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Mystical Gems and Stones

Whenever you next think about beads, you just have to turn to this article. It is a great resource on beads and their powers.
You go the small, hard to find shop. Once there, the proprietor asks you to write your name and address- not deliver anything to you, but to decide which stone beads are "right" for you. Strings of specially chosen beads are created here in Okinawa by reinosha or shamans. These bracelets of elastic with the beads of aventurine, turquoise, topaz, rose quartz and many other minerals or materials are supposed to change your mood, or at least give you good luck.

Each string of beads is said to possess a particular aura effective for the person the minerals were chosen for. There are Wooden Beads painted with Hiragana or Chinese characters to bring luck. Hematite wards off depression. Rock crystal brings strength. Mother-of-pearl attracts money, and rose quartz can make you lucky in love.

WIKIPEDIA SAYS- Jewelery is made out of almost every material known and has been made to adorn nearly every body part,from hairpins to toe rings and many more types of jewelery.

Both stones and beads have long histories in the realm of magic and belief.

During the Middle Ages information on the properties of stones was also essential to anyone responsible for the health and well-being of a large household. Thus stones were thought to be of practical use in risky undertakings such as childbirth; or curing the sick when pestilence was commonplace.

The following list is of beads materials and their associations.
Moonstone: Good fortune for lovers
Opal: Bestows hope
Carnelian: PMS relief
Wood: Simplicity
Topaz: Power over wild animals
Tiger's eye: Courage
Apatite - Enhances creativity
Citrine - Raises self esteem
Garnet - Creates health
Labradorite - Aids digestion and metabolism
Pearl - Signifies faith
Peridot - Overcomes anger and jealousy
Quartz (clear) - Stimulates brain function

Based on the theory that stones, especially crystals vibrate at a certain frequency; a stone's energy can be used to balance the body's electromagnetic waves. Others believe that wearing certain stones can affect your chakras or energy centers.

One legendary stone was known as the Black Prince's Ruby. [Edward, Prince of Wales (1330-1376) was called the Black Prince because he wore black armor.] The ruby was so-called because it was a large red stone. Edward was sixteen when his heroism during the Battle of Crecy brought him praise; a later battle earned him the stone , already considered to be a powerful amulet. Henry V wore it in his helmet at Agincourt; it was credited with saving his life when the helmet was split by a battleaxe. Richard III wore it at Bosworth. It is still the most celebrated stone among the British Crown Jewels.

Beads also have a rich history of spirituality and ritual use that comes from prayer beads and the belief in healing powers of gemstones. For thousands of years, man has used beads to adorn himself and aid in spiritual and ritual rites. The root word for bead, bede means to pray, and the earliest use of prayer beads is traced to the Hindus. Stringing beads together allowed the user to keep track of the number of prayers repeated.

The traditional Buddhist mala is comprised of 108 beads , whereas Muslim prayer beads , called subha or tisbah , contain 99 beads; the Catholic rosary consists of between 38 and 169 beads.

Once the church decided rosaries were better suited for counting devotions than for talismanic protection, persons of the cloth were forbidden from carrying "pagan" rosaries made from coral, quartz or amber.

DID YOU KNOW?In the Middle Ages the name topaz was used to refer to any yellow gemstone.

Whether or not you presume there to be force in stones or beads, all jewelry has some sorcery. Perhaps you have inherited a ring which was actually considered to be a lucky piece, worn daily by a great-grandparent? Or a gemstone in an unusual setting? Or a small bead necklace whose original significance has been largely forgotten? So rather than travel to Okinawa for a special shaman's bracelet, maybe you should just dig through your jewelry box for some magic.

RECOMMENDED READING:Gemstone Energy Medicine: Healing Body, Mind And Spirit by Michael Katz , The Crystal Bible: A Definitive Guide to Crystals by Judy Hall ,The Book of Stones: Who They Are & What They Teach by Robert Simmons and Naisha Ahsian