First Day of Autumn

Ah ... the changing of the leaves, the cool crisp air, the 'sun-showers' in the Pacific Northwest all signal that Fall is here! Time to cozy up with the family & get ready for the upcoming holidays :)

Now is the time when I try to think of gifts for my family & friends. Something special that suits them and their interests. Jewelry is always a go to gift for me. With all the carved beads, different gemstones, pearls & shell beads there is so much to make!

I like giving handmade items best & I stumbled across Jamie of Destination Handmade on Etsy. Her shop is full of wonderful handmade items like totes, change purses & business card holders! Get to know her better by reading her blog: Destination Handmade Blog.

Garnet - Harmonizing Relationships

Garnet

Garnets species are found in many colors including red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, brown, black, pink and colorless. Because the chemical composition of garnet varies, the atomic bonds in some species are stronger than in others. As a result, this mineral group shows a range of hardness on the Mohs Scale of about 6.5 to 7.5. The harder species, like almandine, are often used for abrasive purposes.

Six common species of garnet are recognized based on their chemical composition. They are pyrope, almandine, spessartine, grossular (varieties of which are hessonite or cinnamon-stone and tsavorite), uvarovite and andradite. They crystallize in the cubic system, having three axes that are all of equal length and perpendicular to each other. Garnets do not show cleavage, so when they fracture under stress, sharp irregular pieces are formed. It is the birthstone for January. It is the state mineral of Connecticut. It is also New York's gemstone.

As a stone intuitive, I feel that gemstones vibrate and the vibrations can help us on our life path. Metaphysically garnet is said to bring prosperity and harmony to family relationships. Garnet is the stone of passionate devotion. To your family, your friends, yourself, and your purpose or goals. This stone enhances charisma, bringing out the wearer's best qualities.

What a wonderful stone energy for families! It can be particularly helpful in challenging times for families. For instance, blending a family. I just discovered this blog: shwanda.com about Carol Shwanda & her blended family of herself, her husband and their five kids, two boys and three girls!