Welcome to Serendipity Jewellerys' newest blog post.
I have lots of fascinating gemstone trivia about the various origins, what they are believed to bring us and other little "gems" of information, and I'd like to share some trivia on some of my favourite Semi-Precious Gemstones.
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| A Selection of Serendipity Jewellerys' Leather Range |
I'm going to use one of our studio photos which features an array of selected necklaces from our "Leather" collection to help me choose out some of my favourite and most fascinating gemstones, and to also give you a peek at our creations.
So going from Left to Right (leaving out any repeat gemstones) we have; Snowflake Obsidian with Moonstone detail, Hematite, Howlite, Rainforest Jasper, Blue Agate, Ruby Fuchsite, Pink Botswana Agate, Tigers Eye, White Agate, Amethyst
Interesting Facts, healing properties, rock folk law, any other little ditties.
***Snowflake Obsidian: Snowflake Obsidian is a stone of purity. It balances mind body and spirit.Placed on the sacral hara chakra, snowflake obsidian will calm and soothe and allow you to view unhealthy patterns in your own behaviour, thus opening the door to change.
Obsidian draws hidden imbalances to the surface and releases them.The blackness of this stone enhances the ability to reach your inner self. It is one of the earliest known stones to be used for scrying (seeing into the future).
Healing properties of snowflake obsidianSnowflake obsidian is used by healers to relieve muscle cramps. It is considered a good detoxification stone.
Sources of snowflake obsidianThis stone can be found worldwide.
***Moonstone: Passionate love that will fly you to the moon
It is said if you give your lover a moonstone necklace when the moon is full you will always have passion with each other. Moonstone is a highly valued gemstone for these reasons:
- Brings good fortune
- Assists in foretelling the future
- Enhances intuition
- Promotes inspiration
- Brings success in love as well as business matters
- Offers protection on land and at sea
The moonstone is associated with the moon and was the stone of the goddess Diana. The most powerful time to use the moonstone is in a full moon.
It has been worn as an amulet to bring good emotions to the wearer, while protecting those of a sensitive nature. It can reunite lovers who have quarreled.Moonstone is also considered a good luck stone.
Moonstone is a very personal stone. It is a reflection of the person who owns it. It does not add or detract, only shows how it is. This is why the moonstone is said to perceive that which "is". Moonstone is an excellent stone to use in meditation to understand oneself. Placing it in the moonlight of a moon reaching its fullness, not a full or waning moon, can revitalize it. This is a particularly good gemstone for women. It is a good stone for young women or teenagers.
Healing properties of Moonstone
Moonstone is used by healers to stimulate the functioning of the pineal gland and balance internal hormone cycles with nature's rhythms. Moonstone is a stone of inner growth and strength. Though often considered to be a woman's stone, it can be beneficial to men in opening the emotional self.
Sources of moonstone
There are two moonstones. Adularia moonstone is an almost transparent pale gray or silvery white or blue shimmer. It is mainly found in Sri Lanka, Burma, India and Madagascar. Albite moonstone is in the feldspar group. It is semitransparent with a pale, shimmering reflection. It may be a little dull. It comes mainly from Canada.
***Hematite: is used to improve relationships. If you need your personal relationship to be better, carry a hematite with you always.
The name comes from the Greek word for blood. It has been used as an amulet against bleeding, and so is known as the "blood stone". When arranged like the petals of a flower, it is referred to as the "iron rose". Native American folklore states that war paint made from hematite will make one invincible in battle. People in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries wore hematite jewelry during mourning.Scientists of the Mars Exploration Rover Project believe that deposits of hematite on Mars may help prove whether large amounts of liquid water ever flowed on Mars' surface. They say that where water was, life may have had a chance to thrive as well.
Hematite is good for increasing intuition. In jewelry it is best in a ring worn on the left hand.
Healing properties of Hematite
Hematite stimulates iron absorption in the small intestine, which in turn improves oxygen supply to the body. It can be in direct contact with the skin, but results in inflammation for some people, so test it carefully on yourself before use.
Sources of Hematite
Brazil is the most important source of hematite. Other sources include: China, Canada, England, and Germany.
***Howlite: is white with grey veining. It is often dyed blue or green to resemble turquoise, or red to resemble coral. It is a super-calming stone and many people use it to relieve stress of all kinds. It makes an excellent antidote to insomnia due to an overactive mind.
Focusing on a piece of howlite can assist in journeying outside the body and gaining insight from past lives. Placed on the third eye, it opens memories of previous times and lifetimes.
Howlite teaches patience
Place a Howlite stone in your pocket to absorb your own anger - or another's anger that is directed toward you. It helps to overcome critical or selfish behaviour.
Healing properties of Howlite
- Relieves insomnia
- Balances calcium levels
- Strengthens teeth and bones
***Rainforest Jasper: (Rhyolite) This earth stone makes a wonderful connection to earth and all its inhabitants - plant, mineral and animal.
This gemstone (also called Rhyolite) celebrates the joy of life.
It brings awareness and joy for the natural state of things, such as your own body, emotional balance, interaction with other living people and organisms.
Rainforest Jasper can be used to invigorate or renew your emotional state. It brings hope and positive energy to alleviate depression or lethargy.
Bird's Eye Rhyolite Meaning
Rhyolite has a composition similar to granite but has a smaller grain size and is composed of light colors ranging from buff to pink.
Because of its varied formational traits it represents change, variety and progress. It sparks creativity in individuals who are ready to move forward and make things happen in their life.
***Blue Agate: This is THE stone everyone should have for protection. This group of stones are variegated chalcedony. (see also moss agate, eye agate) The agate is one of the oldest stones in recorded history.
Agates attract strength. Agate is a protection from bad dreams. It also protects from stress and energy drains. Agates have been used in jewelry since Biblical Babylonian times. They were used to ward off storms. They were prized gems in antiquity. The agates with banded colors were placed at the head of a sleeper to give rich and varied dreams. Agates have been thought to be good to harden the gums.
Healing properties of agate
Agate is used for stomach upsets. Place the agate on the solar plexus. The agate can't change emotions, but helps to change our level of acceptance of the emotion. Such as when you are very sad the agate will let you know that this will pass and help you get on to another and better day. This is why the Agate is considered so powerful as it gives us the strength to carry on. Carry an agate when you have to make an important decision.
Sources of agate
Probably the most famous place that agate is mined is Idar-Oberstein in Germany where it has been collected since 1548. Other locations to find agate are Uruguay, Brazil, United States, Mexico, Madagascar, Italy, Egypt, India, China, Scotland.
***Ruby Fuchsite: Ruby is considered to be the most powerful gem in the universe, and is associated with many astral signs. To own a ruby is said to have contentment and peace. Given as a gift, the ruby is a symbol of friendship and love. The ruby is also the symbol of vitality and royalty.
Fuchsite is the green variety of muscovite and carries the properties of muscovite - inspiration, problem solving, intuition, etc. As a heart chakra stone, it links the intellect of the mind with the heart.
Fuchsite allows one to use the gifts of the mind, guided by the heart.
Ruby and Fushchite together make a powerful combination!
***Pink Botswana Agate An "eye" formation in Botswana Agate is both protective and considered especially lucky. Consider holding one while picking lottery numbers or choosing a horse for a race. [Eason, 54]
Botswana Agate is an ideal crystal for very sensitive children or teenagers who are easily hurt by teasing or pressure, and can assist them in finding more like-minded friends. It also supports adults who join a dating agency or online services to find partners who are spiritually in tune and shares their dreams. [Eason, 54]
Botswana Agate is excellent for those serious about giving up smoking. To increase success drink an elixir first thing each morning, made by soaking the crystal in water for a few hours. Botswana Agate is also a stone of protection for all who work with fire, and protects the home from fires. [Eason, 54][Hall II, 43]
Botswana Agate is a useful receptacle for negative energy and toxicity, excellent for gridding around a house. It prevents out-of-body visitations from another soul and turns back unwelcome spirits. [Hall II, 42]
Agate promotes inner stability, composure, and maturity. Its warm, protective properties encourage security and self-confidence. It is a great crystal to use during pregnancy. [Gienger, 7]
Agate is useful as a protection amulet when traveling, and is especially effective against traffic accidents. [Megemont, 16]
Botswana Agate is said to repel spiders
***Tigers Eye lets you see everything. Use it for insight and you can be a very lucky person. When used in jewellery the tiger eye may bring good luck and protection from the evil eye to the wearer. It also known to bring clear thinking and insight.
Healing properties of Tiger Eye
Tiger's-eye or Cat's-Eye is a stone for the mind, not the body. Tiger Eye is used to focus the mind. It will cause the mind to have feeling of oneness and feel more direct in all thoughts. It makes one aware of one's own needs related to the needs of others.
A personal symbol carved in Tiger eye is excellent for the spiritually advanced to use in meditation.
***White Agate Agate's most noticeable properties overall are balancing yin/yang energy, courage, protection, healing, and calming. Historically it was placed in water for cooking or drinking to dispel sickness. The Metaphysical and Healing Properties Lore of any specific type of agate depend to some extent on the color of the agate, but all agates have certain things in common.
Agate is a stone of strength. It was used by the Ancients on the breastplates of armor to give warriors strength and make them victorious in battle. Energetically, it is considered to give strength in both battle and physically.
Agate enhances creativity and strengthens the intellect, making it a beneficial stone for both students and artists. It is also known as a good luck stone. As a stone of harmony, one of the things agate does is balance yin/yang energy. Agate increases energy. However, because it is a grounding stone, it does not increase energy at all times, but rather enables bursts of energy as needed. In this way, agate is a conservation stone, and enhances longevity.
Agate is a very protective stone. It is especially protective for children, and makes an excellent stone for children's amulets, medicine bags, jewelry, or just to carry around in a pocket. Agates are said to be especially useful for protecting children from falling.
Emotionally, agate gives courage, emotional strength, self-confidence, and dispels fears. It can also lessen feelings of envy by grounding the emotions. In the same way, it assists with acceptance of all things. It can be very beneficial for self-examination as well as examination of the circumstances one finds oneself in. These qualities make agate superior for easing anxiety and stress. Plume agates are especially helpful for anxiety and stress relief. Particularly when placed on the Solar Plexus (3rd) Chakra it can help one to accept one's emotions, thereby helping overcome those emotions that one wants to remove.
Because of the harmonizing qualities of agate, and its emotional energies of removing and releasing resentments and bitterness, it is also considered by many to be an excellent stone for helping to heal and improve relationships.
Agate can cleanse and stabilize the aura by removing and/or transforming negative energy.
As far as relationships go, agate is a stone of marital and romantic fidelity.
Agate is said to strengthen the body and the body's connection to the earth. It also increases energy. Agate is used in crystal healing for healing of all kinds by bringing the elements of the healee into harmony. Physically, agate is said to be particularly helpful with tooth and gum issues, stomach problems, physical endurance, insomnia. Note that healing crystal meanings are spiritual supports to healing and are not prescriptions or healthcare information.
White agate is especially considered a stone of hope.
Chakras: All agates can remove blockages from any chakra. Agate also relates to specific chakras according to the stone color.
Rock Lore & Tidbits: Agate is a variety of chalcedony which is a microcrystalline quartz. Agate is a more translucent microcrystalline quartz and technically is striped, though many stones named agates are not striped, whereas jasper is more opaque. There are many, many different types of agates in many different color combinations, and they are found all over the world. Different types are known fr different appearances and/or properties.
Agate is so popular and so widespread that it is the state gemstone (or stone) of a number of US states: fortification agate (red, black, yellow bands), Kentucky; agate, Louisiana and Montana, Tennessee (state stone); Lake Superior agate, Minnesota; blue agate, Nebraska; Fairburn agate, South Dakota; prairie agate, Nebraska (state stone); fire agate, Arizona.
***Amethyst Crystalline quartz in shades of purple, lilac or mauve is called amethyst, a stone traditionally worn to guard against drunkeness and to instill a sober mind. The word amethyst comes from the Greek meaning "without drunkenness" and amethyst is believed to protect one from poison.
Power Stone
It is used as a dream stone and to help insomnia. Put an amethyst under your pillow to bring about pleasant dreams, or rub it across your forehead to offer relief from a headache.
Protection Stone
Ancient Egyptians used the amethyst guard against guilty and fearful feelings. It has been worn as protection from self-deception, as well as a protection against witchcraft. The amethyst has long been used to open the spiritual and psychic centers, making it one of the power stones. It is also used as a meditation aid when worn as a necklace.
Wisdom Stone
The amethyst is known as the Bishop's Stone and is still worn by Catholic Bishops. The amethyst symbolizes piety, humility, sincerity and spiritual wisdom. It is thought the amethyst is the perfect stone to symbolize The Age of Aquarius.
Healing properties of Amethyst
Amethyst is a gemstone often worn by healers, as it has the power to focus energy. A healer will usually wear several pieces of jewelry with amethysts set in silver, especially an amethyst necklace. The person to be healed will have an Amethyst to hold while the healing is being done. The healer will place another piece of Amethyst on the area of the body in need of healing, the heart or lungs usually.
Amethyst is used for problems in the blood and in breathing problems. Amethyst crystal clusters are used to keep the air and life force in the home clean and positive.
Amethyst clusters, points or several tumbled Amethysts placed in a window that receives sun most of the day are very beneficial to use in healing and to heal negativity in the home. Place Amethyst clusters, points or several tumbled Amethysts in moonlight and everyone in the home will be feeling calmer. Using an Amethyst as a meditation focus will increase the positive spiritual feelings. Amethyst helps overcome fears and cravings. It also helps relieve headaches.
Thank you for reading our latest blog, and i hope you found it nearly as interesting reading it, as i did writing it! I love my work.
