Latest from MrBead, Agate Beads, & Free Shipping!

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Click a picture below to see one of our new beads.  To receive free airmail shipping enter "freeship13" (without the commas) in the box at checkout, and click "Redeem Coupon".  Use NOW - as expires 17th January 08.  Only for use at MrBead.com or MrBead.co.uk and cannot be used with any other discount or eBay.

Agate Beads
 We find at MrBead agate has become more popular recently - hence our increased stock of all types of this bead.  No gemstone is more creatively striped by nature than agate, technically, chalcedony quartz that forms in concentric layers in a wide variety of colors and textures. Each individual agate forms by filling a cavity in its host rock, resulting in round nodules, with bands like the rings of a tree trunk, looking like eyes.
Agate comes in many different forms, one of the most common being Sardonyx - derived from the Greek word “Sard” meaning reddish brown, and “onyx”: veined gem.  Sardonyx  usually contains white and brownish-red bands. Roman soldiers wore sardonyx talismans engraved with figures of Hercules or Mars, believing that the stone would make them braver. During the Renaissance, public speakers thought sardonyx helped them talk more forceful.
Another type of agate, Dzi, is one of the most mysterious of all gemstones.  These shiny beads usually from Tibet, patterned with mystical eyes are among the most treasured in the world. “Dzi” in Tibetan means shine, brightness, clearness, and splendor.

Agate was highly valued as a talisman in ancient times and has been used as a traveler’s amulet for centuries.  It’s believed to bring good fortune, health, wealth and long life, as well as quenching thirst and preventing fevers.  Persian magicians used agate to divert storms and athletes to increase vitality.  Shia Muslims wear an agate ring on the right hand, engraved with the name of Allah.  Others' swear that wearing these beads can heighten the spiritual consciousness and balance the body's physical and mental states.  Agate is also thought to cure scorpion stings and snake bites.  Some call its strange patterns 'cosmic caterpillar tracks'.  Pagans believe agate brings love, clears thought, and is lucky in card games.

See our Agate Strands here   - or in our UK shop in pounds here
Sardonyx Agate here - UK shop here
Loose Agate here - UK shop here here
To see all What's New click here - UK shop here
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To go to our MrBead store click here   -  UK MrBead.co.uk in pounds here