Fairy stone from Canada

Fairy stone from the Abitibi-Temiscamingue region, northern Quebec, Canada. These are concretions of fine sand and silt consolidated by a calcareous cement, formed during the retreat of the glaciers; they are collected in large quantities on the bottom of the great lakes. They are appreciated for their fancy shapes; in general, they are smooth on the "top" and irregular and rough on the other side.

For a very long time, the Amerindians of northern Quebec kept them as charms and called them "fairy stones"; they kept on them a small stone that was the lucky charm during their hunting or fishing expeditions. According to a Amerindian legend, a beautiful stone in a house protects against evil spirits and gives health and prosperity.