"Agate" comes from the Greek word "Agateeq" which means happy. Agate is theAyurvedic, Hebrew, and Roman birthstone for May; the Arabic birthstone for June; and the Mystical birthstone for September. It is also the Sun Sign (Star Sign) for Aquarius, the Zodiac Birthstone for Gemini, the Talismanic Birthstone for Libra, and the Sun Sign (Star Sign) for Capricorn. In addition, moss agate is the anniversary gemstone for the 14th year of marriage.
Agate's historical importance encompasses fossils, folklore, and science. Human use of this stone can be traced back to Stone Age man in France, circa 20,000-16,000 BC. The Egyptians were also known to have used this agate prior to 3000 BC. It was highly valued by ancient civilizations, as it was said to render the wearer invisible.
Although agate has a hardness rating of 7, it will still chip and crack rather easily. It is important to protect agate from scratches, sharp blows, sudden temperature changes
, and household chemicals such as bleach or cleaning products.
Agate is said to have healing properties. It is considered to be a cooling stone, reducing fever, quenching thirst, and benefitting the stomach area. Agate is also thought to slow the pulse and quiet heart throbs. It is said to ensure good health combined with a long and prosperous life.
Agate has also been said to possess mystical powers. Legend says that wearing or carrying agate guards against danger, promotes caution, and permits wearers to view themselves with clarity and the world with a broad viewpoint. It is also believed to cure insomnia and ensure pleasant dreams.
“Onyx" is a chalcedony quartz that is mined in Brazil, India, California and Uruguay. It has a fine texture and black color; however some onyx also displays white bands or ribbons against a black or brown background and this variety is known as sardonyx.
The name comes from the Greek word onyx which means nail of a finger or claw. Legend says that one day while Venus was sleeping Eros/Cupid cut her fingernails and left the clippings scattered on the ground. Because no part of a heavenly body can die, the gods turned them into stone which later became known as onyx.
It seemed to the ancient Egyptians that the young scarab beetles emerged spontaneously from the burrow were they were born. Therefore they were worshipped as "Khepera", which means "he was came forth." This creative aspect of the scarab was associated with the creator god Atum.
The ray-like antenna on the beetle's head and its practice of dung-rolling caused the beetle to also carry solar symbolism. The scarab-beetle god Khepera was believed to push the setting sun along the sky in the same manner as the bettle with his ball of dung. In many artifacts, the scarab is depicted pushing the sun along its course in the sky.
** Perla Maxima **
Whether wild or cultured, gem quality pearls are almost always nacreous and iridescent, as is the interior of the shell that produces them. However, almost all species of shelled mollusks are capable of producing pearls (formally referred to as "calcareous concretions" by some sources) of lesser shine or less spherical shape. Although these may also be legitimately referred to as "pearls" by gemological labs and also under U.S. Federal Trade Commission rules, and are formed in the same way, most of them have no value, except as curiosities
The most valuable pearls occur spontaneously in the wild, but they are extremely rare. These wild pearls are referred to as natural pearls. Cultured or farmed pearls from pearl oysters and freshwater mussels make up the majority of those that are currently sold. Imitation pearls are also widely sold in inexpensive jewelry, but the quality of their iridescence is usually very poor, and often, artificial pearls are easily distinguished from genuine pearls. Pearls have been harvested and cultivated primarily for use in jewelry, but in the past they were also stitched onto lavish clothing. Pearls have also been crushed and used in cosmetics, medicines, and in paint formulations.
A pearl is a hard object produced within the soft tissue (specifically the mantle) of a living shelled mollusk. Just like the shell of a mollusk, a pearl is made up of calcium carbonate in minute crystalline form, which has been deposited in concentric layers. The ideal pearl is perfectly round and smooth, but many other shapes of pearls (baroque pearls) occur. The finest quality natural pearls have been highly valued as gemstones and objects of beauty for many centuries, and because of this, the word pearl has become a metaphor for something very rare, fine, admirable, and valuable.
Bogusław Gocał-Czerwiński
------------------------------- © 2010, Красимир Куртев - Алеф автор, All rights reserved!
