Sold
Sterling Silver 14 x 11 Fossil 24 x 14 Chrysocolla Ribbon
 
Fossil coral
Fossil coral is a natural gemstone that is created when prehistoric coral is gradually replaced with agate. Corals are marine animals and it is their skeletons that are fossilized and preserved. The fossil coral forms through hardened deposits left by silica-rich waters. The entire process can take over 20 million years.
The proper name for fossil coral is "agatized coral" or "agatized fossil coral." Agate, with its silicon dioxide composition (SiO2), is a variety of naturally occurring chalcedony--or microcrystalline quartz--rather than a type of coral. For this reason, fossil coral should not be mistaken for endangered or protected reef coral or precious coral. Fossil coral is also much harder than precious coral. Most agatized fossil coral exhibits a dull to waxy luster and interesting skeletal-like ancient coral patterns, most often appearing in flower shapes.
Fossil coral deposits are often used for the making of health and drug supplements because of their high calcium, potassium, magnesium and sodium content. Because fossil coral can remove chemical impurities such as chlorine and formaldehyde it is used in industrial fertilizers and water purification filters.
 
Meaning: Fossil Coral
According to metaphysical beliefs, fossil coral is a grounding stone good for bringing about change. Agate is thought to be able to help heal pancreatic disorders and improve blood and air circulation. Fossil coral is used for healing eye, skin and stomach illnesses. It is even believed to enhance longevity.
Although coral is not a traditional birthstone for any month, it is a non-traditional zodiac stone for Taurus.
 
Chrysocolla
Chrysocolla can be found wherever large copper deposits occur, such as Africa, Mexico and the U.S. state of Arizona (where it is called Apache chrysocolla). Chrysocolla from the state of Arizona is a mixture of chrysocolla, turquoise, jasper, lapis, malachite and quartz crystal minerals.
Chrysocolla is the gentlest of stones. It's not a high-energy stone like quartz, rutilated quartz, or smoky quartz and--unlike malachite, azurite and lapis--it doesn't bring buried emotions to the surface. Its main role is to soothe, calm and inspire. Its color alone is soothing with a deep blue-green which might remind you of a distant mountaintop or the stillness at the bottom of the sea.
For thousands of years, chrysocolla has been known throughout the world as a stone of calming reconciliation and reassurance. In ancient Egypt, it was called the "wise stone" because it shielded and encouraged the mind during negotiations. Those who wore it generally came up with clever compromises and resolutions. This stone also has the ability to help people who are violent to become more sensitive and tolerant which is why, as an ambassador, Cleopatra wore chrysocolla jewelry everywhere she went.
 
Meaning: Chrysocolla, with associations of tranquility, peace, intuition, patience and unconditional love, is known as a healing stone among Native American cultures where it has been used to strengthen the body's resistance to illness and emotional duress. It has also been used traditionally to bring about calm feelings where there is upset and can be used to purify a place or restore balance to a person.
Chrysocolla is not assigned to any particular month as a birthstone; however it's a wonderful stone to use in conjunction with turquoise in traditional December birthstone jewelry.
Chrysocolla has the ability to bring harmony, increase wisdom and guide you toward discretion. It promotes level headedness, encouraging clarity of thought and a neutral, calm attitude during turbulence by purifying the home, environment and the mind. Use it to decrease nervousness and irritability.
 
Ethiopian Opel
Precious opal mined in Ethiopia began entering the gem and jewelry market in 1994. This opal originated from a discovery made in the Menz Gishe District in the northern part of the Shewa Province. Opal from this area occurs in a wide range of body colors.
 
Ethiopian Opal was discovered in 1990, Ethiopian opal was first commercially mined in 2008. It comes from Ethiopia's northern Welo (or Wello) District. A range of deposits in the area offer a range of opal types, including types found at Australia’s Coober Pedy mines!
In 1929, anthropologists ascertained some evidence of opal in caves of Kenya, with some pieces being used for tools.
"Opal" comes from the Sanskrit word upala, which means "precious stone." This comes from the stories from ancient India, which said the Mother Goddess changed the virgin Goddess of the Rainbow into a stone to save her from the amorous attentions of three gods. The word was adopted in Latin during Roman times as opalus.
Opal is one of the official birthstones for the month of October (along with pink tourmaline) and an alternative birthstone for April. It is modernly used to mark the 14th anniversary of a marriage.
 
Meaning: Ethiopian Opal
The ancient Greeks thought the stone could give people the gift of prophecy and protect them from disease. Some metaphysical thought includes the idea that wearing opal can make you unobtrusive or unnoticeable, pulling all of a person’s human sparkle into the fiery colors of the stone. While some people believe it is unlucky for people not born in October to wear opal, the gemstone has actually long been valued as a stone of luck and magic--as well as love and passion.
Ethiopian opal is believed to be an emotional intensifier, enhancing the true nature of those who wear it. Some say it strengthens the will to live and shields the wearer against negativity, burning off karma. Practitioners of energy work say it activates the base and sacral chakras, although other base colors of this opal can be used with corresponding chakras if needed.