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.