Photo-Journal Ireland Pilgrimage
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Alphabetical Listing of Gemstones & Crystals |
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Diamond The word diamond comes from the Greek adamas which means invincible or “I subdue”. This is believed to refer to its hardness. Diamond is mentioned in The Bible as one of the twelve gemstones in the breastplate of Aaron. As a symbol of power and protection, diamonds were worn by ancient leaders when they marched into battle. Aristotle and Pliny mentioned diamonds in their writings and made reference to the “valley of diamonds” in India where they had been mined since 800 B.C.E. This was the only known source of diamonds until 1725 when they were discovered in Brazil. In 1866 a new rich source was found in South Africa and set off a diamond rush between 1870 and 1880 which was not unlike the gold rush of the American West. The ancient Romans used uncut diamonds in jewelry. King Louis XI (1214-1270) of France did not allow women to wear them – not even the queen. Famous diamonds include the Hope diamond which is now in the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History. Its history began in 1669 when it was sold to King Louis XIV of France. The largest cut diamond is the Cullinan which is part of the British crown jewels – housed in the Tower of London. The first diamond engagement ring was worn by Mary Burgundy upon her betrothal to Hapsburg emperor Maximillian I in 1477. The way in which diamonds are formed is as equally fascinating as their beauty. Their story is old – beginning approximately two billion years ago. And their journey is long – starting 95 to 120 miles below the surface of the earth. Diamonds begin as carbon crystals formed by intense heat and pressure below volcanoes. These carbon crystals are transported up to the surface in “pipes” of kimberlite or lamproite rock. If these crystals cool too slowly as they rise to the surface, the result is graphite. The carbon crystals have to rise and cool quickly in order to produce a diamond. What a disappointment to end up with lead for a pencil instead of a diamond. The “purest” diamonds are colorless. Colors occur when other substances such as nitrogen (producing a yellow diamond) are present as the diamond forms. A vast array of colorless substances have been used to imitate diamond. Not only has their beauty attracted people, their hardness (it’s the hardest mineral) and their ability to conduct heat are attributes that have diamonds employed in a wide range of industrial applications. Diamonds with rich colors such as blue, champagne, green, pink, orange or yellow are called “fancy” diamonds. Diamond has been called the “stone of invulnerability” as well as the “king of crystals”. In addition to being a symbol of power and wealth, they are also an emblem of love trust and commitment. Their powers of protection in battle also extended to protection against disease and pestilence. The power of diamonds can be utilized to build emotional strength, and unite people through reconciliation. In addition, diamonds attract abundance and wealth, and are useful during periods of transformation to help call on inner strength. Diamonds help build relationships and support longevity. Color(s)
- Colorless, white, black and all colors of the spectrum Emerald This gemstone’s name is said to come from the Greek word smaragdos which among its various meanings includes “green stone”. Although this word was applied to all green stones, as far as emerald is concerned “nothing greens greener” according to ancient scholar and writer Pliny. From Greek to Latin, the name evolved to esmaraude in Old French, then emaraude in Middle English. A type of beryl, emerald’s deep color is caused by the presence of chromium – which also produces the deep red of rubies. Inclusions (crystal formations within the gemstone) provide depth and a unique identification to each individual stone. On the market, fewer inclusions are more desirable, however, for crystal therapy and feng shui these features add character and interest. Many emeralds are “oiled” with linseed or cedarwood oil to soften the effects of the inclusions and improve the stone’s clarity. The emerald cut – which helps to enhance the color – was created to avoid chipping the corners of the stone. Emeralds were prized by early civilizations and the Babylonians traded in them as early as 4000 B.C.E. Cleopatra’s famed emerald mine was located near Aswân, Egypt. For centuries this mine was thought to be only a legend until it was uncovered in 1818. By then, very few emeralds were found but the mine did yield tools that were later dated to circa 1300 B.C.E. Emeralds were popular in ancient Egyptian jewelry and many people chose to be buried with them. Emeralds were also valued by the rulers of India. Shah Jahan, builder of the Taj Mahal one of the great symbols of love and devotion, is said to have worn emeralds inscribed with sacred texts as a personal talisman. Perhaps his connection with emeralds began this gemstone’s link with love. In Europe, emeralds were especially popular from the seventeenth through nineteenth centuries. In the new world, the Aztecs carved emeralds into the shape of flowers and small animals. Emeralds were also used by the Incas and Mayans. The trapiche form of emerald contains a rare six-spoke pattern around a hexagonal center. Trapiche is the name given the Spanish wheel used for pulverizing crops – usually sugar cane. Many other types of green stones, glass and plastic have been used to imitate emerald. Emeralds are a symbol of love, and attract good fortune and harmony to all areas of life. This gemstone is also useful against negative energy. It improves memory and some believe it can help a person divine the future – perhaps because it provides access to desires held deeply within. It is associated with spring and rebirth and promotes understanding. Color(s)
- A wide range of greens
Feldspar is one of the most common minerals on earth, and is most widely used industrially. One of its earliest applications was in the clay from which the Chinese made their porcelain. The presence of this simple mineral gave the porcelain a fine quality that Europeans could not duplicate for centuries. Feldspar is still used in making pottery, tile, glass and some plumbing fixtures. Feldspar gets its name from the Swedish words feldt, field, and spar, an Anglo-Saxon name for “easily cleaved minerals”. Feldspar’s iridescent luster is created by the dispersion of light through its thin layers. Gem-quality feldspar includes labradorite, sunstone, amazonite and moonstone. These gemstones are covered separately.
Fluorite’s name comes from the Latin word meaning flow. This is apt for this industrial mineral which is used in metal processing as flux. The deep blue, banded fluorite found in Derbyshire, England, is nick-named Blue John. Decorative objects have been made from this for more than 1,500 years. Sometimes called the “stone of discernment” fluorite is useful as an aid in finding truth that has been concealed. Fluorite helps to navigate a path of order through chaos and boosts physical, mental and spiritual unity through healing. Fluorite nourishes and vitalizes energy while grounding it. This gemstone is also useful to boost the effects of other stones. Fluorite provides strength and protection in times of transition. Color(s)
- Clear, black, blue, green, pink, purple, red, yellow. Some pieces
of fluorite have fluorescent qualities.
The garnet family of complex silicates obtained their name from the Latin word granum which means grain or seed-like. This name most likely evolved from the ancient jewelry that used clusters of tiny red garnets that resembled pomegranate seeds. (Pomegranate is malum granatum in Latin.) The garnet group includes almandine, andradite, grossular, pyrope (now popularly called rhodolite), spessartine and uvarovite. The use of garnet dates to at least 3100 B.C.E. in Egypt where it was used in jewelry and made into beads. Early mentions of garnet come from The Bible. Carbuncle was another name for garnet (as well as ruby) which was one of the twelve stones in the breastplate of Aaron. Noah was said to guide the ark at night with a garnet lantern. The almandine variety has been widely used since the classical era of Greece. For centuries garnets were carried by travelers to protect them from accidents. Ancient Persians considered it a “royal stone” and carved it with images of their kings. In Arizona, tiny granules of this gemstone are called anthill garnets because ants push it to the surface while building their tunnels. Garnet saw its first industrial use in 1878 in the United States as a coating for sandpaper. Like alexandrite, some garnets change color according to the light in which they are viewed. Although rare, there are both four and six rayed star garnets. This gemstone occurs in every color but blue. Some garnets are mistakenly called Arizona ruby, Ceylon ruby and Ural emerald. Garnet symbolizes faith, devotion and truth. It strengthens personal power and helps bring victory/success. Garnet aids in the release of kundalini energy and sparks creativity. Garnets tend to have strong supportive energy. This gemstone fosters confidence and success. Color(s)
- Almandite – red, orange-red with brown, purple-red
Hematite gets its name from the Greek haima meaning blood which is also the root word for hemaglobin. This iron oxide’s earliest use dates to ancient Europe. Hematite was crushed to produce red ochre which was used as a pigment to stain figures such as the famous Goddess of Laussel (20,000 to 25,000 B.C.E.) to symbolize abundance, fertility and life-giving processes from the great Mother Goddess’ blood. Red ochre was also used on burial figurines, as well as the corpse itself. In the ancient Goddess-worshiping cultures, red was the color of rebirth and transformation. In ancient Egypt hematite was used for amulets. It was also used to stop hemorrhages. Roman soldiers wore it for protection as they marched into battle. Native Americans use red ochre for ceremonial and war paint. Hematite is a transformer that turns negative feelings into positive ones and even into love. It is a power stone that helps maintain one’s sense of self and to deflect negativity from other sources. This gemstone enhances memory and balances the body’s energy. Color(s)
- Metallic/iridescent gray, gray-red, gray-black, brown-red
This gemstone is a type of quartz but was mistaken for diamond when it was first found in Herkimer, New York, because of its brilliance. Herkimer diamond is sometimes called the “dream crystal” as it aids in getting in touch with one’s inner self. It is useful to place under your pillow for dream work to help remember dreams. When utilized this way it is best to pair it with an amethyst crystal to moderate the energy level. Herkimer diamond is helpful for congeniality among groups of people. It is useful for emotional cleansing because it releases energy blocks. This gemstone also raises energy levels. Color(s)
- Clear
This gemstone takes its name from the Greek words ios, violet, and lithos, stone. The Vikings used iolite as a navigation aid – looking through a thin slice of the stone allowed sailors to find the position of the sun in overcast skies. Iolite is another gemstone with strong pleochroic effects. In iolite’s case, three separate colors are displayed making its effect trichroic. It has been mistakenly called dichroite (from the Greek dichrois “of two colors”), however, a dichroic effect would consist of only two colors as the name suggests. Other names for iolite include water sapphire and cordierite. The latter is a tribute to P.L.A. Cordier, a French mineralogist of the early seventeenth century. Iolite’s calming energy brings stability to people (emotions) and situations. It aids in strengthening faith and promotes cooperation. Color(s)
- Blue, violet-blue, gray-blue, green (rare)
More on Gemstones & Crystals
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