Between USA's 250th anniversary/birthday, The World Cup and July4th, we have so many reasons to celebrate! I combined the Red, White and Blue with Iolite facets, Lapis Lazuli, Red Coral, Shell and Tourmalinated Quartz in this 1 strand 21 1/2 inch long necklace. The matching friendship/energy bracelet has Lapis, Red Coral and Shell rounds and is strung on elastic and will fit up to a 7 1/2 inch wrist.

The blue gems are said to help the person wearing the jewelry to Speak Their Truth! As per firemountaingems.com, "Iolite is named after the Greek word "ios," meaning violet. The rich purple to blue hues of iolite earned this gemstone the nickname of water sapphire. Only officially named in 1912, iolite still was loved and valued by cultures throughout history.

Iolite is sometimes referred to as the Viking's compass. This gemstone is a light polarizer that helped Viking sailors navigate when the sun was hidden by clouds. An iolite lens enabled Vikings to determine the position of the sun even on overcast days, making it possible for them to navigate longer and further than before. While talismans of iolite were used for centuries, iolite became especially popular for jewelry purposes in Europe during the 18th Century. Iolite is the 21st wedding anniversary stone.

It's not surprising, with iolite's ability to help sailors navigate, that iolite meaning became linked to clear vision. Iolite was believed to be able to help lost sailors find their way home and was worn by seafaring men. Metaphysical beliefs suggest that iolite can not only guide the lost home but has the ability to open spiritual pathways that connect the living with the dead. Iolite has been used by shamans to enhance their ability to have clear visions. Some legends even say iolite strengthens eyesight. Other metaphysical beliefs hold that iolite promotes pure thoughts, intuition and self-acceptance. Iolite meaning is associated with the zodiac signs Libra, Sagittarius and Taurus."

"Lapis lazuli is one of the oldest opaque gemstones in history—more than 6,500 years old! This rich blue stone includes tiny flecks of mica, like a night sky full of stars. Its most well-known source is deep in the mountains of modern Afghanistan.

This stone's two-part name comes from two different cultures: lapis is a Latin word meaning "stone," while lazuli comes from the Persian word lazhuward, meaning "blue." It is not an element nor a mineral—it is a rock containing multiple minerals: lazurite, diopside, calcite, pyrite and more.

Biblical scholars believe that references in the Old Testament to "sapphire" actually indicate lapis lazuli, as the sapphire gemstone was not known in the Middle East before the Roman Empire. Beloved by the ancient Egyptians, Babylonians, Minoans, Chinese, Greeks and up to the Romans, this deep blue stone has been used in the finest of art through the ages. One of the most famous uses of the stone is in the death mask of King Tutankhamen, where it is inlaid, along with turquoise and carnelian, in bright gold. One of his successors, Cleopatra, was known to use ground lapis lazuli as eyeshadow. Marco Polo wrote about the lapis lazuli mines way back in 1271!

In the Middle Ages, painters ground up lapis lazuli to make the deep blue paint called ultramarine—the blue used to paint the robes of Mary of Nazareth on church walls and ceilings like in the Sistine Chapel. Meanwhile in South America, pre-Columbian cultures

such as the Diguita and Inca were carving, trading and warring over lapis lazuli from mines in what are now Argentina and Chile.

The Sumerians believed that the spirit of their gods lived within the stone, while the ancient Egyptians saw it as a symbol of the night sky. Since the earliest of times, lapis lazuli meaning has been associated with royalty, strength and courage, wisdom and intellect, friendship and truth.

From antiquity, lapis lazuli has been worn in the belief that it will ward off evil. In ancient Egypt, it was powdered and worn about the eyes to improve eyesight."

"In many cultures, coral meaning is associated with protection, vitality and safe travel across water. Coral jewelry has been found in ancient Egyptian and prehistoric European burials and was especially popular during the Victorian age. Ancient Egyptians used coral pieces in tombs as protection against evil spirits in the afterworld, as it is believed to contain a drop of divine blood. There was significant trade in coral between the Mediterranean and India at the beginning of the first millennium.

The Gauls often used coral as ornamentation for their helmets and weapons, believing it was a protective stone. The Romans hung branches of coral around the necks of their children to protect them from danger. In the early 20th century, the people of Italy used coral for protection from the "evil eye" and as a treatment for infertility.

Precious coral or red coral is the common name given to Corallium rubrum and several related species of marine coral. In the trade, Corallium rubrum is sometimes referred to as "noble coral" and is considered to be the most desirable type of coral for jewelry.

Coral is highly prized as a substance believed to be endowed with mysterious sacred properties. Coral meaning can include modesty, wisdom, happiness and immortality. It is commonly known to remedy spasms in the intestines, sleeplessness and bladder stones.

Coral can reduce stress and fears and combats foolishness, nervousness, fear, depression, panic and nightmares. Coral is used to attract success and wealth and strengthens foresight. Coral is a good aid for meditation or visualization."

"Natural mother-of-pearl shell is said to have tremendous spiritual value for those whose high goals and attitudes keep them feeling stressed. Mother-of-pearl shell is commonly believed to attract prosperity, and mother-of-pearl shell meaning is often associated with mystical work and lore to heighten intuition, psychic sensitivity and imagination. It is believed that mother-of-pearl shell meaning is linked to soothing, motherly protection from negative energy and love. Due to this, mother-of-pearl shell is a recommended crystal healing gemstone for children.

Mother-of-pearl shell turns on the solar plexus chakra as well as the throat chakra."

Amazing!!! Add Team USA! to your jewelry collection!!