| Getting information about the powers of stones | | | | (1330-1376) was called the Black Prince because |
| and beads never proved to be easier, now that | | | | he wore black armor.] The ruby was so-called |
| this article has been written. Read on to learn | | | | because it was a large red stone. Edward was |
| more-- | | | | sixteen when his heroism during the Battle of |
| You go to the small, hard to find shop. Once | | | | Crecy brought him praise; a later battle earned |
| there, the proprietor asks you to write your | | | | him the stone, already considered to be a |
| name and address-- not deliver anything to you, | | | | powerful amulet. Henry V wore it in his helmet at |
| but to decide which stone beads are "right" for | | | | Agincourt; it was credited with saving his life when |
| you. Strings of specially chosen beads are created | | | | the helmet was split by a battleaxe. Richard III |
| here in Okinawa by reinosha or shamans. These | | | | wore it at Bosworth. It is still the most celebrated |
| bracelets of elastic with the beads of aventurine, | | | | stone among the British Crown Jewels. |
| turquoise, topaz, rose quartz and many other | | | | Beads also have a rich history of spirituality and |
| minerals or materials are supposed to change | | | | ritual use that comes from prayer beads and the |
| your mood, or at least give you good luck. | | | | belief in healing powers of gemstones. For |
| Functionally, a stone might be useful as an amulet | | | | thousands of years, man has used beads to |
| or a talisman. The terms are often confused. An | | | | adorn himself and aid in spiritual and ritual rites. |
| amulet wards off danger, misfortune or evil. A | | | | The root word for bead, bede means to pray, |
| talisman has the power to attract something | | | | and the earliest use of prayer beads is traced to |
| beneficial on behalf of its wearer, to bestow | | | | the Hindus. Stringing beads together allowed the |
| virtues or blessings. | | | | user to keep track of the number of prayers |
| WIKIPEDIA SAYS- A pair of beads made from | | | | repeated. |
| Nassarius shells that are approximately 100000 | | | | According to the History of Prayer Beads , by |
| years old are thought to be the first known | | | | Marcia Jo Mycko , rosary beads were used prior |
| examples of jewelery. | | | | to the 12th century for talismanic purposes (as a |
| Both stones and beads have long histories in the | | | | superstitious object to ward off illness or bring |
| realm of magic and belief. | | | | good luck). For example , coral was thought to |
| From the Middle Ages onward knowledge of the | | | | purify the blood and prevent illness in children. |
| healing or protective properties of stones was | | | | Once the church decided rosaries were better |
| considered a crucial factor in alchemy medicine | | | | suited for counting devotions than for talismanic |
| and the occult , three branches of knowledge | | | | protection, persons of the cloth were forbidden |
| which in those days were nearly one , together | | | | from carrying "pagan" rosaries made from coral, |
| constituting the whole of current science. | | | | quartz or amber. |
| The following list is of beads materials and their | | | | DID YOU KNOW? In the middle ages, opal was |
| associations. | | | | considered a stone that could provide great luck |
| Moonstone: Good fortune for lovers | | | | because it was believed to possess all the virtues |
| Opal: Bestows hope | | | | of each gemstone whose color was represented |
| Carnelian: PMS relief | | | | in the color spectrum of the opal. |
| Wood: Simplicity | | | | Whether or not you believe in the power of |
| Topaz: Power over wild animals | | | | stones or beads, all jewelry has some magic. |
| Tiger's eye: Courage | | | | Perhaps you have inherited a ring which was |
| Apatite - Enhances creativity | | | | actually considered to be a lucky piece, worn daily |
| Citrine - Raises self esteem | | | | by a great-grandparent? Or a gemstone in an |
| Garnet - Creates health | | | | unusual setting? Or a small string of coral beads |
| Labradorite - Aids digestion and metabolism | | | | whose original meaning as a christening gift has |
| Pearl - Signifies faith | | | | been largely forgotten? So rather than travel to |
| Peridot - Overcomes anger and jealousy | | | | Okinawa for a special shaman's bracelet, maybe |
| Quartz (clear) - Stimulates brain function | | | | you should just dig through your jewelry box for |
| Based on the theory that stones, especially | | | | some magic. |
| crystals vibrate at a certain frequency; a stone's | | | | RECOMMENDED READING: Gemstone Energy |
| energy can be used to balance the body's | | | | Medicine: Healing Body, Mind And Spirit by Michael |
| electromagnetic waves. Others believe that | | | | Katz, The Crystal Bible: A Definitive Guide to |
| wearing certain stones can affect your chakras or | | | | Crystals by Judy Hall, The Book of Stones: Who |
| energy centers. | | | | They Are & What They Teach by Robert |
| One legendary stone was known as the Black | | | | Simmons and Naisha Ahsian. |
| Prince's Ruby. [Edward, Prince of Wales | | | | |