Garnet
We often think of garnets as being a lovely deep red, but they come in many colors including green, cinnamon-brown, yellow, and orange. In fact, they come in just about any color but blue. The most readily available and affordable of these are called almandine garnets. Prized as talismans since ancient times, garnets were considered by the Romans to be symbols of constancy and faithful love. There is a legend that Noah carried a lantern made of garnet to light the Ark. Garnet is a tough, durable stone, which makes it excellent for rosaries. Almandine garnets are often color treated to enhance the red hue and to get rid of less desirable brownish tones. They should be washed in soap and warm water and allowed to dry before stringing.

Use Garnet For: Any time you want to convey warmth and brightness. It's a wonderful Christmas stone and as well a symbol of the wine of the Eucharist. Try it with citrine; it also harmonizes beautifully with rose stones such as rhodocrosite.

Shown at left: Garnet and Citrine rosary with bronze cross.

Sodalite
The enchanting blue and white swirls of sodalite resemble clouds in an evening sky. It comes in a variety of soft blue shades from almost-lavender to almost-navy, and it's well worth seeking out your favorites by shopping for it in person. It's very imposing in faceted rounds and rondelles and in nuggets. Sodalite is hard, but it can be brittle. Watch for tiny cracks when you purchase your stones.

Use Sodalite For: Times when you want a soft, contemplative feeling. It makes a great Advent stone. Sodalite is one of those stones that goes best with itself. Try it with sterling silver or cloisonne beads or use it as focals with wood. It's also beautiful with rose or orange to symbolize the Image colors of Guadalupe.

Shown at left: Sodalite and cloisonne with sterling silver.

Agate
Agate, like jasper, comes in a million and one colors and forms--everything from fresh green and white moss agate to soft, wispy blue lace agate to the vivid bands of Botswana agate and any color in between. It was viewed by the ancients as a powerful stone, good for everything from warding off snakes to attracting the interest of powerful people. It is generally tough and durable and makes an excellent, affordable rosary stone. Some forms of agate, such as carnelian, receive heat treatment to enhance their color.

Use Agate For: Any rosary application imaginable.

Shown at left: Pink Botswana agate with handmade lampwork focals and garnet cross.