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Price is per 16-inch strand of these beautiful agate beads.
No gemstone is more creatively striped by nature than agate, chalecedony quartz that forms in concentric layers in a wide variety of colors and textures. Each individual agate forms by filling a cavity in host rock. As a result, agate often is found as a round nodule, with concentric bands like the rings of a tree trunk. The bands sometimes look like eyes, sometimes fanciful scallops, or even a landscape with dendrite trees. Agate was highly valued as a talisman or amulet in ancient times. It was said to quench thirst and protect from fevers. Persian magicians used agate to divert storms. A famous collection of two to four thousand agate bowls which was accumulated by Mithradates, king of Pontus, shows the enthusiasm with which agate was regarded. Agate bowls were also popular in the Byzantine Empire. Collecting agate bowls became common among European royalty during the Renaissance and many museums in Europe, including the Louvre, have spectacular examples. Tigereye is an opaque form of quartz, when beaded and polished, is streaked by spindle-like bands of light. Typically brownish-yellow to a blue or blue-green. Heated yellow-brown tigerseyes may take on a reddish color due to oxidation of iron inside the gemstone.
Jade is treasured in China as the imperial stone. In two forms, jadeite the best for its more vivid green and translucency. Also in lavender, pink, and white. Nephrite is dark spinach greens, white, browns, and black. For thousands of years, jade has prevailed as a symbol of love, purity, and status.
Obsidian is natural glass, a black-transparent-to-translucent mineral that is formed from quickly-cooling magma during volcanic eruptions. It was used by the Native Americans to shape arrow and spear-heads. Some beautiful forms of obsidian contain white inclusions that resemble snowflakes.
Coral is calcium carbonate exuded by huge colonies of tiny marine animals - a true organic gemstone. White coral is common, but pink, orange, blue, and black exist. Supposedly, red coral changes color depending on its wearer's health, and poses curative powers if it left un-carved by man.
Rose Quartz is a much rarer form of common clear quartz (or rock crystal). It has a rosy-red hue that may be fairly cloudy as a result of strakin by small fissures. It sometimes contains rutile inclusions dense enough to form a star.
Agate is a form of quartz colored by bands. These patterns may be straight, concentric, or shaped in landscape-like patterns. In ancient times agate was highly valued as a talisman, protecting its owner from fever and insomnia, bringing strength and victory in battle.
Amethyst is purple-to-lilac, ranging from opaque to expensive transparency. A purple variety of the quartz family. A symbol of sincerity, security, and peace of mind. Named from the Greek word "amethustos" meaning "without wine." Legend says drinking from an amethyst chalice will prevent intoxication.
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