Semi-Precious Stones Used to Make Beads

Colorful, unusual, and beautiful, semi-precious stones have been fashioned into beads by humans since before recorded history. These unusual stones were also vested with unusual powers, thought to aid and protect the wearer. Include a few semi-precious stone beads when you create beaded clothing, and you may also experience the protective benefits these semi-precious stone beads offer.

Malachite: Called the stone of travelers, malachite is said to warn of impending danger by breaking apart as enemies approach. Its beauty is in its striations in shades of green from light to deep, as well as black. Folklore says that malachite brings protection to women during pregnancy and childbirth, and also to children. Many cultures, ancient and modern, consider it a powerful healing stone. Malachite is a soft stone, and can easily be scratched or dulled.

Onyx: Most often seen in its black form, onyx is also available in white, green or dark brown. The deep black stones are thought to give protection to the wearer, as are most black gemstones. They are also thought to increase concentration and devotion. This may be one reason many rosaries are made of it. Onyx beads are said to bring success in love affairs, all the more reason to use them to embellish "date" clothes.

Serpentine: Found in many types of rocks, serpentine is actually a general name applied to several stones with the same chemistry but different structures. The difference between these similar stones is almost impossible to distinguish with the naked eye. Serpentine is a delicate, pastel green, olive green, yellow, golden, or brown. It has a greasy, waxy, or silky feeling and appears translucent to opaque. It is sometimes mistaken for jade. Considered a charm against disease and sorcery, nursing mothers worn beads of it to regulate their supply of milk.

Tiger's Eye: A form of quartz, tiger's eye is a dark brown or black stone with streaks of lighter golden brown. The streaks give the appearance of a cat's pupil. Eye stones were thought to enable the wearer to see behind closed doors. Tiger's eye encourages insight, independence, and courage. Roman soldiers wore it into battle for protection, as it was also considered a psychic protector.

Turquoise: Sacred to ancient cultures from the Americas to the Middle East, turquoise was considered a lucky talisman to carry. It was thought to protect a rider from injury if he fell from a horse. Turquoise can be either shades of green-blue or light blue. The fewer veins of inclusion a turquoise stone contains, the more valuable it is. Turquoise is made into beads of all shapes and sizes. It is thought to relax the mind and ease mental tensions. Turquoise was included in burial sites in the Americas and elsewhere to guard the dead and attract beneficial spirits.