Ohio - FLINT

When I pulled Ohio out of the “hat” and looked up their official state gemstone I was sorely disappointed. Flint?…… that’s that grey rock that you use to build a campfire if you’re a Boy Scout or a Survivor contestant. But was I wrong. Flint is actually found in a bevy of colors from red, pink, green, blue, yellow, grey, white, to black. Some of its coloring is quite vibrant and it seems to be a popular stone in contemporary jewelry design. I saw some exquisite pieces which, believe it or not, I actually resisted buying, all but the lovely stone to include in my necklace and a Native American Flint arrowhead.

Large quantities of Flint can still be found in eastern and central Ohio.

Flint was used historically in the making of tools, weapons, ceremonial pieces and pipes. Since we no longer fashion our weapons out of stone, Flint today, polished to a glowing shine, is used in the making of jewelry. Make love, not war! (How do you make a peace sign on the keyboard? I’m sure there’s some cutesy F5, Ctrl, Alt, turn around in your seat and hit any key way, but I’d have to ask a teenager or a twenty-something.)

Also known as fairy shot, elf shot, and elf arrow, Flint was once used in Ireland as a protective amulet against mischievous fairies and elves.

Flint is said to be able to assist one to survive in difficult circumstances. It also enhances will-power and courage. You can wear an amulet of Flint to protect against evil forces and to overcome shyness. It can also help one to separate themselves from stressful situations.

The additional of Flint to my necklace will help in the treatment of kidney stones, skin lesions, indigestion and disorders of the lungs and liver. (To think we wasted its powers in weaponry.)

In 1965, the Ohio General adopted Flint as Ohio's official gemstone.

Maine – TOURMALINE

There is an old Egyptian legend that when the Tourmaline traveled up from the center of the Earth it passed over a rainbow and assumed all the colors of the rainbow. This is how the Tourmaline got to be known as the “gemstone of the rainbow”.

The Tourmaline is one of the most beautiful of all minerals found in Maine. It ranges in color from black to white including brilliant shades of red, fuchsia, green, and blue. The widely sought after "watermelon" variety has a green outer layer with a pink core.

Except for the treasures found by the prehistoric or Native American “miners”, Tourmaline was the first gemstone mined in the United States. The mining began in Mount Mica, ME, in 1822 and continues to the present.

Tourmaline increases flexibility, happiness, objectivity, compassion and serenity. WOW! The watermelon Tourmaline can open one up to accept love and friendship. The gem is worn to promote sympathy towards others and to calm the negative emotions that often upset relationships.

Pink tourmaline can help people with difficulty dealing with fear and who have panic attacks and it can instill confidence.

The addition of the tourmaline to my necklace will encourage the completion of my goals (maybe I will finish this blog) and invite the energy that attracts money, healing and friendship. It will also assist in keeping my digestive system healthy and strengthening my teeth and bones.

Maine designated tourmaline as the official state gemstone in 1971.

Nevada – FIRE OPAL & SANDSTONE

To illustrate the significance of both the Nevada official state gemstone and official state rock I need to tell you about the official state tartan (I’m seeing another blog emerging here). The tartan has a blue background with silver, red, yellow and white intersecting lines with the red representing the Virgin Valley black fire opal and the crossing of the yellow and red stripes representing the different colors of Nevada sandstone. Now that’s a noteworthy plaid.

Sandstone, found throughout the state as regular sandstone or as quartzite, is responsible for some of Nevada’s most spectacular landscapes.

In the spiritual arena Sandstone is associated with creativity. It also helps to strengthen the facets of interpersonal relationships. Sandstone encourages truth and advances clarity in thought and sight.

In the same way Sandstone is used as a building material and in the creation of decorative stones, tiles, and monuments, it is also used to build one’s reality and improve the foundation of relationships.

Adding Sandstone to my necklace will dampen bad temper and inhibit general grouchiness, improve water retention and assist in the restoration of weak fingernails and thinning hair.

Nevada's state precious gemstone is the Virgin Valley Black Fire Opal (turquoise is the Nevada state semi-precious gemstone but I‘ll leave that for another state post). The only place that the black fire opal is found in any significant quantity is in northern Nevada's Virgin Valley. This opal rivals most others because of its brilliant play of bright colors on a midnight background.

Legend has it that a black opal encased in gold worn near the heart is said to protect one from the evil eye and other dangers and protect travelers on far away journeys.
The fire opal is used to encourage spontaneous action and new ideas, stimulate enthusiasm and to act as a magnet to draw money and customers to a business.

The opal awakens one’s inner fire and is used as an energy amplifier. It gives the wearer the ability to act in a creative, artistic and passionate manner and encourages confidence and optimism.

Adding the black fire opal to my necklace (and you’ll need to look very hard to find the opal in this bead, but it’s there), can assist in the healing of intestine and adrenal gland ailments, blood disorders, depression and apathy. It will increase vitality and dispel fatigue.

A fifth grade class in Las Vegas lobbied for sandstone to become the official rock of Nevada in 1987. Also in 1987, Nevada adopted the Virgin Valley Black Fire Opal as the official precious gemstone.