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.