Even though New Jersey ranks among the world's three most noted gem and mineral producing regions it does not have an official state gemstone. The northern Skylands Region is rich with rubies, sapphires, blood-red garnets, pink Rhodonite, fluorescent Willamette, prehnite, amber and other precious beauties. Jersey is home to more than 200 mineral species.
Prehnite
According to Franklin Mines, NJ, this gemstone is the Unofficial State Mineral of New Jersey. A colorless, gray, yellow, yellowish-green or white stone, Prehnite is named for the Dutch mineralogist and early governor of the “Cape of Good Hope” colony, Colonel Hendrik Von Prehn (1733-1785), who discovered it in South Africa in the early 18th century. Prehnite was the first mineral to be named after a person.
Prehnite is said to make dreams easier to remember and reduce nightmares. It is thought to bring balance and harmony to the flow of life energy. Prehnite can assist in forming healthy relationships and is known as a “stone of unconditional love”. Some feel that Prehnite crystals can also assist one to release old, painful memories.
Prehnite helps to clear toxins from the body and can assist in finding the root cause of an illness.
The addition of Prehnite to my necklace can ease the pain of kidney, shoulder, chest and lung ailments.
Amber
Amber is polymerized tree resin that has hardened and has been preserved. An especially rich bed of Amber was found in New Jersey that yielded samples dating back as much as 94 million years. The most treasured Amber encases species of insects, spiders, frogs, marine microfossils, feathers and other small organisms.
Amber has been used historically in the manufacture of jewelry and ornaments, and also forms the flavoring for akvavit liquor.
In Lithuania, an amber necklace was placed around a child to prevent kidnapping. Beaded amber necklaces are still a traditional gift for a child to express love and protection. In Latvia, bands of amber rings were used in wedding ceremonies to symbolize an eternal bond.
Amber can help the wearer fight depression. It absorbs pain and negative energy and promotes self-confidence and creative self-expression. Amber helps to attract joy and bring wisdom, balance and patience.
Adding Amber to my necklace will combat depression and aid in the treatment of throat, stomach, kidney and joint problems.
Willemite
Northwest New Jersey is known as "The Fluorescent Capital of the World." One of these fluorescent minerals is Willemite. Willemite, in its normal state, is a rather non-descript stone but hit it with a fluorescent light and you see neon colors of green, orange and blue.
Willemite helps us to be kind to all creatures, and is associated with caring and tenderness.
A Gem of a Country
Monday, August 29, 2011
Sunday, August 7, 2011
New Mexico – TURQUOISE
Turquoise is possibly the oldest gemstones known to man. It is an opaque stone typically ranging in color from blue-to-green with some rarer strains in purple and yellow. The majority of the world's finest-quality turquoise comes from the western and southwestern United States with New Mexico coming in first in production up until the 1920’s.
As rich as it is in color, Turquoise is rich in heritage. This gemstone was considered by the ancients to be a sacred stone, protective against all manners of evil and ill health. The Apache believed that Turquoise assisted warriors and hunters to aim accurately. The Zuni believed that Turquoise held the demons at bay while the Apache believe that placing Turquoise on a bow or gun would make it shoot straight. In the Middle Ages they believed that Turquoise had the power to protect the wearer from injury from falling, especially falling from horse-back, and that it made the horse more sure-footed. Native American medicine men kept Turquoise stones in their sacred bundles because they possess the powers of healing. In modern times there is a belief that turquoise has the power to protect and cleanse while being a symbol of good fortune and success. If you’re wearing a turquoise ring and you look down and see a crack in the stone, the Native Americans would say “the stone took it”, meaning the stone took the blow that was meant for you.
One Native American legend tells of a chief with turquoise colored skin who was being pursued by his enemies in the hot desert. As he fled beads of perspiration would fall to the ground and became Turquoise gems scattered throughout the Southwest.
Over the years Turquoise has become the stone of sky, stone of water, stone of blessings, good fortune, protection, good health and long life. (Decorate my rose quartz body suit with beads of Turquoise.) It is said that Turquoise will grow pale on an ill person and regain its color when the person’s health is restored.
Turquoise is known as an aid in mental functions, communications and expression. It can be worn to protect against pollutants in the atmosphere. The gemstone is excellent for reducing depression and exhaustion and has the power to prevent panic attacks. Turquoise also symbolizes friendship, generosity, sincerity, affection and romantic love. It is a stone of peace and tranquility. A gift of Turquoise represents friendship and luck and bestows wealth and happiness to its receiver.
The addition of a Turquoise bead to my necklace will enhance my immune system, stimulate the regeneration of tissue, and alleviate cramps and pain. It will also sooth a sore throat, tone and strengthen the body and heal the eyes. (And hopefully bring wealth, happiness and long life.)
New Mexico designated Turquoise as its official state gem in 1967.
As rich as it is in color, Turquoise is rich in heritage. This gemstone was considered by the ancients to be a sacred stone, protective against all manners of evil and ill health. The Apache believed that Turquoise assisted warriors and hunters to aim accurately. The Zuni believed that Turquoise held the demons at bay while the Apache believe that placing Turquoise on a bow or gun would make it shoot straight. In the Middle Ages they believed that Turquoise had the power to protect the wearer from injury from falling, especially falling from horse-back, and that it made the horse more sure-footed. Native American medicine men kept Turquoise stones in their sacred bundles because they possess the powers of healing. In modern times there is a belief that turquoise has the power to protect and cleanse while being a symbol of good fortune and success. If you’re wearing a turquoise ring and you look down and see a crack in the stone, the Native Americans would say “the stone took it”, meaning the stone took the blow that was meant for you.
One Native American legend tells of a chief with turquoise colored skin who was being pursued by his enemies in the hot desert. As he fled beads of perspiration would fall to the ground and became Turquoise gems scattered throughout the Southwest.
Over the years Turquoise has become the stone of sky, stone of water, stone of blessings, good fortune, protection, good health and long life. (Decorate my rose quartz body suit with beads of Turquoise.) It is said that Turquoise will grow pale on an ill person and regain its color when the person’s health is restored.
Turquoise is known as an aid in mental functions, communications and expression. It can be worn to protect against pollutants in the atmosphere. The gemstone is excellent for reducing depression and exhaustion and has the power to prevent panic attacks. Turquoise also symbolizes friendship, generosity, sincerity, affection and romantic love. It is a stone of peace and tranquility. A gift of Turquoise represents friendship and luck and bestows wealth and happiness to its receiver.
The addition of a Turquoise bead to my necklace will enhance my immune system, stimulate the regeneration of tissue, and alleviate cramps and pain. It will also sooth a sore throat, tone and strengthen the body and heal the eyes. (And hopefully bring wealth, happiness and long life.)
New Mexico designated Turquoise as its official state gem in 1967.
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Georgia - QUARTZ
Quartz is commonly found in the mountains of Georgia. It can be found in a wide array of colors but the Quartz predominately from Georgia is amethyst (purple to lavender) and clear quartz (Rock Crystal). Other varieties of Quartz are Citrine, a yellow to orange gemstone, Prasiolite, a pale green stone, Rose quartz, and Smoky quartz.
Besides its wide spread and varied use in fashion and fine jewelry, Quartz has been used since the middle ages in the making of crystal balls to predict the future.
Not only is Quartz one of the most prominent substances found on Earth, it has also been found on the moon.
In Ancient Japan, Quartz was believed to be formed from the breath of a white dragon and thus represents perfection. Australian Aborigines used it to encourage rain in rain rituals.
To this day, Quartz is still considered a power stone. It absorbs, stores, amplifies, and focuses energy. It is excellent for harmonizing and balancing one's environment and for clearing away negative forces. Quartz can also enhance concentration and aid in the ability to study and retain information. It can even be helpful in romantic relationships.
Rose Quartz can be used to assist in weight loss, to clear the complexion and protect against wrinkles. (EBay, search for a rose quartz body suit.) Add some Rutilated quartz and you can slow down the aging process as well.
The addition of a Quartz bauble to my necklace will assist in the healing of chronic fatigue, arthritis, bone injuries, depression, diabetes, fibromyalgia, and intestinal troubles.
Because it’s so interesting, I thought I’d mention Georgia’s state mineral, Staurolite. Staurolite, popularly called "Fairy Crosses" or "Fairy Stones" is abundant in northern Georgia. It is distinctive because of the crossed crystals that make up its structure. Staurolite has been collected for generations as good luck charms.
Quartz was designated as the official state gem of Georgia in 1976, the same year that Staurolite was named Georgia’s official state mineral.
Besides its wide spread and varied use in fashion and fine jewelry, Quartz has been used since the middle ages in the making of crystal balls to predict the future.
Not only is Quartz one of the most prominent substances found on Earth, it has also been found on the moon.
In Ancient Japan, Quartz was believed to be formed from the breath of a white dragon and thus represents perfection. Australian Aborigines used it to encourage rain in rain rituals.
To this day, Quartz is still considered a power stone. It absorbs, stores, amplifies, and focuses energy. It is excellent for harmonizing and balancing one's environment and for clearing away negative forces. Quartz can also enhance concentration and aid in the ability to study and retain information. It can even be helpful in romantic relationships.
Rose Quartz can be used to assist in weight loss, to clear the complexion and protect against wrinkles. (EBay, search for a rose quartz body suit.) Add some Rutilated quartz and you can slow down the aging process as well.
The addition of a Quartz bauble to my necklace will assist in the healing of chronic fatigue, arthritis, bone injuries, depression, diabetes, fibromyalgia, and intestinal troubles.
Because it’s so interesting, I thought I’d mention Georgia’s state mineral, Staurolite. Staurolite, popularly called "Fairy Crosses" or "Fairy Stones" is abundant in northern Georgia. It is distinctive because of the crossed crystals that make up its structure. Staurolite has been collected for generations as good luck charms.
Quartz was designated as the official state gem of Georgia in 1976, the same year that Staurolite was named Georgia’s official state mineral.
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