Agates:
Agates are microcrystalline quartz nodules found in cavities in the host rock; they often survive long after the host rock has weathered away. Trace elements give agates their colour.
Agate is believed to promote love, to bring good fortune, health, wealth, long life and also self-confidence by banishing fear. It was highly valued as a talisman in ancient time.
Persian magicians used agate to divert storms and athletes used it to increase vitality. Black agate in particular relieves stress, gives protection and increases courage; Botswana agate sustains attentiveness to detail; Fire agate helps with ambivalence and lethargy due to depression; Tree agate is good for introspection; relieving tension; brings plentiful crops; Highly valued shiny Tibetan agate beads, patterned with mystical eyes are known as “Dzi” which, in Tibetan, means: ‘shine, brightness, clarity, and splendour’.
As a birthstone agate has associations with Gemini (May/June) and Capricorn (December/January).
Amethyst:
Amethyst belongs to the quartz family and the purple color is due to traces of iron.
Amethyst stands for sincerity, peace of mind, intuition and sensitivity; represents the power to control evil thoughts, drunkenness and a tendency for over indulgence. It is believed to decrease defensiveness and promotes emotional integration. It is associated with spiritual awareness, meditation, balance, psychic ability, healing and positive transformations. It is known as the ‘Pope Stone’, a stone of divine love. Christian crusaders attached it to their rosaries.
As a birthstone agate has associations with Aquarius (January/February) and with Sagittarius (November/December).
Chalcedony:
Chalcedony is a very fine-grained variety of quartz. In the petrified forests of the American Desert Southwest, many of the original tree tissues have been replaced by chalcedony in the formation of petrified wood. What remains is a mineral replica of the original tree in various fantastic colors. The brilliant reds and greens are caused primarily by traces of iron oxides.
Chalcedony is said to augment emotional balance, vitality, stamina, endurance, kindness, charity and friendliness, and to alleviate hostilities, irritability and melancholy.
It was used as a sacred stone by the Native Americas.
As a birthstone Chalcedony has associations with Gemini (May/June)
Chrysocolla:
It is believed that Chrysocolla relieves stress, promotes self-initiative and wisdom in speech, provides a release for those overly concerned with material goods or wealth, improves physical strength and endurance and gives inner strength to cope with stress.
Chrysoprase:
Chrysoprase is considered to strengthen friendships; mend broken hearts; remove feelings of inferiority or superiority; protect children; provide spiritual protection and provide clarity in connection with personal problems
As a birthstone Chrysoprase is associated with Gemini (May/June).
Coral:
It is considered that Coral provides protection against violence and theft; it is said to calm emotions and may also assist with colds, asthma and digestion. It is traditionally a protection stone for children.
As a birthstone Coral is associated with Taurus (April/May) and Scorpio (October / November).
Citrine:
Citrine comes from the French word for lemon, and refers to any quartz crystal or cluster that is yellow to orange. Most natural citrine starts life as amethyst until heated.
The yellow color is a natural reviver, and citrine is it is said to focus the mind, bringing a feeling of self-esteem, to promote optimism and attract abundance, removing negative energy.
In ancient times it was carried as a protection against snake venom and evil thoughts.
Known as a ‘merchants' stone’, it was thought not only to assist with the acquisition of wealth but also to help maintain it.
As a birthstone Citrine is associated with November.
Garnet:
Garnet refers to several mineral species, with many ‘garnets’ being a combination of these minerals. The name ‘garnet’ is derived from the Latin word ‘granatus’, meaning like a grain - referring to how their crystals resemble seeds embedded in the matrix. Garnets are hard resilient stones and come in many colors, but a reddish brown is the most common.
Garnets are found in jewelry from ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome. Noah is said in the Bible to have used a garnet lantern to the Ark through the darkness.
Travelers wore garnets as protective stones, to illuminate the night and ward off evil. Garnets are also believed to prevent nightmares and cure depression.
As a birthstone Garnet is associated with Capricorn (December/January) and with Aquarius (January/February).
Jade:
For 5,000 years Imperial China used the word ‘jade’ as something precious. Chinese jade first arrived in the West during the sixteenth century, brought from Canton by the Portuguese. Chinese carvings reach the highest value.
Jade is believed to bring prosperity, fertility and long life, as well as serenity, wisdom, balance. Ancient silk traders often held jade while bartering to improve their judgement. It is also a symbol of love, virtue, and status and a small piece of jade worn around the neck was said to dispel illness.
As a birthstone Jade is associated with Pisces (March/April).
Jasper:
Jasper is a crystalline variety of quartz that contains up to 20% foreign material. This is what determines the stone’s multicolor, striped, or spotted appearance.
Jasper was highly valued in ancient times, not only for its beauty, but also for the reputed magical and medicinal properties.
Autumn jasper is said to protect against negative energy; Green jasper is thought to be lucky in monetary trades; Leopard skin as a ‘stone of nurturing’; gives what one needs not what one wants, and known as the ‘stone of St. Francis’, protects during travel; Red jasper reduces guilt, brings consolation, removes fear of the future, helps balance unfair situations and helps remember dreams, being seen as an intensely protective stone, stabilizing the aura and bringing contentment Red jasper is even said to assist astral travel during meditation.
Jasper is known as the ‘Patron stone of counselors and healers’, it was used for many different medications - to treat the kidneys, spleen, bladder, liver and stomach, and to relieve pain, especially childbirth.
As a birthstone Jasper has associations with Virgo (August/September).
Lapis Lazuli:
Lapis is mined in the remote mountains of Afghanistan. The twinkling inclusions are not gold but pyrite, caused by iron. The blue color comes from the sulfuric content of lazurite, and looks dull until polished.
It is named after “lapis“, the Latin word for stone, and the Arabian for blue.
Through the ages, lapis has been associated with power, wisdom, love, and a stimulant for psychic ability. Known as ‘the stone of royalty’ Egyptian and Persian royalty wore lapis as a talisman to deter danger. In other cultures it was considered a holy stone, and it is thought to have magical power in oriental countries.
For many people lapis is a stone of truth and friendship, bringing harmony to relationships, while aiding inner vision, wisdom, insight and good judgment. It is also said to be good for treating thyroid problems.
As a birthstone Lapis is associated with Libra (September/October) and with December.
Quartz Crystal :
Smoky Quartz is caused by natural radiation from nearby granite which has a small amount of radioactivity.
Known as the ‘stone of power’ and used by the Mayans, Druid priests, and Tibetan monks. The ancients used quartz crystal to strengthen the sun’s rays to bring heat, and the Chinese science of Feng-shui teaches that arranging crystals around the home retains positive energy. Today’s crystal therapists say that the stones' ability to work as a conductor allows energy to be focused via a person's thoughts to stimulate healing.
All types of crystal are believed to have this magical power, but individual color crystal is believed to have other uses too. Rose quartz, the ‘stone of unconditional love’, it thought to heal a broken heart, restore youth and bring joy to everyday life; smokyquartz to promote personal pride and joy, to be good for goal setting and making affirmations, improving intuition and transforming fear and anger into positive energies which bring comfort and calm.
As a birthstone clear quartz has associations with Aries (April/May) and rose quartz with Taurus (May/June).
Rhodonite:
Rhodonite is usually pink to red or orange, but can also be black - named after the Greek word for rose, "rhodon". Its pink color often has black manganese oxide veins running through it, creating a distinct appearance.
It was popular in 18th-century Russia where it was used extensively to decorate the Russian court.
As the ‘stone of love’; Rhodonite is believed to dispel anxiety; give emotional support; see others as worthy of love and help the wearer remain stable when in love.
Rhodonite is seen to have similar properties to malachite - stabilizing the emotions, soothing and bringing order to feelings.
Turquoise:
Turquoise is a soft, opaque gemstone – formed by volcanic rock reacting to copper deposits brought by water. Ranging from blue-green, to yellow-green with grey, black or brown veining.
Turquoise has been found in 5,000-year-old Egyptian tombs and the Tibetans used it as currency centuries ago. North Africa and the Middle East hold large deposits, but most turquoise today originates from Burma and is carved in China. Turquoise didn’t reach Europe until the crusades when the name originated, meaning "Turkish stone”.
Known as the ‘stone of contentment’; it is said to warn wearers of danger or illness, making it a lucky stone; tones and strengthens entire body; its power is in health
Absorbs negative energies. Enhances intuition and gives the wearer vibrancy.
Ancient doctors thought turquoise prevented injury in accidents and ground it into a powder to cure stomach disorders, internal bleeding, and insect bites. Turquoise has always been used to protect the wearer from danger, attract wealth, and warn as a talisman or good luck charm. Some believe it will fade when danger or illness is near, or a lover is unfaithful. It is also said to protect against pollution and strengthen the body.
Turquoise is porous, so is commonly impregnated with plastic, colorless oil or wax to improve color and increase durability. Untreated turquoise will eventually turn green. Reconstituted turquoise is crafted from real turquoise chips fused with other stones.
As a birthstone Turquoise is associated with Taurus (May/June) and with Sagittarius (November/December).
Zoisite/Ruby Zoisite:
Ruby is associated with passion. It can bring anger to the surface, and will amplify any emotion. Zoisite softens ruby's qualities; it is cooling and stabilising. Ruby Zoisite is a creative stone, its energy coming from the red and green colors. In the chakra system red relates to creativity and sexuality, and green is associated with healing, balancing, and abundance. Ruby Zoisite is excellent for healing a broken heart and reducing obsessive feelings about another person.
As a birthstone Ruby has associations with Cancer (June/July), and with Sagittarius (Nov/December) and Capricorn (December/January).
LINKS:
A guide to the crystals associated with each organ of the body
