Tigers and a Zebra is a celebration of the beautiful gemstones that carry the incredible animals names! I used Crazy Lace Agate 6mm round beads, Green Opal 5mm round beads, Tiger Iron 3.5mm round beads and Tiger Zebra Iron ovals. I finished this 3 strand necklace with Delica Glass spacer beads and a Sterling Silver toggle clasp.

This is certainly a statement necklace! The shortest Tiger Iron strand is 17 inches long and the longest strand with Crazy Lace Agate, Green Opals and Tiger Zebra Iron is 20 1/4 inches long.

firemountaingems.com says, "Crazy lace agate (also known as Mexican Agate) is young in comparison to many other minerals on Earth. Found exclusively within the area known as Chihuahua, in Northern Mexico, this lacy agate is known not only for its stunning banded patterns, but its powerful healing energies as well. Crazy lace agate is believed to have been created in the cretaceous period, about 65-90 million years ago.

Since it's only found in Mexico, crazy lace agate retains much of the energy of that area, in particular the tribal energies from ancient cultures that are still surrounded in mystery. There is evidence this agate was worn as an amulet by the earliest inhabitants of Mexico for endurance and courage in battle.

Similar to other agates and silica rocks, crazy lace agate is a good general healing stone. Crazy Lace Agate is commonly referred to as the "laughter stone," or "happy lace." It's a balancing and protecting stone, believed to ward off the "evil eye," bringing joy and absorbing emotional pain.

Crazy Lace Agate helps to increase one's energy and encourage concentration so that one can stay on task and complete goals much easier. This stone's help with focusing makes it a great stone for those with ADHD. It is said this stone promotes inner stability, composure and maturity and its warm protective properties encourage security and self-confidence."

"Tiger Iron (or tigereye matrix) is a quartz-lignite aggregate gemstone containing layers of vibrant golden tigereye, metallic grey hematite and rich, red jasper.

Tiger Iron is also sometimes called mugglestone, to the surprise and delight of Harry Potter fans everywhere! (This unusual term probably comes from "mucklestone," found in a place named "Moclestone" in what is now Great Britain.) This version of tiger iron has little, or low contrast, tigereye bands--which can take some of the (dare we say it?) ... magic ... out of the stone. Some versions of mugglestone are also low on red jasper, making it a highly included, banded form of natural hematite.

In Feng Shui, the ancient Chinese art of placement, balance comes from the combination of yellow (earth colors) and black/dark brown (water colors). Because yellow is also associated with communication and dark colors with independence--as well as strong self-discipline--tiger iron gives a strong, clear message when worn. That's a big part of tiger iron's spiritual power.

Tiger iron is said to contain the metaphysical properties of its component stones--the grounding power and circulatory affinity of hematite; the healing power and blood-cleansing abilities of red jasper; the energizing power and clarity inducing strength of tigereye--as well as being considered powerful in its own right. Tiger iron is believed to be a rare and potent three-fold stone; it grounds energies, protects the spirit and manifests the will. As such, practitioners are wary when pairing it with other stones, lest it supercharge them.

Tiger iron is affiliated with the root, sacral and solar plexus chakras. It is assigned to the western signs of Scorpio and Leo, and is popular among "earth" signs such as Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn. It can be found among those born in the Year of the Metal Tiger in Chinese astrology (1950 and 2010)."

As per naturalhealinggems.com, "This gemstone heals and harmonizes emotions, it supports letting go and moving on. Green Opal encourages healthy relationships and brings one into awareness for opportunities and good fortune. This is a “feel good” stone, it revitalizes and stabilizes the Heart Chakra."

This necklace is both powerful and stunning!