An introduction to gemstones

This article provides an introduction to some of the more popular gemstones available and their characteristics.

Abalone


Abalone is a shell from the family that include clams, scallops and others.  It is a wonderful array of blues and greens.  It´s purported to be especially useful for handling and calming emotional situations. Abalone is associated with the Zodiac signs of Scorpio and Aries.

Examples of Abalone jewellery

Agate


Agate was highly valued as a talisman or amulet in ancient times and no gemstone is more creatively striped or banded by Nature than agate.  Agate often has a wide variety of colours and textures and no two agates are alike. Because agate forms in fillings of rocks, it often has bands around like the rings of a tree or bands that resemble eyes.  Agate is asociated with all the Zodiac signs.

Examples of Agate jewellery

Amber


Amber used in our jewellery is Baltic amber which is considered to be the finest in the world.  It is a fossilized organic substance which comes from the sap of coniferous trees 30 to 60 million years ago.

Amber is said to cleanse negative energies, dispel gloom, instill positive energies and bring wisdom.  It also imparts revitalization and stimulates happiness.  It provides protection, luck, healing and strength.

Amber is recommended to be worn by anyone recovering from illness or injury, because of its warmth and nurturing energies, putting us in touch with our own emotional strength and security.  It allows the body to rebalance and heal itself.  It also alleviates stress.

Amber varies in colour from yellow to brown, is warm to the touch and frequently contains pieces of plant material, seeds and other remnants of prehistoric nature.

Amber is associated with the Zodiac signs of Aquarius, Leo and Taurus.



Examples of Amber jewellery

Amethyst


Amethyst is a member of the quartz family.  Its colour varies from pale to dark purple and is the stone of luck for everyone.  It´s found throughout the world including Brazil, Mexico, Africa and Europe. Amethyst is a stone steeped in ancient magic.  The word amethyst comes from the Greek meaning "not to intoxicate" and is believed to guard against guilty and fearful feelings.  It is a wonderful meditation and healing mineral and is believed to bring serenity, calming one´s mind and gaining inner peace.  This beautiful stone enhances mental powers, sharpening your thinking.  It drives away any bad thoughts and overcomes frights. Amethyst is known to improve intelligence and attract love.  It renders people amiable, hardworking and careful in their business. Amethyst has been prized for its beauty and its legendary energies for thousands of years and it has long been viewed as a stone of royalty, used in crowns, scepters and rings. Amethyst is associated with the Zodiac signs of Pisces, Aquarius, Aries, Virgo and Capricorn.

Examples of Amethyst jewellery

Black Onyx


Black Onyx assists with the challenges of life, especially those caused by a drain of energy.  It prevents the draining away of personal energy. Black Onyx protects the wearer from the negativity of others around them and helps with grounding and controlling or eliminating excess or unwanted energies. Black Onyx is said to increase stamina and self control. Black Onyx is associated with the Zodiac signs of Capricorn, Aquarius and Leo.

Examples of Black Onyx jewellery

Blue Lace


Blue lace agate is a gentle calming stone that increase tranquility.  It calms anger, nervousness and harsh speech. Blue lace is considered an important stone of communication.  It can soften communication in difficult times, enhance public speaking and discussions.  It also brings tactfulness to speech and written communications.  It is often used to reduce or cure stuttering and other nervous speech habits and patterns. Blue lace, in the crystal healing realm, is said to be helpful with headaches, digestive issues, growth and bones. Blue lace is associated with the Zodiac signs of Pisces and Sagittarius.

Examples of Blue Lace jewellery

Blue Topaz


Blue Topaz brings leadership ability to anyone who wears it.  It also enhances and improves psychic knowledge, spiritual growth and psychic insight. Blue Topaz also lends an air of tranquility to the wearer. Blue Topaz is associated with the Zodiac sign of Sagittarius.

Examples of blue topaz jewellery

Carnelian


Carnelian is a reddish brown, sometimes orange stone.  It can be called Carnelian or Cornelian.  It is a stone of creativity, individuality and courage and is said to increase memory. Carnelian like all agates, has protective energies and it particularly protects one from anger, jealousy and fear. Carnelian favours concentration and increases intelligence.  It gives positive friendship and protects against envy. Carnelian is associated with the Zodiac signs of Virgo, Aries, Leo, Cancer and Capricorn.

Examples of Carnelian jewellery

Chalcedony


Chalcedony is a blue stone which comes in various shades.  It is the symbol of mother love and charity. Chalcedony is very helpful in the emotional realm, calming anxieties and stress and bringing emotional healing in times of grief.  It also assists with communication, particuarly communications that are involved in emotional things. Chalcedony also protects against melancony, negates hostility and eases stress. Chalcedony is associated with the Zodiac signs of Sagittarius, Gemini and Cancer.

Examples of Chalcedony jewellery

Citrine


Citrine is a transparent yellow stone.  It is known as a "success stone" because it is said in folklore to promote success and abundance, especially in business and commerce.  It is also said to enhance mental clarity, confidence, happiness and will power. Citrine is also a good general protective stone.  According to crystal healing lore, it´s said to alleviate depression and self doubt and diminish irritable mood swings.  It also dissipates negative energies of all kinds and it doesn´t absorb any negative energy from its surroundings.  It is often placed beside the computer to clear unwanted negative energy. Citrine is associated with the Zodiac signs of Aries, Leo, Virgo, Libra and Capricorn.

Examples of Citrine jewellery

Coral


Coral is a red stone and is known as the stone of passion.  It is a stone of organic origin. Coral can be used to reconnect with nature and its variety of wonders.  Coral also attracts love and prosperity.  Emotionally, coral brings inner peace, strength and understanding of purpose. Coral is associated with the Zodiac sign of Pisces.

Examples of Coral jewellery

Emerald


Emerald is a beautiful green colour.  It´s known as the "stone of successful love" and it´s one of the most prized gems in the world.  It is said to provide domestic bliss. Emerald, according to mystic lore, heals and activates the heart chakra, enhancing love energies.  It also eliminates negativity, enhances meditation and is said to bring prosperity and harmony into one´s life. Emerald is associated with the Zodiac sign of Aries.

Examples of Emerald jewellery

Garnet


Garnet is a red stone, usually dark red.  It is a stone of romantic love and passion. It is used to enhance sensuality and intimacy.  It´s said to bring positive thoughts and boosts energy. Garnet can also assist mystically with success in one´s career and building one´s self confidence.  It is a protective energy stone which is especially effective for protection from evil. Garnet is associated with the Zodiac signs of Aquarius, Aries, Virgo, Libra and Capricorn.

Examples of Garnet jewellery

Jet (Azabache)


Jet is a fossilised tree (180 million years old)   When the trees died and fell into swamps and rivers, over time they became compressed and with chemical changes, it became jet. Jet was adorned by the Romans and was said to be good for rheumatism just as copper is today. Jet continues to be very popular today and because it is not a stone and therefore very light, it is so comfortable to wear. Related to the zodiac sign of Capricorn

Examples of Jet (Azabache) jewellery

Labradorite


Labradorite is a greenish blue stone with a translucent quality.  It is considered to be a stone of transformation.  It is said to clear, balance and protect the aura. Labradorite is purported to help provide clarity and insight into your destiny, as well as attract success.  It can also reduce the level of stress and anxiety in the wearer. Labradorite is associated with the Zodiac signs of Sagittarius, Leo and Scorpio.

Examples of Labradorite jewellery

Lapis Lazuli


Lapis Lazuli (lapis) is dark blue in colour with sometimes flecks of gold.  Lapis brings truthfulness, openness, inner strength and creativity. It also helps build self confidence and it enhances love and fidelity within marriage.  It organizes or quietens a busy or restless mind. Lapis is an excellent aid in communication and alleviates shyness and nervousness. Lapis is associated with the Zodiac signs of Taurus, Libra, Scorpio and Sagittarius.

Examples of Lapis Lazuli jewellery

Malachite


Malachite is a green stone with bands around it of another shade of green.  It is a stone of transformation and helps with change.  It helps balance pure love, romance and one´s well being. Malachite is also a stone of good fortune, prosperity and abundance.  It is a very protective stone being especially helpful for general protection and protection during pregnancy and childbirth.  Malachite is also said to protect you during flying and other travel. Malachite is good for enhancing emotional stability and balance in general. Malachite is associated with the Zodiac signs of Scorpio, Sagittarius and Capricorn.

Examples of Malachite jewellery

Moonstone


Moonstone shows a relfecting light when moved which is caused by the light striking the fibres within the stone.  The colours range from pale grey to pale blue.  It has always been regarded as a magic stone in the East and was regarded as the stone of love and marriage. Moonstone is also used to help calm responses and avoid overreaction.  It also enhances feminine energies, sensitivity and intuition.  It is a stone associated with love of all kinds and is claimed to promote long life and happiness. Moonstone is associated with the Zodiac signs of Pisces, Gemini, Cancer, Libra and Scorpio.

Examples of Moonstone jewellery

Multistone


This contains a multitude of beautiful gemstone colours, each one of them having their own protective energies. Multistone jewellery will give general well being and bring luck to the wearer. Associated with all the signs of the Zodiac.

Examples of Multistone jewellery

Pearl


Pearls have been used in jewellery for over 6,000 years.  There are a lot of different styles of pearls.  Just because it´s not perfectly round and white doesn´t mean it´s not a pearl. There are sea salt pearls and fresh water pearls. Nearly all the pearls that are sold are cultured pearls which means that humans assist in the natural process.  Most of the pearls are to be found in the calm bays or coves in Japan. Cultured or fresh water pearls are considered to offer the power of love, money, protection and luck. Pearls are thought to give wisdom through experience and in India and China it is a symbol of purity, wisdom and long life. Relates to the zodiac sign of Cancer.

Examples of Pearl jewellery

Peridot


Peridot is a soft transparent green colour.  it is a stone of compassion.  It has a friendly energy and is used for healing. Peridot also brings abundance and prosperity.  It enhances the healing and harmony of relationships of all kinds, but particularly marriage. Peridot can also lessen stress in relationships and guard against anger and jealousy.  It is said to make a shield of protection around the body of any wearer of peridot. Peridot is associated with the Zodiac signs of Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Scorpio and Sagittarius.

Examples of Peridot jewellery

Quartz Crystal


Quartz Crystal is a powerful stone that harmonizes and balances.  It enhances energy and thoughts.  Quartz is also a powerfully protective stone, bringing the purified energy in.  Historically this stone has been used to counter black magic, to perform diagnostic healing and to communicate with spirits and other worlds. Clear Quartz which this is, is the most powerful and beautiful stone which protects the wearer from many negative energies that we have around us today. Quartz crystal is associated with all the Zodiac signs.

Examples of Quartz Crystal jewellery

River Pearl


Pearls have been used in jewellery for over 6,000 years.  There are a lot of different styles of pearls. Just because it´s not perfectly round and white doesn´t mean it´s not a pearl. There are sea salt pearls and fresh water pearls. Nearly all the pearls that are sold are cultured pearls which means that humans assist in the natural process. Most of the pearls are found in calm bays and coves in Japan.    Fresh water pearls (river pearls) are popular in jewellery and come in irregular shapes and in different colours.  They are grown in various species of fresh water mussel.   Some are grown in Lake Biwa in Japan and are often known as Biwa Pearls. These pearls are considered to offer the power of love, money, protection and luck.  Pearls are thought to give wisdom through experience and in India and China the pearl is the symbol of purity, wisdom and long life.

Examples of River Pearl jewellery

Rose Quartz


Rose Quartz is a pale pink stone.  It is the stone of unconditional love.  It opens the heart to all forms of love: self love, family love, platonic love and romantic love.  Rose Quartz has excellent protective energies during pregnancy and childbirth.  The elevated energy of quartz in rose quartz enhances love in virtually any situation. Rose Quartz also brings gentleness, forgiveness and tolerance.  It restores emotional balance and is calming and relaxing.  It guards against worries and depression. Rose quartz is associated with all the Zodiac signs, but particularly Taurus.

Examples of Rose Quartz jewellery

Ruby


Ruby is a beautiful pinky red colour.  It promotes devotion, integrity, courage and happiness.  It is also said to enhance vitality and confidence. Ruby is reputed to be effective for health problems relating to blood and infection and for increasing positive thought patterns. Ruby is also purported to enhance energy, generosity and to bring prosperity and success. Ruby is associated with the Zodiac signs of Leo and Sagittarius.

Examples of Ruby jewellery

Smokey Quartz


Smoky Quartz (Smokey Quartz) is a transparent brownish colour and is a grounding and stabilizing stone.  It brings calmness, lifts depression, enhances practicality and generally removes negative energies. Smoky Quartz also brings happiness and good luck to the wearer. Smoky quartz is associated with the Zodiac signs of Virgo, Sagittarius and Capricorn.

Examples of Smokey Quartz jewellery

Tiger Eye


Tiger Eye is a brown stone, usually with darker brown markings.  It is a stone of protection that is also very grounding.  It enhances integrity, will power, practicality and correct use of power. Tiger Eye enhances good luck, self confidence and protection during travel.  It can also help one to see clearly without illusion. Tiger Eye is associated with the Zodiac signs of Aries, Leo, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn and Gemini.

Examples of Tiger Eye jewellery

Turquoise


Turquoise is sacred to both Native American and oriental tradition.  It helps to promote honest and clear communications from the heart. Turquoise is said to protect from evil, absorbs harmful vibrations and averts the evil eye.  Natural turquoise is greenish blue in colour and not to be confused with dyed howlite which is often sold as turquoise. Turquoise can also help speed the healing process and is known as a master healer stone.  It is also very powerful for grounding and protecting. Turquoise is associated with the Zodiac signs of Capricorn, Aquarius, Leo, Scorpio, Pisces and Sagittarius.

Examples of Turquoise jewellery

Yellow Topaz


Yellow Topaz immediately brings happiness to the wearer.  It is a balancing and calming stone which balances emotions, releases tension and can bring joy. Topaz is also believed to bring success and good fortune, especially to those in business. Topaz is also used to protect from negativity and greed.  It is said to bring creativity, true love and hope. Topaz is associated with the Zodiac signs of Sagittarius.

Examples of yellow topaz jewellery