Why You Should Be Wearing Agate Jewelry

Agate is a variety of chalcedony formed from layers of quartz which usually show varicolored bands. It usually occurs as rounded nodules or veins.

The term chalcedony is derived from the name of the ancient Greek town Chalkedon in Asia Minor. Chalcedony, which is found worldwide, is the name for a group of stones made of a microcrystalline or cryptocrystalline variety of quartz, which means the quartz crystals are too small to be seen without high magnification.

Agate is believed to discern truth, accept circumstances, and is a powerful emotional healer. Legend says that Agate improves memory and concentration, increases stamina and encourages honesty. Agate is said to be particularly beneficial to people born under the sign of Gemini as it helps them to remain calm and focused.

It is believed to prevent insomnia and insure pleasant dreams, to enhance personal courage and protect one against danger. Agate provides a calming influence, improves perception, concentration and helps to develop and increase one's analytical talents.

Agate is also listed as a birth/natal or star stone in the following birthstone tables:
Mystical - SeptemberAyurvedic - MayZodiac - GeminiSun Sign (Star Sign) - CapricornSun Sign (Star Sign) - AquariusSun Sign (Star Sign) - GeminiTalismanic - LibraHebrew - MayRoman - MayArabic - June

To see a beautiful example of Agate in a jewelry application, please check out Handmade Jewelry Haven's ArtFire page where you will see our very elegant 'Blown Sand' Agate Necklace.

Wordless Wednesday

Please enjoy this weeks gorgeous Lampwork Beads....

To see lampwork jewelry visit Handmade Jewelry Haven's Etsy Shop Here.

To Keep Them In Our Hearts..

This blog post is dedicated to my dad, Grant Haven, who passed away a little over 3 years ago and served as a Naval Radioman aboard a PB4Y2 Aircraft in WWII.

Memorial Day was officially proclaimed on 5 May 1868 by General John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, in his General Order No. 11, and was first observed on 30 May 1868, when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery. The first state to officially recognize the holiday was New York in 1873. By 1890 it was recognized by all of the northern states. The South refused to acknowledge the day, honoring their dead on separate days until after World War I (when the holiday changed from honoring just those who died fighting in the Civil War to honoring Americans who died fighting in any war). It is now celebrated in almost every State on the last Monday in May.

In 1915, inspired by the poem "In Flanders Fields," Moina Michael replied with her own poem:

We cherish too, the Poppy red

That grows on fields where valor led,

It seems to signal to the skies

That blood of heroes never dies



Cherry Blossom Lampwork Beaded Bracelet

She then conceived of an idea to wear red poppies on Memorial day in honor of those who died serving the nation during war. She was the first to wear one, and sold poppies to her friends and co-workers with the money going to benefit servicemen in need. Later a Madam Guerin from France was visiting the United States and learned of this new custom started by Ms.Michael and when she returned to France, made artificial red poppies to raise money for war orphaned children and widowed women. This tradition spread to other countries. In 1921, the Franco-American Children's League sold poppies nationally to benefit war orphans of France and Belgium. The League disbanded a year later and Madam Guerin approached the VFW for help. Shortly before Memorial Day in 1922 the VFW became the first veterans' organization to nationally sell poppies. Two years later their "Buddy" Poppy program was selling artificial poppies made by disabled veterans. In 1948 the US Post Office honored Ms Michael for her role in founding the National Poppy movement by issuing a red 3 cent postage stamp with her likeness on it.

Why not celebrate Memorial Day this year in style by wearing Handmade Jewelry Haven's 'Cherry Blossom' bracelet, a beautiful red lampwork bead bracelet and 'Cherry Blossom' matching earrings? Find them both at our Handmade Jewelry Haven Etsy Shop Here.

source; US Memorial Day

Friday Follow

Welcome to the May 14 Friday Follow celebration hosted by One 2 Try and Midday Escapades! We invite you to join us every Friday to get more blog followers and to follow other interesting blogs. It is all about sharing and having fun.
Here's how YOU can join the Friday Follow celebration:
* Link up your blog name and URL using the MckLinky . Only need to add on one blog to be seen on all the blog hops.
* Grab the Friday Follow button and include on your Friday Follow blog post.
* Follow the Friday Follow hostesses: One 2 Try and Midday Escapades
* Follow as many other blogs on the linky as you'd like
* Take a moment to comment on the blogs telling them you're from Friday Follow
* Follow back when you get a new follower through Friday Follow
The list is new each week. The links do not carry over. Please link up each week for new participants to find your blogs. The list is only open to add your blog links on Fridays. It will be visible all week to visit the blogs listed.
As hostesses, we realize the time required to participate in Friday Follow. Due to the overwhelming number of entries each week, we understand everyone, including ourselves, may not be able to follow every blog. To keep it fun, follow what you can at your own pace. We appreciate your understanding and thank you for your continued participation!

Be sure to visit Handmade Jewelry Haven's Etsy Shop to see our beautiful beaded jewelry!

Wordless Wednesday

Just some more wonderful examples of these beautiful baubles....

To see lampwork jewelry visit Handmade Jewelry Haven's Etsy Shop Here.

A Passion For Pearls

Pearls are the oldest known gem, and for centuries were considered the most valuable. So valuable that the Roman General Vitellius allegedly financed an entire military campaign with just one of his mother's Pearl earrings.
Pearls have been used for personal ornament for thousands of years. They were probably one of the earliest gems found by prehistoric man. Pearls represents purity, innocence and integrity. They have long been considered ideal wedding gifts because they symbolize purity and innocence. In the Hindu religion, the presentation of an un-drilled Pearl and its piercing has formed part of the marriage ceremony. The Chinese used pearls in medicinal ways to cure eye ailments, heart trouble, indigestion, fever and bleeding. To this day pearl powder is still popular in China as a skin whitener and cosmetic. In India, pearls were believed to give peace of mind and strength of body and soul. Europeans thought that swallowing whole or powdered pearls cured matters of the mind and heart, and strengthened nerves.
Pearl is the June Birthstone. They have long been considered ideal wedding gifts because they symbolize purity and innocence. Traditionally it is practically a requirement for brides. In the west, Pearls are the recommended gift for couples celebrating their third and 30th wedding anniversaries.

The traditional gemstone properties for Pearl are Purity, faith, charity, innocence, integrity, focus, wisdom, spirituality, sincerity, fertility.

Because of their natural beauty, pearls are associated with the matrix of life. Proponents say that the pearl helps balance one's bodily rhythms and hormonal levels with lunar cycles. Some claim that pearls can be used to help tap inner wisdom and to nurture the growth of love.
Pearls are said to have a strong magnetic healing power. Gem therapists believe that pearls strengthen the nerves, adrenal glands, spleen and muscular system.
Pearls are also helpful with stomach ulcers. They support the intestinal tract and stimulate digestion. They also relieve fever and headaches. Pearls provide vitality and strengthen your eyes. They also help in case of calcium deficiency.
Pearls enable one to accept love. It allows the bearer to see the good parts of oneself so you can love yourself and others more. Pearls are also thought to increase fertility and ease the pain of childbirth.

Visit Handmade Jewelry Haven's Etsy Shop to see all of our beautiful beaded jewelry.

source; Special Gifts