Brightening days the citrine way

Citrine is a type of quartz that contains iron impurities which provides it with an amber color. Citrine is actually classified as a macrocrystalline variety of quartz. Macrocrystalline quartz contains crystals that are recognizable with the naked eye.

Citrine quartz is sometimes called citrine topaz, although only an expert eye can point out the differences between the two. Citrine is primarily found in Brazil but other countries such as Madagascar, Namibia, Argentina, Russia, Scotland and Spain are also home to citrine deposits.

Some of our lighter citrine on sale now

Carrying a citrine stone is said to be good for business since it is has been called the ‘merchant’s stone.’ Some believe that keeping citrine inside a cash resister will make for better business.

Long before cash register’s were in need of some healing, ancient cultures considered citrine to the ‘stone of the mind.’ Instead of dropping citrine in a cash box, these people would hold a citrine stone against the head of an elder in an attempt to increase psychic powers.

That legend has not been abandoned as citrine is sometimes used in an effort to avoid nightmares. A citrine placed near one’s head and is said to help keep away unpleasant dreams.

Citrine is often mistaken for topaz, however there is no mistaking the price tag on each one. Topaz is a much more expensive stone although sometimes it is tough to tell the two apart. At Brightlings Beads, citrine gemstones won’t cost a fortune but will still provide you with an eloquent look.

Citrine gets its name from the French word ‘citron’ which means lemon. However, citrine’s color doesn’t always conjure up visions of a lemon. Its color is often a little darker than yellow, more comparable to gold or amber. Some citrine can includes shades of red, giving off a deep, vibrant glow.

Within citrine, there is also believed to be healing powers and it has been used for various purposes since the Hellenistic period in Greece dating back to 4th century B.C. Back then, citirne was carried as a protector against the venom of a snake as well as evil thoughts.

Citrine comes in a range of colors

Throughout time, citrine has come to be known as a cheerful gem and its wearer can usually find themselves filled with hope. The crystals within citrine dissipate negative energy and help cleanse the aura.

And in this day and age, whose aura doesn't need a good cleansing every now and then?

Citrine is also the gemstone which represents the 13th year of marriage. Superstitious couples in that 13th year of wedlock can always carry citrine to help make it through one more year of marriage.

Or they could end up throwing it at each another if things go awry.

But you don’t have to wait until your 13th year of marriage to get a hold of your own citrine. Brightlings Beads offers a wide selection of citrine that will help you brighten any one of your days.

Healing taste in different ways

Chalcedony is a compact type of Quartz that is also a microcrystalline. It can be found in geodes as well as in a variety of different colors. Chalcedony can be colored with lavender, greens, blues and even reds. Chalcedony can be semi-transparent or translucent.

Brightlings Beads' blue chalcedony beads

When it comes to gemstones, the most popular chalcedony comes in gray, white or blue and is often translucent. But whatever your taste, there is usually a chalcedony that can match your style.

Chalcedony takes to dyes rather easily and is rarely used in its rough natural form. It is found all over the world as chalcedony is a common type of Quartz. The United States has a great abundance of chalcedony and it is also found in countries such as Mexico, Britain, New Zealand, Iceland and the Czech Republic to name a few.

Chalcedony has been around for centuries and has played a tasteful part in different generations all over the world. In Tibet, chalcedony is known as the ‘stone of purity.’ Their belief is that it helps promote concentration.

But it was not in Tibet where chalcedony acquired its name. It was named after the ancient city of Chalcedon, located in what is present-day Istanbul. The Chalcedonic era stretched from 5500-3500 B.C. and although that era came to an end, the popularity of chalcedony lived on.

More recently in world history, Native American Indians revered chalcedony stones as sacred and even used them in tribal ceremonies. They believed chalcedony promoted good will and brotherhood. Needless to say, chalcedony appeased the taste of their Gods.

The legend of chalcedony live on today as modern-day spiritualists value it for a variety of reasons. The different colors of chalcedony have also taken on a variety of purposes.
Blue, gray and purple chalcedony assists people in removing unwanted things from their lives. It also helps avoid situations that bring on emotional stress.

Chalcedony beads also come in light green

Green chalcedony is said to teach people how to relate to others in a loving manner.

White chalcedony is also known as the ‘mother stone’ and is aimed to shield people from negativity.

All of those colors of chalcedony are available now at Brightlings Beads. Regardless of which color chalcedony you choose, many believe there are healing powers within all of them.

It is used most often to help with problems in the neck area. That includes the tonsils as well as the vocal chords. One remedy is to boil chalcedony in water with a pinch of salt and then gargle to cure a sore throat or harsh voice.

Chalcedony beads is also be used by some for the purpose of  healing an unhealthy taste of fashion. The addition of chalcedony beads can brighten up any outfit and make your ensemble a little more tasteful.

A tall order for one small gemstone

Carnelian is a variety of Chalcedony, a member of the Quartz family. It is actually a milky Quartz that comes in varying colors, the most popular of which are deep red and oranges. Carnelian obtains those colors from iron oxide.

Carnelian comes in beautiful orange hues

Carnelian’s deep reddish and oranges hues has made it a trendy accessory in the modern fashion world. It also is a popular type of bead when it comes to jewelry making. However, carnelian did not just jump onto the scene. It has been part of different civilizations throughout the history of man.

It was around long before Brightlings Beads featured such a wide selection of beautiful carnelian.

The ancient Romans revered carnelian as the ‘stone of courage.’ It was during the reign of the Roman empire when carnelian received its name. Carnelian comes from the Latin word, which means ‘flesh.’

Prior to that in ancient Egypt, it was simply 'a semi-precious gemstone not yet known as carnelian.'  But it was incorporated into the ancient Egyptians belief system. However, they did not refer to it as ‘the semi-precious gemstone not yet known as carnelian.’ 

They did believe there was an association between carnelian and solar imagery. Carnelian was also found in the tomb of the famed Egyptian King Tutankhamen.

Egyptians and Romans were not the only societies that used carnelian. Napoleon I and Napoleon III both were proud wearers of carnelian. Chances are, those Napoleons were not prancing down a runway modeling carnelian because of its great fashion sense.

During that era, carnelian continued to symbolize courage. It was believed to help those who needed the courage to speak. Many people speaking in public forums often carried carnelian with them for that very reason.

Some of Brightlings Beads darker carnelian

As time moved forward, more lure began to come along with carnelian. Some believe in its power to boost energy while others have turned to carnelian when it comes to trying to increase their sexual energy.

Its healing properties do not stop there. Dr. Carnelian has also been said to help with blood diseases and can even help in stopping a pesky nose bleed. It has also been used to help speed up the healing process for cuts and abrasions.

Carrying carnelian has been known in some circles to improve one’s outlook on life as well helping one’s memory. To prove that theory, some people have held carnelian in their hands whenever they have forgotten something. They would then stop trying to remember whatever it is they have forgotten and at some point, their lost memory would return.

All of these uses and healing methods seem like quite a tall order for one small stone. But carnelian has been passed down through generations and that kind of longevity must have netted some pretty favorable results along the way.

A gem of little trees

Tree agate is a type of Chalcedony that is similar to Moss Agate. It is a member of the Quartz family and a variety  of microcrystalline. Tree agate is often a colorless, white or grey stone with small inclusions of green branching throughout it. These green markings are actually Chlorite, Manganese or Hornblende inclusions.

Tree agate has a unique blend of color

The green markings make tree agate appear to have the look of mossy or tree like shapes and resemblances.  These markings are called dendrites, a name derived from 'dendron' which is the Greek word for 'tree.'

But tree agate is known by more than one name. Tree agate is also known as dendritic agate. The names are pretty much synonymous as dendritic comes from the Greek language meaning 'tree like.'

So is it more appropriate to say tree or dendritic agate? Tree agate seems to have a much more appealing and easy-to-remember name. In modern times, tree agate it is.

A closer look at tree agate shows a unique resemblance of its tree-like features. Its white and green colors provide a beautiful contrast which gives this gemstone a unique look.  As evidenced by its name, tree agate is believed to have a powerful connection with nature.

There is also a deep history rooted within tree agate. It first showed up in India and is believed to have been in existence for a couple billion years. It has developed a history of being a talisman in India. A talisman is an object, usually a stone, that is believed to contain magic powers while also bringing good luck.

Brightlings Beads' darker tree agate

One of the ancient beliefs behind tree agate is that it can bring a fullness of life. For that reason, it has been dubbed the ‘stone of plentitude.’ That meaning can also trickle down to its effect on nature. Some believe that tree agate has a connection to the nurturing energy of nature. Those powers van be extended to the health of plants. Spreading tree agate around plants can assist in their growth and also help farmers with their harvests.

However, there must be some patience involved since tree agate is a slow acting crystal whose effect is felt over time.

The patience factor shows itself again when it comes to tree agate’s ability to have a calming effect on one’s nerves. Throughout history, many have often referred to tree agate as the stone of inner peace. This belief makes tree agate come in handy when it comes to the act of meditation.

Those looking for a quick fix may need to turn somewhere else as tree agate’s metaphysical powers take a bit of time to take effect. But that doesn’t apply to today’s fashion world. Brightlings Beads offers a variety of tree agate beads that can provide and immediate fix to any fashion ensemble with its truly unique look.

The youngest and rarest agate

Blue lace agate is a variety of Chalcedony and a member of the Quartz family. When talked about in scientific circles, blue lace agate is a classified as a microcrystalline Quartz. However, blue lace agate has not been talked about for long periods of times. It is a bit of a newcomer to the world of semi-precious gemstones.

Agate has been around for billions of years, but the discovery of blue lace agate was much more recent. It was discovered by an American prospector named George Swanson almost fifty years ago in the southwestern part of Africa. Swanson first collected blue lace agate on his farm in the country of Nambia, right on the border of South Africa.

Swanson remarked on the brilliant look of the stone and referred to it as the ‘Gem of Ecology.’ He did so because the blue and white colors swirling throughout it reminded him of the earth and clouds. Swanson than took advantage of this discovery and began to mine and market blue lace agate.

Some of our blue lace agate selections

A little bit later on in 1974, a contingent of prominent ecologists gathered in Los Angeles and declared blue lace agate a symbol of world ecology. One of the main reasons behind this was because blue lace agate was very similar to the way the earth looked when photographed from space.

Almost a half-century after Swanson made this unexpected discovery, his original mine in southern Africa remains the world’s only source of blue lace agate.

But you won’t need to take a trip to southern Africa to get your hands on your very own blue lace agate. Brightlings Beads offers a variety of beautiful blue lace agate.

Since blue lace agate is a relatively new gemstone, it does not have much of the folklore and legend that comes with other kinds of agate. However, blue lace agate is believed by many to have calming and soothing effects. And because it is a variety of Quartz it is believed to have healing powers.

Quartz is basically a crystal that naturally forms within the earth. When crystals are rubbed they give off electrical currents. Coincidentally, crystals have been used in the invention of lasers, telephones, radios and even computers.

Because Quartz can naturally vibrate, many believe there are healing powers within its crystals. The same applies to the blue lace agate as many believe it can be used to as a stress reliever. It has also grown to symbolize peace and happiness.

But the legend of blue lace agate has only just begun. As generations pass, there is likely to be more stories shared about this stone.

And with more stories, a legend will grow and the rarest form of all the agates will carve out its place in future generations.

Glitze^TM Crystal Rhinestone Pavé Epoxy Clay Beads

Glitze^TM Crystal Rhinestone Pavé Epoxy Clay Beads

Puttin' on the Glitz with a blast of sparkle from these 10mm  Glitze^TM crystal pavé round epoxy clay beads. Embedded into epoxy clay, tiny crystals capture and dance in the light. These eye catching beads are the perfect way to add sparkle and bling to your jewelry designs. Glitze crystal pavé clay beads mix well with other crystal beads, pearls, glass beads and more.

A natural decision

Agate is a microcrystalline quartz which is actually a variety of chalcedony. There are many different types of agate with different uses, histories and legends. Agate can often be dyed, but when it’s in its natural state, it has an abundance of colors.

One of our varieties of natural agate beads

Natural agate has been called nature’s most striped gemstone. Those stripes are not typical straight up and down patterns like you might see normally on items such as clothing, flags or wallpaper. Stripes on natural agate are often swirling bands which gives this gemstone a truly unique look.

The different colors within natural agate are created by limonite crystals which seep into the rock cavity when it is formed.

Natural agate can be found all over the world in places like Brazil, Uruguay, Italy, India, Egypt, Mexico, China, Germany and the United States. One of the most noteworthy places natural agate can be found in is in Minnesota on the shores of Lake Superior. It is believed that this is home to some of the oldest agate in the world dating back billions of years. Minnesota has adopted the Lake Superior agate as the state’s official gemstone.

Agate comes in so many forms and produces fashionable beads such as such as tree agate, moss agate, crazy lace agate and white agate to name a few. Wearing agate beads may not be so simple as there is a wide selection to choose from, all of which are available at Brightlings Beads.

Another selection of natural agate beads

It just comes down to a decision.

Decisions, decisions, decisions. Our everyday lives consist of a constant battle to make the right decisions. Quite often, people look for somewhere to turn for advice when it comes to making decisions. Natural agate is believed by some to be able to help in that department.  Now, the stones will not speak to you directly and waiting for an answer will leave you with a lot of spare time on your hands.

However, people often wear natural agate when making an important decision. In addition to helping with decisions, natural agate has a long-standing history of being a protective stone. It was worn on the armor of ancient warriors with intent of giving them strength and courage in battle.

Today, there is no need for such extreme uses. However, many people who wear natural agate beads believe that it can protect them from stress and bad dreams while even helping with an upset stomach. It is considered to be the ultimate protection stone, especially for children.

Protection goes deeper than the physical natural as agate gemstones are also believed to strengthen the intellect. In today’s day and age, strength is needed in all areas of everyday life. Natural agate beads may lend you a little help in those areas but will assuredly strengthen your fashion sense with their chic look and beautiful design.