, your pink, blue, purple or black agate. But as far as I can find out the Louisiana state gem is just your plain old agate.

Rumor has it that there is some major rock hound agate collecting done around the Baton Rouge parishes. But heck, once you’ve been mining for diamonds what’s an agate going to do for you?

Even though the agate doesn’t quite sparkle like the diamond its use in the making of jewelry, decorative vessels and ornamental objects goes back as far as the Stone Age. Early civilizations used the agate to create talismans to ward off evil and bring good luck. I guess I can’t get enough of these for my necklace.

Let’s see how else I will benefit by the addition of a lovely agate bead. The agate is said to guard against dangers, to encourage pleasant dreams, and to remove curses and eliminate bad luck. It is believed to have a calming effect during times of stress. (Agate body suit anyone?) It was believed to stimulate fertility, so why it was used to make one of earliest children’s toys, the marble, is anyone’s guess. (Hence the name “aggie” for a marble made out of agate.) Forget the aspirin and antacids, use an agate to cure arthritis, headaches, aid digestion and heal ulcers.

In 1976, the agate, found in abundance in the Louisiana gravel, became the state gem. (Petrified palmwood became the official state fossil at the same time.)