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.

Michigan – THE PETOSKEY STONE

The Michigan State Gem, Chlorastrolite, commonly called "Greenstone" or "Isle Royale Greenstone", is a bluish-green stone with patterns often associated with the back of a turtle. Greenstone pebbles are chiefly found on the beaches of Isle Royale in Lake Superior.

Michigan designated the Isle Royale greenstone as the official state gem in 1973.

Although a very attractive stone, I couldn’t find any healing properties associated with Chlorastrolite so I’ll move on to the state stone of Michigan, the Petoskey Stone.

The Petoskey stone is a rock and a fossil, often pebble-shaped, that is composed of a fossilized coral. It is made up of fragments of a coral reef deposited millions of years ago and is only found in Michigan. Lapidary techniques bring out the distinctive mottled pattern, making it a favorite of decorative object designers.

Petoskey Stone is said to keep mischievous spirits from channeling incorrect information or interfering with one's life. It is said to enhance awareness of the emotions and to clear out negative energies from the environment. The Petoskey Stone is believed to enhance creative expression.

Traditional healing folklore contends that the Petoskey Stone is helpful for healing AIDS, Cancer, infections, diseases of the skeletal system, and tumors of all kinds.

The addition of the Petoskey stone to my necklace can help me to be the best I can be at work and to instill excellence at home.

Michigan designated the Petoskey stone as its official "state stone" in 1965.

New Jersey - PREHNITE and AMBER

Even though New Jersey ranks among the world's three most noted gem and mineral producing regions it does not have an official state gemstone. The northern Skylands Region is rich with rubies, sapphires, blood-red garnets, pink Rhodonite, fluorescent Willamette, prehnite, amber and other precious beauties. Jersey is home to more than 200 mineral species.

Prehnite

According to Franklin Mines, NJ, this gemstone is the Unofficial State Mineral of New Jersey. A colorless, gray, yellow, yellowish-green or white stone, Prehnite is named for the Dutch mineralogist and early governor of the “Cape of Good Hope” colony, Colonel Hendrik Von Prehn (1733-1785), who discovered it in South Africa in the early 18th century. Prehnite was the first mineral to be named after a person.

Prehnite is said to make dreams easier to remember and reduce nightmares. It is thought to bring balance and harmony to the flow of life energy. Prehnite can assist in forming healthy relationships and is known as a “stone of unconditional love”. Some feel that Prehnite crystals can also assist one to release old, painful memories.
Prehnite helps to clear toxins from the body and can assist in finding the root cause of an illness.

The addition of Prehnite to my necklace can ease the pain of kidney, shoulder, chest and lung ailments.

Amber

Amber is polymerized tree resin that has hardened and has been preserved. An especially rich bed of Amber was found in New Jersey that yielded samples dating back as much as 94 million years. The most treasured Amber encases species of insects, spiders, frogs, marine microfossils, feathers and other small organisms.

Amber has been used historically in the manufacture of jewelry and ornaments, and also forms the flavoring for akvavit liquor.

In Lithuania, an amber necklace was placed around a child to prevent kidnapping. Beaded amber necklaces are still a traditional gift for a child to express love and protection. In Latvia, bands of amber rings were used in wedding ceremonies to symbolize an eternal bond.

Amber can help the wearer fight depression. It absorbs pain and negative energy and promotes self-confidence and creative self-expression. Amber helps to attract joy and bring wisdom, balance and patience.

Adding Amber to my necklace will combat depression and aid in the treatment of throat, stomach, kidney and joint problems.

Willemite

Northwest New Jersey is known as "The Fluorescent Capital of the World." One of these fluorescent minerals is Willemite. Willemite, in its normal state, is a rather non-descript stone but hit it with a fluorescent light and you see neon colors of green, orange and blue.

Willemite helps us to be kind to all creatures, and is associated with caring and tenderness.

New Mexico – TURQUOISE

Turquoise is possibly the oldest gemstones known to man. It is an opaque stone typically ranging in color from blue-to-green with some rarer strains in purple and yellow. The majority of the world's finest-quality turquoise comes from the western and southwestern United States with New Mexico coming in first in production up until the 1920’s.

As rich as it is in color, Turquoise is rich in heritage. This gemstone was considered by the ancients to be a sacred stone, protective against all manners of evil and ill health. The Apache believed that Turquoise assisted warriors and hunters to aim accurately. The Zuni believed that Turquoise held the demons at bay while the Apache believe that placing Turquoise on a bow or gun would make it shoot straight. In the Middle Ages they believed that Turquoise had the power to protect the wearer from injury from falling, especially falling from horse-back, and that it made the horse more sure-footed. Native American medicine men kept Turquoise stones in their sacred bundles because they possess the powers of healing. In modern times there is a belief that turquoise has the power to protect and cleanse while being a symbol of good fortune and success. If you’re wearing a turquoise ring and you look down and see a crack in the stone, the Native Americans would say “the stone took it”, meaning the stone took the blow that was meant for you.

One Native American legend tells of a chief with turquoise colored skin who was being pursued by his enemies in the hot desert. As he fled beads of perspiration would fall to the ground and became Turquoise gems scattered throughout the Southwest.

Over the years Turquoise has become the stone of sky, stone of water, stone of blessings, good fortune, protection, good health and long life. (Decorate my rose quartz body suit with beads of Turquoise.) It is said that Turquoise will grow pale on an ill person and regain its color when the person’s health is restored.

Turquoise is known as an aid in mental functions, communications and expression. It can be worn to protect against pollutants in the atmosphere. The gemstone is excellent for reducing depression and exhaustion and has the power to prevent panic attacks. Turquoise also symbolizes friendship, generosity, sincerity, affection and romantic love. It is a stone of peace and tranquility. A gift of Turquoise represents friendship and luck and bestows wealth and happiness to its receiver.

The addition of a Turquoise bead to my necklace will enhance my immune system, stimulate the regeneration of tissue, and alleviate cramps and pain. It will also sooth a sore throat, tone and strengthen the body and heal the eyes. (And hopefully bring wealth, happiness and long life.)

New Mexico designated Turquoise as its official state gem in 1967.