The Power of Stones

There are those that believe some stones hold power, power to heal, give you peace, make you stronger in some way.  Different stones and gemstones are said to have different properties to aid and assist us.  I am not making any claims here, other than what popular beliefs are said to be.  I cannot state that wearing a particular stone will make you lose weight or fall in love... All I know is that I believe all natural things have an inner power, an energy that comes from them and maybe that power does help us in certain ways.  Maybe you just have to believe in it, maybe you just have to be more perceptive of what is going on around you.  I don't know. 
My good friend BJ Bigham-Trupp was kind enough to share with me her knowledge and her beliefs on the subject.  BJ believes that God created everything and everything has a purpose.  Many times this purpose is hidden from people but it is there all the same.  She custom designs jewelry for people to reflect and enhance the energy/personality/spirit of the specific person.  She uses her vast knowledge on the subject of the metaphysical properties of materials, not just what they are made of but also the color and shape of the items.  She has given me her permission to share and pass on the knowledge to others through my blog.  I want to thank her for this because there is a vast sea of knowledge out there regarding this subject and it is easy to become overwhelmed by all the different opinions and viewpoints on the matter.  Keep in mind these are opinions or commonly held beliefs and not proven facts...I do not have scientific data to support this info, it is for entertainment purposes.  Of course you are welcome to try your own experiments on the subject...wear a stone for a while around your neck and see how it makes you feel! You may or may not believe in the power of stones but it is still interesting to read about and I think it is an intriguing subject.

I'm going to start today with agate.  It comes in many colors and varieties.  According to Wikipedia, "Agate  is a microcrystalline variety of silica, chiefly chalcedony, characterised by its fineness of grain and brightness of color. Although agates may be found in various kinds of rock, they are classically associated with volcanic rocks and can be common in certain metamorphic rocks.^"
According to BJ's research on the subject, agate in general is thought to bring long life, family happiness and prosperity, protects against jealous rivalries, improves one's health and financial stability.  It is the zodiac gem for Gemini. 
Agate was used in ancient cultures for carving.  The Egyptians, Sumerians and Greeks used it for making jewelry, beads, and decorations.  It was even used for religious ceremonies.  Some types of agates are cut into thin sections and used in stained glass panels and creations. 
I love agate because it comes in so many varieties, from delicate blue lace agate to jungle-like moss agate, greyish-brown Botswana agate and even black or black and white.  It is very hard and stands up well for use in jewelry and can be polished til it is shining. 
Each kind of agate is known for it's own properties for instance blue lace agate is thought to bring harmonization, enhance creative abilities (especially in singing, painting or writing), helps the wearer to communicate more effectively, brings harmony in life and is healing/calming/balancing. 

Here is a necklace designed by me that features moss agate.

In the Forest necklace

Moss agate is supposedly one of the most powerful of agates if you believe in the power of stones. It is said to help balance emotional energy. It could help the wearer let go of anger or bitterness to do so. Also known as the abundance stone, it is believed to bring health, friendship and bounty to the person that wears it.

These earrings feature Botswana agate and will give you some idea of the unique color variations of the agate family.

Botswana Agate Swirl earrings

Botswana agate is said to promote creativity, finding solutions and an understanding for the need for deeper meanings.  It supposedly has anti-depressant abilities and can help those with repressed emotional issues.  It is said to have a soothing and calming affect on the wearer and encourages eternal and constant love.  It also is said to help stimulate the exploration of the unknown and helps one in the quest for enlightenment.

My Hearts Desire necklace features one of my favorite agates, a large black and white agate focal stone.

Hearts Desire necklace

Black and white agate is said to be a stone of protection.  It is good to wear when traveling as it can supposedly help guard against physical danger.  It also is said to help relieve stress and increase courage. 

All of these examples are currently available in my Grey Girl Designs Etsy shop.  They are all handmade by me and one of a kind.  Perhaps you'd like to try one out and see if it helps you in some aspect of your life?  I would definitely be interested in any feedback from those of you who have felt the power in a particular stone you may wear.  How does it make you feel?  Do you think there is anything to all this talk of "metaphysical" powers?  Leave me a comment and let me know your experiences!
If you would like to visit my friend BJ you can find her on Facebook here:  Fantasyfaces KC
Besides being an excellent jewelry designer and friend, her and her husband Bob spend late summer weekends painting faces at the Kansas City Renaissance Festival in Bonner Springs, KS.  They bring smiles to faces young and old and have a great time doing it!