The Meanings of Stones

Type of stone

Geological origins

Traditional meanings and lore

agate

banded agate

chevron agate

Agates are made up of silicon dioxide, which is deposited in nodular masses in volcanic lavas. Colors are due to various minerals that stain the mass, usually in colorful bands that distinguish agate from other kinds of microcrystaline quartz, such as chalcedony (see bloodstone, jasper, chrysoprase, carnelian). Agates are usually brown, but the colors can range from gray to yellow and even pale, grayish-blue. Because agate is porous, it can be artificially stained. Almost all blue and green agates on the market are dyed. Agates are found in volcanic areas throughout the world. Beachcombers on the Pacific Northwest coast often find agates, jasper, sard, and carnelians on the beaches, eroded out of basalt cliffs. Often all of these stones are simply called "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.

agate, blue lace

Blue lace agate is streaked with bands of soft blue from minerals such as copper.

Associated with peace and tranquility, and the thyroid. Said to assist and support people suffering from depression.

agate, moss and picture

Mossy or tree-like (dendritic) mineral inclusions create a mossy appearance or even interesting pictures inside the agate. One picture agate on display at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) bears a profile with a strong resemblance to the comic strip character L'il Abner.

Moss agate was used by some Native American groups to bring on rain. The cloudy appearance is associated with clouds in the sky and hence the gods, so moss agate is sometimes used in meditation to carry the mind skyward. Moss agates are also a traditional gardener's talisman. Buried in the garden or set out as decoration, they were used as a charm to assure good crops.

alexandrite

Sometimes used as a gemstone, alexandride is green chrysoberyl. A fine, cut stone may range from golden brown to red in incandescent light, though most bead-grade alexandrite is green.

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

A semi-opaque, blue-green form of microcline, a kind of feldspar. This rock is made up of potassium aluminum silicate. The green color is caused by the presence of lead. Most amazonite comes from India. Some is also mined in the U.S., Russia, Madgascar, Tanzania, and Nambia. Amazonite is often confused with jade and turquoise.

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 fossilized tree resin from ancient forests. It is usually transparent, though sometimes translucent. The most valued pieces contain preserved insects. Even small lizards have been found preserved in amber. If allowed to dry excessively, or if left out in the sun, amber may develop fine cracks. Large amounts of amber have been found in the Baltic region, in southern Europe, and in the Dominican Republic. Real amber is less dense than plastic or glass imitations. It is said that real amber will float in a saturated salt solution, whereas imitations will not.

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

Amethyst is quartz (silicon dioxide) with mineral impurities that give it a characteristic mauve to deep purple color. Lower-quality amethyst is tumbled for beads, while the highest quality stones are cut for gems. Amethyst crystals are found inside of geodes, which are hollow rocks into which silica-laden water seeps. The silicon dioxide crystalizes out over time. Huge amethyst geodes have been found in Brazil. Canadian amethyst is dark violet, while amethyst from the Ural mountains in Russia is reddish. Sri Lanka, India, Urugay, Madagascar, the U.S., Germany, Austria, Namibia, and Zambia are also sources. If amber is heated, it turns into yellow citrine.

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.

apatite

While faceted apatite is beautiful, in colors ranging from nearly white to blue to green and gold, its softness (5 on the Mohs scale) makes it impractical in jewelry. Usually cut stones are purchased by collectors. A form of calcium phosphate, apatite derives its color from various minerals, and may have fibrous inclusions that give it a cat's eye quality. Blue apatite from Myanmar (Burma) is often strongly dichroic, looking blue when viewed from one direction and colorless from another. Yellow, blue, and green varieties come from Brazil, while Spanish apatite is sometimes called "asparagus stone" for its yellow-green color.

Golden apatite is associated with intellectual pursuits, while dichroic blue has oceanic associations. Most apatite is linked to harmony.

aquamarine

Aquamarine belongs to a class of stones called beryl, as they are composed of beryllium aluminum silicate. Another form of beryl is emerald. In the 19th century, the preferred color was sea green, which gave the stone its present name of aquamarine. Today the most popular color is blue. Faceted aquamarine may appear colorless at certain angles. The stone is associated with metamorphic rocks, including schist, and is often found with quartz. Gem-quality aquamarine is found in river gravel in Brazil. It is also found in India and parts of central Europe. Most aquamarine on the market today has been heat-treated to enhance the color. If allowed to overheat, the stone can lose all color.

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

The stone sold as aventurine for beads and cabochons is a form of quartz. The name is often misspelled "adventurine." There is also a kind of feldspar which may be called aventurine, or more often, "sunstone." Aventurine quartz is usually green or yellow. Green aventurine has green mica inclusions which give it its color. Other types of mica may give the stone a brassy yellow color. Copper inclusions give a yellow-brown color and sparkle. Aventurine of this kind is called goldstone. The stone aventurine should not be confused with aventurine glass, which comes in many colors and is spangled with gold flecks. Manufactured goldstone is a type of aventurine glass. The name of the glass comes from the Italian word "avventura," as it was discovered by chance.

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

A form of copper mineral (copper hydroxycarbonate), found occassionally as a crystal, but usually in massive form. Usually found in copper mining areas in Australia, Chile, Africa, Russia, and China. Stones found near Chessy in France (near Lyon) are called chessylite. Brilliant in blue and green bands, azurite is a favorite of mineral collectors.

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

Also called heliotrope and plasma, bloodstone is opaque green spotted with dark red. The red coloration is due to iron oxides in the stone. Bloodstone is a form of chalcedony, which is a rock composed of silicon dioxide stained with minerals. Unlike agate, chalcedony does not show colored bands. Most bloodstone comes from India, but it is also mined in Brazil, China, Australia, and the U.S.

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

Calcite (crystaline calcium carbonate) is the principle mineral in limestones and marbles. It is also the chief ingredient in stalagmites and stalacatites. Because it is quite soft, it is not cut for gemstones except for the collector. A special form of calcite called Icelandic spar has a curious double-refractive property. If a rhomboid crystal of Icelandic spar is placed over a printed page, the viewer sees the print doubled.

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

Carnelian is red, yellow, or orange chalcedony, a stone made up of silicon dioxide. Carnelians are often found on the beaches of the Pacific Northwest, where beachcombers often simply call them "agates." True agates, however, often show colored banding or mossy inclusions. The finest quality carnelian comes from India; however, much of the carnelian on the market is stained chalcedony from Uruguay or Brazil.

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

Consisting of Beryllium aluminum silicate, chrysoberyl forms a hard, durable stone that can be cut into gems. Some forms have fibrous inclusions, giving them a cat's eye quality. Most chrysoberyls are golden to brown, while some may be green or blue, particularly the form known as alexandrite. Some are dichroic, displaying different colors in different lights. Gold-colored cat's eyes are highly prized. Chrysoberyl was highly popular in Portugal in the 18th and 19th centuries, when it was called chrysolite. Most chrysoberyl comes from Myanmar (Burma), Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, and Madgascar. The cat's eye forms come from China, Sri Lanka, and Brazil.

Golden chrysoberyl is associated with wisdom, intellect, and abundance. Greener shades and dichroic forms are linked to generosity, optimism, hope, and renewal.

chrysoprase

Chrysoprase is chalcedony (silicon dioxide) with a distinctive apple green color. It is one of the most valuable forms of chalcedony. The color is due to the presence of nickel, and may fade if the stone is exposed to strong sunlight for a long period of time. Chrysoprase is sometimes confused with jade. Older chrysoprase was mined in Poland. Today, the best material comes from Australia. Brazil, California, the Ural Mountains in Russia, and Austria also produce 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

Citrine is quartz that is stained yellow due to the presence of iron. Natural citrine is pale yellow, but is rare. Most citrine on the market is heat-treated amethyst. It may also be dyed to enhance the color. It is wise to rinse citrine beads before making them into jewelry to prevent the dye from coming off on your clothes. Gem-quality citrine comes from Brazil, Spain, Madagascar, and central Europe.

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

Coral is the skeletal remains of small marine animals related to jellyfish. These animals form shells of calcium carbonate. New shells are formed over the shells of dead animals, and over the centuries, large reefs can build up. Coral reefs are found entirely in tropical and semi-tropical areas. Because coral reefs throughout the tropics are threatened by pollution, over-fishing, and over-harvesting of coral and other marine life, we at Stone Tiger Jewelry do not use new coral in our creations. If you want coral beads or jewelry, we recommend searching antiques shops for vintage pieces rather than buying new coral. Red-dyed howlite or carved red cinnabar are effective substitutes for coral in jewelry.

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!

diamond

Diamond is made entirely of carbon, the same stuff as coal and charcoal. Millions of years of intense heat and pressure cause the carbon to crystalize into the hardest mineral on earth. Pure, colorless diamond is the most popular today, but diamonds come in other colors as well, including yellow, green, blue, pink, gray, and black. The colors are caused by various minerals. Many diamonds come from kimberlite rocks in South Africa, but recently Australia has become the world's major diamond producer. Other African nations besides South Africa also produce diamonds, but human rights organizations are concerned about the inhumane working conditions of diamond miners in these countries. When buying diamonds, please ask about the source of the stones.

Diamond's transparent fire has been associated with courage. It is also a stone of fidelity, purity, and innocence; hence its popularity in wedding jewelry. Diamonds are said to remove evil thoughts; however, because large, high-quality diamonds are so fabulously expensive, they have attracted avaricious people of less-than-sterling morals, often with tragic results. The horrendous conditions of diamond miners in some countries testifies to the ability of diamonds to inspire greed. It is said that the diamond intensifies the qualities of the wearer.

emerald

Emerald is a form of beryl (see aquamarine), a stone made up of beryllium aluminum silicate. The gorgeous green color comes from the presence of chromium and vanadium in the crystals. Emeralds are rarely flawless. Often they are oiled to disguise flaws and fill in cracks. Emeralds are found in igneous rocks, and also in gravel deposits. The best emeralds come from Columbia. Others come from Austria, India, Brazil, Australia, South Africa, Egypt, the U.S., Norway, Pakistan, and Zimbabwe. Antique and historical emeralds were most often from Cleopatra's mines in Egypt, but those mines produce only poor-quality emeralds today.

Green emerald, like other green stones, is associated with love and wealth. Its rarity and beauty has led people to believe it has especially strong properties. In Greek lore, the emerald was associated with Aphrodite, the goddess of love and beauty. One traditional charm to attract love is to set an emerald in front of a lit green candle. After the candle burns down, the emerald is carried, hidden, close to the heart. Emeralds are also associated with mental clarity and perception. They are said to lift depression and strengthen memory. Emeralds are also valuable to those seeking truth, or who have difficulty telling the truth, particularly when it comes to self-knowledge.

fairy cross (staurolite)

An opaque twinned crystal of aluminum iron hydroxysilicate, staurolite forms natural crosses, which are sometimes used in jewelry, though the stone is somewhat soft. Most of these dark brown stones come from Europe and Brazil.

Fairy crosses are often used as luck charms. They are also prized as religious jewelry, particularly by Christians who see the natural cross as an affirmation of their faith. Older associations link the fairy cross with a mystical connection to nature.

fluorite

Called fluorospar in older books, fluorite is a crystal of calcium fluorite. It is the beloved mineral of gem shows, its fluorescence shown off under black lights. Its range of brilliant colors makes it prized as jewelry, though it is somewhat soft and will scratch if not cared for. Most cut gemstones are made for collectors; however, beads are sometimes made from lower grades. Fluorite can be found in green, yellow, purple, white, and blue. Fluorite is found widely in most parts of the world. Some of the largest crystals come from the U.S.

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 term "garnet" covers a range of red or green semi-precious gems composed of aluminum silicate in combination with a metal. Most garnet jewelry is made from purple-red almandine garnet, which is iron aluminum silicate garnet. Pyrope, made of magnesium aluminim silicate, is also popular. Most Pyrope comes form Bohemia. The magnesium gives it a deep, blood-red color. Green grossular garnets are made up of calcium aluminum silicate. Green garnets are found in Canada, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, the U.S., and several African nations. Red garnets may be dyed to enhance their color, so rinsing new beads before stringing is a good idea to prevent the colors from rubbing off on your clothes.

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.

goldstone

Natural goldstone is aventurine quartz with copper inclusions, giving the stone its characteristic golden-brown color and sparkle. Most of what is sold as "goldstone" on the market today, however, is manufactured.

Sparkling goldstone is said to lift the spirits.

hematite

Hematite might be thought of as glorified rust, since it is a crystaline form of iron oxide. The mineral is gun-metal gray with a metalic lustre. If cut into thin slices, it reveals a blood red color, which gives the mineral its name. Shiny crystals are called "specular" hematite. They were once used as mirrors. Most hematite deposits are found in igneous rocks in Canada. England, Brazil, and Venezuela are also sources. Unfortunately, most of the material sold as "hematite" is actually an imitation. Some bead suppliers simply assume that uniform-looking "hematite" from Asia is an imitation called "hemalyke," and sell it as such.

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

Howlite is a soft, chalky rock made up of calcium borosilicate. It is usually white with gray streaks. Though howlite is soft, it can be cut or carved and polished for beads and other decorative uses. It is often dyed to resemble turquoise -- in fact much of the "turquoise" in inexpensive jewelry on the market today is actually dyed howlite or a cheap manufactured imitation. Howlite can be easily dyed many colors. Red-dyed howlite is an excellent substitute for red coral.

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.

iolite

A crystal of magnesium aluminum silicate, iolite is growing in popularity as a cut gemstone because of its rich violet blue when the cut stone is viewed from the front. Viewed from the back, however, iolite looks pale and gray, giving it another of its names, dichroite. Other names are cordierite and water sapphire. Most iolite comes from Sri Lanka, Myanmar (Burma), and parts of Africa.

Though fairly new on the gem market, iolite has been known as water sapphire long enough to have built up some folklore around its properties. Iolite is said to enhance leadership qualities, promote inner strength, and support self-confidence. It is a good stone for executives.

jade (jadeite, nephrite)

At one time it was belived there was only one type of jade. Since 1863, geologists have divided "jade" into jadeite and nephrite. Jadite is composed of sodium aluminum silicate, and is found primarily in in Central America, with some deposits in Japan and on the west coast of the U.S. and British Columbia. It is usually green or mottled green and white, but occasionally it can be violet from traces of iron. Nephrite is made up of calcium magnesium iron silicate, and is found primarily in Asia. Nephritic jade ranges in color from dark green to creamy white. Both stones may be sold as "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.

Bead buyers please note: most brightly colored jades that are NOT green are artificially dyed. While there are natural lavenders, whites, and yellows, they are subtle shades, not the garish shades that are so often found in cheap jewelry.

jasper, red, yellow, white

red jasper

Jasper, like agate, is composed of silicon dioxide. However, jasper is classed as a form of chalcedony because it lacks the wavy colored bands that characterize agate, though it may be finely striped. Most jasper is yellow or red. It may also be green or white. Commercial red jasper comes from India and Venezuela. Red and many other colors are found in the U.S.

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.

jasper, leopardskin (orbicular)

The white or gray eye-shaped patterns surrounded by brown or red colors give "orbicular" or leopard jasper a spotty color like a leopard's skin. Most of this jasper comes from California.

Leopardskin jasper is valued by some people as a good luck stone.

jet

Jet is hardened lignite, a form of coal, so is composed of carbon. Like coal, it is the remains of swamp plants that have been geologically compressed and heated for millions of years. Jet is hard enough to cut and take a good polish. It has been mined since 1400 BC. In the 19th century, jet was popular for mourning jewelry because of its sombre color and its light weight. It was also used for rosaries. Most 19th century jet came from Whitby in Yorkshire, England. Jet mines are also found throughout Europe, in Russian, China, and the U.S.

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 is a plagioclase feldspar that is often used for jewelry and gemstones. Compose of sodium calcium aluminosilicate, it frequently shows a play of colors, known as schiller, on the surface of polished cabochons. Most labradorite comes (not surprisingly) from Labrador in Canada, but it is also found in Finland, Norway, and parts of Russia.

Folklore holds that labradorite promotes visions and psychic abilities, and is linked with spiritual guidance.

lapis lazuli

This beautiful and highly-prized blue stone is a composite of sodalite, lazurite, hayune, and calcite, with flecks of pyrite that give the best-quality lapis a brassy sparkle. It is usually found as small boulders or encased in limestone. Lapis with lots of white calcite mottling is sometimes called "denim" lapis. The best lapis has traditionally come from Afghanistan. The mask of Tutankhamen was adorned with Afghanistan lapis. Mines are also found in Russia, Chile, Argentina, and the U.S. Canadian mines produce a lighter shade of lapis.

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

 

Malachite is an opaque green stone found in masses, often in copper-mining areas. Malachite is composed of copper hydroxycarbonate, and it is the copper that gives it the distinctive brilliant green color. High quality malachite shows distinct dark and light bands. Most commercial malachite comes from Zaire.

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

Moonstone is a class of orthclase, an alkaline feldspar, composed of potassium aluminum silicate. The opalescent appearance comes from an internal structure of fine layers of two minerals, albite and feldspar. Thin layers of albite result in a pale blue stone, while thicker layers give an opaque white. Stones may range in color from white to gray to warm peach tones. The best moonstones come from Myanmar (Burma) and Sri Lanka. India, Madagascar, Brazil, the U.S., Mexico, Tanzania, and Europe also produce moonstones.

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

Obsidian is volcanic glass, produced as lava flows or on the surface of lava which contains high levels of silica. Most obsidian is black, but brown and red are also common. Green and blue are rare. Internal bubbles or crystals produce "snowflake" obsidian. Obsidian is found throughout the Pacific Rim, and in Iceland, Hungary, and Italy. Glass Mountain in south-central Oregon has a large obsidian flow. People in the area used to scavenge the mountain for obsidian boulders for yard decorations. A few homes even have large outdoor grills built entirely from obsidian boulders. The flows are protected by law today. Small nodules found in Arizona and New Mexico are called "Apache Tears." Similar nodules in Hawaii are called "Pele's Tears," for the volcano goddess. Thin glassy strands found near the Hawaiian volcanoes are called "Pele's Hair."

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, sard, sardonyx

sard (light)

Onyx is another form of chalcedony, composed of silicon dioxide. Onyx is similar to agate, but has straight, ribbon-like bands rather than curving ones. Onyx is often black, but can also be brown or white. Onyx may be used for cameos. One colored layer may be carved, revealing a contrasting layer below. Sard is a similar material that is usually brownish-red and slightly translucent. Sardonyx is a stone containing both sard and onyx. Since ancient Egyptian times, onyx has been stained to improve the color Onyx can also be manufactured by soaking agate in a sugar solution, then heating it to carbonize the sugar. Sard can be imitated by soaking chalcedony in an iron solution.

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

Opal is hardened silica gel. It is non-crystaline, and since it contains about 5-10% water, it can dry out and crack. Precious opals show flashes of colorful "fire" due to an arrangement of silica spheres that diffract light. Opals may be sliced thin and glued to a backing of black stone to increase their fire and to produce a more affordable stone. Tripleted opals have a cap of clear rock quartz and an underlying base of black basinite or other black material. Top gem grade natural opals come from the Coober Pedy mines in Australia. Czechoslovakia has been an historical producer of opals. Opal mines are also found in the U.S., Brazil, Mexico, and southern Africa. Though imitation opals have been produced with a good play of colors, none exactly matches the natural stone.

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

A pearl begins as an oyster's itch. A small grain of sand gets into an oyster's shell, and the animal secretes layers of nacre -- composed of calcium carbonate and conchiolin -- to form a smooth coating. Light reflected from the thin, overlapping layers produces the characteristic pearly lustre. Cultured pearls begin as glass beads carefully inserted into oysters. The nacre coating is thin, but the pearls are produced in less time than it takes to coat a tiny grain of grit. Natural pearls vary in color from creamy white to pink, gray, yellow, brown, or black. Because they are made largely of calcium carbonate, they are sensitive to acids. They can also be damaged by excessive heat, dryness, or humidity. The Persian Gulf is the historical source of natural pearls. Cultured pearls are produced in Polynesia, Australia, Japan, and China. Freshwater pearls also come from Asia, as well as Scotland, Ireland, France, Austria, Germany, and the Mississippi River in the U.S.

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

Peridot is gem-quality olivine, a stone made up of magnesium iron silicate. Iron gives peridot its brilliant green color, ranging from olive to bottle-green to apple-green. The Crusaders brought peridot to Europe from St. John's Island in the Red Sea during the Middle Ages. The mines there are still active and have been producing peridot for 3,500 years. Mines are also found in Norway, Brazil, Myanmar (Burma), Arizona and Hawaii in the U.S., Australia, and South Africa.

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 brassy-yellow color of iron pyrite, a form of iron sulfide, gives the stone its nickname of "fool's gold." It grows as cubic crystals in iron-rich igneous and metamorphic rock world-wide, and is sometimes found in association with deposits of true gold. The Greeks, Romans, and Incas used it in jewelry, though it is not as popular today. It is sometimes used in costume jewelry, but is brittle and must be cut carefully. Brassy inclusions of pyrite give lapis lazuli its beautiful lustre. The name pyrite comes from the Greek word pyr, for fire, because pyrite struck with an iron hammer gives off sparks.

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.

quartz crystal (rock crystal)

Rock crystal is colorless, transparent silicon dioxide. It is usually found as hexagonal prism-shaped crystals. Quartz can be found world-wide. Much of the rock crystal used in jewelry is found in Brazil. Other sources are the Alps, Madagascar, Russia, and the U.S. Quartz may be cut for gemstones, shaped and tumbled for beads, used in precision lenses, and used for lamps. The "crystal" used in fine watches used to be natural rock crystal; however, since the 1950's, watch crystals have been made from synthetic material.

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.

quartz, rose

The pink coloration in rose quartz is thought to be due to the presence of titanium. Rose quartz crystals are rare; most often, the stone is found as a mass. Rose quartz is often carved. Clear rose quartz may be cut, but it is often too brittle for practical use. The best material comes from Madagascar, but Brazil also produces large quantities.

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.

quartz, rutilated

Clear quartz with needle-like rutile crystals. May also be called "sagenite." Most quartz with inclusions is found in Madagastcar, Brazil, South Africa, India, and Sri Lanka. Some is also found in Germany and Switzerland.

Associated with creativity and positive direction. Also known as the "Venus Hair" stone.

quartz, smoky

Rock crystal irradiated in the lab turns brown or gray, suggesting that the "smoke" of smoky quartz may be due to natural underground radiation. Natural smoky quartz and brown quartz are mined in Brazil, Madagascar, the Swiss Alps, the U.S. (primarily in Colorado), Australia, and Spain. Most of the smoky quartz on the market today is irradiated rock crystal.

The beautiful, smoky gray color is believed by some to lift depression and dispel negative moods.

ruby

Rubies are composed of aluminum oxide, also known as corundum. Natural ruby crystals grow as hexagonal prisms. The red coloration of rubies comes from chromium and iron, and ranges from pale pink to deep maroon. Pure red is the most popular color. Needle-like inclusions can give rubies a star effect when cut en cabochon. Rubies are found worldwide, embedded in igneous rocks. The finest rubies come from Myanmar (Burma). Other sources are Afghanista, Pakistan, and Vietnam. Thai rubies tend to be slightly brownish. Those from India, Russian, North Carolina, Australia, and Norway are dark, and sometimes opaque. Ruby crystals can be grown in the laboratory, and sold as synthetic 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.

rhodochrosite

In its massive form, rhodochrosite is usually banded, with alternating pink and red bands. The crystaline form is usually pink. A form of magnesium carbonate, rhodochrosite gets its color from magnanese. While the crystals are sometimes cut as gemstones for collectors, the stone is usually used for decoration and jewelry in its banded form. The oldest mines are in Argentina, where the stone was sometimes called "Inca rose." Most mines now are in the U.S.

The pink and red bands of rhodochrosite are associated with harmony, comfort, tolerance, compassion, and love. It is a good stone to share between friends.

rhodonite

This pink stone with its black veining is often used to make beads and jewelry. It is nearly always a massive stone. Crystals are rare and fragile. Rhodonite is a form of magnesium silicate found mostly in Eastern Europe and Australia, though it is found on other continents as well.

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.

sapphire

Sapphires are another form of corundum, composed of aluminum oxide. The blue color comes from iron and titanium in the stone. As with rubies, internal needle-like inclusions can cause a star effect en cabochon. Sapphires may appear different shades of blue under different lights. The best sapphires come from Myanmar (Burma), India, and Sri Lanka. Dark blue sapphires are mined in Thailand, Australia, and Nigeria. Montana sapphires are a metalic blue. Cambodia, Brazil, Kenya, Malawi, and Columbia also produce sapphires. As with rubies, sapphires can be made synthetically.

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 term "serpentine" refers to a group of magnesium hydrosilicate minerals, usually green, that are found as masses of tiny crystals. The two forms most often used in jewelry are bowenite, which is translucent green or blue-green, and williamsite, which is translucent oily-green. Williamsite is the rarer of the two. Bowenite is found in New Zealand, China, Afghanistan, and South Africa. Williamsite is found in Europe and China. Serpentine-bearing rocks in the Siskiyou mountains of southern Oregon erode into a soil laden with heavy metals such as nickel and cadmium, resulting in a unique flora adapted to such harsh conditions.

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.

sodalite

Sodalite is composed of sodium aluminum silicate. It is one of the minerals that makes up the valuable stone, lapis lazuli. Unlike lapis, sodalite does not have brassy pyrite inclusions, but it is close enough in color that it is sometimes used as a less-expensive substitute in jewelry. It often has white streaks of calcite, giving sodalite a mottled appearance. Ontario, Canada is the largest producer of sodalite today. Because the mine in Bancroft, Ontario, was discovered during a visit by Princess Margaret of England, Bancroft sodalite is sometimes called Princess Blue.

Associated with deep thoughts, meditation. As with other blue stones, sodalite is associated with calm, harmony, spirituality, and understanding.

tigereye

A variety of chantoyant quartz, composed of silicon dioxide with inclusions of blue asbestos (crocidolite), which gives the stone a distinctive fibrous sheen. Tigereye (also spelled tiger eye or tiger's eye) contains iron oxide that gives the stone its characteristic brown and golden brown stripes. Cat's eye and hawk's eye are similar stones. Cat's eye is grayish-yellow, while hawk's eye has a blue-gray or blue-green color. Most tigereye comes from South Africa, where thick slabs are found, sometimes in combination with hawk's eye. The iron-rich stone matrix that surrounds masses of tigereye is called tiger iron, and is sometimes cut and polished for beads.

"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

A cut gemstone composed of aluminum fluorohydroxysilicate, topaz comes in a wide range of colors, including yellow, pink, gray, green, buff, and blue. Smoky gray is a popular color, as are the various shades of blue. Pink is the most rare color, Most pink topaz on the market is heat-treated yellow topaz. Irradiation is used to turn colorless topaz blue. Topaz is usually found in ingneous rocks, including granites and volcanic lava rock. Mines are located in the U.S., Mexico, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Myanmar (Burma), Russia, Australia, Tasmania, Japan, and Africa. The name "topaz" is believed to come from the Sanskrit word tapas, which means "fire."

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

Several types of tourmaline are used as gemstones. All are complex borosilicates with various minerals which lend them distinctive colors. Rubellite is pink or ruby-red, with fine, fibrous inclusions that give it a cat's-eye effect. Indicolite is generally dark blue, and may be heat-treated to lighten the color. Dravite is whiskey-colored from abundant magnesium in the stone. Acrhoite is rare and colorless. schorl is black, iron-rich, and prismatic. Yellow tourmaline is the most common of all the colors. Watermelon tourmaline is perhaps the most popular tourmaline for jewelry. The gems are cut from crystals which have either a pink center and a green rim like a cut watermelon, or a green center and a pink rim. The best cut stones are composed of equal portions of green and pink. Watermelon tourmalines are found primarily in South Africa, Brazil, East Africa. Tourmalines of many kinds are found throughout the world.

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.

turquoise

Turquoise has been highly prized for thousands of years for its intense, sky-blue color. It is always found in massive form, often in assiciation with copper. Turquoise is composed of hydrated copper aluminum phosphate. Mines in Iran have produced sky-blue turquoise for centuries. Tibetan and Chinese turquoise tends to be greenish. Turquoise mined in Mexico and the Southwest U.S. ranges from blue to green, and tends to be porous and fades in bright sunlight, though the Sleeping Beauty mine in Arizona is turning out some of the finest bright blue turquoise in the world. The Hubei mines in China are also turning out turquoise in a range of colors and qualities. Most of the cheap "turquoise" jewelry sold in gift shops is set with imitation turquoise made from stained howlite, stained fossil rock, or even glass or enamel. Real turquoise tends to be expensive. It may be stabilized with resin to make it more durable and to allow it to take a good polish.

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 and wealth. 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.

As with tourmaline, the dual color symbolizes balance.