ORE FEATURES
A Monthly publication of Ozark Rock Exchange
VOL 6: Issue 7, February 2, 2005
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ORE's Featured Gemstone: Garnet by Stephanie Pflumm This is my second visit to the colorful garden of Garnets. This new venture into Garnet's kingdom has shown even more new siblings to add to its story. Garnet's story is a multi-faceted one. The gemstone itself, crystallizes into an 8, 12, 24 and on rare occasions a 48 sided crystal. No other crystal I am aware of forms so many faces in nature. It's almost as if Mother decided to facet this beauty herself. The chemical composition of the gemstone is also multi-dimensional. Not being a trained chemist or geologist, I am not sure I can explain this adequately, but here goes. Garnet's chemical makeup is broken down into three brackets, like this: [Ca, Fe, Mg, Mn]3 [Al, Fe, Mn, Cr, Ti, V]2 [Si04]3. Any single Garnet gemstone will contain some arrangement of the elements in the first bracket (Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Manganese) combined with one or more of the elements in the second bracket (Aluminum, Iron, Manganese, Chromium, Titanium, Vanadium). When these elements conjoin, they will surrender electrons (bracket one gives up two, bracket two surrenders three). The final bracket (Silicon and Oxygen) remains constant throughout the Garnet family. The sharing of elements and compromising of electrons that takes place when forming a Garnet crystal creates a powerful chemical bond. Making Garnet one of the hardest gemstones available (only one notch below the Diamond at 7.5 on the hardness scale). Garnet crystals can form under more than just one scenario. These gemstones have been created by volcanic activity (igneous) or through the intense changes and pressures brought about by platetonic collisions and movements (metamorphic). Finally, the most fascinating aspect of Garnet's many facets is the rainbow of colors this gemstone can be found in. Once again, the sharing of elements pays off with a range of colors that spans from a pale pink to a brilliant green that will shame the finest Emerald. In between that range you'll find orange, brown, gold, yellow and red. Blue is about the only color Garnet has not been found it (yet). Some Garnets are rare, like the green Tsavorite. Other siblings like Pyrope and Almadine (the reds) Garnets are plentiful and found throughout the world. It is mined in at least 14 of the 50 US states, plus Canada, Russia, Mexico, Africa, Sri Lanka, Brazil, Argentina, Thailand, India, Czech Republic, Spain, Pakistan and Switzerland just to list a few. Garnet is the most common name for this crystal family. It is believed to come from a Greek or Latin word granatum (G) or garnum (L), referring to the seed and/or grain-like appearance of small Garnet gemstones. Some scholars believe it is in reference to pomegranate seeds, which are also red in color. Traditional settings for red Garnets arrange the stones in tight curved rows, much like the seeds appear inside a pomegranate. Carbuncle is an old German name for the crystal. It comes from the word karfunkel which refers to sparks from a fire. Many ancient traditions believed in Garnet's ability to illuminate the night or glow in the dark. Noah is supposed to have used a Garnet to light the dark nights aboard the ark. There is a tale of a ruler from an island named Amboin. As a child a serpent gifted him with a very special Garnet. His parents were delighted with this valuable gift and showed their appreciation by feeding and providing shelter for the creature. According to the story, this gemstone sparkled with such fire that the stone could light up the whole room. A Siamese king allegedly acquired this mythical Garnet sometime in the late 1600s. During the middle ages if you had to travel at night, you would carry a Garnet to help light your way through the darkness. Lion images were often carved onto the crystal to invoke extra protection for travelers against thieves and mischievous forest residents. Egyptians appear to be the first to have used the Garnet in jewelry. Bracelets and drilled beads have been found in areas along the Nile dating back to 3100 BC. There is archeological evidence that both North and South America's original residents also used the crystal in ceremony and adornment. Some Asian tribes have used Garnets as bullets in a device that sounds like a combination between a bow and a sling shot. As a weapon, the gemstone pierces the skin easily and then is invisible in the blood of the victim, inflicting more damage. The stone has also been used on the battlefield to stop the flow of blood from a wound. European warriors set Garnets in their shields and hilts of their swords for protection against injury. In 1878 a Henry Hudson Barton developed the first Garnet coated sandpaper. This plentiful gemstone was so successful as an industrial abrasive that today more than 110,000 tons are used in various applications. Two reasons for its success in business are the crystal's hardness allowing it to endure very high temperatures and pressures, allowing it to be retrieved and reused repeatedly. Retrieving and recycling is an important lesson for humans. There can be a tendency to cast aside something that has been used and soiled. No one seems to want to take the time to cleanse the dirt and refresh the heart. Garnet teaches there is always time to wash the dust off our gemstones and reintroduce them to the Sun's and Moon's light. Clearing away old baggage and boxes to make way for new hopes and dreams is an important part of evolution. Garnet whispers change is good. If you are lost in the darkness of sadness or depression, Garnets have long been prescribed for helping you rediscover life's little joys. As an instrument of Earth energies, it likes to work on projects from the ground up. Bringing you success, confidence and luck so that you naturally find your way back to happiness. Your Garnet crystal will encourage loyal friends and partners helping to enrich all the mundane aspects of your life. Do you deal with high stress or critical situations frequently? Keep a Garnet in your pocket to promote courage, increase your endurance while helping you maintain an objective perspective. You can call on a Garnet to "power-up" your physical and mental energies when they are being worn down. When you are over excited, too much energy and nothing to do, use your crystal to absorb the excess to use later, like your personal "solar" battery. Energy workers, healer, readers, mental health workers, anyone working in a field that drains their batteries will benefit from this crystal's company. In my personal opinion, you cannot use a stronger or more effective Base Chakra gemstone than the Garnet. This crystal is perfectly tuned to Mother's rhythm. It opens your base Chakra, allowing its energy to gently break through any blockages between the base and your crown. Preparing a perfect pathway for the energetic Kundalini and the flow of your creative fires. Especially fond of women, Garnet helps promote regular, healthy cycles. Like many of the gemstones and metals that were popular during the middle ages, Garnet was believed to cleanse the body of toxins and to prevent poisoning. The gem's influence on the base Chakra also helps to promote healthier reproduction (and interest in practicing reproductive techniques). If Garnets have been exchanged between a couple that is trying to conceive, it can assist in a successful union. A Garnet is recommended for patients facing a long recovery. The gemstone promotes the rebuilding and return of health starting in the cells. It may be helpful in healing broken bones and improving the circulatory system. These properties and healing traditions are those prescribed for Pyrope and Almadine Garnets. Next month we'll take a deeper look into the rest of the Garnet garden and examine siblings like the enviable green Tsavorite and Demantoid or the diverse Grossular group. Pictures of Garnet --+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+-- SUBSCRIBER'S SPECIAL: FREE Small Garnet! Receive an extra small Garnet with any purchase from Ozark Rock Exchange. You can shop on line at https://www.ozarkrockexchange.com/cart You can also place your order by email at stephanie@ozarkrockexchange.com or send your telephone number for a phone appointment. Discount will be taken at the time of purchase. You must be a subscriber as of February 2, 2005 to be eligible for the Subscriber's Special; the Subscriber Special is not valid with other offers (unless otherwise stated). Only one special per subscriber, please. The Subscriber's Special will expire March 2, 2005. Remember you never pay extra for shipping at Ozark Rock Exchange! --+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+-- SKY NOTES Imbolc/Ground Hog Day, Wednesday February 2 -+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+-- Like A Prayer Living your life as a prayer is a concept that was first introduced to me in grade school. One of the sisters at St. Joseph Catholic Grade school told us that if we choose to, we could dedicate every moment of our lives as a prayer. Even as a child I was struck by the simple beauty of that concept. Perhaps not in the way the sister had intended me to, her message was one of chastity and piety. My young brain was marveling at the idea that by enjoying the things in the world that made me happy; butterflies, soft green grass, a warm blue sky, I was actually praying. I committed myself to this new ideal wholeheartedly. For many years I made a conscious effort to walk with complete awareness and adoration for the many wonders and blessings god allowed me. Ultimately my idealism was shattered when it ran head on into catholic dogma. I was a very spiritual child and totally bought into the father, son and holy spirit. Early on I decided I wanted to be a priest when I grew up and often practiced saying mass in my basement. I eagerly awaited my first communion, responded enthusiastically at mass. All in all, I was a first rate catholic. Until eighth grade. At the same St. Joseph Catholic grade school, we were asked to share what we hoped to be when we grew up. I announced with confidence that I would be a priest when I grew up. I still remember the ensuing arguments and my embarrassed shame. Until then, I had never known or appreciated that I would not be able to do something because I was a woman. As it is within a Universe that spins, eventually my spiritual evolution would bring me back to that grade school classroom lesson. While I no longer desire anything remotely catholic in my spiritual practices, I am working to return to that childish state of constant prayer. Where once again I see the wonder and appreciate the blessings in even the smallest of Mother and Father's gifts. A warm January day, a child's giggle, another day to enjoy the special lives I have the opportunity to intersect with. When I feel my anger rise, I try to evaluate its impact on those around me. Will this anger correct something that is wrong or am I merely venting frustrations and passing my anger along? If my life is a prayer, then I must be aware of how my actions will affect others. A grumpy gesture has the same energetic motion as a smile. They both are carried forward, still impacting lives long after my initial actions set off the chain reaction. Reacting appropriately to life's challenging circumstances is one of the obstacles to living life as a prayer. Sometimes there is injustice. Sometimes pain, fear and suffering are inflicted upon the innocent. Sometimes anger is appropriate, correct and necessary. Not responding with the power of righteous prayer when necessary could serve to make your journey along the prayerful path even more treacherous. Denial is not part of a prayerful life. Living your life like a prayer is really just another way of trying to live in the moment. It allows you to be more conscious, more appreciative and more responsive to yourself and the path you walk. Pleasure and pain are both uniquely special events in your life. Experiencing these events as prayer gives power and fulfillment to your every endeavor. -+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+-- SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: Sweethearts Contest! In honor of the tradition that celebrates love in February, Ozark Rock Exchange is hosting a Sweethearts Contest. Sweet Hearts come in all shapes and sizes and perform a variety of deeds in our lives that make big and little differences. They might be a brother, uncle, aunt, sister, lover, neighbor or stranger that eagerly gives their heart with a face always lit by the sweetest smile. Whoever this special SweetHeart might be, if you'll share them and your story with Ozark Rock Exchange, you both could win: Love Stone Power Prayer Pouch One for each of you. Don't worry about your writing skills, I will choose the winner by a random drawing. Just write down your thoughts, send them to webmaster@ozarkrockexchange and your email will be entered into the drawing. Entry deadline is Midnight Tuesday March 1, 2005 (CST). The winner will be announced in the next issue of ORE FEATURES on Wednesday March 2. You can see pictures of the prize at: http://www.ozarkrockexchange.com/highlights/events/index.shtml -+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+-- What's Happening At Ozark Rock Exchange? MOLDAVITES, PINK & WHITE AVENTURINE: have been added to the catalog. Along with Turitella and apricot Botswana Agates. I am almost finished sorting through a new order that includes some exquisite Agate geode slices, Grossular Garnet crystals, Tree Agates and a wonderful brown Fluorite cluster with Celestite crystals growing across the top! I will send a note out early next week after I get everyone's picture taken and added to the catalog. Or you can keep up with my progress at: FREE GEMSTONE CLASS: Choosing, Cleansing and Charging, learning the three Cs of gemstones and crystals will be presented at The Bead Gallery in Springfield, MO Saturday February 12. The class will be at 1:30pm and will be free. VISIONCON: Is February 18, 19 and 20th in Springfield MO at the Clarion Hotel, 3333 S. Glenstone. For details on gaming, special presentations and Visioncon hours, visit their website at http://www.visioncon.net KGBX WOMEN'S SHOW: Is an annual event in Springfield MO dedicated to the needs and interests of women. This year the show is Saturday February 26 at the Ozark Empire Fairground E-plex. MOBILE ORE STORE VisionCon KGBX Women's Show |
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