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Versatile hematite gives designs luster and glow By Bethany Waldrop Keiper Black spirits and white, red spirits and gray, Mingle, mingle, mingle, you that mingle may. -- Thomas MiddletonIs it silver? Or gunmetal gray? Or black? Is it an extra lustrous black pearl? Hematite can seem to be any of the above. Actually, the quote above applies directly to hematite, which is the combination of black, white, red, and gray. Without white, black can't be gray, and hematite, believe it or not, has dark red properties. Hematite is a mineral, and its name comes from the word Ahaima, the Greek word for blood. This may seem surprising since hematite's appearance seems anything but red, but the Greeks were referring to the dark red color that forms when hematite is crushed and immersed in water. When choosing hematite for designs, you will find many ideas in the facetted beads, smooth rounds, or mirror like cabochons available. One very popular design for hematite is the magnetized wraparound bracelet, choker, or anklet. In this interpretation of that design, facetted hematite is combined with clear AB facetted fire polished beads. The facetted beads plus the facetted hematite add up to a tremendous sum of sparkle. Keep the crystals or other companion beads small so that the magnetic beads can stick together to form the design's "clasp less" fit. These 6mm Czech fire polished beads and 4mm round hematite beads are perfect companions to the facetted, magnetic beads. Add a 6mm or 8mm hematite bead dangle at the end of the magnetic design for extra flair.
There is some debate and many opinions about whether or not magnetic hematite is truly hematite. Some say the magnetic hematite you find is not hematite at all, it is lodestone, also called magnetite, which is a naturally magnetic, shiny black mineral. Whether magnetic hematite is actually hematite or not, you can include authentic hematite beads in your magnetic designs, if keeping the mineral's properties in the design is important to you. Hematite can be found in many shapes; it is a favorite for carvings and charms.
It might seem odd, but this dark mineral looks especially beautiful with snowy white pearls. The opposing colors and the differing but complimentary lusters are eye catching. Hematite also looks dramatically beautiful with dark ruby red beads, which harken back to the origins of the mineral's name and association with blood. This lovely mineral also looks wonderful with black, silver gray, or metalized beads. And Bali sliver spacers are a must for perfect hematite designs. Hematite makes a wonderful accent bead for pewter or sterling silver. In this bracelet's design, smooth, shiny 8mm hematite beads are a perfect combination for the etched initial beads and detailed metal crisscross beads. Smooth sterling silver accent beads complete the design.
One of my best friends and I made these initial bracelets together when she came for a visit, and it is a wonderful reminder for friends who live far away from each other. One thing we didn't know at the time, but have found out since, is that hematite is supposedly a good stone for lawyers to wear (which she is) and also a stone meant for people who need help being calm (which I do). The mineral hematite is said to have many different helpful properties, some of which include diminishing worry and aiding in treatment of insomnia. Whether or not you believe in such things, there is no denying that the cool, smooth feeling of hematite on the skin is a soothing one.
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