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Alphabetical Listing of Gemstones & Crystals |
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Agate Agate is a type of chalcedony quartz that took its name from the River Aghates near Sicily – it is now called River Drillo. As an aid to emotional healing, it is said to help discern the truth, as well as accept circumstances. Because agate was believed to help protect against high fevers, it was placed in drinking water to banish illness. Agate was also thought to be instrumental in relieving arthritis, headaches and thirst. In addition to being worn as an amulet, agate was used for decorative jewelry and small objects. During the classical Greek and Roman era, agate was widely used for cameos and intaglios. These were frequently worn upside down for the wearer’s enjoyment. Bowls carved of agate were common throughout the Byzantine Empire, and Mithradates had amassed a collection of several thousand. During the Renaissance in Europe, collecting agate bowls surged in popularity again as did its use in jewelry and furniture inlay. Not only does agate come in a wide variety of colors, but also a plethora of fascinating effects. Eye agate actually looks like an eye, and plume agate displays a feathery pattern. Because of layers that form when agate is created, some colors and textures are structured into bands of color while others seem to create “scenes” (nature’s Rorschach test). There are also the delicate-patterned lace agates. Agate is good for grounding and balance. It fosters abundance, wealth, love and connection with the natural world. It is also used for protection. Moss agate attracts abundance and aids in building self-confidence and strength. Lace agate helps to clear the mind. Color(s)
- A wide range and usually multi-colored, black-banded, blue-lace,
crazy-lace, moss, tree and white.
Discovered in Russia in 1830 and named for Czar Alexander II, this gemstone of the chrysoberyl family changes color according to the light (natural or incandescent) in which it is viewed. Because of the green/red color change, alexandrite was fashionable with the aristocracy in Russia where the imperial colors where red and green. In the rest of Europe, alexandrite was especially popular in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. While alexandrite has been somewhat rare and expensive, another source was discovered in Brazil in the late 1980s giving this gemstone a new-found popularity. Color-changing sapphire grown in the lab and sometimes called alexandrine is used as an imitation. As a healing stone, the use of alexandrite with other stones enhances the power of the others. On its own, alexandrite strengthens personal power and spirituality. It is also effective in building intellect and creativity. It is a stone for achieving success and has been used as a good luck amulet. Color(s)
- A color-change stone, greens/blues to reds/violets
Although this type of feldspar takes its popular name from the Amazon Basin where it was first thought to be jade, amazonite has been widely used for thousands of years. This gemstone’s older name, microcline, comes from the Greek words micro for small and klino meaning tilt. It is suspected that this second word was associated with it because of the shape of its crystals. Amazonite was used for jewelry in Egypt, Mesopotamia, India and the Sudan as early as 2000 B.C.E. It was included among the gemstones found in King Tutankhamun’s tomb. While the Egyptians used this gemstone widely for amulets, tablets of amazonite have been found with part of The Egyptian Book of the Dead engraved upon them. In pre-Columbian Central and South America, amazonite was used for personal adornment. Ancient Assyrians believed amazonite was the gemstone of their god, Belus, and used it in sacred rituals. Amazonite is useful to disperse negative energy. It is also emotionally soothing and can aid in communication with a lover. It inspires openness, trust and honor. Color(s)
- Green, blue-green
Now sometimes referred to as the “Jurassic gem”, the film Jurassic Park has made amber popular again. The ages for this organic gem can be anywhere between one and 360 million years. Amber was created by heat and pressure applied to sticky tree (usually pine) resin. The presence of insects and leaves in amber adds to its value on the market. Amber’s long history includes a lengthy association with humans. Archeologists have found artifacts made of amber that date to 8000 B.C.E. It was also used by the ancient Assyrian, Egyptian, Phoenician and Greek civilizations. Labeled the “gold of the north” by some, the Greeks called it electron. Rubbing a piece of amber with cloth will build up an electric charge which makes it attract small pieces of paper, feathers and dust. Because of amber’s most common color, it has been linked with the sun. In Ovid’s Metamorphoses, the ancient tale of Phaeton (the son of Phoebus, the sun) tells of his death and how his mother’s tears dry into pieces of amber. This gemstone is also mentioned in Homer’s Odyssey and the writings of Pliny. Only upper class Romans could afford amber, however, gladiators lucky enough to obtain it, wore it as an amulet for its protective powers. Because it gives off a pleasing odor when burned, amber was utilized in temples throughout Asia. In Medieval Europe, amber was used for rosary beads. During this period it was also worn to ward-off disease. During the eighteenth century, amber was used to adorn rooms – inlaid in wall panels, as well as door and window frames. Amber is useful for yin/yang balance because it draws on the power of the sun while keeping the wearer grounded. It is also a healing and protective “gem” that attracts luck, calms energy and aids in building vitality. Amber is also useful to manifest general change; and inspire love and wisdom. Color(s)
- Colorless/white, pale yellow to dark brown, reddish, green, black,
blue
A variety of quartz, this gemstone has enjoyed a long history of popularity that has rarely waned. Since ancient Egypt it has been a prized stone of royalty. It was preferred by Catherine the Great of Russia and has an honored place in the crown jewels of England. It was a favored stone worn by bishops in the Middle Ages. Since the sixteenth century each new Pope is given an amethyst ring during his investiture. This ring is destroyed when the Pontiff dies and a new one is made for his successor. It was especially popular during the Renaissance. Pale-colored amethyst was occasionally called “Rose de France” and was frequently used in jewelry during the Victorian era. This gem’s name comes from the Greek word amethustos, as well as the Latin amethystus which translates as “not drunken” or “without wine”. Throughout the ages amethyst has been hailed as a preventative for getting drunk. Goblets carved from amethyst were believed to allow drinkers to imbibe as much as they liked without suffering the after effects. It is suspected that the drinker could appear to be enjoying vast quantities of wine while actually consuming water that looked wine-colored because of the amethyst. This could also be the source of the belief that amethyst aids in overcoming alcoholism. Several versions of a Greek myth tell of a young woman named Amethyst who, while on her way to pay tribute to the Goddess Diana, is set upon by tigers dispatched by an angry Dionysus (or Bacchus). Diana turned Amethyst into a statue of white quartz to protect her from the tigers’ claws. One version of the story tells that the remorseful tears of Dionysus (which were wine, of course) fell on the statue and turned it into a purple quartz. The other version merely states that a less charitable Bacchus poured wine over the statue. This story could be the root of the belief in amethyst’s powers of protection. Today amethyst is commonly used in crystal work to transform body energy into the spiritual realm. A gemstone of change, amethyst is a general healer, spiritual tool and a stone of wisdom. It is good for calming the mind and attracts good luck, as well as love. Amethyst is a general healer. Color(s)
- Pale lilac to deep purple
This dual-colored quartz combines the deep beauty of amethyst with the light sunshine of citrine. Although the colors of amethyst and citrine are opposite each other on the color wheel, this pairing of complementary opposites provides yin/yang balance. Found only in Bolivia, ametrine was presented on the world stage in the seventeenth century by a Spanish conquistador who brought gifts from the New World to his monarch. Ametrine brings the physical and spiritual realms into balance. It calms negative emotions and is used to cleanse the aura. Color(s)
- Dual-colored lilac/purple and yellow
Andalusite is called the “earth stone” because of its soothing earth-tone colors and grounding vibrations. It gets its name from Andalusia, the area in Spain where it was discovered. Unlike other multi-colored gemstones that display bands or speckling, andalusite is a pleochroic gem that presents its colors through a dance of patterns. Usually, a cutter will try to bring out the best color in a stone and minimize the others, however, andalusite’s strong pleochrosim is used to advantage to produce an exciting play of colors. At one time andalusite was known as poor man’s alexandrite which was a misnomer. Alexandrite’s color change depends on the light in which it is seen whereas andalusite’s depends on the angle of view. A variety of andalusite called chiastolite often displays a dark cross pattern when sliced. These were found frequently near Santiago de Compostella in Spain which is an important Christian pilgrimage site. Chiastolite became known as the “cross stone” and was sold to pilgrims. Kyanite is formed from andalusite. An increase in pressure or decrease in temperature will cause andalusite to recrystallize into this mineral. Andalusite has seen industrial use as a mineral ingredient in the manufacturing of spark plugs and special porcelains. Andalusite’s earth stone reputation is upheld in its use for grounding and balance. Like Mother Earth, andalusite touches the emotions and aids in the spiritual journey. This gemstone fosters wise leadership and success. Color(s)
- Brown-reds, greens, yellows
See the entry, Obsidian, for a full description. Apache tears are used for protection and to attract good luck. Color(s)
- Black
This variety of beryl gets its name from Latin aqua marina, meaning sea water. The stone’s blue-green color is reminiscent of the soothing water of the Mediterranean. Mythology says that this gem was presented as a gift by King Neptune to the mermaids. Sailors have used it as a protective amulet as it was believed to possess its greatest degree of strength when in water. It also symbolized the moon – a connection which is easy to understand since the moon effects the earth’s tides. Its earliest documented use was in ancient Greece. Natural aquamarine is more green than blue, depending on the amount of iron. It is usually heated to subdue the green. Light blue-green, synthetic spinel is used to imitate aquamarine. This gemstone is said to bring love to those who wear it. Its comforting influence on couples promotes fidelity and calms differences. Aquamarine’s power to moderate, supports and enhances good communication. It is also known as the “stone of courage”. Since it imparts courage to the wearer, it also offers protection. Aquamarine promotes cleansing and tranquility, especially when dealing with loss or grief. Color(s)
- Light-blue, green-blue, blue
This gemstone is a type of sunstone which is a variety of feldspar. Tiny flecks of mica or hematite produces its iridescent sheen. In China it was called Imperial Yu. Aventurine began its current wave of popularity in the nineteenth century. This gemstone is a powerful healer – both physically and emotionally – and has been called the “healer of heart and soul”. It quells anxiety and aids in finding solutions to life’s problems and assists in making the right choices. Aventurine attracts career success and fosters creativity. It is also a calming gemstone. Color(s)
- Mostly green, also red-brown, occasionally blue
This gemstone’s fifty-five percent copper content is responsible for its deep color. Azurite frequently forms with malachite – both are created by the oxidation of a copper such as chalcopyrite. For centuries azurite has been used as a pigment for fabric and paint. Because of its color, azurite has been dubbed the “stone of heaven”. Ancient Mayans revered azurite for its ability to help the wearer connect with wisdom. In Native American traditions it is believed to help the wearer contact their spirit guides. Azurite aids in strengthening intuition and communication. It also helps to unseat and release deep-rooted problems. Azurite promotes patience, cleansing and spiritual guidance. Color(s)
- Azure, pale blue to deep blue
As the official California gemstone, the only significant source of benitoite is in the San Benito County of that state. In Spanish, benito means “blessed”. This gemstone was first discovered in 1907, however, there is controversy as to who was the first to unearth it – the team of Hawkins and Sanders (who at first thought they’d found sapphire) or James Marshall Couch. Benitoite was the first example of the ditrigonal-disyramidal crystal shape to be found. It is easily confused with sapphire. This gemstone promotes understanding on an emotional level. Color(s)
- Blue, blue/violet, black, (colorless, pink extremely rare) Copyright - Sandra Kynes - Gemstone Feng Shui More on Gemstones & Crystals
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