Hematite & Brass Seed Bead Starry Beaded Fashion Necklace.

This Hematite Bead Necklace is a delightful piece of hand strung jewelry. Polished cylindrical Hematite beads are accented with Hematite Stars and shimmering brass seed beads strung with graceful flair. The polished Hematite stars scintillate like their celestial counterparts and the golden brass seed beads add a touch of colorful shine. Elegant simplicity is what gives this fashionable necklace its special character. And, this necklace is perfect for stacking with other jewelry. It clasps with a lobster hook and eye for easy wear. This fine piece of beaded Hematite jewelry is 18" in length.

After its discovery, Hematite was part of the goods sent from Alaskan colonies to Russia and was first carved into beads in the early 1800's. The beads were opened in a dimly lit room and as firelight reflected against the highly polished surfaces of the Hematite, someone commented that "...they shine like black diamonds". This is how the phrases black diamond and Alaskan diamond became associated with Hematite. The beauty of the Hematite was such that it was given to the royalty of Russia as gifts in the form of jewelry and carvings. Soon it gained favor in Europe, and subsequently throughout the New World. Since its discovery, Hematite has grown in popularity and its use in jewelry has become widespread. Because Hematite is an antiferromagnetic material (a type of magnetism with unique properties unlike those of normal magnetic materials), it is believed to enhance memory and brain functions, stimulate the circulatory system and help in the treatment of blood and kidney disorders.