Gemstones
Amber: An organic gem (the product of living organisms and biological processes), amber is the fossilized sap or resin of prehistoric trees. The sap that formed amber used today is estimated between 320 million and 2.5 million years old! Based on archeological findings in the French Pyrenees, Paleolithic man stored amber in caves 15,000 years ago. Found in caves on the shores of the British islands, this Baltic amber washed ashore and was carved into beads between 13,000 and 11,000 years ago. A prehistoric and beautiful material, amber will generate a slight electric charge when rubbed with a cloth. It is used mystically to bring the energies of patience, protection, psychic shielding, romantic love, sensuality, purification, balance, healing and calmness to those who wear or carry it. Brings a care free, sunny disposition, promotes success and good luck, dissolves oppositions.
The word Amethyst comes from the Greek ‘amethystos’, meaning, “not drunken”, as it was thought to protect against inebriation. Amethysts were traditionally associated with the ancient Roman fertility and wine god, Bacchus, and the word amethyst in German is ‘bacchusstein’- the Bacchus Stone. Amethyst is believed to bring emotional stability and strength, especially in times of pain or grief. It is the soothing stone of sobriety and is helpful in dispelling addictions and destructive behaviors of all kinds. Light colored amethyst is associated with the crown chakra. Amethyst is the birthstone for February.
Aquamarine: From the Latin words for “sea water”, legend holds that the captivating blue-green aquamarine came to be in a mermaid’s treasure chest, thus earning it the distinctive title of the “sailors lucky stone”. Aquamarine evokes the purity of crystalline waters, and the exhilaration and relaxation of the sea. It is calming, soothing, and cleansing, and inspires truth and trust. Birthstone for March.
Apatite: Blue to blue-green apatite is a stone that stimulates thoughts, imagination, creative ideas and focus. Apatite can be used to enhance the energies of other crystals and stones and helps release old feelings that may be holding you back. Wearing apatite brings inner peace and harmony on all levels.
Carnelian: Mined in India as early as 4BC, engravers chose Carnelian for seals and intaglios from the Bronze Age until the fall of the Roman Empire. Due to it’s rich orange-red color Carnelian has traditionally been associated with blood and bloodlines, from the time of the ancient Egyptian pharaohs and throughout the Medieval period. The stone of motivation and endurance, leadership and courage carnelian has a bold energy that is both stimulating and empowering.
Citrine: The stone of happiness and sunshine! Derived from the Latin word for citrus, citrines are said to carry the power of the sun; thus, crystal therapists use them to this day for helping overcome depression, fears and phobias. Citrine’s sister stone is amethyst, and when heat-treated an amethyst will transform into a citrine. Citrine is one of the two minerals on the planet that neither accumulates nor retains negative energy and clears negative energy of other stones, spaces and people. It is the birthstone for November.
The stone of perfection and illumination and the hardest substance on earth, diamonds have long been a symbol of everlasting love. Diamonds are traditionally an amplification stone and can disperse positive energy in all directions. It is the birthstone for April.
Emerald: Favored by royalty for centuries (emeralds were a favorite of Cleopatra’s), the history of emerald mining dates back to 3000 BC near the Red Sea.
Emeralds legendary green hue resonates with nature energy. They are traditionally the gem of Venus and symbolic of fertility, abundance, health and rebirth. For this reason, many ancient mummies were buried with the stone. As the 20th and 35th anniversary stone, it’s said to bestow love, wisdom, peace and fortune on its wearer. Emerald is the birthstone for May.
Revered for its inner fire and as power as a protective talisman, a garnet was said to be used by Noah as a lamp on the bow of his famous ark. It presents in a variety of colors including pink, purple, yellow, orange, green, black and, most famously, red. Red garnet can be found in metamorphic rock in every continent, although the finest, most famous and highly prized stones come from Bohemia, in the Czech Republic. This deep red color and its roots in the Latin granatum (meaning seed-like) have linked garnets to pomegranate seeds and the ancient Greek legend of Persephone’s abduction by Hades to the underworld. An energizing stone of commitment, honesty and hope Garnet’s can help one realize and enjoy the pleasures of earthly incarnation. This includes enhancing sensuality, sexuality, and intimacy in a balanced fashion. As such, garnet is a stone of love and passion. It is the birthstone for January.
A variety of double terminated, super hard quartz scoring a 7.5 on the Mohs scale, this unique variety of quartz is found only in Herkimer, NY, USA. Herkimer diamond quartz is sometimes called the "stone of attunement " it can help one become accustomed to new people or surroundings. A stone of amplification, Herkimer Diamonds can also help disperse positive energy.
Iolite: The color of a crisp, dark winter sky the shifting violet-blue hues carry the spirit of journey, dreams and intuition, exploration and illumination. A property called pleochroism is very pronounced in Iolite, producing different colors when the stone is seen through different positions. Overall, Iolite appears as violet-blue or indigo, but in different positions may shift to a yellow-gray or honey color, and even to a clear light blue. Known as “The Vikings’ Compass” Vikings used thin slices of iolite as a polarizing filter to aid in navigation by the sun. As such, the stone provides the vision to move us, physically and spiritually, from one realm to the next.
Labradorite takes its name from the Labrador region of Canada. According to Inuit legend, the northern lights, or aurora borealis were once trapped inside the rocks along the Labrador coast. One day a warrior found the rocks and freed the lights with a blow of his spear. However, he did not free them all; some remain in their rocky prison to this day. It’s a soothing stone, primarily gray with flashes of blue, green, yellow, violet and sometimes orange. Labradorite is the Stone of Self-Love. It enhances the positive personality traits of it’s wearer, encouraging you to be the best you can, while discouraging the traits and actions that rob your energy and potential negativity. Labradorite brings out the best in people.
Lapis Lazuli: Meaning “blue stone” in Latin, Lapis Lazuli has been mined in Afghanistan since 8000 BC. Flecked with golden pyrite, lapis lazuli has always been a symbol of the starry night sky and the heavens. It was used for jewelry and ceremonial objects and pulverized into pigments and cosmetics. Artists ground the stone to create Ultramarine the most precious and expensive pigment available. Metaphysically, lapis lazuli promotes wisdom, good judgement, intellectual analysis and problem solving. A stone of truth, lapis lazuli aids in all forms of communication (spoke, written and spiritual) and enhances intellectual ability. It stimulates a desire for knowledge, truth and understanding, and aids the process of learning, which makes it a great stone for professionals and students.
Malachite: A powerful purifying stone, malachite represents the deep healing green of nature. It enhances vitality, brings abundance, and promotes the energy of growth, expansion, new beginnings, nourishment and health. Malachite absorbs negative energy and pollutants and purifies them through the Life Force energy flowing through the natural swirling designs of the stone. As such, Malachite works with the wearer’s body to heal, purify and protect both physically and emotionally. It is said to guard against radiation of all kinds. The name Malachite may come from the Greek word signifying the resemblance of Mallow leaves. Their most remarkable association today is the supposed ability to warn of impending danger by breaking into pieces.
Moonstone: According to Hindu legend moonstone is made of solidified moonbeams and you could see the future if you held a moonstone in your mouth during the full moon. It’s known as “dreamstone” because of it’s unique ethereal glow, or chatoyancy, it is used to bring it’s owner sweet dreams and restful sleep. Also a powerful protection stone, providing the light and guidance of the moon for those who travel at night. Moonstone is tied to the magic of the moon; it’s cycles create the tides and the rhythms of the Earth, influencing our behaviors, emotions and spiritual growth. Moonstone calms and encourages, teaching us the natural rhythms of life. Moonstone is also known as “The Goddess Stone”: it is the ultimate fertility stone and a gem of love and eroticism, stimulating the kundalini energy and carnal desires. Beneficial for pregnant women and also for relieving hormonal fluctuations and menstrual symptoms in women.
Obsidian is a type of volcanic glass; it forms from molten lava that cools very quickly within the Earth. It’s powerful cleanser of psychic smog, removing negativity, and protecting from psychic attacks. It aids in releasing disharmony that has built up in your daily life and during work on yourself, including resentment of others, fear and anger. Obsidian symbolizes resilience and is particularly helpful to guard against depression.
Opal: Opals are known for their impressive array of flashing colors. Meaning “stone of value” in Sanskrit, the word opal is derived from the same root as the Greek “opallios” or “color change”. While there are many different kinds of opals from all over the world, opals are commonly mined in Australia. An Australian aboriginal legend tells that The Creator came down to earth on a rainbow to deliver a message of peace to all humans. On the exact spot where he landed, the rocks became alive with all the colors of the rainbow and opals were born. Opal acts as a prism within the aura, bringing a full spectrum of Light energy to the system, soothing and clearing the emotional body, and boosting the will to live and the joy of one’s earthly existence. It promotes optimism, enthusiasm and creativity, and allows for the release of inhibitions inspiring love and passion. Uniquely, opals always contain water- usually between 2% and 6%. Therefore, opal jewelry should be worn as much as possible to assure that the gemstone receives enough moisture from the environment. Without it, the opal’s color will pale. Opal is the birthstone for October.
A rough grain of sand is transformed slowly over-time growing inside the shell of a mollusk into a object of great value and beauty. The luminescent pearl symbolizes innocence, purity and honesty. The gemstone of the pure of heart, pearls can stimulate your femininity and help with self acceptance. They can lift your spirits and make you feel calm and beautiful. Pearls are the birthstone for June.
Peridot: Peridot is associated with the heart chakra and encourages healing, harmony and compassion in relationships of all kinds. It is known as a stone for prosperity and happiness and it’s high frequency vibrations aid in the manifestation of all desired things. Called a “gem of the sun” by the ancient Egyptians, peridot has always been associated with light and is believed to promote an open heart and protect from nightmares. Formed under extreme conditions deep within the earth, peridot has been mined from the tiny St. John’s Island (a.k.a. Zabargard) in the Red Sea for over 3,500 years. Today, most peridot is mined at the San Carlos Indian Reservation, in Arizona. It is the birthstone for August.
Pyrite:Believed to promote communication between the conscious and subconscious minds, the Inca used large slabs of polished pyrite as mirrors and believed that the stone held divine powers. Used in jewelry in ancient Greece and Rome, the name pyrite is derived from the Greek pyr, meaning “fire”, referring to the sparks made when pyrite strikes metal. Thus, pyrite is known as the Stone of Hidden Fire, and resonates with warming fire energy and spirit of boldness and assertive action. It is masculine stone by nature; a stone of action, vitality and will it taps into one’s abilities and potential and stimulates the flow of ideas, bringing confidence and the persistence to carry tasks through to completion. Also known as Fool’s Gold because miners mistook this mineral for gold during the California Gold Rush.
Known as Ratnaraj or “The King of Gems” in Sanskrit, rubies were once regarded as more beautiful and valuable than diamonds. Coming from the Latin rubeus meaning red, the finest, most vivid, reddish-purple rubies are called Pigeon’s Blood rubies. Associated with fire energy, ruby has always been a talisman of passion, love, protection, prosperity, faithful passionate commitment and closeness. Ruby evokes the sensual pleasures in life, stimulating the heart and increasing desire and sexual energy. All natural Rubies have imperfections within them, including color impurities and inclusions of Rutile needles known as “silk.” These inclusions help distinguish natural Ruby from synthetics and actually increase the rarity and value of the stone. Ruby is the birthstone for July.
Sapphire: The gem derives its name from the Greek sappherios meaning blue. Blue sapphires are the most common and are traditionally associated with wisdom, royalty, divine favor and celestial guidance. It is the stone of integrity. Many cultures prefer a sapphire engagement ring because the stone signifies, loyalty, commitment, honesty, mutual understanding and trust. Associated with the throat chakra, blue sapphire is beneficial to the thyroid and stimulates free expression, speech and communication.
Smoky Quartz: The prized gem of the Scottish highlands, smoky quartz is also known as cairngorm, taking it’s name from the Cairngorm Mountains, an ancient and depleted source of the stone. A very dark variety of smoky quartz, called morion was particularly popular in Victorian Era mourning jewelry. Smoky Quartz is associated with the root chakra providing a sense of serenity and being grounded. Smoky quartz relieves stress, fear, jealousy, anger and other negative emotions by transforming them into positive energies. It is excellent for elevating moods, overcoming negative emotions, and relieving depression.
Topaz: Topaz soothes, heals, stimulates, recharges, reinvigorates and aligns the meridians of the body – directing energy to where it is needed most. It promotes truth and forgiveness and stabilizes emotions. Topaz presents in a variety of colors, from blue to yellow, pink and red; pure topaz is colorless. Different colors of Topaz have additional color energies along with the energy of the Topaz itself. Blue topaz is associated with the throat chakra and aiding in both written and verbal communication. It’s known as “The Writer’s Stone."
White topaz helps you clarify your thoughts and intentions with an orderly approach; you can use the energy vibrations of this stone to aid you to manifest the things you want in life. Imperial (yellow) topaz is one of the birthstones for November, while blue topaz is an option for December.
Tanzanite: Tanzanite is associated with the throat and Third Eye Chakras, psychic abilities and intuition. The stone can be found in three hues: blue, violet and indigo. It brings together all aspects of communication and psychic power, teaching one to live from a compassionate heart with an illuminated mind. Wearing tanzanite brings your consciousness to a permanently higher state and brings that positive self-awakening to others who see its beauty. Tanzanite is only found in one place in the world: the Merelani Hills in Tanzania, East Africa.
According to Egyptian legend, tourmaline passed through a rainbow on its journey from the earth’s center to the surface, which is why it appears in many varied colors: black, colorless, brown, violet, yellow, orange, blue, aqua (Paraiba tourmaline) red, green, pink, or bi-colored (Watermelon tourmaline), or even tri-colored. All tourmaline is both piezoelectric and pyroelectric, meaning they produce an electrical charge and can become electrically charged by rubbing the stone or with temperature change.
Black Tourmaline is a powerful protection and grounding stone, electrical in nature, providing a connection between Earth and the human spirit. It promotes self-confidence and power while neutralizing any internal negativity.
Green Tourmaline ranges in color from light green to dark forest green and is known for its physical healing properties. It resonates with the energy vibrations of nature, promoting growth, abundance and health. It is the masculine counterpart to the feminine heart energies of Pink Tourmaline.
Pink Tourmaline ranges in color from plan pink to deep red; it joins love and spirituality, encouraging compassion and gentleness during periods of growth and changes. Watermelon Tourmaline is a super activator of the Heart Chakra with both pink and green tourmaline in one stone. While Pink Tourmaline is associated with the emotions, Green Tourmaline is beneficial in one’s physical being. Together they link to the higher self, and are believed to bring true joy to one’s life and relationships.
Tigers Eye Quartz: Tiger’s Eye is the stone of Focus, like the stalking tiger. It fuels courage, self confidence and strength of will. Attached to the solar plexus chakra a.k.a the Power Chakra the vibration of 'the will’ is strong within tiger’s eye. The unique characteristic of Tiger’s Eye is called chatoyancy and is caused by reflections of light within its crystal structure. This produces the beautiful and distinct bands of golden light in the stone. It’s a powerful stone that aids harmony and balancing emotions and the brain while enhancing creativity and helping to release fear and anxiety. It stimulates taking action and helps to make decisions with discernment and understanding while unclouded by emotions.
Turquoise: Turquoise is a soothing and strengthening stone, helping to guard against exhaustion, depression and panic attacks. It helps restore vitality and lift low spirits, balance emotions and combat aggression. The name Turquoise comes from the French name for the Turkish traders that brought the brilliant blue stone to Europe. Used for many centuries in the Middle and Far East, evidence of Turquoise use by Egyptian royalty dates as far back as 5,500 BC.
Turquoise is only found in barren regions where acidic, copper-rich water reacts with ground minerals containing phosphorous and aluminum. Colors can range from the distinct sky blue found only in the Sleeping Beauty Mine (Arizona) to the vibrant greens found in the Kingman Mine (Arizona) to the bright medium blue typical of most turquoise. Turquoise is the birthstone for December.
