Natural Fairy Stones and the legend behind them

I had never heard of this natural wonder until a relative moved out to the area several years ago. I actually have one of these fairy stones now. It just amazes me that something like this can occur naturally. Anyways the legend behind the stones is also very interesting.

LEGEND OF THE FAMOUS PACTRICK COUNTY VA. FAIRY OR LUCKY STONES

In a quiet sunny glade nestled among the rugged foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, in Patrick County, Virginia, a section made renowned by the fact that old King Powhatan once held undisputed possession there, was discovered a single quarry of the far-famed Virginia "Fairy" or "Lucky" stones. These little curiosities, which range in size from one-fourth of an inch to two inches, bear in the most unique form some shape of a cross, which has been outlined by Nature’s own hand.

In that weird spot, about the only known place in the world where the little wonder-working gems are to be found, the good fairies flourished and had their workshop many hundreds of years ago. This, you probably say, was rather a strange place for Titiania's subjects but were you to visit this charming mountain region you would find every rock and tree infected with glamor and romance. As to the real origin of these crosses of stone, comparatively nothing is known as the leading scientists of the country have failed to throw any satisfactory light on the subject; but in that remote mountain section runs a very pretty legend to the effect that hundreds of years before King Powhatan's dynasty came into power long before the woods breathed the gentle spirit of the lovely Pocahontas, the fairies were dancing around a spring of limpid water, playing with the naiads and wood nymphs, when an elfin messenger arrived from a strange city, far away in the land of the dawn, bringing the sad tidings of the death of Christ; and when they heard the terrible story of the crucifixion they wept. And as the tears fell upon the earth they were crystallized into little pebbles, on each of which was formed a beautiful cross. When the fairies had disappeared from the enchanted spot the ground around the spring and the adjacent valley were strewn with these unique mementoes of that melancholy event.

link to Fairy Stone site