Let's head to the Beach! Summer weather is here, and even if you don't go into the water, everyone loves the beach and Sand Dunes! This necklace, aptly named "Sand Dunes" is my salute to summertime!

I used Earth tones and neutral colors by featuring the tans, browns, grays and beige hues of Moss Agate in 2 sizes of round beads with a few faceted pale Smoky Quartz beads for accents. Then I separated those strands with gold to brown toned oval Tourmaline beads, with a few sprinkles of green beads to remind us of the Sea Grass! It's finished with a Silver filled toggle clasp.

The short strand is 16 1/4 inches long and the longest strand is 19 1/2 inches long. This necklace is a great year round piece, but right now, if I was headed to the beach, I'd wear Sand Dunes!

After much research about the healing properties of gemstones, I learned this. According to charmsoflight.com, Moss Agate is a powerful healing aid. "Moss Agate speeds up recovery from illness. It is anti-inflammatory, cleanses the circulatory and elimination systems, and boosts the immune system. It assists midwives by lessening pain and ensuring a good delivery. Moss Agate prevents hypoglycemia and dehydration, treats infections, colds and flu, and lowers fevers." crystalviden.com says,"Healing stones like Moss Agate are capable of governing energy flow throughout the body. Negative emotions and painful life experiences will create blockages in those energy networks, preventing you from reaching your full potential. However, Moss Agate works to free those blockages and enhance your auric field." It's also considered a great gemstone for gardeners as it reduces reactions to pollen!

Also, energymuse.com states, "Because of its darker color, the Smoky Quartz crystal healing properties are well-suited to removing negative energy or unwanted energy. The stone cleanses and purifies your energy field and allows you to hand over the energies you want to release to your crystal - whether it's stress, anxiety, fear, sadness, or other negative vibrations." charmsoflight.com adds, "Smokey Quartz dissolves cramps, strengthens the back and fortifies the nerves. It is particularly effective for abdomen, hips and legs. Relieves headaches, back pain, eases muscular spasms. Smokey Quartz benefits the reproductive system, the heart, muscles and nerve tissue."

One of the more interesting comments that I found is from charmsoflight.com. "Brown Tourmaline is used to clear and protect the aura. It clears and opens the earth chakra, (which is located approximately 12 to 18 inches below the soles of the feet - it is not within the actual physical body but is part of the etheric body), grounding you to the earth." meanings.crystalsandjewelry.com comments, "Tourmaline can strengthen the nervous system, as well as the blood and the lymph. It can also offer great relief from migraines and headaches. It can enhance your stamina and physical vitality."

When I started working with these gemstones for this necklace, I had no idea about the energetic properties they had! It seems that wearing Sand Dunes can be a very healing thing!