Amethyst Gemstone Beads: History, Features, Folklore and Healing Properties

The priests wore it, the Egyptians treasured it; this is regarding the birthstone Amethyst which is probably one of the most precious stones, rare in deposits and intricate in its properties. Amethyst is one such gem stone which is a quartz deposit produced in the form of colored crystals that are purple or lilac in color. Myths suggest that Amethyst was a stone which prevented 'intoxication' presumably it was used against alcohol addiction. Due to the presence of iron and magnesium in its composition; the crystal maintains the violet shade, its structure being rhombohedra, with a fracture capacity that is conchoidal.

Geological Significance: Amethyst is a stone of the medieval ages, where the first known evidence regarding its history was detected back in Egypt. The recorded excavation where deposits of the crystal were witnessed was in Brazil at Santa Cruz. Although detected late, it is said that the stone originally may contain either manganese which is mainly responsible for the lilac shade.

The foundation stretches across Düsseldorf in Germany where the composition may also contain traces of sulfur and Iron. Medieval periods unearthed amethyst crystals under the Anglo-Saxon graves. It is a state gemstone for South Carolina.

Amethyst crystal is found in unanimously in places like Mexico, Canada, India, Madagascar, Africa, Europe, Uruguay and the United States. Its formation takes places through its mineral, quartz which predominate from igneous and metamorphic rock sediments. Volcanic deposits also contain geode crystals.

Features: Already mentioned above is the basic fact that the manganese concentration is responsible for the purple color and the intensity of the shade depends upon the quantity of iron inside the crystal.

In the field of chemistry; it is referred to as Silicon Dioxide; the compound maintains such constituents whose color changes depending upon the temperature hence below 48 degrees the crystal becomes unstable and starts to lose color and structure. Therefore it has been found that the stone is processed into two types; Ametrine and Citrine.

Amethyst consists of a refractive index which ranges between 1.5-1.6; a tenacity of 6.8-7 on Moh's Scale and sports a crystal structure which is tetrahedral. Amethyst's specific gravity is 6.5 and fracture is conchoidal.

Folklore: Ancient history depicts the stone to be a precious asset to the Egyptians who believed Amethyst guarded individuals from any negative thought / action. They believed in witchcraft and sorcery, hence regarded the stone as a protective shield against dark forces. Due to the psychological and devout properties, legends have it that the stone was known to prevent addiction as was accepted by the Greeks. In fact, it is also known as the Bishop Stone and has a cathedral history attached in its biography. The stone is February stone meant for the zodiac Pisces.

Healing Properties: Apart from being a stone which is known for imparting wisdom, Amethyst is known to relieve people from migraines, stress and hence leaves a calming effect unless the ambience is negative. It is also known as the dream stone which assists the wearer by triggering sleep thus preventing insomnia. The stone protects the mind from deception, offers strength and positivity hence is a spiritual stone purchased not just for being a gem asset but also for its significance in healing and meditation.

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Carnelian Gemstone: History, Properties, Folklore and Uses

A silicon deposit of the mineral 'Chalcedony', Carnelian gemstone is considered semi-precious and is recognizable for its dark brown-red color due to the presence of iron oxide within its composition. The stone is traced back as a birth stone meant for the zodiac signs Leo and Virgo. The stone predominates from the 'Quartz' family and originally was called 'cornelian' due to its cherry red color which was analogous to the fruit 'cornel cherry'.

Geological History of the Carnelian Gemstone: Back in the late centuries, this stone was unearthed in the Bronze Age, so early that the time dates back till the 1800 BC. The main extracts come from Australia in Garie Beach Queensland, Austria, Botswana, China and Brazil already holds repute for famous gemstone excavations. Even in India you can find carnelian dredges as well as traces in Africa, Russia is found to abound in major deposits.

Properties of the Carnelian Gemstone:

• The chemical and physical property of 'Carnelian' differentiates it from another gemstone called 'sard' which is also found as mineral sediment of quartz, and is harder and tougher than the Carnelian.

• The stone was formerly called 'Carnelian Agate' and is prominent in the form of deep red, dark brown and white shades.

• Sporting a molar mass of around 60g/mol it preserves a crystal system which comes under the category of the 'Trigonal'.

• It possesses a fracture which is uneven, conchoidal and jagged. When measured on the Mohr's Scale, the tenacity is measured around 6-7 and maintains a specific gravity of about 2.69-2.61.

• This translucent gemstone undergoes artificial heating such that the color can be deepened for better commercial sale.

Folklore and Legends of the Carnelian Gemstone:

• Since centuries this stone holds a chief significance with respect to its historical myths and beliefs. It was the Egyptians who believed the stone to have healing properties, some which are witnessed for zodiacs of Leo and Virgo.

• The therapeutic convictions talk about the stone being beneficial for blood circulation and produce a positive perspective towards life within an individual.

• Is said to stop bleeding and treat wounds. The Greeks believed the stone to prevent spirits and evil energy from affecting the wearer whereas the Asians native to Tibet and India treated the stone to be a lucky charm which would bring fame, fortune and protection as its charm.

Uses of the Carnelian Gemstone: The stone is popularly used in jewelry in the form of rings, armlets and pendants, the stone can be used in any form of jewelry and therefore has become commercially very popular amongst the masses. The very reason that the Carnelian stone is considered spiritual due to its relevance for medical support as well the high name it holds for being a stone of beauty and charm, its production has increased to a ten-fold thereby promoting more countries to extract this stone, one of them being Madagascar which is another land of its deposits.

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Amber Gemstone Beads - History, Properties, Folklore and Healing Properties

The Neolithic stone, Amber, which is basically found in the form of a fossil particularly a tree resin and has been classified under five specific categories on the basis of the chemical components found in quality and quantity. It has been named on the basis of source and constituents, for example amber fossils found in New Zealand coal mines are referred to as 'Ambrite' otherwise it is usually called 'Resinite'.

Geological History: Considerably around 1400 circa, amber was extracted from fossilized tree resins. Amber is naturally denser than stone and was first used by the Europeans for jewelry and perfume fabrication. The most rampant physics subject related to 'Static Electricity' associates with Amber, the stone, was the first substance used for experiments where it was the initiator for attractive forces.

The stone has many chronological events attached with its existence especially the heavy trade commenced from the Baltic Sea across the Amber Road, and has been found as a produce which was traded 2000 years ago.

At present the unearthing of the stone has been found to be significant on a global scale. Being a fossilized version of tree resin, Prussia leads in the mining of the stone. Maximum deposits occur in the Baltic Sea, along the region of Kaliningrad Oblast located in Russia.

Physical and Chemical Properties: The gemstone is normally found under blue earth accretions which are extracted using belt pelting from which the crust normally is removed either by erosion or by using a sand and water mixture. It is a non uniform dreg which is composed of resinous associates that can dissolve in alcohol or ether. It constitutes some major carboxylic acids which are communic, cummunol and bioformene acid. Hence is made up of alkenes which after undergoing heavy pressure and high temperature converts the resin into copal and then readily once the terpenes wash off, Amber fossils are formed.

Often impurities are found within the substance hence making the material usable only for varnishes, thus the amber which isn't pure is known as 'firrness'. Blue Amber is when pyrites mixed with resin are formed. Bony Amber is another sort which contains bubbles within its concentration which gives it an opaque translucence.

The most common color for Amber gemstone beads is deep yellow to dark red, green and most infrequent blue amber which is also known as Dominique Amber. Baltic Amber is another category which is common amongst the finds. Amber can also be artificially produced hence to know the difference between natural and manmade; make a saturated solution of salt and water. Once you find the amber floating, it isn't natural otherwise it is amber in case it floats though sometimes 'copals' are found to be dense.

Folklore and Legends: Love, passion and strength are the basic symbols related to the Amber gemstone beads, apart from soothing hyperactive individuals the stone is also used to calm stressed nerves. Legends technically pronounce the stone to be a magical stone though it's healing and medicinal properties i.e. rejuvenating energy within an individual and increasing physical potency have made it quite popular amongst the masses.

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