Tale of 2 Skies was totally inspired by the photos that I took of last night's sunset sky that was phenomenal because it happened in the midst of a New Mexico Monsoon. The sky looked like a painting! Notice the straight blue line off to the right in the photos of the actual sky! I've never seen anything quite like that before! I was totally inspired and I "painted" my version with gemstone beads to create Tale of 2 Skies.

I used Aquamarine pebbles, Blue Opal faceted rondelles, Carnelian ovals for the actual sunset, 7 Citrine discs, Golden Cream quartz faceted oblongs, Labradorite discs and round Quartz beads. The Silver filled hook and eye clasp is adjustable allowing the length to go from 22 1/2 inches to 23 3/4 inches. The short strand is 19 1/2 inches. This option makes the necklace more versatile!

Tale of 2 Skies features 2 birthstones, Aquamarine for March and Opal for October. All Four Elements are represented also! Aquamarine for Water, Blue Opal and Quartz for Sky, Carnelian, Citrine and Golden Cream Quartz for Fire and Labradorite for Earth.

According to firemountaingems.com, "Aquamarine, a splendid blue gemstone whose name originates from the Italian word for seawater, embodies the splendor of the sea. A member of the beryl family, aquamarine is a sister to the rich green emerald. It can be found in a range of pale blue hues and aqua-green colors. Legends refer to aquamarine as the treasure of Atlantis.

In the language of gemstones, aquamarine properties represent happiness, hope and everlasting youth. In ancient times, aquamarine was thought to protect those at sea. It was believed to make sailors fearless and safe from adversaries on the open waters. As far back as 480 BC, aquamarine was considered to be the treasure of the mermaids because its ability to protect increased when immersed in water.

Today, aquamarine is still thought to bring protection to those at sea and is a popular gift among ocean travelers. On land, it is believed to have soothing effects on couples, helping them to work through their differences and ensure a long and happy marriage. That power makes it an excellent stone to give on anniversaries.

It is also considered to be the stone of courage and preparedness and is believed to help maintain balance and order. Aquamarine is often used as a "good luck" stone, thought to bring feelings of peace, love, joy and happiness to those who wear it. There is an energizing quality to aquamarine that provides harmony and balance. If you dream of aquamarine, it is said that you will make new friends, and wearing earrings of aquamarine is thought to bring love and affection into your life.

Traditionally, aquamarine is also the birthstone for March and is associated with the zodiac sign of Pisces. It is also thought to be a stone for Aquarius, Libra, Gemini and Aries."

"The name "opal" comes from the Sanskrit word upala (meaning “precious stone”). In Indian mythology, the virgin Goddess of the Rainbow was turned into an opal by the Mother Goddess because she was being chased by suitors Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. Ancient Greeks thought the stone could give people the gift of prophecy and protected them from disease. During Roman times, the Latin word opalus came into use.

Opal is now associated with the birthstone of October (along with pink tourmaline) and as the gemstone of the 14th marriage anniversary. While some people believe it is unlucky for people not born in October to wear opal, the gemstone has actually long been valued as a stone of luck and magic. Opal is also an alternative birthstone for April babies.

It is said that precious opal meaning—with its display of fire—sparks creativity, and that the "dance" of its colors can help people enjoy their lives. The light-colored gemstones have long been associated with helping people become less visible to others and also in improving eyesight. The gemstone has been associated with the sacral chakra , imbalances of which can cause problems with addictions. Another common precious opal meaning is that it can help moderate and harmonize sexual desires. European cultures have long believed opal is a symbol of hope, purity and truth."

"Carnelian is believed to be named after the red-orange Kornel cherry. Artifacts using carnelian date back to the Bronze Age circa 1800 BC on the island of Crete. Carnelian was believed by the Romans to be a stone of courage—able to shore up confidence and strength. In ancient Egypt, the stone was placed on mummies to assist the dead in their journey to the afterlife while architects to the pharaohs wore carnelian to denote rank and status. In the Middle Ages, carnelian was used by alchemists when boiling stone to release the energy of other gemstones.

Carnelian is the birthstone for the zodiac sign of Virgo (August 23 - September 22). For most cultures, from the 15th to the 20th century, carnelian was one of four birthstones for August. In 1912, the United States adopted peridot as the August birthstone, however in 2013, Britain recognized carnelian as a secondary birthstone after ruby.

From antiquity, carnelian has been worn in cameos in the belief that it would ward off insanity and depression. In contemporary times, carnelian is thought by some to enhance self-esteem and creativity, to combat feelings of inadequacy, to increase physical energy and overcome insomnia. In the home, carnelian is believed to increase motivation towards action. It is sometimes used as a talisman to protect against fire and misfortune. "

"Citrine's name is derived from the Latin word citrina because of its pale yellow citrus color (due to its iron content). From the earliest times, citrine was called the "sun stone" and believed to hold sunlight, offering protection from snakebites. The stone’s golden hue linked it to wealth and prosperity, earning it the nickname merchant’s stone. To the Romans, it was associated with Mercury, the messenger god, and commonly used to carve intaglios.

Citrine meaning is often connected to joy, abundance, and positivity. This golden gemstone is known as the success stone, the merchant’s stone and the money stone—each name reflecting its reputation for attracting prosperity and uplifting energy. Citrine meaning also ties into its symbolism as the November birthstone and its association with the zodiac sign Scorpio (Oct. 23 – Nov. 21). Believed to radiate sun-like warmth, citrine is thought to brighten moods and inspire a more optimistic outlook.

This vibrant yellow gem is linked with personal power, motivation and creativity. Many wearers and designers believe citrine promotes emotional well-being, attracts prosperity and encourages positive communication."

"Labradorite is named for its discovery in Labrador, a province in Canada on the Isle of Paul. According to Inuit legend, a warrior saw the Northern Lights trapped in stone and freed some of them with his spear, leaving the rest behind to shimmer within labradorite. The Inuits revered it as a "fire stone" and used powdered labradorite to treat ailments.

First introduced to Europe in the 18th century by Moravian missionaries, labradorite quickly gained popularity. Though originally found in Canada, labradorite also occurs in Mexico, Russia and Finland. In addition to jewelry, it has been used in road construction, ceramics and glassmaking.

Labradorite meaning often ties into spiritual protection and inner strength. This powerful gemstone is considered a guardian of the aura, shielding the wearer from negative influences. It is also thought to restore energy and support emotional healing, making it a favorite for those who tend to overwork.

With its color-shifting quality, labradorite is regarded as a stone of transformation, believed to enhance inner wisdom, willpower and self-worth. It’s also linked with the throat chakra, encouraging clear communication. Though not associated with a specific zodiac sign, labradorite is said to resonate strongly with Cancer."

"Quartz crystal was once believed to be an eternal ice sent by the heavenly gods. Until the late 1500s, many scholars thought this stone was fossilized ice. Quartz crystal is actually a mineral—one of the most abundant minerals in the Earth's continental crust—composed of silicon and oxygen.

Quartz can be icy clear or have inclusions, veils, bubbles and various colors. It is also known as rock crystal, crystal quartz, universal crystal or clear quartz.

People in the earliest recorded times believed in the magical powers of quartz. Ancient Roman, Egyptian and Greek civilizations used quartz crystals as potent talismans. The word quartz is thought to come from the German word "quarz," and the word crystal comes from the Greek word "krystallos," which means ice.

The ancient Japanese believed quartz formed from the breath of a white dragon and regarded quartz crystal meaning to be perfection. Quartz has been used throughout history in rain rituals, in crystal skulls and in crystal balls, used to predict the future since the Middle Ages.

Once thought to be eternal ice sent by the gods, quartz crystal is actually a mineral that is prized by many for magical, mystical and implied metaphysical powers. Not only that, in electronics, quartz crystal meaning is tied to its ability to maintain a consistent frequency when subjected to an electric current.

Quartz crystal is a power stone that's prized for its perceived abilities as a healing stone. It is known as the most powerful healing stone of the mineral kingdom, able to work on any condition. It has been called the "Universal Crystal" because of its many uses and is beneficial for manifesting, healing, meditation, protection and channeling.

Due to its ability to balance, quartz is thought to be excellent for harmonizing and stabilizing one's environment and helpful in romantic relationships. It is said to amplify healing energy and is reputed to be particularly effective for chronic fatigue, arthritis, bone injuries, depression, diabetes, fibromyalgia and intestinal troubles. It is also believed to improve mental and physical energy, stamina and physical strength.

The quartz crystal meaning in modern crystal healing emphasizes its role as a powerful energy amplifier and cleanser. Quartz is said to enhance spiritual growth, spirituality and wisdom. Because it is believed to clarify thought processes and emotions, it is thought to increase inspiration and creativity. It is also reputed to help with concentration, studying and retaining what one learns."

I realize that that is an enormous amount of information, but given the complexity of that sunset, I just had to use all of those gemstones! I hope you find Tale of 2 Skies to be a piece of wearable art!