| Price is per 16-inch strand of these beautiful beads - about 26 beads to the strand. Each measures 16mm x 8mm x 5mm, drilled ready to thread. Turquoise is a soft, opaque gemstone – formed by volcanic rock reacting to copper deposits brought by water. Ranging from blue-green, to yellow-green with grey, black or brown veining. Turquoise has been found in 5,000-year-old Egyptian tombs and the Tibetans used it as currency centuries ago. North Africa and the Middle East hold large deposits, but most turquoise today originates from Burma and is carved in China. Turquoise didn’t reach Europe until the crusades when the name originated, meaning "Turkish stone”.
Chrysocolla is similar to chrysoprase. The name chrysoprase (rhymes with bliss and craze) is from a Greek word meaning Golden Leek. It is the rarest of the chalcedony group of gem quartzes and its bright even color and texture is ideal for beads.
Chrysoprase was popular in the time of the Greeks and Romans when it was cut into cameos - the Egyptians used it with lapis jewelry and even to decorate beads. In Europe until the middle of the last century it was used lavishly, when deposits mined in Silesia exhausted and it became expensive. The Book of Revelations (21:20) describes the holy city of Jerusalem with its 12 walls decorated with precious gemstones, the tenth being chrysoprase.
According to an 11th Century Byzantine manuscript, chrysoprase strengthens vision and relieves internal pain. Metaphysically, it brings a sense of grace, helping meditative, calmness and acceptance of oneself and others. It is believed to encourage positive outcome, helping to heal a broken heart, the heart itself, the reproductive organs, and fertility. And in the East, Chrysoprase is said to balance yin-yang and encourage the heart chakra bringing energy to the physical body.
Astrologically, chrysoprase is associated with the zodiac signs of Gemini and Cancer.
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