Arizona – TURQUOISE

Since Turquoise is so important to the Native American culture it is no surprise that it’s the state gemstone of Arizona.  But since we already covered this beautiful stone in week 18 when we discussed New Mexico (See - Bead 21) I’m not going to rehash all that good info.

I will, however, talk about my choice of Turquoise beads.  For the past 5 or 6 years I have been amassing an exquisite collection of goddesses.  The majority of these have the serene, pure cameo look of the beautifully crafted Balinese goddesses.  I have a few, but not many, of the buxom, earthy, maternal full-figured goddesses pictured here.  But my necklace needed a goddess to generally protect and keep me safe, so here she is. 

So in the spirit of friendship and love, the addition of the motherly Turquoise goddess to my necklace is there to wish you peace and inner calm.

Turquoise was designated the official gemstone of Arizona in 1974.

Florida – MOONSTONE

In ancient times, the Moonstone was believed to inspire tender passions and give one the ability to read their future but only on a full moon and only by placing the gem in your mouth.  The Romans, who fashioned the Moonstone into jewelry, believed that the stone was formed from the light of the moon. This belief was also held by the people of India

Over the years, love spells and clairvoyance has been associated with this gemstone. In Victorian times, the Moonstone was used as the ultimate symbol of love, the engagement ring.

Known as a talisman for health and good fortune, the Moonstone is also considered the traveler's stone, protecting explorers on journeys.  Ornaments of Moonstone were also hung in fruit trees to promote a bountiful harvest.

Moonstones are thought to bring balance to one’s emotions, to stimulate intuition, encourage dreams and hopes and to help one welcome change without fear.  Rainbow Moonstones encourage calm and improve wisdom and perception.  Peach Moonstones improve self-image, confidence and sensuality, Silver Moonstone harmony and peace.   Put one under your pillow to ensure a good night's sleep.  Do this during a full moon to hedge your bet.

Throw out the aspirin and the rest of the OTC drugs and get yourself a cabinet full of Moonstones to promote healthy digestion, calm nerves, cure headaches, reduce cramps, stop nose bleeds, and protect against sun stroke.  It was also thought to increase fertility, enhance libido, prevent epileptic seizures and rid the body of toxins.

The addition of the Moonstone to my necklace will calm my nerves and allow me to get a good night’s rest.

In 1970 the Moonstone was designated the official state gem of Florida to honor Apollo 11 astronauts who took off from the Kennedy Space Center and landed on the moon in 1969. Ironically, the Moonstone is not native to Florida or the moon.

North Carolina – EMERALD

Over the years, several rather large Emeralds have been found in mines near Statesville, North Carolina.  Most note-worthy of these was a 71-carat stone which yielded two finished stones - the Carolina Prince (7.85 carats), and the Carolina Queen (18.88 carats).   

The ancients prized this May birthstone as the symbol of love, rebirth and eternal youth.  Aristotle was a great lover of the Emerald and wrote that owning one increased the owner’s importance in presence and speech during business.  He also stated “An emerald hung from the neck or worn in a ring will prevent the falling sickness (epilepsy). We, therefore, commend noblemen that it be hanged about the necks of their children that they fall not into this complaint.”   

It is rumored that Nero watched gladiator fights through a large transparent Emerald or glasses made of emerald crystals as he found the color to be calming.  And if you believe some legends of King Arthur, the Holy Grail was created from an Emerald. Emeralds were often carried by sailors who believed that the lovely green gem could calm seas, ensure safe travels, and bring good fortune to the sea-faring.  

The Emerald is another stone associated with the treatment of a bevy of ailments (gives your basic aspirin a run for its money and looks better hanging around your neck). The Emerald treats disorders of the heart, lungs, spine and muscular system as well as the skin, adrenal glands, kidneys, liver and intestinal system. (Is there anything left?)  It helps in the curing of infectious diseases, helps relieve sinus pressure and soothes the eyes, improving vision.  

The Emerald is thought to help detoxify the liver and cure diabetes and rheumatism.  It is also believed to cure headaches, tension, influenza, epilepsy, high blood pressure, cancer, asthma and anemia. (Now we’ve covered it all.)  In ancient writings it is said that the Emerald improves eyesight and the Sumerians said that if an emerald was worn in a ring on the pinky finger of the left hand, it would cure an eye inflammation.  During the time of Hippocrates, emeralds were crushed into a fine powder and made into an eye lotion. 

 It was once believed that a mother should wear an Emerald to protect her child from complications during childbirth.    

As though that’s not enough the Emerald was thought to improve its owner s memory and accelerate intelligence. 

The Emerald, known as the “stone of successful love”, enhances unconditional love, unity and promotes friendship.  It can keep partnerships in balance and can warn the wearer of unfaithfulness if it changes color.  

The beautiful green stone can eliminate negativity and enhance one’s ability to enjoy life to the fullest. 

 Emeralds enhance psychic abilities, encourage clairvoyance, and strengthen memory and clarity of thought.  Emeralds are thought to be calming and balancing, and to promote creativity and restore faith and hope. They might be used to improve one’s intuition, thereby increasing one’s perception and ability to foretell future events.  (Some cultures have the wearer putting the Emerald on their tongue or left side before looking into their crystal ball.  Makes you wonder why a crystal ball is clear instead of green.) A gift of Emerald represents love and fidelity, devotion and adoration.   

The additional of the Emerald to my necklace will not only improve my eyesight but help me to see into the future.  

North Carolina adopted the Emerald as the official state gemstone in 1973.

Vermont – GROSSULAR GARNET

Throughout history the Garnet has been considered a symbol of love and compassion.  It has been used to represent purity and truth in relationships as well as in business.

Although we usually think of garnets as red, the Grossular Garnet is typically green, but can be colorless, yellow, red, brown or combinations of any of these.

As far back as biblical times, garnets have been used to light the way for sea goers.  Because of its guiding quality, the garnet was the stone of choice to direct travelers and to keep them safe on their journeys.

The Grossular Garnet is the stone used to stimulate success in business.  Rumor has it that if you put 3 or more garnets on your desk, a failing business can be improved.

It is also believed that if you put a garnet under your pillow it can cure depression. 

When worn as jewelry, they can make a person more popular, improve their self-esteem and make them a better friend.  The Garnet can make you attractive to other people by bringing out your best qualities. 

Known also as a stone of service, the Grossular Garnet will encourage one’s desire and ability to serve and energize the cooperative spirit.  The Garnet is thought to encourage creativity, so can be the stone of artists, poets, and inventors.

A very powerful healing stone, the Grossular Garnet can aid in the health of the thyroid, kidneys and spleen, reduce acid reflux and encourage rapid healing after an injury.  It is believed to prevent the onset of arthritis and rheumatism and to protect one’s skin.  (A good thing to know for this sun worshipper.)  Grossular Garnet can be useful when treating disorders of the heart, lungs, liver, pancreas and the circulatory system.  It can reduce anemia, blood pressure issues, exhaustion and muscle inflammation.

The addition of a Grossular Garnet to my necklace will bolster my confidence, foster my creativity and give my skin the youthful glow; all of us baby boomer gals strive for.

Vermont adopted the Grossular Garnet as its official state gem in May of 1992.  At the same time it made talc its official state mineral and marble its official state rock.

Indiana – LIMESTONE

Does it really surprise you that a state where its natives calls themselves Hoosiers would have a state gemstone that's actually a building material?  Forget diamonds, pearls or rubies as tokens of affection and lasting true love, give your sweetheart a nice slab of Salem Limestone.  Is that where the expression, "That's quite a rock she has" comes from?  You can't beat the carat weight.

Seriously though, I hope I didn't offend anyone with the Hoosier comment but, really, can anyone define the word Hoosier without saying "a resident of Indiana or the mascot for.........."  It wasn't until I moved out to the Midwest that I learned the word had a derogatory meaning.  (Actually I'm not sure I ever heard the term before I moved out to the Midwest.)

Enough about me, let's talk rocks.  Bedford, Indiana was once known as the limestone capital of the world.  Can't say I'm holding my breath for the movie, but limestone quarried in Indiana graces many of our important buildings, such as the Washington Monument, the Pentagon, Yankee Stadium and the Empire State Building.  It has been used significantly on many college campuses including Washington University, right here in St. Louis, and Indiana University (imagine that).

Used in everything from concrete to antacids, from calcium supplements to counter tops, Limestone is as versatile as it is prevalent. 

Limestone, or more precisely Calcite, Limestone's main element, enhances healing and encourages positive thoughts and actually cleanses negative energies.  It is thought to lessen fear, reduce stress, instill a sense of calm and promote an appreciation of nature.  In case you're so inclined, it can be used to assist with outer body experiences.

An excellent stone of choice for students, the energy from Limestone helps to enhance the ability to learn and can also promote creativity and imagination.

Over the years many religious sculptures and artifacts have been made out of Limestone because it is believed to increase the power of prayer.

Limestone can be used for the growth, strengthening and healing of bones and joints. It can also be ground down and mixed with petroleum jelly and used for the healing of skin infections and inflammations.  But don't grind down any religious artifacts to do it.

The addition of Salem Limestone to my necklace can enhance my intellect and sharpen my mental clarity.  (Good Luck!)

Salem Limestone was legislated, by the Indiana General Assembly, as the official Indiana state stone in March of 1971. 

Virginia - AMAZONITE

When you look at the list of state gemstones you find a gaping hole by the state of Virginia. No gemstone, no rock and no mineral. So I looked for an interesting gemstone that has some presence in the Old Dominion state.

Amazonite, the beautiful blue-green stone named after the Amazon River, cannot be found there. Surprisingly enough, one of the largest deposits can be found in western Virginia.

In case you’re checking, the source of Amazonite's color is not due to the once thought presence of copper but results from small quantities of lead and water in the feldspar.

Known as a stone of courage, Amazonite creates a feeling of power. It inspires a bevy of honorable qualities such as trustworthiness, sincerity, integrity and openness. It can help the wearer to analyze and process information to draw logical conclusions.

Amazonite can help you face a challenging situation, live up to a difficult reality or make a request that might be tough to make. Carry it with you when you need that extra courage for an important public-speaking engagement or presentation.

Amazonite provides balance between one’s feminine and masculine energy. At once promoting kindness and practicality, spirit and logic and helping you to see both sides of a problem or opposing points of view. This beautiful azure blue stone is known as the lucky "Hope Stone", lucky for all your hopes and dreams.

The wearing of Amazonite can prevent tooth decay and osteoporosis by helping the body with the absorption of calcium. Amazonite is also useful in relieving menstrual cramps and muscle cramps and spasms. Wear it during childbirth to allow for an easier deliver.

The addition of Amazonite to my necklace will create calm by easing the brain and relaxing the nervous system.

Amazonite has never been declared the state gemstone of Virginia and is not likely to be anytime in the near future. But when they finally have a vote, my vote’s for Amazonite.

Oregon – SUNSTONE

The Sunstone is a species of feldspar related to Labradorite, a stone I always thought was mysterious and allusive. The color of a Sunstone is determined by the quantity of copper metal in the stone, the more the copper the darker the stone. The Oregon Sunstone is the most common form of Sunstone on the current market.

During the Renaissance the Sunstone was associated with the sun because of its sparkling orange-gold hue. In medieval times it was used by magicians to summon the energy of the sun to bring power and wealth.

The Sunstone is considered a protective stone. It is said to be able to give you extra energy when you are ill or under stress and to increase self-healing powers. Maybe because it encourages harmony among the organs.

The owner of a Sunstone is joyful, good natured, optimistic and intuitive. It promotes good humor, cheerfulness and self confidence. This sunny stone may provide the necessary stamina and energy to undertake projects and tasks that one may otherwise find daunting and it always encourages the wearer to find the positive side of any event.

Since the person in procession of a Sunstone carries a little piece of the sun they can successfully overcome the symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder or SAD.

The addition of the Sunstone to my necklace will help to alleviate general aches and pains, cure sore throats, reduces stomach tension and aid in the healing of spinal problems.

On August 4, 1987, the Oregon State Legislature designated the Oregon Sunstone as its state gemstone.