The Ending…….

Believe it or not this post will bring this journey through our country’s gems to an end.  7 years and 55 beads later the map is complete and the necklace is ready to be revealed.

Throughout this exploration my life has changed significantly and through adversity has been enriched.  We lost one of our friends who started our 50 plus 2 celebration with us far too early.  

But one constant is, and will always be, (if we take care of her) that our earth produces gems of beauty, magic, wonder and mystery.  And it is our responsibility to protect and nurture her for the short time that we’re here.

Tennessee – Tennessee River Pearls & Tennessee Paint Rock Agate

Interesting enough Tennessee’s neighbor to the north has adopted the same state symbols.  (See the Kentucky post earlier in this journey for more information.)  It is also important to note that the bead added to my necklace is indeed an agate but not a Paint Rock Agate. 

Tennessee River Pearls

Native Americans of the Atlantic Coastal areas and the Mississippi River Basin were the first to collect and use freshwater pearls for ornamentation and trade.

Freshwater pearls are noted for their wide range of color and can be found in white, silvery white, pink, salmon, red, copper, bronze, brown, lavender, purple, green, blue, cream, and yellow.   The Tennessee River Pearl can be found in most of these colors and in various shapes - spherical, pear-shaped and baroque. 

Since 1963, pearls have been cultivated in Tennessee when the 1st US freshwater cultured pearl farm was established.  

Besides considering pearls for their healing properties associated with childbirth and digestive ailments, pearl dust is often used in facial lotions & moisturizers. 

A Tennessee River Pearl added to my necklace would encourage honesty and integrity and give my skin a pearlized luster. 

Tennessee Paint Rock Agate

Some of the most interesting agates in the states are found in Tennessee. The Paint Rock Agate being the most famous.  It has the typical agate swirls and bands of red and yellowish brown but the bands are sometimes softened as if they were washed in watercolor. 

The Agate is thought to calm anger or tension and create a sense of security and peace. It also is believed to heal skin disorders.  The agate can set the table for important decision-making.

A Tennessee Paint Rock Agate added to my necklace would give me focus and help the pearl to add to the beauty of my skin.

Tennessee River Pearls were designated the state gem of Tennessee in 1979.  Agate was designated the official state stone of Tennessee in 1969, then re-named the state mineral in 2009.

Kansas – MOSS OPAL

The Moss Opal can be identified by its milky white to brownish color stone containing green moss-like patterns. The most exciting of these stones look like little landscapes.

As far back as the Middle Ages, opals were considered lucky.  At one time it was believed that an opal would provide the owner with the power of invisibility.  The Opal was thought to assist one to achieve their personal goals and to obtain prosperity.  The Opal is a seductive gemstone that can intensify or stabilize emotions.  It is thought to assist in comforting those who are grieving.

The Moss Opal is considered to be the gemstone of relationships, and can strengthen family bonds as well as reconnect estranged lovers.  It can also be the “patron” stone of newlyweds as it encourages acceptance and harmony.

The Moss Opal is believed to help cure circulatory disorders, alleviate PMS, help to treat fevers and infections, and to improve memory function.  It is also rumored to aid in ailments of the eye.  The Moss Opal can also help with abdomen issues brought on by emotional stress and regulate the production of insulin. 

This variety of Opal is believed to have power over female hormones and help with issues related to childbirth.  As if that’s not enough, the Moss Opal is believed to be able to cure pneumonia.

The addition of a Moss Opal to my necklace will keep my emotions in check while I obtain personal prosperity.

Although Kansas does not have an official state gemstone, there are hints that legislation is pending to adopt Moss Opal to be its representative.  (Any bets on which comes first, the end of this blog or the adoption?)

Delaware – SILLIMANITE

I don’t know about you, but this is a new one for me.  Although technically classified as a mineral, Sillimanite can be found in gemstone quality.  Sillimanite has been found in a variety of colors from colorless to gray-white, yellowish, brownish and bluish but is rarely transparent. It is primarily used as an industrial mineral in the manufacture of furnaces, ovens, ceramics; and glass.  Native Americans used Sillimanite in the making of tools.

Sillimanite aligns ones energies allowing for keen focus and concentration in areas of interest.  It assists one with tasks that can be overwhelming and seemingly impossible to complete.  Since it’s taken me over 7 years to complete this 1 year project, this would have been a good stone to start with.

The vibe emerging from this stone encourage feelings of euphoria and its energy can make you feel good to be alive!

The Sillimanite energy can be helpful to reduce stress and depression and can boost feelings of confidence and hope.  When worn correctly, it is said to help alleviate problems with glaucoma, cataracts and vision problems such as near or far-sightedness.

The addition of Sillimanite to my necklace will ensure that it doesn’t take another year to complete this blog.

Delaware recognized Sillimanite as the official state mineral in 1977.

Idaho – STAR GARNET

As luck would have it, Idaho also claims the Star Garnet is its state gemstone.  More precious than either star rubies or star sapphires, the Idaho garnet is usually plum in color, with four rays in the star.

Feel free to go back to my New York, Pennsylvania and Connecticut posts to see the advantages of keeping the Garnet in your gem arsenal.

I add the Star Garnet to my necklace to feel safe and to keep me protected.

The Star Garnet was designated the official state stone of Idaho in 1967.