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Alphabetical Listing of Gemstones & Crystals |
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Tanzanite Tanzanite is fairly new on the scene, having been discovered in 1967 while a prospector was searching for sapphire. This gemstone is only found in Tanzania, not far from Mount Kilimanjaro. In the 1970s it was only available through Tiffany & Company. Tanzanite is a trichroic gemstone meaning that it will appear as one of three colors when viewed from different directions. These colors are most frequently blue, purple and bronze-brown. Straight from the earth the predominant color is brown, however, heat treatment coaxes out the “velvety-blue”. Tanzanite is a type of zoisite – a mineral named for Baron Siegmund Zois, an Austrian scholar (1747-1819). Tanzanite aids in dealing with change and weathering difficulties. Color(s)
- Blue, violet, purple, bronze-brown
There are two possible origins for this gemstone’s name. One is from the Sanskrit word tapas meaning fire. The other is the Greek name for an island in the Red Sea, Topazion. The island was frequently shrouded in mist and so its name came to be synonymous with seeking. This may be the source of the belief that topaz could help one be clear-sighted – not only physically to correct eyesight, but also to “see” one’s way through problems. Topaz was also endowed with the ability to make the wearer invisible (as though the mists of Topazion Island could be summoned). In the Middle Ages this cloaking capacity of topaz was attributed to its ability to call forth guardian angles in time of emergencies. At that time it was also believed to cure fevers and ease childbirth. Because of its most prevalent color, topaz was associated with the sun god Ra in ancient Egypt and Jupiter in ancient Rome. In the classical era of Greece and Rome, the name topaz was used for most yellowish stones. Its popularity grew in the thirteenth century and it has remained strong ever since. The tag name, Imperial topaz, for the deep pink and orange-red stones originated because of it renown in the eighteenth and nineteenth century with Russian czars and czarinas. By the mid-nineteenth century it was highly prized and expensive. The large colorless topaz in the Portuguese crown was originally thought to be a diamond when it was found in 1740. Blue topaz which has been growing in popularity is usually created by irradiating pale, white or colorless stones. Topaz helps one focus on what one wants to achieve. Called the “stone of the sun” topaz brings warmth and light, as well as healing to those who need it. Topaz attracts abundance and love. It also is instrumental in getting energy moving. This gemstones alleviates tensions and promotes communication. Color(s)
- Yellow, yellow-brown, orange-brown, red, blue, green, violet
Tourmaline is a large group of minerals that come in all colors of the rainbow, as well as colorless. This gemstone gets its name from the Sinhalese (Sri Lanka) words turamali (mixed colored stones) and toramalle (“something little of the earth”). These terms were first used in reference to green, brown and yellow stones and mainly zircon. Tourmaline has been utilized for its beauty for several thousand years. A tourmaline intaglio of Alexander the Great dating to between 300-200 B.C.E. is on display in the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford, England. While Nordic jewelry with tourmaline has been dated to the year 1000, it was not until 1703 that Dutch traders brought it into widespread use in Europe from Ceylon. Many of the rubies in seventeenth century Russian crown jewels have turned out to be tourmaline. In Victorian England the black variety of tourmaline, called schorl, was popularly used for mourning jewelry. The word schorl is an old mining phrase that meant “unwanted material”. Tourmaline was the favorite of famous gemologist, George F. Kunz, who gathered it for a number of collectors, including museums. He also introduced it to Tiffany & Company. This gemstone is piezoelectric and pyroelectric. Most tourmaline is pleochroic and it is not unusual to find a tourmaline crystal that is half one color and half another. Tourmaline’s wide variety of colors come from a range of chemical compounds. Few of the type names are used today in favor of simply identifying stones by their color or pattern. For example, watermelon tourmaline is pink, white and green like a slice of the fruit. A few of the names still in use include rubellite (from the Latin word for reddish of color) and elbaite which is the tourmaline that comes from the Island of Elba. The latter is the type most frequently utilized in jewelry. Paraiba tourmaline simply describes the area of Brazil from which it comes. Paraiba tends to be very brilliant blues and greens. Tourmaline is attributed with healing powers and the ability to neutralize negative energy. It can help to provide insight and attract inspiration. It is associated with compassion and meditation. Tourmaline aids in handling grief. It dispels fear for positive change. Color(s)
- Colorless, blue, black, green, lilac, violet, brown, pink, red,
orange, yellow
This gemstone is a grossular variety of garnet which was only discovered in Kenya and Tanzania in the late 1960s. It takes its name from the Tsavo game preserve in Kenya. Brilliantly emerald-like in color, tsavorite was brought to world notice by Tiffany & Company. It is usually found with a coating of quartz or scapolite and was originally thought to be demantoid, the only other type of green garnet. Use tsavorite to vibrate with the heart chakra. Color(s)
- Light to emerald green, yellow
This gemstone takes it name from the Middle Ages and an Old French word turqueise which meant Turkish – stones arrived in Europe from the Middle East. Its more ancient name was callais from the Greek words kallos lithos, beautiful stone. Turquoise is one of the most widely used gemstones. It comes from dry (arid and semi-arid) regions and is a secondary mineral in copper deposits. The use of this gemstone can be traced back to 5500 B.C.E. in Egypt where turquoise was found in the tomb of a queen. It was also used for amulets and ground into powder for cosmetics. Persia, where it was used for religious carvings, was the ancient source for fine turquoise. Turquoise is one of the twelve mentioned in The Bible on the breastplate of Aaron. In China, the use of turquoise began before the year 1000. Hindus and Tibetans utilized it and ascribed it with the ability to bring good luck. In parts of the Middle East verses from the Koran were engraved onto tablets of turquoise. It was not used in Japan until the eighteenth century. In the Americas, it was mined in New Mexico since the fifth century and used by the Anasazi, Apache, Navajo and Zuni. It was mined by the Aztec since approximately 900. Some American Southwest tribes carved turquoise for beads, others utilized it for currency in trade with Mexico. Warriors tied turquoise to their bows to aid in making precise shots. While the use of turquoise dates to approximately 500 B.C.E. in Eastern Europe (Siberia), it did not become popular in Western Europe until the late Middle Ages. Resembling the color of the forget-me-not flower, turquoise jewelry was given for remembrance and affection. Such use was documented by Shakespeare in The Merchant of Venice with the ring given to Shylock by Leah. Howlite, dyed chalcedony, glass and plastic are used to imitate turquoise. Synthetic turquoise is sometimes called neo-turquoise or neolite. Since the days of ancient Persia, turquoise has been a stone of good luck. During the Middle Ages in Europe it was believed to protect both horse and rider from danger. It was also thought to change color if the wearer was ill. This may actually happen because turquoise is slightly porous and will react to oils, soaps and perspiration. It is also sensitive to strong sunlight. Many cultures from the Middle East to the Americas considered this gemstone a symbol of the sky. The Apaches believed that it contained the powers of the heavens and the sea. It is still considered to be a “bridge” between heaven and earth and is used for spiritual cleansing. Turquoise has been called a “stone of communication” and provides a balance of yin/yang energy. It protects against negativity, and can attract love. Turquoise is a general healer. Color(s)
- Blue, blue-green
This gemstone takes its name from the Persia word zargun which was a compound of zar, gold, and gun, color. It was well known in India and mentioned in the Hindu legend of the Kalpa Tree. This tree, which was given to the gods as a gift, was laden with fruit of various gemstones. Its leaves were made of zircon. This gemstone was popularly used by the Assyrians. During the classical period of Rome and the Middle Ages, yellow zircon was favored. Zircon did not become popular again in Europe until the 1920s. The colorless zircon is so brilliant that it was used widely as a substitute for diamond. These have sometimes been called Matura diamond. Zircon is frequently confused with zirconia which is a lab-grown diamond imitation. Types of zircon include hyacinth and jacinth, both of which were mentioned in The Bible. The blue variety called “starlight” is created by heating yellow zircon. Since the Middle Ages, zircon has been believed to aid in spiritual growth and to promote prosperity and wisdom. This gemstone is also instrumental in finding beauty and peace. Color(s)
- Colorless, blue, green, brown, orange, red, yellow
Copyright - Sandra Kynes - Gemstone Feng Shui More on Gemstones & Crystals
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