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AMETHYST - FEBRUARY'S BIRTHSTONE -

Amethyst (pronounced am-eh-thist) crystals grow on the inside surface of agate geodes. While the crystals themselves may grow to be several inches, the geodes containing the amethyst crystals often reach several feet in height. This majestic gemstone ranges in color from deep purple to pale lavender depending on the presence of manganese and iron. Amethyst can also appear reddish-purple or yellow-purple depending on the combination of minerals present in the clear quartz.

Leonardo Da Vinci once wrote that amethyst holds the power to dissipate evil thoughts and quicken one’s intelligence. Healers have been using amethyst to increase their psychic abilities and intuition for centuries. Cross-culturally, this popular gemstone was used as a symbol of peace and unification. It is also thought to evoke feelings of serenity and calmness in those who wear it.

Amethyst is often used during meditation to provide an overall sense of spiritual balance. Some naturopaths will use amethyst to help treat insomnia and sugar imbalances, and to relieve headaches.

CORAL

Coral is a tentacled skeletal creature with microscopic plants living inside its soft tissues. When it reproduces, the new life forms remain attached to their "parents," building reefs and atolls-a polyp living in clear, warm seawaters. At the same time the plants go on living inside them and drawing sustenance from the sunlight. Coral's greatest spiritual value is that it is like a wise teacher. It teaches us to value life and our place in it. It shows us the importance of living so that we make the world a good place for the children and grandchildren that follow. A beautiful symbol of the importance of creatures and plants living harmoniously together.

GARNET

It was said that Noah guided the ark by the light of a garnet lantern during the rain and darkness of the deluge. The stone was later used by travelers as a charm to ward off accidents and it was worn by the crusaders as an aid to safely find their way home. In Eastern Europe, garnets were worn to guard against vampires. In the 18th and 19th centuries, perfectly transparent garnet became the height of jewelry fashion.

The name comes from the Latin granum for "seed-like," as it was thought that red garnets resembled pomegranate seeds.

Garnet has always been considered insurance for travelers against misfortune. Likewise, some believe that it is useful in warding off bad dreams and as protection from theft. The stone is thought to attract love and soul mates and to enhance creativity. Garnet has been associated with the root, or red chakra; imbalances of which are said to be responsible for anxiety, irritable bowel and lack of energy.

LAPIS LAZULI

Royal blue lapis lazuli characteristically has either whitish or yellowish matrix or feathering. Since the earliest of times, lapis lazuli has been associated with strength and courage. The Sumerians believed that the spirit of their gods lived within the stone. That theme was adopted by the ancient Egyptians, who drew a connection between the speckling of the stone and the glittering stars in the night sky. One of the most famous uses of the stone is in the mask of King Tutankhamen, where it is inlaid with turquoise and carnelian in bright gold. It was used by European artists during the Middle Ages, ground as pigment for producing the color aquamarine.

From antiquity, lapis lazuli has been worn in the belief that it will ward off evil. In ancient Egypt, it was powdered and worn about the eyes to improve eyesight. Today, it is considered by some to be an aid to balancing the brow chakra (which influences vision and hearing). Imbalances of the brow (or blue) chakra are said to cause headaches, anxiety and disorders of the skin.

Lapis lazuli is an intense royal blue stone. Until the Middle Ages, it was referred to by the name sapphire (from the Greek for the color blue). The beautiful mixture of textures of white calcite (cloudy, patchy) and pyrite (brassy feathering) gives lapis lazuli its characteristic look. The stone has other ingredients: lazurite, sodalite and hauyne.

TURQUOISE

Turquoise, a stone ranging in color from blue to green to yellow, is filled with wonderful patterns of brown and black matrix that are composed mainly of copper deposits. Although turquoise has captivated man's imagination for centuries, no one is sure exactly when it was discovered. Prehistoric people used and prized it for its blue-green colors because carved pieces have been found in burial and archeological sites spanning the globe. Steeped in history and intrigue, it is truly a captivating stone. It has been used in religion, art, trade, treaty negotiations and of course as treasured jewelry to many kingdoms and peoples.

Turquoise is one of the official birthstones for the month of December, and is heralded as the stone of communication. It encourages enthusiasm, thus inspiring new projects and bringing to light undiscovered artistic abilities. Turquoise also provides understanding and encourages attention to detail while attracting prosperity and success.

The lines of coppery matrix provide a large amount of energy to its wearer. This may be one reason why the stone has long been prized as a powerful talisman with healing properties. It is believed that turquoise can help balance the blue throat chakra, enhancing the ability to communicate while increasing resistance to viruses, helping to relieve sore throats and allergies.

It is mined across the globe, and each location yields specific stone colors and characteristics ranging from the bright sky blue-matrix free Sleeping Beauty turquoise from Arizona to the rough, organic yellow colors and heavy matrix mined from Africa.

Chalk turquoise is a form of natural turquoise that has a white chalk-like consistency. It has the same chemical composition as turquoise, only without the copper (it's the copper that causes the blue turquoise color). It is dyed pleasing colors and stabilized to produce beads that are hard enough to use in jewelry.

~PRAIRIE HENS JEWELRY~

By Lyndia Loppe & Lin Dodge

Thank you for visiting Prairie Hens Jewelry! Our philosophy for our art is to make affordable, quality natural stone & silver jewelry. We’ve been friends for over 40 years and both share a love for natural stones, turquoise and silver and the simple joy of wearing such jewelry.

These stones sing to us – we use their songs to guide our designs. Earth, sky, rain, fire, wind, water, Autumn, Spring, Summer, Winter – elemental aspects of life we try to incorporate into all our work.

Please take a minute and enjoy the slide show ~ let the stones sing to you ~ these are only a sampling of our work and, as in nature, each piece is unique and has it's own song to sing!

While we maintain an inventory of beautiful necklaces, bracelets and earrings, we welcome custom orders and always encourage your personal suggestions. We believe once you try on one of our pieces, it will sing to you also!

Enjoy and God Bless!