North Dakota - TEREDO PETRIFIED WOOD

Well if this isn't proof in the pudding that states are picked randomly for this exploration, I don't know what is.  Our next state is another one that doesn't sport a state gemstone, state rock or even a state mineral.  And the state fossil is a duplicate, albeit a different variety, of the Texan state fossil, Petrified Wood. 

North Dakota's version is Teredo Petrified Wood, so called because it bears the boreholes of shipworms, known as Teredo.  Although the Teredo isn't really a worm at all, millions of years ago this mollusk would attack trees that washed into the Cannonball Sea that covered much of North Dakota, riddling the wood with holes.  As the wood petrified the holes were replaced by quartz preserving the mottled look.

Teredo Petrified Wood promotes general health and fortifies the body defenses.  It encourages mental stability and contentment.  It aids in the good health of your bones, skin and hair.  An elixir enhanced with Petrified Wood adds thickness and shine to your hair.  It has been said to aid in the healing of atrophied limbs and to relieve paralysis.

Known as a stone of business success, Teredo Petrified Wood helps ground energy, promotes concentration, draws wisdom from your practical and leadership side and encourages goal setting.  During a crisis, a piece of Petrified Wood will give you strength and support, provide insight into cause and effect and help to make you feel safe and secure.

A bead of Teredo Petrified Wood added to my necklace will add glamour to my hair and give me a strong physical and spiritual backbone.

In 1967 North Dakota designated Teredo Petrified Wood as its official state fossil (one of the first states to honor a fossil symbol).

Wisconsin - TRILOBITE

Wisconsin is one of those states that have a state mineral – Galena, a state stone – Granite, and a state fossil – Trilobite, but no state gemstone.

Granite has been admired by the Aboriginal and Mayan cultures, as a sacred and powerful stone, used for protection. It has been thought to encourage diplomacy, discretion, cooperativeness and balance. Granite is the great balancer of water and earth (the emotional and he practical). Earth helps water to keep its deep emotions in check. 

Granite also has been used to strengthen hair, bones, muscle and soft tissue.

Although I’m a firm believer in balanced relationships and strong bones, Granite will not make it on to my necklace.

Galena, a primary source of lead, will definitely not find its way onto my necklace.  However, it deserves mention as a “stone of harmony" that brings healing, calmness, efficiency, and insight. It is thought to help with circulation problems and hair growth. But, carry it, don’t wear it.

Now the Trilobite is something different.  I have been fascinated with this funny, detailed fossil for many years. Trilobites were hard-shelled, segmented arthropods that existed over 500 million years ago.

Trilobites are said to help in the healing of eye and head pains.  They can also correct deficiencies in Vitamins A and D, calcium, and iodine. It is believed that the Trilobite reduces anxiety, stress, and fatigue and can balance your emotions.

Trilobites can also inspire leadership and management character. It assists in the development of patience, confidence, strength, and perseverance and can help you to attain the goals you have set for yourself.

The addition of a Trilobite to my necklace will give me the confidence and fortitude to be a successful manager.

Granite and Galena were designated state representatives in 1971 while the Trilobite crawled its way into the state record in 1985.

Alaska - JADE

With all the gemstones in the world you wouldn’t think we’d run into that many duplicate state gemstones, but alas…….

Having the second largest deposit of Jade in the world, it kind of makes sense that Jade would become the representing gemstone of our 49^th and largest state, Alaska.  But as I mentioned we’ve covered Jade in an earlier entry (See Wyoming, Bead 14) so I’ll skip the unique properties of this rich and protective stone and tell you about the Jade Mountain.

Found in the Far North Region of Alaska, on the Seward Peninsula, the truth is there is little to learn about the, inaccessible by road, Jade Mountain, save that it is entirely made up of Jade.

I expected to find tales of gnomes and ogres, fairies and trolls or at least a tall tail about a Russian nesting doll come to life (since you can see Russia from the back yard).  But no brilliantly woven tales were to be found.  Not even an Eskimo whale story.  So I am left, as are you, to my own devices to imagine the tale of the famous (fill in your own mythological or fairy-tale creature) that did something, that angered someone, who imprisoned someone in the illusive Jade Mountain.  Or better yet a giant elf turned to Jade by an evil witch.  And Jade Mountain is actually the elf hat reaching up to the sky.

How far we can roam……

The addition of Jade to the necklace will bring increased energy, reduce stress, and attract good luck and friendship.  (But does little for the imagination.)

Alaska legislated Jade to be the official state gemstone in 1968.

Arizona – TURQUOISE

Since Turquoise is so important to the Native American culture it is no surprise that it’s the state gemstone of Arizona.  But since we already covered this beautiful stone in week 18 when we discussed New Mexico (See - Bead 21) I’m not going to rehash all that good info.

I will, however, talk about my choice of Turquoise beads.  For the past 5 or 6 years I have been amassing an exquisite collection of goddesses.  The majority of these have the serene, pure cameo look of the beautifully crafted Balinese goddesses.  I have a few, but not many, of the buxom, earthy, maternal full-figured goddesses pictured here.  But my necklace needed a goddess to generally protect and keep me safe, so here she is. 

So in the spirit of friendship and love, the addition of the motherly Turquoise goddess to my necklace is there to wish you peace and inner calm.

Turquoise was designated the official gemstone of Arizona in 1974.

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.

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.