Do you need a gemstone to go with your tie-dyed shirts and dresses? Well, fossil coral could be what you’re looking for. Fossil coral looks like little tie-dyed “flowers” of white on a brown, gray, black, yellow or red background. Over time the coral, that was encased in chalcedony, was replaced by agate giving the stone the appearance of little batiked gems. Jerry Garcia would have been proud.
Fossil coral has been worn for many centuries to ward off the "evil eye." If placed as an ornament in the home it is said to bring good luck. Historically sailors used coral as a talisman against bad weather.
Coral was thought to give its wearer wisdom and modesty, bravery and prudence and to promote a balanced and stable family life. The fossil coral is believed to be helpful in recalling past lives and to help you understand the influence past lives has on the present. (I believe we’re talking about Karma here.)
A fossil coral bead added to my necklace can reduce stress and fear and combat foolishness, nervousness, depression, panic and nightmares. It can act as a remedy for intestinal spasms, bladder issues, poisoning and sleeplessness. If dissolved in wine, it can be used as an effective pain-killer. (In large does, what can’t?)
Although not technically a gemstone, Fossil Coral became West Virginia’s State Gem on March 10, 1990.
A Gem of a Country
Friday, April 29, 2011
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Kentucky - FRESHWATER PEARL and KENTUCKY AGATE
I’m a pearl girl so this is very exciting for me. How about a whole necklace of freshwater pearls and agates? You laugh but during our 50 Plus 2 in 52 excursion I purchased one in honor of South Dakota’s Fairburn Agate. So hooray for Kentucky for putting these two wonderful “stones” together.
In 1986, schoolchildren in western Kentucky petitioned their state representative to propose the freshwater pearl as the state gemstone and it became official on July 15, 1986. The stories don’t tell why the children specifically thought this should happen but since, historically, freshwater pearls were naturally found throughout the Mississippi and Tennessee River valleys, they probably wanted to salute a beautiful local resource.
Presently, mussels with freshwater pearls are cultivated through man-made processes on "pearl farms" along Kentucky Lake. Pearl cultivation in Tennessee is a multi-million dollar industry, providing pearls, primarily, to the Japanese cultured pearl industry. Okay, I don’t know about you but this shoots down my illusion of Japanese pearls. They’re actually from Tennessee….. Really?
Freshwater pearls are thought to bring love, money, protection, and luck. They are believed to keep children safe. (Maybe the children of Kentucky were hedging their bets.) The Greeks believed that wearing pearls would promote marital bliss and prevent newlywed women from crying. (Is this why so many brides wear pearls? And why my parents gave me a pair of baroque pearl earrings on my wedding day. This explains so much.)
Pearls are symbolic of purity, innocence and faith as well as love, success and happiness. I don’t know about the rest but they make me happy and if you ever saw my Mother’s pearl collection you would think she was the happiest woman on earth.
A pearl added to my necklace would improve endurance and emotional stability and help balance body rhythms and hormone levels with the natural world. It would also aid stomach, spleen, intestinal tract & ulcer problems.
The Kentucky agate is a variety of Fortification agate which is an agate that has a pattern where all bands connect to each other resembling a medieval fortress and its protective moat. These agates typically sport bands of red, black, yellow, and gray and are often discovered along river and creek drainage.
Stringing yet another agate onto my necklace will promote courage, emotional strength, self-confidence, and will dispel fears. Agates enhance healing of all kinds by bringing the elements of the wearer into harmony. Physically, agate is helpful in healing tooth and gum issues, stomach problems, and insomnia.
The Freshwater Pearl became Kentucky's "Official Gemstone" in 1986 and the Kentucky Agate it’s "Official State Rock" in 2000.
In 1986, schoolchildren in western Kentucky petitioned their state representative to propose the freshwater pearl as the state gemstone and it became official on July 15, 1986. The stories don’t tell why the children specifically thought this should happen but since, historically, freshwater pearls were naturally found throughout the Mississippi and Tennessee River valleys, they probably wanted to salute a beautiful local resource.
Presently, mussels with freshwater pearls are cultivated through man-made processes on "pearl farms" along Kentucky Lake. Pearl cultivation in Tennessee is a multi-million dollar industry, providing pearls, primarily, to the Japanese cultured pearl industry. Okay, I don’t know about you but this shoots down my illusion of Japanese pearls. They’re actually from Tennessee….. Really?
Freshwater pearls are thought to bring love, money, protection, and luck. They are believed to keep children safe. (Maybe the children of Kentucky were hedging their bets.) The Greeks believed that wearing pearls would promote marital bliss and prevent newlywed women from crying. (Is this why so many brides wear pearls? And why my parents gave me a pair of baroque pearl earrings on my wedding day. This explains so much.)
Pearls are symbolic of purity, innocence and faith as well as love, success and happiness. I don’t know about the rest but they make me happy and if you ever saw my Mother’s pearl collection you would think she was the happiest woman on earth.
A pearl added to my necklace would improve endurance and emotional stability and help balance body rhythms and hormone levels with the natural world. It would also aid stomach, spleen, intestinal tract & ulcer problems.
The Kentucky agate is a variety of Fortification agate which is an agate that has a pattern where all bands connect to each other resembling a medieval fortress and its protective moat. These agates typically sport bands of red, black, yellow, and gray and are often discovered along river and creek drainage.
Stringing yet another agate onto my necklace will promote courage, emotional strength, self-confidence, and will dispel fears. Agates enhance healing of all kinds by bringing the elements of the wearer into harmony. Physically, agate is helpful in healing tooth and gum issues, stomach problems, and insomnia.
The Freshwater Pearl became Kentucky's "Official Gemstone" in 1986 and the Kentucky Agate it’s "Official State Rock" in 2000.
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Massachusetts – RHODONITE
Rhodonite is considered the most beautiful gem material found in Massachusetts. I don’t know what its competition is but it is quite lovely and is used, often, in jewelry and ornamental pieces. It is named after the Greek word for rose, rhodon, which describes its rosy-pink color. The stone varies in hue from light pink to deep rose but the most popular is a stone that contains veins of black manganese running through it.
Known as the “Stone of Peace”, Rhodonite is thought to help resolve conflicts and establish balance. Holding this gem promotes relaxation and brings a sense of well being. The pink of the stone is said to enhance love and decrease anxiety while the black inclusions help keep the wearer grounded. Rhodonite raises self worth and helps ward off negativity. Placing Rhodonite on your desk can ward off unwanted visitors and interruptions. One Rhodonite paper weight, please.
The addition of a Rhodonite bead to my necklace can help to reduce inflammation of the joints and help restore physical energy after a trauma. It will improve hearing, decrease sensitivity to light and improve muscle reflex. If carried or worn after a serious illness or heart attack, it will quicken the recovery time. Wounds and cuts will heal more rapidly, with less scarring if applied directly to the injury.
Rhodonite was recognized by Massachusetts in 1979 as the state gem.
Known as the “Stone of Peace”, Rhodonite is thought to help resolve conflicts and establish balance. Holding this gem promotes relaxation and brings a sense of well being. The pink of the stone is said to enhance love and decrease anxiety while the black inclusions help keep the wearer grounded. Rhodonite raises self worth and helps ward off negativity. Placing Rhodonite on your desk can ward off unwanted visitors and interruptions. One Rhodonite paper weight, please.
The addition of a Rhodonite bead to my necklace can help to reduce inflammation of the joints and help restore physical energy after a trauma. It will improve hearing, decrease sensitivity to light and improve muscle reflex. If carried or worn after a serious illness or heart attack, it will quicken the recovery time. Wounds and cuts will heal more rapidly, with less scarring if applied directly to the injury.
Rhodonite was recognized by Massachusetts in 1979 as the state gem.
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