An explanation of some gemstone properties and beliefs.



AMBER

Not a stone, but fossilized resin from prehistoric trees.  Its colour range is butterscotch, honey, cognac and green amber.  It is thought to have a good influence on the endocrine system, spleen and heart. 


AMETHYST

Amethyst comes in a range of colours from pale lilac to deep rich purple, pink (Rose de France) and green (Prasiolite).

It is known as a spiritual stone, used for general healing and meditation where it can clear and purify the body and help with addictions, stress or tension.  Amethyst soothes and calms the mind, raises the spirits and protects from negative vibrations.


AQUAMARINE

For centuries, many believed that oceanic energy was captures within the aquamarine.  Sailors believed that it gave them unmatched bravery and protected them while at sea.


AVENTURINE

Aventurine is normally green, but has varieties of red and peach.  It is thought to be a “brain stone” and is said to be useful in relieving migraine and soothing the eyes.


CARNELIAN

From pale to dark orange, Carnelian is believed to be a highly evolved healer and good balancing stone, which can energise the physical, emotional and mental self.


CITRINE

Shades of yellow from pale lemon to rich golden yellow-orange.  Known as the “cuddle quartz”, citrine is understood to help those who feel they have lost their way in life to find a new sense of direction and purpose and raise the self-esteem.


DIAMOND

Celebrated in song, diamonds have long reigned as the ultimate statement of ardour and affection. The hardest, rarest and densest natural substance known to man, diamonds have been a source of fascination since around 800 BC when they were first presented to royalty in India.

EMERALD

Emeralds  are a green form of Beryl, ranging from light lime green to deep forest green.  They were first mined more than 3,000 years ago, during the time of the Ancient Egyptian Empire. Emeralds are said to have a powerful effect on the conscious and unconscious mind, strengthening memory and increasing psychic awareness.

FLUORITE

Fluorite has a range of colours: yellow, blue, green, red purple, with the most amazing colour striations on one stone.  It is thought to enhance spiritual energy, focuses the will and balances the psyche.  A brittle stone, that needs gentle handling as it can be easily damaged.

GARNET

Deep rich red is often associated with garnets, but the rhodolite garnet is pinker, hessonite garnet is in shades of yellow-brown and grossular garnet is green.  Said to be a  regenerative and revitalizing tonic for the whole body, especially the bloodstream, where it can help with circulatory problems.


HEMATITE

A heavy stone in a metallic charcoal colour, this is a stone you either like or don’t.  Hematite is believed to help improve blood disorders and generally strengthen the body, helping you to cope with stress, lift depression and combat insomnia.


IOLITE

Also known as "Water Sapphire".  


JASPER



LABRADORITE

Labradorite is a greyish-green stone with irridescent flashes of blue.  It is thought to strengthens the will, inner strength and convictions, and helps in combatting addictions.


LAPIS LAZULI

The best quality lapis lazuli is a bright, rich blue with pyrites of gold, lapis also ranges to paler blue with white inclusions, often known as "denim lapis".Called by the Ancient Egyptians “The Stone of Heaven”, lapis lazuli is thought to improve the eyesight and protect against strokes.  It may help to acquire wisdom and truth.


MALACHITE

A rich emerald green stone with waves of black striations.  It is a strong stone which helps release negative emotions and protect from psychic attack.


MOONSTONE

An opaque stone, normally milky-white but also in shades of peach and grey.  Rainbow moonstone is similar to opal with flashes of irridescent colours of blue and green.  It is a stone helpful in psychic work, thought to draw love and help in interpersonal relationships.



OBSIDIAN

A black stone, often with speckles of white (snowflake obsidian).  It is a grounding stone that makes the user face up to responsibility.  The stone reflects negative energies and is excellent to have around electrical equipment such as televisions or PCs to protect the body from harmful emissions.


OPAL

With "the fire of the carbuncle, the brilliant purple of the amethyst and the sea green colour of the emerald, all shining together in incredible union" opal clearly impressed Pliny the Elder (23-79 AD), Roman historian and author of the world's first encyclopaedia. The Romans had been wearing opals for centuries and considered them a symbol of hope or purity, while for the early Greeks they embodied the powers of foresight or prophecy.  Opals are very brittle stones that require careful handling as they can crack and thought to be an unlucky.


PEARL

The produce of oysters and shells.  It is thought to be calming and centering, promoting truth and integrity. Physically they are reputed to aid the digestive tract and have been used to improve fertility and aid in childbirth.

PERIDOT

A bright green stone, used to alleviate anger, fear and anxiety.


QUARTZ CRYSTAL

Also known as "Rock Crystal" or "Clear Quartz".  

The “all singing all dancing” crystal.  It attracts the powers of light and energy and is said to be a powerful general healer that works on all levels – strengthening, cleansing and protecting.


ROSE QUARTZ

The pale pink “love stone”.  A very healing stone for inner wounds, it promotes forgiveness, love and friendship.  Rose quartz is also thought to increase fertility.


RUBY

Rubies were first mined more than 2,500 years ago in SriLanka.  Historically, many believed that mystical powers lie within this intensely coloured red gemstone. The ancient Burmese believed that when inserted beneath the skin, rubies generate a mystical force that protects the wearer from accidents and attack.  Rubies were also once believed to contain prophetic powers, enabling wearers to predict the future based on changes in their ruby’s colour intensity.


SAPPHIRE

Sapphires come in all spectrums of colour, except for red, but people normally associate this stone with blue.  Other colours of sapphire are known as "fancy sapphires". 



SODALITE

Dark to mid-blue and similar to lapis lazuli without the gold pyrites.  A good stone for oversensitive and defensive people, it can help to improve courage and endurance and to calm and clear the mind.  It is also reputed to assist in lowering blood pressure and balance the metabolism.


TIGERS EYE

A bright mid-brown stone with stripes of irridecent darker browns.  It is believed to aid clear thinking, courage and confidence.


TOPAZ

First used during the Ancient Egyptian Empire, topaz's popularity grew tremendously during the Middle Ages, when people believed it to have the power to strengthen the mind. Traditionally, topaz was regarded as a yellow to orange gemstone, but due to the abundance of blue topaz, many now incorrectly assume that topaz is exclusively a blue gemstone, although it also comes in shades of pink.



TOURMALINE

Tourmaline comes in a rainbow of colours.  It is associated with calm, protection, focus and balance.   Said to promote self-assurance and goodwill.


TURQUOISE

A bright blue stone, often with matrix of brown.  Turquoise is known as a profound master healer.  It is believed to tone and strengthen the entire body - it is said that turquoise will grow pale on a sickly person and recover its colour when returned to a healthy person.  A powerful protector against environmental pollutants.