Unlike many other months, the month of December is somewhat confusing when it comes to identifying a birthstone. There are a number of stones that are linked with this festive month depending upon which culture you associate yourself with. For the purpose of this article we will focus on the gemstone turquoise; however, we will also touch upon other commonly referenced stones. Learn where turquoise comes from, the physical properties that identify it from other stones and the history of its use among various civilizations…

The most common traditional birthstone for those born in the month of November is topaz. Topaz is a silicate mineral that comes in a variety of colors and makes beautiful jewelry pieces. In this article we will discuss everything you ever wanted to know about this November birthstone including: geographical location, variety of color shades, natural formation, chemical composition and the history of this brilliant stone….

Of the four designated origins of birthstones, three point to the garnet as being the birthstone for the month of January. The traditional, modern and Ayurvedic birthstone systems all indicate this ancient stone as bringing the most luck to those born in the month of January. Used since the Bronze Age, this multi-color gem can be found in six individual “species” which are determined by the chemical makeup of each type. While most popularly this gem stone is recognized as a deep red gem, it actually comes in a variety of colors that have many uses that range from an industrial abrasive to water filtration…

Stargazing got your head spinning? Telescopes are pricey and complex instruments, so you want to make sure you get one that you can operate and that will meet your needs. Depending on the type of scope that you buy and your skill level, you’ll be able to use it to see and identify different objects in the sky. Read on to eliminate any confusion you may have before buying a telescope…

For those who believe, the 11:11 phenomenon has been experienced throughout the history of the planet. For those unfamiliar with the 11:11 phenomenon however, it can be a confusing and worrisome concept. Below we will take a look at just what this phenomenon is, what it means and its significance to everyday life…

Our friend Derrick is from Singapore and recently moved back, making it the perfect place to vacation and spend time with our gracious host and friend. Derek also acted as our local tour guide. He set this Singapore 3 day itinerary for us which hopefully will serve useful for you as well…

Not only would legalizing marijuana benefit the United States economically, it would also regulate the substance and ensure that it is safe for individuals to consume. States like Colorado, Oregon, Washington and Alaska have recently started allowing the recreational use of marijuana. Colorado was the first of these states to allow it. How has it affected the state’s economy since the legalization…

Every year thousands of supporters of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) come together to walk in more than 84 cities throughout the United States. The objective of the walk is to raise both funds and awareness for various mental illnesses and to focus on the need for improved treatment facilities for those suffering.

This year, ExploringLifesMysteries.com is proud to sponsor NAMI Walks in Los Angeles, California. As part of our mission to better understand all the mysteries of life, we find that mental illness is an area that is still so misunderstood today by humanity and science alike. We hope that you, our readers, will join us in supporting this great cause with your participation in a NAMI Walk at your local chapter or through a donation to the cause. Join us in this fight for mental health…

Formed in the depths of the Earth more than 1.1 billion years ago, the Hope Diamond is a 45.52 carat diamond that has made history for many reasons. One of those reasons is the curse that is rumored to have attached itself to this $250 million gem. We will take a detailed look at the history of the Hope Diamond and just why it is believed to be cursed…

Are you afraid the big asteroid is going to hit the earth this Friday? That sure would put a kink in your weekend plans, right? Well, an asteroid named 2012 DA14 is scheduled to fly past Earth this Friday, but is not expected to impact Earth as was once thought. This will be the closest an asteroid will come to earth since astronomers have began to conduct regular sky surveys. The asteroid will be so close that some researchers are suggesting that it could possibly take out telecommunications satellites that we rely on…

The possibility that life may exist on other planets is something which has long fascinated the world and managed to bring together groups of individuals that would otherwise never even think of intermingling. From scientific researchers to crackpot conspiracy theorists there are so many theories out there that center on the possibility of life on Earth that many people devote their lives to proving or disproving the theory. There seems to be one common thread for all of these diverse groups of people; however, where some may believe that life on other planets consists of little green men and others believe that life on other planets consists of human like beings, the common thread for each of these groups is the presence of intelligent life forms on a planet other than Earth….

Ever wonder if the human race will get wiped out like the dinosaurs? Perhaps there’s a way we can prevent it. The B612 Foundation is a foundation focused on building, launching and operating a space telescope with the intent of monitoring threatening asteroids. Below we will take a look at the story behind the foundation, the mission of the foundation, the B612 foundation goals and how you can get involved…

I’m not sure why it took a backpacking trip through North and South Thailand to get me hooked on Thai food, but it certainly did the trick. My favorite food for the past decade continues to be Thai, and I’m especially partial to authentic Thai curries.I’m particularly fond of Panang curry….

The yearly holiday of Halloween is one of the most anticipated holidays of the year for children worldwide; however, this candy filled holiday was not always the holiday it is today. It was not always that children dressed like demons and posed the well known question “trick or treat”, it was not always that houses displayed decorations and families came together to walk through neighborhoods. The holiday we know as Halloween today did not begin with any of the commonly known traditions of today’s celebrations, in fact the holiday had much more peculiar and mixed beginnings…

What is the meaning of Thanksgiving? This American holiday has become a part of our collective traditions. Holidays are not only a time for festive feasts and merry-making; they also serve as representatives of a nation’s identity. So when we ask, What is the meaning of Thanksgiving, we are also considering who we are. Therefore, this question really concerns what Thanksgiving says about the traits and qualities of Americans. Who are we? And how does Thanksgiving embody our collective identity?