Bluebirds 2 is a fun 2 strand beaded gemstone necklace of Blue Lace Agate, Iolite and Lapis Lazuli rounds and Denim Lapis teardrops. I used Delica Glass spacer beads and a silver filled toggle clasp to finish Bluebirds 2. The short strand is 16 1/2 inches long and the long one is 18 1/8 inches long.

All cobalt blue gemstones are said to help us to speak our truth! As per crystalvaults.com, "Blue Lace Agate has a soft, soothing elegance, like sky-blue waters released from winter's grasp. Its graceful, circular design has a stimulating, positive effect on emotions and attitudes. It is not a stone of protection but rather of encouragement and support. Its circular flowing energy calms, uplifts, and elevates.

Blue Lace Agate is a stone of communication, helping those who have difficulty being heard by others or who need confidence and articulation to share their truths. It provides clarity of thought and unwavering intent in regard to what matters most. Blue Lace Agate is a Stone of the Diplomat, assisting communication in situations were angry words must be avoided, but clear understanding is necessary.

Blue Lace Agate is a variety of banded Chalcedony, a mineral of the Quartz family. It is usually banded in layers of predominantly light blue, striped with brighter blues, whites, and even brown threads of color. Agate is sometimes called the earth rainbow because, in its various forms, the concentric bands in nature form nearly every color the earth can produce, including a colorless form.

Historically, Agate has been discovered with the artifacts of Neolithic people and was used as healing amulets and ornamentation dating back to Babylon. Its medicinal uses continued through the ancient Greek and Egyptian civilizations and spread throughout Africa and the Middle East into Russia. Agate sparked a world renowned stonecutting and polishing industry in Germany that flourished from the 15th to the 19th century and exists today.

Metaphysically, Agate has a lower intensity and vibrates to a slower frequency than other stones but is highly regarded as a stabilizing and strengthening influence. The layered bands of microscopic quartz in Agate may appear delicate, they are actually very strong. Agate is excellent for balancing emotional, physical, and intellectual energy and in harmonizing yin and yang, the positive and negative forces of the universe."

"Like a crisp, dark winter sky, Iolite, in shifting shades of violet-blue carries the spirit of journey, of dreams and intuition, of exploration and illumination. It is known as the Vikings’ Compass, and provides the vision to move us, physically and spiritually, from one realm to the next.

Leif Eriksson and other Viking explorers who ventured far out into the Atlantic Ocean, away from any coastline that would help determine position, used thin pieces of Iolite as the world’s first polarizing filter. Looking through an Iolite lens, they could determine the exact location of the sun and navigate safely to the New World and back. [ICGA]

A property called pleochroism is very pronounced in Iolite, producing different colors when the stone is seen through different positions. Overall, Iolite appears as violet-blue or indigo, but in different positions may shift to a yellow-gray or honey color, and even to a clear light blue. It is also referred to as “Water Sapphire” or Dichroite. Iolite’s name comes from the Greek ios, meaning violet, and is the gem version of the mineral Cordierite.

Iolite helps in recovering balance, and is recommended for those suffering from disorientation, lack of motivation, chronic disorganization, and distraction. [Megemont, 96] It strengthens the resolve to take on responsibility and carry through, and provides self-assurance and endurance in adverse situations. [Gienger, 32] It is an excellent source of energy when used for the elimination of debt and the responsible management of money. [Melody, 336]

Iolite restores a sense of perspective to those who feel they are jinxed, and inspires anyone with a chaotic life to start to bring order in small practical ways. [Eason, 377]

Iolite resonates with the energy of twilight, a beautiful violet-blue that stimulates the astral bodies and psychic awareness. It reveals realms beyond the usual waking consciousness and is ideal for astral projection, dimensional and other inner vision works, and is excellent for past- and alternate-life work. [Ahsian, 207]

Iolite is a stone of the muses, activating the visionary, creative side of the mind, and accessing thoughts and ideas beyond the ordinary. It inspires creative self-expression through writing, song, movement and other artistic endeavors. [Ahsian, 207]

Use Iolite to strengthen family dilemmas. Place in the living area if sibling rivalry or the presence of a new step-parent is causing a child to feel excluded. Use Iolite if family members have over-high expectations of you, or if your career path was chosen for you because of family connections. As an amulet, Iolite brings travelers safely home. Give a piece of Iolite jewelry or a tumblestone as a farewell gift to students leaving home or emigrating family members. [Eason, 377]

Iolite aids in understanding and releasing the causes of addiction, allowing for the expression of one’s true self, freed from the expectations of others. [Hall, 147]"

"Lapis Lazuli is one of the most sought-after stones in use since man’s history began. Its deep, celestial blue remains the symbol of royalty and honor, gods and power, spirit and vision. It is a universal symbol of wisdom and truth.

In ancient times Lapis Lazuli was most highly regarded because of its beautiful color and the valuable ultramarine dye derived from it. Its name comes from the Latin lapis, "stone," and the Persian lazhuward, "blue." It is a rock formed by multiple minerals, mostly Lazurite, Sodalite, Calcite, and Pyrite, and is a rich medium to royal blue with gold flecks (pyrites). Lower-grade Lapis is lighter blue with more white than gold flecks and is sometimes called denim Lapis.

Lapis Lazuli was among the most highly prized tribute paid to Egypt, obtained from the oldest mines in the world, worked from around 4000 B.C., and is still in use today. Referenced in the Old Testament as sapphire (unknown in that part of the ancient world), Lapis Lazuli is most likely the fifth stone in the original breastplate of the High Priest, as well as those of later times.

The golden sarcophagus of King Tutankhamen was richly inlaid with Lapis, as were other burial ornaments of Egyptian kings and queens. It was used extensively in scarabs, pendants, and other jewelry, and ground into powder for dyes, eye shadow, and medicinal elixirs.

Lapis is an excellent stone for executives, journalists, and psychologists, stimulating wisdom and good judgment in the practical world. It aids intellectual analysis in archeologists and historians, problem-solving for lawyers, and creates new ideas for inventors and writers.

Lapis Lazuli is a powerful crystal for activating the higher mind and enhancing intellectual ability. It stimulates the desire for knowledge, truth, and understanding, and aids the process of learning. It is excellent for enhancing memory.

A stone of truth, Lapis encourages honesty of the spirit, and in the spoken and written word. Wear it for all forms of deep communication. It is also a stone of friendship and brings harmony to relationships. A Lapis grid brings calm and loving communication for a home with temperamental teenagers, or children with Asperger’s syndrome, autism, or attention-deficit disorder.

For fame in a creative or public performance-related area, wear or carry Lapis Lazuli to auditions. In the workplace, it attracts promotion, success, and lasting recognition in your field."

It's always so fascinating learning about the potential that gemstones have to help us every day! Wear this necklace with any outfit!