IRELAND GEMSTONES
brought to you by
dreamtime.bz
Ireland is often called the 'Emerald Isle'
because of its green scenery.
Gemstones
When most people think of rocks, they think of the
hard gray or brown objects that range in size from pebble to boulder.
Have you ever been startled when you heard someone say, "Look at that
rock!" when they saw a diamond ring? What can something so beautiful
have to do with the gravel in the alley?
The diamond, along with other beautiful stones, is classified as a
gemstone. A gem or a gemstone is any mineral that can be cut and
polished for jewelry or other decoration. The most precious gems are
chosen for their beauty, rarity, and durability.
Semi-precious gems usually have one or two of these characteristics,
but fall short in some area. Fluorite, for instance, is very beautiful
but it is too soft and will scratch easily. Diamonds are gemstones
that are considered very precious, and for good reasons. The diamond
is generally regarded as one of the most beautiful gemstones.
It is relatively rare, because much diamond is not of jewelry
quality. The average stone in an engagement ring is the product of the
removal and processing of 200 to 400 million times its volume of rock.
The diamond's strongest point, however, is its durability. It
is the hardest substance found in nature, four times harder than the
next hardest natural substance, corundum (Sapphire and Ruby). It also
has the highest melting point, and conducts heat five times better
than the second best element, silver. The diamond truly deserves the
classification of "Precious Gemstone."
While most gemstones are minerals, there is a small class called
"Organic Gemstones." These gems are "organic" because they are formed
as either a product or a part of a living organism. They are prized
for their beauty and rarity, but they are not as durable as inorganic
(mineral) gemstones. The pearl is an excellent example of an organic
gemstone. It is formed when an irritant, such as a small grain of
sand, gets into an oyster's shell. The oyster (or other mollusk)
reacts by gradually coating the irritant with layers of nacre.
Nacre is the substance called "mother of pearl" that lines the inside
of the oyster's shell. Natural pearls are very rare, but a system has
been developed whereby an irritant is deliberately placed inside the
oyster's shell, causing it to begin forming a pearl. Pearls derived in
this manner are called "cultured pearls."
Noteworthy Scientist: Richard Kirwan (1733-1812)
Richard Kirwan was born in County Galway, Ireland, in 1733. He
received much of his education in France and began studying at the
University of Poitiers when he was seventeen. In 1754 he begin a
Jesuit novitiate but returned to Ireland the next year when his older
brother--the heir to the family estate--died. After joining the
evangelical state church, he spent a few years in the field of law,
after which he turned to science. While living for a while in London,
Kirwan joined the Royal Society--a group of men who were interested in
science--and wrote a number of scholarly papers and books. In 1784, he
wrote Elements in Mineralogy, the first systematic work on
mineralogy (the study, classification, and identification of
minerals). Kirwan moved to Dublin in 1787, where he helped to found
the Royal Irish Society. He became the Society's president in 1799,
holding that position until the time of his death.
Kirwan made contributions to the fields of chemistry, mineralogy,
and meteorology as well as wrote a book on logic. He also wrote a book
supporting flood geology, the idea that most fossils were put in place
by the biblical Flood.
|
|
The positive magical quality of crystals impressed themselves upon humankind
far back in antiquity, for we find among Neanderthal remains dating back to
70,000 B.C. collections of quartz stones and stone balls made of quartz
crystals. Pieces of crystal have also been found in megalithic cairns, and at
New Grange in southern Ireland, tiny pebbles of white granite quartz cover the
entire mound above the energy-chamber.
The Druids called certain colored crystal forms ovus anguinum or glein neidr
- 'serpent eggs' - who believed were created by etheric serpents of energy
beneath the earth and conjugated together at the time of the midsummer sunrise.
Such stones, worn about the neck, had the power of projecting one's auric field
to favorably influence the aura and mind of anyone else who came within range.
On the Isle of Skye near Ireland, is a chapel dedicated to St. Columbus, and
on the altar is a round crystalline blue stone held sacred to weather and
health. Local fishermen, to appease contrary winds, bathe this stone with water
and claim good results. The stone has also been applied to peoples' sides to
relieve cramps.
Cambridge Mineral Resources recently began drilling for precious gemstones in
Ireland. They have already discovered tiny samples of rubies and sapphires, and
diamond-bearing host rocks. They have been exploring for three years and have
completed two extensive airborne magnetic surveys. The recent tests will
determine whether the project is commercially viable. The drilling rig, operated
by Irish Drilling Ltd., will take samples of core rock down to a depth of 100
meters. The material will then be sent to Canada for independent analysis.
The Claddagh Emerald
Ring has more than just an emerald gemstone and premium craftsmanship. The
claddagh ring has a rich tradition that dates back to over 300 years. It
was first created in a small fishing village (named Claddagh) in Ireland. It
symbolises three brilliant virtues namely, love, friendship and loyalty.
The emerald gemstone has been known to mankind for many centuries and along with
ruby, was the favourite gemstone of the kings and queens. The combination of
this legendary jewel with a stunning gemstone, in this emerald Claddagh ring is
truly sensational.
It is sometimes hard to understand how the Claddagh ring with a very humble
beginning became so very popular even in countries far away from Ireland (where
it originated). It is perhaps the slow but steady erosion of these virtues
(love, friendship and loyalty) in today's society, that has lead to the growing
popularity of the Irish Claddagh Ring. The ring is now worn across the globe and
in almost every continent. Your Claddagh ring with emerald gemstone has a
rich tradition that is today respected by people of all nationalities and
religions.
The emerald gemstone
is the May birthstone, it signifies success in love. This is the
birthstone for the zodiac sign Taurus. As an anniversary gemstone, the
emerald is worn for the 20th and 35th anniversary. If emerald is your
birthstone, the Claddagh emerald ring has added significance for you.
The name of the
Claddagh Ring comes from the name of a small fishing village in Ireland.
This pretty village was supposed to be the place where the first claddagh ring
was made. The ring was believed to have been made as a show of love and has
today become a worldwide symbol of love and faith. The time was more than 300
years ago when slavery was rampant in many parts of the world. A young
fisherman by the name of Robert Joyce set sail for the high seas, Robert
was an inhabitant of the Claddagh village. On that fateful day, the boat in
which he was sailing was attacked by pirates and all the captives sold as
slaves. Robert Joyce was sold to a wealthy goldsmith and forced to learn the
trade from his master. He never forgot his beloved who lived in the Claddagh
village, to calm the sadness that filled his heart Robert started making a ring
for his beloved. He finally completed the ring and fortunately tasted freedom
again, as he was released from slavery. He returned to the Claddagh
village and presented the ring to his beloved, the couple were soon married and
lived happily ever after. The ring went on to become one of history's most
treasured jewels and the meaning and significance of the Claddagh ring impressed
everyone who heard about it.
See more at:http://www.kaisilver.com/claddagh-emerald-ring.htm
Irish Golden Healer Gemstones
"This mineral [Golden Healer] has been used to incite healing on
all levels. It is an excellent stone to use in all healing situations
and promotes the recognition of methods and techniques which will
further recoveries from all disorders." Celtic quartz has been shown
to include gold, silver and copper.
"This crystal is "THE" quartz crystal for energy generation...and for
stimulating all portions of the physical, intellectual, emotional and
subtle bodies. Natural generators and crystals polished in the
configuration of generators have the same properties - they are truly
powerful tools for the metaphysician."
"The Curved Quartz Crystal curvature is produced during the
developmental stages of growth and is a rather rare occurrence. The
structure of the curved crystal provides for a continuous (when in
ones energy field) alignment of the physical meridians and the nervous
system, and the alignment of the physical, emotional, mental, etheric,
astral, etc., bodies, singularly and with one another."
"Rutilated
quartz intensifies the power of the quartz crystal. It
combines the
qualities of quartz with those of rutile and sagenite.
"Rutile, when
found within another crystalline form, brings
strength with love, ease in
transition, growth in all avenues of ones development, calm, reason, and
order. Rutile is used for
healing and balancing the aura via repelling
negative energy. It
assists one in getting to the root of a problem.
"Sagenite is
a "stone of wisdom". It helps one to be judicious in ones
experiences and to gain insight into the inner being without being
required
to repeat onerous situations. It provides acute mental discernment
and
enhancement of the practical side of ones nature. It encourages
deliberate action via the exquisite art of kindness. Removes
"muddy"
areas from the aura."
For those with psychic leanings, hold in the left hand to increase
receiving and hold in the right hand to increase transmission, or
hold it in both hands to optimize both. It can be worn on the
body, over the third eye or held in the psychic's hands.
See more at:
http://www.kacha-stones.com/acatalog/Kacha_Stones_Spirit_Quartz_52.html
Diopside/Enstatite: Clear, deep green. Deep healing and expansion
of Heart center, love, commitment, trust humbleness, heart, lungs. A brown,
green, or white stone found in Japan, Germany, Ireland, and the US. Diopside is
found in similar colors and is mined in the USSR and India in addition to the
countries already mentioned. These stones are mentioned together because they
have identical properties. Clear, deep green. Deep healing and expansion of
Heart center, love, commitment, trust humbleness, heart, lungs. Both benefit the
circulatory system and cleansing organs. Mental clarity results from healing
layouts that include Enstatite and/or Diopside. Diopside is recommended for
public speakers, students, and surgeons.
CELTIC DESIGNS
The Triquetra – a three-pronged knot that may
symbolize the Celtic idea that everything has three distinct but interdependent
levels – physical, mental, and spiritual. After the Celts adopted Christianity
they used this symbol to represent the Trinity.
One of the distinguishing aspects of their artwork was the
complex interwoven strands that evolved into an Irish art known as Celtic
Knotwork. Spirals also came to Ireland from the Minoan civilization and became
part of the motif. Triple spirals and three lobed knots were used to signify the
triple Goddess Brigid (maiden, mother, crone) and later the Christian Trinity.
A talisman produces
extraordinary magical effects and protects its possessor. Talismans possess
special powers to bring you good fortune, health, and extra courage.
Many Celtic legends refer to the birth of deities and heroic figures. The
Celts believed that if they were born at the same time with them they would
inherit supernatural powers. The Celts wore magical birth charms believing that
they would help them to influence destiny and identify personal characteristics.
IRISH
CELTIC CROSS
|
The Irish Catholic priest will have no
hesitation telling you that the circle of the Celtic Cross is a symbol of
eternity that emphasizes the endlessness of God’s love as shown through
Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. That is unless he says the circle is a
halo. He may go on to explain that the crucifixion is important not just
as an event at a certain point in time but, as the circle symbolizes, as
the unending mystery of how through the crucifixion and resurrection
Christ continues to offer the hope of salvation to the faithful throughout
all time. |
At the pub when the subject comes up
you might just as likely hear the explanation that the great stone Celtic
Crosses were carved from the standing stones of the Druids and were originally
phallic symbols, just carved into crosses to disguise their original purpose. No
proof of this theory is offered and the in-your-face delivery of this
information will probably intimidate you from asking for any. The barroom
iconographer will swear on the graves of all his ancestors that it is true. With
the rise of interest in the occult and pagan ideas in recent years you are
likely to read New Age interpretations about how the cross in the circle
is a symbol of the Sun that was worshipped by the Druids and that this symbol
was appropriated by the Christians.
In Celtic regions of
Ireland
and
Britain many free-standing upright crosses – or
high crosses – were erected, beginning at least as early as the
7th Century. Some of these 'Celtic' crosses bear inscriptions in
runes.
There are surviving free-standing crosses in
Cornwall and
Wales, in
the island of
Iona and in the
Hebrides, as well as the many in
Ireland.
Other stone crosses are found in
Cumbria
and the
Scottish Borders, however some of these are of the similar
Anglo-Saxon cross making tradition. The most famous standing crosses are
the Cross of
Kells,
County Meath, and the crosses at
Monasterboice,
County Louth, Ireland, and the Cross of the Scriptures,
Clonmacnoise, Ireland
There are numerous representation of crosses combined with a circle,
even before Christianity. Often called "sun
cross", they can be found in pagan
North-West Europe (the symbol became the mark of the
Norse god
Odin) or in Pyrenees and in Hiberica Peninsula. But there is no
evidence of a link or a common origin with the Christian cross.
It
should be noted that the
Old English word for "cross" is "rood".
The word "cross" in English derives only indirectly from
Latin
crux, crucis, passing through the intermediary of
Old Norse kross. Linguistically it is striking that the pagan
Norse raiders ("Vikings")
should have impressed their word for "cross" on the Christianized
Anglo-Saxons.
In
Ireland, it is a popular myth that the celtic cross was introduced
to the island by
Saint Patrick during his time converting the
pagan Irish. It is believed that he combined the symbol of
christianity, a cross, with the symbol of the sun, to give pagan
followers an idea of the importance of the cross by linking it with the
idea of a pagan sun-god.
DREAMTIME.BZ
MAIN PAGE