Minnesota - LAKE SUPERIOR AGATE

Well, it’s been almost a year since I made my last post.  At the rate, I will be retired before I finish all 50 states.  Hopefully I can submit my next post in the next few weeks and, hopefully, someone out there is still listening.

The Lake Superior Agate is a beautiful stone made up of geometric patterns of deep reds, browns and oranges, no doubt a product of the iron rich soil.  Found mostly in northeastern and north central Minnesota, Lake Superior Agates were deposited there by the last Ice Age glaciers.

This country is rich with a vast variety of agates, many of which represent the states in which they are found.  South Dakota has the Fairburn Agate, Kentucky the Fortification Agate, while Montana has the, you guessed it, Montana Agate.  (Take a journey back to these states to get a broader picture.)

Historically, the Lake Superior Agate was placed in cooking or drinking water to drive out a variety of illnesses.

The Lake Superior Agate can promote courage and improve one’s self-confidence.  It can be used to repair and improve personal relationships.

All Agates can be used to enhance creativity and fortify the intellect, making them beneficial stones for both students and artists.  Look to the Lake Superior Agate if you are too serious and need help finding your inner child.

The Lake Superior Agate encourages one to be faithful.  It helps to improve perception and memory, strengthen one’s concentration and is thought to develop one's analytical skills.

When you need an extra boost of energy put a Lake Superior Agate in your pocket.  The Lake Superior Agate can help to ease stress and anxiety and can cure insomnia. 

Select a Lake Superior Agate to assist in the healing of tooth & stomach issues, cure arthritis and reduce headaches.  It is also thought to improve digestion and heal ulcers.

The addition of a Lake Superior Agate to my necklace will encourage my creativity (maybe with finger paints and Play-Doh).

The Lake Superior Agate was designated the official gemstone of Minnesota in 1969.

Iowa - GEODE

Most people have been exposed to Geodes from childhood.  Who doesn’t remember the excitement of taking a hammer to that ugly, boring gray rock just to reveal its inner beauty of sparkling crystals?

The majority of Geodes have quartz crystals in their interior but there can be Amethyst, Jasper and Citrine as well.

Geodes can be found all around the world, mostly located in deserts and volcanic regions.  They are especially plentiful in the U.S. in California, Illinois, Nevada, Arizona, Missouri, Kentucky, Utah, and, of course, Iowa.

A Geode can be good for family harmony by encouraging a willingness to work together.  This can work in family, social & business situations.

Geodes in general are known to have very strong powers.  It is believed that they can help one to see situations from different viewpoints or to see the whole picture when making important decisions.  It is also believed that they can stimulate creativity.

A Geode can help you to remember to do something; exercise, make a call or buy a present.  The trick is to find one that connects to you.

Agate Geodes are especially powerful in alleviating stress, although all Geodes can be good for soothing & de-stressing.  The Geode helps to stimulate positive thought and boost moods.  This sparkling gemstone can help one to deal with difficult memories from the past.

The Geode can aid in the treatment of disorders of the nervous system, hands & lungs.  It can also promote the healing of allergic reactions and control obsessive behavior.

The addition of a Geode to my necklace will encourage me to work well with other and remind me when I forget to do so.

The Geode was designated the official rock of Iowa in 1967 to encourage state tourism.

Colorado – AQUAMARINE

Aquamarine is the blue variety of the mineral beryl, making it a distant cousin of the Emerald.   Its name originates from the Latin, meaning 'water of the sea'.

Aquamarine draws its energy from the ocean allowing its holder to unite with the spirits of the sea.  

In ancient times sea travelers would carry it with them to protect them during their journeys.  Like the ocean, the Aquamarine has a calming effect and can diminish fears and phobias and has been thought of as a “Stone of Courage and Protection”.

The Aquamarine is a perfect stone to give your students as it can aid in the absorption of new knowledge and encourages intellectual growth.  It can also expedite the ability to problem-solve and to “think quickly on one’s feet”.   Aquamarine will help to sharpen intuition and promote clear thinking.

This beautiful blue stone encourages one to see other perspectives’ and promotes tolerance.  Aquamarine can help one to change old, sometimes destructive, habits and replace them with more positive behaviors.

Aquamarine aids in the healing of diseases of the throat, jaw & teeth, including the thyroid and pituitary gland.  And works on all sorts of stomach issues.  It can also help with allergies by calming an overactive immune system. 

This calming stone can help you to reduce stress by releasing damaging angers.  In the same way, the Aquamarine minimizes the chance of miscarriage.

The addition of Aquamarine to my necklace will calm my rebellious stomach while protecting me on the high seas.

Colorado designated Aquamarine as its official state mineral in 1971.

Rhode Island - BOWENITE

Bowenite is classified as a variety of Serpentine, ranging in color from pale yellow to deep green.

Bowenite can be used to help a romantic partner make a commitment and to keep them faithful.  It can also protect one from dominating co-workers.  Bowenite is thought to encourage children to be more independent.

Bowenite is a dream stone and assists its wearer to remember their dreams and helps to define their meanings.  It can also prevent sleep problems such as nightmares. 

Bowenite can help one to realize their personal goals and ambitions.

Bowenite can prevent the onset of skin disorders, stabilize hormonal imbalances, strengthen the heart, and assist diabetics manage their blood-sugar levels.  It can also be used to promote the healing of past traumas.  Bowenite can aid in the cure of headaches.

Wearing Bowenite can eliminate the struggles associated with the fear of heights.

The addition of Bowenite to my necklace can help me to realize my goals and avoid the inevitable headaches associated with reaching them.

Rhode Island designated Bowenite as its official state mineral in 1966.

Maryland – PATUXENT RIVER STONE

There seems to be an on-going debate whether the Patuxent River Stone is actually an agate or a quartzite.  And there are some arguments that it is actually dinosaur bone.   For the sake of this blog, I’m going with the agate.  Since the US is rich with multiple varieties of agates, some of which represent other states, it makes sense for our conversation.  And since we have the option of taking liberties when we want, I admit that I can’t certify that the Patuxent River Stone selected for my necklace is in fact a Patuxent River Stone.

The Patuxent River Stone is found only in Maryland and its colors of red, orange and yellow reflect the Maryland State Flag.

The Patuxent River Stone is believed by the ancients to divert storms. It is also thought to leave the wearer invisible.  Wow, how many times do I wish I had been donning an agate? The Patuxent River Stone enhances creativity and increases energy.  It will also help you to release the negativity in your life.

The Patuxent River Stone is thought to be able to quench thirst and ward off fever.  It has been used to cure insomnia, protect against danger, promote strength and general healing, and ensure a healthy life.  Patuxent River Stone can diminish anxiety and build self-confidence.

See former posts for South Dakota (Fairburn agate), Kentucky (Kentucky Agate) and Montana for more about agates.

The addition of the Patuxent River Stone will help me to stop worrying and to put my problems in perspective.  Right…..

Maryland designated Patuxent River Stone as its official state gemstone in 2004.

California – SERPENTINE & BENITOITE

California is home to so many rocks, minerals and gems that it not only has a State Gemstone, Benitoite, it also has a State Rock, Serpentine.  California was actually the first state to designate a State Rock.

Serpentine, usually a green and blue rock, is found throughout California and was so named because it resembles the skin of a snake.  It is, however, also found in a variety of colors including red, brownish red, brownish yellow and white.

It has been used since ancient times to guard against disease and sorcery.  Drinking vessels made of Serpentine were used to protect against poison.

Benitoite, only found in San Benito, California, is sometimes called the "blue diamond." It is a very rare gem that ranges in color from a light transparent blue to dark, sapphire blue.

Serpentine has been used to help one find inner peace.  It aids in meditation and improves spiritual exploration.  It can help one to restore their memories of past lives and retrieve forgotten knowledge.  Serpentine encourages the use of peaceful means to solve conflicts, corrects mental and emotional imbalances and helps one to let go of contained anger.

One can wear Serpentine to relieve lethargy, protect against poisonous creatures, relax cramps and balance mood swings.  Nursing women can use it to regulate their milk supply.  It can reduce kidney and stomach ailments; treat diabetes and aid in the absorption of calcium and magnesium.  Serpentine can control cardiac irregularities, assist with the healing of lung problems, relieve headaches, colds, and nervousness.

The addition of Serpentine to my necklace will strengthen my bones and stabilize my moods while protecting me from snakes and other creepy crawlers.

Serpentine was named the official State Rock of California in 1965.

Benitoite can be used to enhance psychic ability and clairvoyance.  It can also be helpful to overcome one's fear of water. 

Benitoite is believed to cure excessive bleeding and accelerate the healing process. 

California designated Benitoite as its official state gemstone in 1985.

South Carolina - AMETHYST

It seems like I’ve taken an extended break from my blog entries but as long as the Cardinals keep winning all other extra curriculums take a back seat.  Well the Cards have a day off to travel to LA to win the Pennant race in the City of Angels, so I thought I’d try and catch up.  (BTW – They had to come home and win it in St. Lou, but all the same, we’re World Series bound.)

First let me fill my wine glass before we talk about Amethyst, the purple quartz believed by the ancient Romans to prevent drunkenness. OK, too late.  The name given to South Carolina’s state gemstone comes from the Greek word "amethystus" meaning not intoxicated.  Amethyst, better known as the patron stone of the designated driver.  

Amethyst is a calming stone which is used to provide serenity, balance and patience.  It can be helpful when dealing with legal problems and money matters.  This stone has been known to protect one from thieves and to watch over travelers.  Amethyst has also been helpful during times of grief and to promote inner strength.  The Amethyst is thought to be a natural tranquilizer which can relieve stress and tension and equalize mood swings.  It can calm your fears and take away your anxieties.

This beautiful purple stone has been used to aid in the healing of addictions to alcohol, drugs and smoking as well as compulsive behavior of all kinds.  It has also been used to cure headaches, insomnia, arthritis and diabetes.  The Amethyst can help you with your circulatory and respiratory issues and lessen the symptoms of menopause and PMS. It can help the body to fight against cancer and aid in tissue regeneration.

The addition of an Amethyst to my necklace will prevent me from drinking too much while I’m traveling.  Oh, that’s no fun.  So I’ll use it to help with the morning after headache.

South Carolina designated the Amethyst as the official state gemstone in 1969.