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History And Significance Of Gemstone Beads |
By Gen Wright
 Gemstone beads are very popular these days and they are hence in high demand everywhere. Those who wear them are most often unaware of the history and legacy behind them and the significance that the gems have. Gemstones have always been surrounded with a lot of story telling and they have been part of many mythologies.
The history behind gemstone beads is not very clear but there are definite points in history where we can tell that they were in active use. Ancient Egyptians are famously noted for their love for jewelry and the finer things in life. Ancient Egyptians are known to have worn a lot of jewelry and gemstone beads were one of the most common forms in which gemstones were used. The stones were brought in by the merchants over the Nile and they were carved by the royal craftsmen.
The Hittites, Assyrians and Persians are also know to have used gemstone beads in their jewelry. Some gemstones were actually reserved for only the ruling classes, just like Amethyst is taken a symbol of royalty even today, especially the deep
purple ones. Amethysts like these have been in the crowns, collars, crests of many royal personalities.
The ancient Greeks were good at almost everything they did be it war or literature. And they were also very good at carving gemstones. They were craftsmen of exceptional caliber and they carved exquisite forms out of gems in their time. There are many great works wrought by exceptionally gifted Greek craftsmen who were part of the royal Roman court. Some of these works still exist in museums around the world.
There are also various mythologies surrounding each stone. There are Celtic myths, Greek Myths, Pieces of Roman Mythology and Egyptian myths that surround gems and crystals. They are still believed to have many healing and beneficial properties and are even believed to be able to influence a person's life in Hindu, Shamanic and other traditions.
For an example of myths, Amethyst is believed to have been formed by the tears of Dionysus (Bacchus) when they fell in to his wine glass and the wine stained a stone. Quartz is said to have been formed by Diana while she was trying to protect a young Virgin from the wrath of Dionysus.
Stones are also associated with people born in certain months, like Onyx is associated with February and also with July as per Roman astrology. In the shamanic tradition, Jade is the stone of Virgo and is also an earth stone according to planetary astrology. There are many myths surrounding Turquoise and it is seen in many traditions as a healing stone. It is used as a means for mental as well as physical healing.
According to many people crystals and gemstones are part of an ancient art and practice that can be greatly beneficial even in today's world. There are many people who do believe and practice these beliefs actively. Whether you believe them or not, it is always good to know the history and significance behind the various gemstones that you wear.
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