Junior Rockhounds meet on the first Saturdays of the month at the clubhouse. Our December 3rd program was on “Lucky Stones”. There are many lucky stones, and the stories of their luck are just as varied. A lucky stone is said to attract wealth, opportunities, health, protection, and success. I picked the top five to discuss: tiger eye, malachite, aventurine, garnet, and agate. TIGER EYE has been around for centuries; it is created when silica quartz crystals form as tiny columns because of inclusions of crocidolite fibers. Roman soldiers believed tiger eye increased their bravery and even embedded it into their armor to feel more protected. AVENTURINE is a form of translucent quartz and comes from areas with high forms of natural energy, like the jungles of the Amazon or India. For centuries, aventurine was known as the “Stone of The Amazon”, as it was believed to protect warrior queens by providing fierce power. Green aventurine gets its color from a concentration of fuchsite inclusions and is sometimes referred to as the ‘money stone’. GARNET is a type of silicate mineral; there are several garnet species and colors owing to different metal compositions, though red garnets are the most popular. References to garnets are found in biblical texts and lore of ancient Greece. Garnets are thought to bring power and courage, and they have served as a talisman for travelers seeking good fortune. MALACHITE is a green copper carbonate affectionately known as the ‘heart opener’. The Egyptians mined this stone in the mines of Suez as far back as 4000 BC for rituals, adorning themselves with the powder and stones for good luck. Today, it is often gifted as a token of good fortune among world leaders. AGATES are believed to ward off negative energy, calm storms, and bring victories in war. There are even claims it will heal snakebites. After we ate some more sugary cake and candy, we made some Christmas bracelets and earrings. Each child went home with a bag of lucky gemstones.