Fairy Crossses found in Fannin county

The tale of our Fairy Crosses is one of the most tangible myths or legends in Fannin County, Georgia.   A very rare unique shaped stone formed naturally found at just a few locations in the United States.  They are referred to as crosses due to their shape.  

There are two completely different legends explaining the existence of these fairy crosses.   One states that the fairy crosses are the tears of the Cherokee Indians, who were driven out of their homeland during  the "Trail of Tears".   

The other tale stems from an older legend concerning an ancient race of mountain fairies.  A legend that goes back further than the Cherokee Indians.  This second tale tells of a gathering of little people known as Yunwi Tsunsdi.  These fairies gathered at their favorite meeting place for dancing and gaiety, only to then find out that the great creator had died on the cross.  So saddend by the loss of one so great, the fairies cried.  As they wept, their tears fell to the ground and were crystallized into what we know as "fairy crosses".

Legends of "fairy crosses" have came down through history from the first meeting of John Smith and Pocahontas, which states that the Indian Princess gave John Smith a good luck charm necklace made out of a "fairy cross".   For many years, people have used fairy stones as good luck charms, believing that they protect the wearer against witchcraft, sickness, accidents, and disaster.   President Theodore Roosevelt carried an amulet made from a "fairy cross". 

In spite of the legends and superstitions that surround fairy crosses, these unique, cross-shaped stones do have a scientific explanation.   Ferry crosses were created under great pressure and high temperature some 60 to 500 million years ago, either formed from within the earth or arriving on a meteorite.   And are composed of staurolite, a combination of silica, iron, and aluminum.  Together, these minerals often crystallize in twin form and appear on the stones in a cross like structure.    They are most commonly shaped like St. Andrew's and Roman crosses and no two stones are alike.