| Agates:
Agates in
general are associated with grace, good health, and stability. They are
considered calming, soothing stones. Agates are said to assure marital
fidelity. Folklore holds that a person gazing at an agate can only tell
the truth and will be aided in remembering. Perhaps an agate would make a
good "worry stone" for students faced with a test! Some folk
traditions hold that an agate is a charm to keep a child from falling,
another association with stability. Water in which a blue agate was soaked
was once thought to cure illnesses.
Alexandrite:
Alexandrite is associated with grace and purity. Like
many green stones, it is associated with abundance, though in the case of
Alexandrite,
it is an abundance of joy and hope.
Amazonite:
Cool, refreshing green amazonite is the "hope
stone," associated with increased self-confidence. It is said to
inspire faith, hope, and self-respect, and reduce self-damaging behavior.
It is also associated with positive relationships with others. In some
traditions, amazonite is associated with clairvoyance, and touching it to
the forehead is said to
unlock one's psychic ability.
Amber:
Amber is sometimes called "Freya's Tears,"
and is associated with this goddess of Northern Europe. Warriors once
carried amber charms for luck in battle, which probably came from the
association with Freya. The Greeks were the first to discover the
electrical properties of amber rubbed with cloth. Their word for amber -- elektron
-- gave us the word "electricity." Because amber is warm to the
touch and sometimes fragrant, it is associated with sensuality and is a
traditional part of love charms. Gazing at amber was supposed to improve
eyesight. The golden-yellow color and its origins as plant material
associate amber strongly with the sun. Like many golden and yellow stones,
it is associated with wisdom. It is also said to purify the spirit and
warm the heart.
Amethyst:
The Romans wore amber as a protection against
drunkenness. Even today some people believe that amethyst helps achieve
sobriety and recovery from addiction, and to overcome evil thoughts. The
rich purple color is associated with spirituality, and the stone is
considered a meditative stone. According to folklore, amethyst enhances
psychic powers, and a piece of amethyst was sometimes kept with tarot
cards or other divination tools. Placed under one's pillow, amethyst is a
traditional charm against nightmares and insomnia. It was also used as a
charm to help men attract women. Gazing at amethyst is supposed to be
calming. Amethysts are also associated with prosperity.
Ametrine:
Ametrine energies are said to
stimulate the intellect and rid the aura of negative energy. It is also
said to be helpful for releasing negative emotional programming. Ametrine
aids in meditation, boosts psychic abilities, relieves tension, disperses
negativity and helps to eliminate prejudice. It also has the basic
properties of both the amethyst and the citrine that comprise it.
Apatite:
Apatite is associated with intellectual pursuits, while dichroic blue has
oceanic associations. Most apatite is linked to harmony.
Apache Tear:
The Legend of the
Apache Tear is this: One day a party of Apache Indians was ambushed by an
enemy tribe. The Apaches fought bravely but were greatly outnumbered and
driven to the top of a high bluff. Their arrows gone and unable to fight
and unwilling to be taken captive, they leapt from the cliffs to their
death. Their women were understandably grief-stricken and wept over the
bodies. Their teardrops froze when they hit the ground to become the
lovely stones we know today as Apache Tears. It is said that whomever owns
one of these stones will never cry again, for the Apache women shed enough
tears already. Apache Tears are said to especially
relieve grief and sadness as well as assisting in giving and accepting
forgiveness. They can help release negative emotions, and they also can
balance one's emotional state. They are good luck stones, said to bring
good luck to anyone who has one. They are excellent meditaiton tools,
especially for clarifying issues and gaining insight. Apache Tears are a
gently grounding stone. In the physical realm, Apache Tears are reputed to
alleviate muscle spasms and eliminate toxins from the body.
Aquamarine:
The soothing, sea-blue color associates aquamarine with
calming effects and mental clarity. According to legend, aquamarine was
created when Leviathan, the great sea monster, slept encircling the world.
The weight of his body compressed sea water into stone. It is also linked
in legend to sea goddesses. Because of its association with the sea,
aquamarine was a favorite luck charm among ancient fishermen. It was also
linked to the "internal sea." Drinking from cups carved from
aquamarine was supposed to help digestive troubles and bladder problems.
Aquamarine was also carried as a charm by people who were dieting or who
were plagued with urinary tract problems.
Aventurine:
Sometimes called "the stone of Heaven,"
aventurine is said to have been used by shamans to open up the "inner
eye." The Tibetans revered aventurine and believed it helped in
divination. They used it in the eyes of their sacred statues to symbolize
the divine ability to see all. Folklore holds that the stone attracts
money. It is considered a gambler's talisman. Aventurine has traditionally
been used in charms by those seeking new pathways, both physical and
spiritual, in their lives. In some traditions, aventurine is said to
promote leadership. It is also associated with blocking others from
stealing one's own happiness. Orange and yellow aventurine are
traditionally associated with joy and creativity.
Azurite:
Azurite is associated with healing, intuition, and truth. The blue and
green bands link calmness and spirituality with abundance and prosperity,
a worthy goal to strive for. The dual coloration is also associated with
the bond between the conscious and the subconscious minds, so is linked to
discovering the power of a unified mind.
Bloodstone:
The name "heliotrope," as with the plant of
the same name, means "sun-turning." This stems from a belief
that the stone would turn sun-red when placed in water. The red spots on
this stone have long been associated with blood, hence much of the
folklore that has built up around bloodstone has to do with a magical
association with blood. For example, in ancient Europe, warriors used the
stone as a charm to stop wounds from bleeding, and as a powerful charm for
healing. In the Middle Ages, the red spots on bloodstone were believed to
be the blood of Jesus Christ; hence people believed it had great powers.
Because of its green color, the stone is also associated with money and
fertility. Some people believe it brings rain, while others believe it can
spiritually cleanse a room or house.
Calcite:
Icelandic spar is sometimes associated with
spirituality. It may also be linked to vision in various ways, either
increasing one's creative vision, or confounding an enemy's vision.
Colored calcites are associated with the typical meanings of the colors:
gold for intelect, green for healing and abundance, pink for joy and love,
red for health.
Carnelian:
Carnelians are traditionally associated with courage.
It was once believed that carnelians could help dispell melancholy and
fears, and help people achieve a positive outlook. It is also supposed to
dispel envy and rage. The stone was sometimes used as a charm to prevent
wicked sorcerors from reading one's mind, and to ward off "psychic
attacks." Carnelians are also associated with sexual appetite,
especially in men, and are traditionally used in charms for love and
seduction. Carnelian also gives us courage regarding our own mortality,
and helps remind us of our cherished place in the cycle of life.
Chrysoberyl:
Chrysoberyl is associated with wisdom, intellect, and
abundance. Greener shades and dichroic forms are linked to generosity,
optimism, hope, and renewal.
Chrysoprase:
Cheerful apple-green chrysoprase is associated with
uplifting the spirits, reducing greed, banishing envy, increasing wisdom,
and easing stress. Like most green stones, it is used as a charm to draw
money and luck. It is sometimes associated with the protection of
children, as well as communication and easy eloquence.
Citrine:
Sunny yellow citrine is said to lift the spirits and
instill confidence. Like most yellow stones, it is associated with
creativity, wisdom, mental health, and the power of the mind. It has also
been used in charms for money and abundance, as citrine is associated with
generosity and prosperity. It is the stone of success.
Coral:
Red coral has been long believed to protect children
from harm. In many European nations, coral beads were a traditional baby
gift. In ancient times, it was used to ward off the "evil eye."
It is supposed to draw luck if used as an ornament in the home. Sailors
used coral as a talisman against bad weather. Coral is also associated
with the female reproductive system, and has been used in ancient healing
traditions for women's problems. No doubt the calcium in coral was an
excellent tonic for pregnant and nursing women!
Crystal:
The name
"quartz" comes from the Greek krustallos, which means
ice. According to Ancient Greek lore, quartz was ice formed by the gods.
The crystal balls of Medieval times were cut from rock crystal. Most of
those sold today are glass. True crystal balls are rare and extremely
expensive. In many traditions, clear quartz was used as an amplifier of
the qualities of other stones or magical objects. Also associated with
mysticism and spirituality.
Fluorite:
Fluorite's associates
are linked to its colors: blue for calmness, purple for spirituality and
metaphysical properties, yellow for wisdom, green for abundance, and white
for purity. Its ability to fluoresce under black light increases its
spiritual connections.
Garnet:
The French call the garnet gouette
de sange, which means "drop of blood." In Egyptian culture,
garnets signified passion, loyalty, and love. According to legend, Noah
suspended a garnet in the ark to disperse light. Garnet slices were once
used in stained glass windows in Medieval cathedrals and temples. In the
Middle Ages, red garnet was believed to cure a person of melancholy. Women
used to wear a garnet tied at the waist to help menstrual disorders, as
the deep red color was associated with blood. As with other red stones,
garnet is associated with strength, vigor, and courage. Garnets were also
used in charms to protect against thieves. Folklore holds that a stolen
garnet will bring bad luck until returned to its rightful owner.
Hematite:
Powdered
hematite was once used as a pigment for artist's paints. Because of its
blood-red color when sliced thinly, hematite was believed to protect a
person against bleeding. Egyptians believed the stone cured hysteria and
anxiety. The Roman doctor Galen prescribed it for headaches and
inflamations of the eyelids. Many people believe that hematite is a strong
"grounding" stone, to help people feel calm and centered, and
increase the ability to concentrate. It is reputed to be calming and
soothing, which makes it a good choice for "worry" stones. It is
also supposed to be associated with psychic powers. One form of divination
consisted of looking into a large piece of polished hematite by
candlelight. Hematite is also associated with prevailing in legal
encounters, and is supposed to be an excellent stone to carry when in
court or serving on jury duty.
Howlite:
Smooth, white howlite is said to be calming and
soothing. Like other white stones, it is associated with spiritual
guidance and purity. For some people, the gray streaks represent finding
one's true path.
Jade:
To the Chinese, jade (nephrite) represented courage,
wisdom, mercy, justice, fidelity, and a host of other good qualities. When
Chinese couples became engaged, they presented one another with gifts
carved from nephritic jade. Longevity and wealth are probably the
qualities most strongly associated with nephritic jade. The Spaniards used
Chinese jade as a charm to prevent colic in babies. Central American
cultures used jadeite in royal jewelry. Dark green jadeite was valued
above gold, and was thought to ensure good luck. Jade scarabs have been
valued as good luck charms for centuries. Jade is also a traditional charm
for gardeners. Buried at the corners of the garden or around the
perimeter, it is reputed to ensure bountiful harvests.
Jasper:
Jasper was once thought to restore lost sight and to
bring rain in times of drought. It is reputed to calm people who are
stressed and to protect against negativity. Red jasper is associated with
courage and protection, white with purity, and yellow with creativity and
mental clarity.
Jet:
Powdered jet added to water was once thought to have
medicinal value. Jet was used in the Middle Ages as a charm against fever
and the plague. It is reputed to repel negativity, and was once thought to
protect a person against posession. It was also used in charms to protect
against storms and lightning strikes.
Labradorite:
labradorite promotes visions
and psychic abilities, and is linked with spiritual guidance.
Lapis
Lazuli: Lapis
was sacred to the Egyptian goddess Mut, the Mother of All, and to the
Babylonian goddess Ishtar. In the Middle Ages, lapis was prized as an
artists' pigment. Though enormously expensive, it was the only blue
pigment available that did not fade over time. Ground finely and used in
egg tempera painting, it was used to color the robes of the Virgin Mary.
Lapis was worn as a charm against evil. It is associated with love,higher
guidance, mystery, and intuition. For many, it is an intensely spiritual
stone, strongly associated with mysticism and mystery.
Malachite:
In the Middle Ages, malachite was used as a charm to
ward off illness. It has long been prized in many cultures as a powerful
healing stone. It was once believed that a piece of malachite worn on the
body would break into pieces to warn the wearer of impending danger. As
with many green stones, malachite is associated with wealth. One
traditional charm to draw money into a business is to place a piece of
malachite in each corner of the building, or place a small piece in the
cash drawer. Salespeople sometimes wear malachite as a charm to draw
wealth. As with lapis, for some people malachite creates intense emotional
or spiritual responses.
Moonstone:
Because of its milky, silvery shimmer, moonstone has
long been associated with the moon. Among the lore that has accumulated
around moonstones is the belief that the "schiller," or blue
sheen, followed the phases of the moon, becoming brighter when the moon
was full and less so when the moon was new. The stone is strongly
associated with the triple goddesses (maiden, mother, and crone) of Celtic
and Greek folklore. The stone has long been used in charms for women's
health problems, and in love charms. Also associated with intuition,
higher spirituality, and good fortune. Moonstones are used as charms to
promote mothering and nurturing, protection, and safety while traveling
over water. It is the sacred stone of the moon goddess.
Obsidian:
Chipped
obsidian has an edge sharper and finer than a surgeon's scalpel; it was
often used in making arrowheads, axes, and other weapons. In ancient
Western cultures, obsidian mirrors were used for divination. As with other
black stones, obsidian is associated with protection and breaking bad
luck. Snowflake obsidian, because of its black-and-white coloration, is
associated with balance. If visiting the Hawaiian volcanoes, do not pick
up "Pele's hair" or "Pele's tears." Not only are
people forbidden by law to pick up geological specimens in park areas, but
native Hawaiians say that Pele herself will curse anyone who takes these
souvenirs from her volcanoes without her permission.
Onyx:
The Romans
carved onyx seals and cameos, using stones with several layers. Careful
carving revaled each layer with a distinctive pattern. As with most black
or dark stones, onyx is associated with protection. Traditionally it was
believed to banish grief, which made it useful in mourning jewelry.
Opal:
Some people believe opals are bad luck; however, they
are supposed to be lucky for those whose birthstone is opal, the
birthstone of September. Ancient astrology also ascribes opals as a
mystical stone for those born under the sign of Aries. It was once
believed that opals wrapped in fresh bay leaves made a person invisible.
Perhaps for this reason they were considered a lucky stone for thieves,
though opals are also supposed to guard one's honor. The aborigines of
Australia used opals to bring about visions and find their pathway to
"dreamtime." They believed that opals were protective, and
provided guidance in spiritual journeys. Folklore holds that opals act
like a natural "mood ring," turning cloudy when the wearer is
feeling negative and bright when the wearer is in a good mood. Thought to
be a highly potent stone.
Pearl:
Pearls were once thought to be the tears of gods. In
Western culture, pearls symbolize innocence and purity. They were
considered appropriate jewelry for young, unmarried women, and were a good
present for fathers to give to their daughters. Married women also wore
pearls, given to them by their husbands, as symbols of wifely purity (in
fact, until recently all jewelry a woman owned was given to her by male
relatives -- it was considered improper for women to buy jewelry for
themselves until costume jewelry came into fashion in the 1930's). Pearls
dissolved in wine were supposed to be curative, primarily because pearls
were costly and therefore must have strong powers. Perhaps the minerals in
the pearls had a tonic effect. A symbol of water and the moon, pearls are
strongly feminine stones.
Peridot:
Channeling,
visions, and mysticism are associated with peridot. Traditionally used as
a charm against jealousy and envy, to soothe anger, and to help heal a
bruised ego. Also associated with marital happiness.
Pyrite:
The
resemblance of pyrite to real gold has made it a traditional component of
money and luck charms. It is also associated with the sun, and with
strengthening the mind.
Rhodonite:
The pink color of rhodonite is linked to calmness,
self-confidence, and friendship. The black veining is associated with
contrasts and seeing an issue from all sides. It is a good stone to carry
when negotiating.
Rose
Quartz: Rose
quartz is a traditional charm to attract love and to heal broken hearts.
Associated with peace, gentleness, calmness, and harmony. In folklore,
rose quartz is a good gift for friends who need comfort.
Ruby:
Rubies were
once widely believed to ward off misfortune and ill health. They are
traditionally associated with chastity and glory. Because of their red
color, Medieval physicians believed rubies were good for the blood and to
stimulate body heat. Rubies were believed to inspire courage, to tame base
passions, and to inspire power and leadership. They were also believed to
be strong attractants of love.
Rutilated
Quartz: The
name "quartz" comes from the Greek krustallos, which
means ice. According to Ancient Greek lore, quartz was ice formed by the
gods. The crystal balls of Medieval times were cut from rock crystal. Most
of those sold today are glass. True crystal balls are rare and extremely
expensive. In many traditions, clear quartz was used as an amplifier of
the qualities of other stones or magical objects. Also associated with
mysticism and spirituality.
Sapphire:
In the
Middle Ages, sapphires were believed to promote tranquility, peace, and
amiability, and to supress wicked and impure thoughts. They traditionally
symbolize hope, and were believed to open the mind to joy. In Buddhist
traditions, sapphires inspired devotion and enlightenment. The Greeks used
sapphires when consulting the oracles, believing the stone to be an aid to
prophecy. The gem was connected with Apollo. Sapphires were believed to
cure eye problems, and were thought to develop the "third eye."
Sometimes called "the stone of prosperity," sapphire is said to
help people fulfill their dreams.
Serpentine:
The mad monk
Rasputin liked serpentine so much that he ordered an entire dinner set
made of the stone, paid for by the Russian royal family over whom he held
power. Serpentine is supposed to be a meditative stone.
Smokey
Quartz: The
beautiful, smoky gray color is believed by some to lift depression and
dispel negative moods.
Sodalite:
Associated with deep thoughts, meditation. As with
other blue stones, sodalite is associated with calm, harmony,
spirituality, and understanding.
Tigerseye:
"Eye" stones are considered strong talismans
in many cultures, especially against the "evil eye." It was once
believed that a person wearing an "eye" stone could see behind
closed doors. Tigereye has long been associated with wealth; in Celtic
traditions, the earth deities are associated with brown and green stones,
and these deities are called upon to bring abundance. Folklore holds that
burning a green candle in a circle of tigereye stones attracts wealth.
"Eye" stones are also associated with clairvoyance and with
personal insight.
Topaz:
Topaz is associated with courage and overcoming fears
and obstacles. Because of its golden-yellow color, golden topaz is a
traditional stone for writers, scholars, artists, and intellectuals. It
was traditionally used for aiding higher thinking and soothing mental
troubles.
Tourmaline:
Because
tourmaline has been used only relatively recently for gemstones, it has
very little lore built up around it. For some people, the dual coloration
symbolizes balance...for me and the use of it in my own spiritual work, it
has shown to have wonderful protective qualities and has a very warm
feeling to it, similar to that of Jaspers.
Turquoise:
In the Middle East, it was once believed that turquoise
could warn the wearer of danger by changing color. For Native Americans in
the Southwest, turquoise is an important stone in their spiritual
traditions, and was used a great deal in jewelry long before the Spaniards
introduced silversmithing that is so often associated with turquoise
jewelry today. Native people sometimes used whole, massive turquoise
pebbles for beads to create impressive necklaces. In Eastern traditions,
turquoise was supposed to increase wisdom, wealth and creative impulses. Gazing at the waxing
moon while holding turquoise was supposed to attract wealth if the
turquoise was carried until the money arrived. Turquoise was also
associated with romance and spiritual love.
Unakite:
Unakite is a rock made up primarily of epidote, which
is composed of calcium aluminium iron hydrosilicate. As a gem, epidote is
generally yellow, green, or dark brown. Rock made up of epidote is cut,
polished, and sold as unakite. The stone is mottled with rich greens and
reds. The name of the stone comes from the name of a town in South
Carolina, where the stone was discovered.
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