Beginners Guide to Getting Stoned... I mean Stones! (Aventurine)

  What stone do Parakeets love?

SEASHELLS!

   I have it on good authority!

   And not just because Charlie said so--mineral blocks made for bird cages are often made from crushed seashells.

   But seashells also have a lot of spiritual uses as well! They are considered potent symbols of protection, femininity, and thought to harness the soothing energy of water. They represent the journey of life and are believed to help provide emotional balance. In addition, they are often associated with spiritual growth and are frequently linked to the deities of love as well as the oceans mysteries.

   Among the Goddesses most strongly connected to seashells is Aphrodite, who legend says was born from the seafoam.  Symbolizing beauty and love, her legendary birthplace is considered to be Petra tou Romiou--a popular costal spot in Cyprus and a perfect place to find seashells!

   One of her major symbols is the seashell, so it comes as no surprise that she is often depicted with them!

   Because of their strong spiritual connections, seashells are used in divination and rituals and are popular in the making of jewelry. Common spiritual practices include using in meditation to connect with water energy and promote peace, placing on altars to honor water deities or as a symbolic offering, wearing shells to stay safe and grounded, and even using shells for burning sage and storing crystals for cleansing.

   In addition, each shell is associated with specific symbolism.  Scallop shells portray light and are often used in pilgrimages while a conch shell is thought to represent the divine voice. The cowerie shell, on the other hand, was traditionally used as money and symbolizes abundance, so it is often used in protection spells. Representing the expansion of consciousness and harmony with its spiral configuration is the nautilus shell.   

   If you want to know more about seashells or any gemstones and crystals, visit us in person or online at https://justwitchys.com. Just Witchy's carries a selection of books to expand your knowledge of stones and crystals. We also offer a variety of products containing seashells of all varieties--perfect for gifting, accessorizing, ritual use, or home décor.

That's all for now from the Shinyte School of Stones!

   The Shinyite School of Stones is an unregistered trademark of DUCKWRITES.COM, used by Just Witchy's with permission from Duckwrites.

Beginners Guide to Getting Stoned... I mean Stones! (Aventurine)

Today's featured stone is Adventureine--The Stone of Opportunity--prized for attracting luck, prosperity, and emotional healing and hearth health...

Aventurine Ring

Disembodied voice: You mean Aventurine.

Yeah, that's what I said. 

Disembodied voice: No, it's not. You said Adventureine.

(EYEROLL) Okay, I meant aventurine. I'm pretty sure everyone knew what green gemstone I was talking about...

Disembodied voice: Sometimes it's not green.

Umm...what?

Peach Aventurine Bracelets

Disembodied voice: Aventurine is a translucent quartz. The name comes from the Italian a ventura, which means by chance, referring to the 17th century Murano glassmakers who accidentally dropped metal shavings into molten glass--creating sparkling aventurine glass.

   It is often green due to fuchsite inclusions which result in sparkling "avernturescence" effect and is believed to bring luck, prosperity, and emotional calmness. However, this gemstone can also be found in other colors, each with a specific spiritual meaning. There is a blue variety that is generally associated with mental healing, improved communication, and enhancing intuition, while the red assortment is usually linked with increasing vitality, confidence, and passion. In addition, there's an array of yellow or peach aventurine gemstones that are typically thought to be connected to self-acceptance and emotional harmony.

Well, do you know where it can be found?

Disembodied voice: This mineral can be found all over the world in places like Chili, Spain, China, and and parts of the United States, but it is primarily found in India, Brazil, Russia, Tanzania, and Austria, with India being the largest commercial producer.

Wire Wrapped Green Aventurine

Okay, but did you know it had a Mohs hardness of 6.5--making it an ideal stone for use in jewelry?

Disembodied voice: Actually, yes. Aventurine has been used for centuries to make jewelry. Many ancient civilizations like the Amazonians used aventurine not only in jewelry, but also to make talismans and to decorate statues. It was popular not only in South America, but also China and Tibet.

Anything else we should know about this gemstone?

Blue Tumbled Aventurine

Disembodied voice: If you want to know more about aventurine or any gemstones and crystals, visit us in person or online at https://justwitchys.com. Just Witchy's carries a selection of books to expand your knowledge of stones and crystals. We also offer a variety of products containing aventurine of all varieties--perfect for gifting, accessorizing, ritual use, or home décor.

That's all for now from the Shinyite School of Stones!

Shinyite School of Stones is an unregistered trademark of DUCKWRITES.COM, used by Just Witchy's with permission from Duckwrites.