Agate, Botswana (Astrological Birthstones: Gemini, Capricorn): Botswana Agate (or Eye Agate) is a variety of Chalcedony and can come in grey, blue, green, pink, brown and milky white. With the power to harmonize in ying and yang, the positive and negative forces that hold the universe in place. Botswana Agate is excellent for anyone connected with fire or smoke and is believed to be beneficial for those wanting to quit smoking. This gemstone looks to solutions rather than dwelling on problems…often encouraging exploration of unknown territory and your own creativity, helping you see the bigger picture. It can sometimes look like the brain with which it resonates. Especially helpful in assimilating oxygen into the body, benefiting the circulatory system and the skin. It also aids depression and is ideal for those who are sensitive, lonely and are easily hurt – it helps with self-confidence.
Agate, Moss (Astrological Birthstones: Aquarius, Virgo): Moss Agate is a multi-shade of green that resembles moss or trees from a distance. Agate is one of the first materials known to man, proving especially popular in the Byzantine Empire and during the Renaissance. It helps balance emotional energy, allowing release of anger and bitterness whilst enhancing concentration, persistence, endurance and success. It is especially useful during times of stress and is helpful in relieving sensitivities to weather and pollution, can lessen pain during birthing, speed up recovery and cleanse the circulatory and elimination systems. It is also believed to be a powerful aid against depression, effective for colds, flu and fevers, can boost the immune system and also act as an efficient anti-inflammatory.
Amazonite: Amazonite varies from bright verdigris green to bluish green, is mottled, is semi-opaque and sometimes contains light striations. Amazonite was used extensively by the Egyptians and is said to be named after the Amazon women warriors. Amazonite’s properties include the ancient Egyptians calling it the stone of courage, and these days it’s believed to enhance creative expression, improve self worth & create a unity with life. It’s believed a powerful protector against the health hazards of microwaves and electromagnetic smog. It can act as a soothing stone that is effective on the throat chakra whilst enhancing loving communications and intuition. It can be effective for osteoporosis, calcium deficiency and balancing the metabolic deficiencies that cause these problems. It is called the "hope stone" because it inspires confidence and hope.
Amber (Astrological Birthstone: Taurus): Amber is really a solidified tree resin that became fossilized, deposits ranging between 360 and one million years old. As sticky resin oozed from ancient pine trees, small insects, and other small objects in the path of the flow became entrapped. Over time, the resin was encased in dirt and debris and through a process of heat and pressure it fossilized to become amber. Amber has strong connections to the earth and is a grounding stone. Its healing properties are believed to help remove energy blockages, strengthen the physical body, enhance states of consciousness including finding humor and joy, bring love, strength, luck and protection, calm hyperactivity and stressed nerves. It can treat the stomach, spleen, kidneys, bladder, liver and gallbladder, alleviate joint problems and strengthen mucus membranes.
Amethyst (Birthstone: February) (Astrological Birthstone: Pisces): Amethyst can differ in color depending upon where it has been mined. Its variety of colors makes it the most popular of the quartz family to be used in jewelry production. Amethyst’s healing properties are believed to tune the endocrine system/metabolism, strengthen the immune system, cleanse the blood, offer relief of physical, emotional & psychological pain or stress, aid insomnia and for blocking geopathic stress. It can ease headaches and tension, aid issues with the lungs and respiratory and digestive tracts, benefit the intestines through regulating flora. It can balance and connect the physical, mental and emotional bodies with the spiritual, it can be helpful when facing death. Amethyst is a powerful and protective stone.
Apatite: Apatite’s healing attributes are said to encourage formation of new cells, heal bones, aid absorption of calcium for cartilage, bones, teeth and motor skills improving arthritis and joint problems. It can raise the metabolic rate yet help suppress hunger. It can aid glands, meridians and organs, balance the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual chakras by eliminating over activity and stimulating under activity. It can help with hypertension and autism and is also effective for increasing energy reserves and motivation. It aids development of spiritual attunement, deepens meditation, aids communication and self-expression, helps induce openness and social ease by dissolving aloofness and alienation. It can ease sorrow, apathy and anger, reduce irritability and help overcome emotional exhaustion. Blue Apatite connects to a very high level of spiritual guidance.
Aventurine (Astrological Birthstone: Aries Leo): Aventurine is a stone of prosperity. It reinforces leadership qualities and decisiveness. Promotes compassion and empathy. Encourages perseverance. Aventurine relieves stammers and severe neuroses. It stabilises one’s state of mind, stimulates perception and enhances creativity. Aids in seeing alternatives and possibilities. Calms anger and irritation. Promotes feelings of well-being. Aventurine balances male-female energy. It encourages regeneration of the heart. Protects against environmental pollution. Aventurine benefits the thymus gland and nervous system. It balances blood pressure and stimulates the metabolism, lowering cholesterol. Aventurine has an anti-inflammatory effect and eases skin eruptions, allergies, migraines, and soothes the eyes. It heals lungs, sinuses, heart, muscular and urogenital systems.
Black Onyx (Astrological Birthstone: Leo): Onyx is one of the Chalcedony family. It occurs in bands of different colors so as well as black, Onyx is found in brown, grey and white. Onyx is composed of relatively straight, parallel layers of different colors. When the dark layers are brown or brownish red, it is often called sardonyx. Onyx is usually cut into cabochon (highly polished, convex-cut gems for jewelry), or beads. The healing properties of Onyx (all colors) are believed to be beneficial for teeth, bones, bone marrow, blood disorders and issues with the feet, it is strength and stamina-giving and supportive during difficult circumstances, can help to positively view future steps, and imparts self-confidence. It can help anchor the flighty, can alleviate overwhelming fears and worries, and can balance the yin/yang energies within the body.
Bloodstone (Heliotrope) (Astrological Birthstones: Pisces, Aries): Bloodstone is green quartz flecked with red or yellow jasper giving it its distinctive red and yellow spots. Bloodstone is treated as a sacred stone by Native American Indians and is believed useful for boosting the immune system, calming the body, bringing about change and for aiding self-protection. It is helpful for blood circulation issues, detoxifies the liver, intestines, kidneys, spleen and bladder, helps remove energy blocks and for aligning the body centuries. It can dispel confusion and enhance decision making. Historically it’s been used to stop bleeding and was regularly used as an amulet to protect against the evil eye. Bloodstone is the symbol of justice and is a powerful healer, especially when the body and mind are exhausted. It’s believed helpful in cases of leukemia as it supports the blood and removes toxins.
Blue Chalcedony: Blue chalcedony is a translucent to transparent milky blue or grayish quartz. Chalcedony’s healing powers are believed to be as a powerful cleanser, for improving mineral assimilation, to help the gallbladder, bones, spleen, blood and circulatory system, to lessen the effects of dementia and senility, to increase physical energy whilst balancing the body, emotions, mind and spirit, to banish fear and depression, and to reduce fevers. In addition to the above, Blue Chalcedony’s properties can aid acceptance of new situations, encourage mental and verbal flexibility and dexterity whilst enhancing listening skills, and be useful for illnesses connected to changes in the weather. It can also aid regeneration of mucus membranes, aid lung problems, enhance the immune system, stimulate the flow of lymph, act as an anti-inflammatory and can help with reducing blood pressure.
Carnelian (Birthstone: August) (Astrological Birthstone: Leo & Aries): It is a stabilizing stone, Carnelian restores vitality and motivation, and stimulates creativity. It gives courage, promotes positive life choices, dispels apathy and motivates for success. Carnelian is useful for overcoming abuse of any kind. It helps in trusting yourself and your perceptions. It overcomes negative conditioning and encourages steadfastness. It sharpens concentration and dispels mental lethargy. Protects against envy, rage and resentment. Calms anger, banishes emotional negativity and replaces it with a love of life. Carnelian boosts fertility and stimulates sexuality. Carnelian treats lower back problems, rheumatism, arthritis, neuralgia and depression. It regulates the kidneys, and accelerates healing in bones and ligaments.
Chrysocolla: Chrysocolla is often confused with turquoise with colors being variegated blue and green when a mixture of chrysocolla and other copper minerals are combined. It is a copper-bearing mineral found wherever copper deposits occur. Pure Chrysocolla is very soft but when found in quartz deposits, it’s then hard enough to polish for cabochons & jewelry and is frequently found mixed with malachite, turquoise and azurite. Chrysocolla’s healing properties are believed to aid creativity, female energy (including helping with PMS, menstrual cramps, hot flushes), communication, relieving ulcers and arthritis, aiding bone disease, muscle spasms, blood disorders, itching, strengthens the thyroid, and detoxifies the liver, kidneys and intestines. It’s also associated with tranquility and peace (offering gentle, soothing qualities), intuition, patience, and unconditional love.
Coral: (Astrological Birthstone: Taurus & Pieces): Coral represents diplomacy and concurrence. It quiets the emotions and brings peace to within the self. Facilitates intuition, imagination and visualization. Coral expedites and accelerates the transfer of knowledge.Coral strengthens the circulatory system and the bones of the body. It stimulates tissue regeneration and nourishes the blood cells. Treats disorders of the spinal canal, the alimentary canal, the nervous system, and the thalamus. Red Coral stimulates the energetic pursuit of pre-determined goals. It protects from depression and despondency. Treats hiccups, colic and heartburn. Aids in the release of impurities from the muscular system. Red Coral treats disorders of the kidneys, bladder and parathyroid. Coral is a 35th Anniversary gemstone.
Citrine (Birthstone: November) (Astrological B/stone: Gemini): Citrine ranges from pale yellow, yellow, yellow-brown to smokey grey-brown and is a variety of crystalline quartz resembling topaz. Being one of the most affordable gemstones, Citrine is durable, slightly softer and has less brilliance than precious topaz. Citrine is believed to be powerful for energizing and recharging, to reverse degenerative disease and to be highly beneficial for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Other properties can stimulate the spleen, pancreas, kidneys and digestion, help eye problems, increase blood circulation and cleansing, activate the thymus and balance the thyroid. It promotes creativity, helps personal clarity, and as an ‘eliminator’ can relieve constipation and self-destructive tendencies. It raises self-esteem and being a stone of abundance it can help attract wealth and good things as well as help you share.
Fluorite: (Astrological Birthstone: Capricorn & Pisces) Fluorite cleanses and stabilizes the aura. It absorbs and neutralizes negative energy and stress. An excellent learning aid, Fluorite increases our powers of concentration, self-confidence and helps us in decision-making. It encourages positivity, balances the energies, and improves balance and coordination, both physically and mentally. Fluorite boosts the immune system and stimulates the regeneration and restructuring of cells and DNA, particularly in the skin and respiratory tract, and heals ulcers and wounds. Fluorite strengthens bone tissue, and alleviates rheumatism, arthritis and spinal injuries. It improves the discomfort of shingles and other nerve-related pain. Blue Fluorite calms the emotions and stimulates clear communication. Green Fluorite brings hormones into balance. It harmonizes and recharges all chakras.
Garnet (Birthstone: January) (Astrological Birthstone: Aquarius): Garnet is an aluminium or calcium silicate mineral found embedded within igneous and metamorphic rocks. The color of Garnet ranges from shades of red, pink, purple, orange, yellow, violet, green, colorless and occasionally black. Garnet derives its name from ancient Greeks, as its color reminded them of the pomegranate seed or granite. It is a renowned ancient gem, treasured for thousands of years. Garnet’s healing properties are said to relieve inflammation of the skin, to stimulate the bloodstream and help to combat depression and lethargy. It symbolizes fire, faith, courage, truth, grace, compassion, constancy and fidelity. It can regenerate the body, stimulate the metabolism, aid spinal and cellular disorders, re-energize the blood, heart, lungs and DNA as well as helping assimilation of vitamins and minerals.
Jade, Green (Astrological Birthstone: Virgo): Jade’s green color is an important factor in determining its price. The emerald green color is the most valuable, but the color range can vary from green to cream, orange, blue, lavender, red and also white. It's healing properties are thought to protect the thyroid, thymus, larynx, spleen, kidneys, liver and heart as well as some ancient peoples believing that wearing jade would increase body strength and add longevity. Jade is an ancient symbol of love and virtue. It can help the supra-adrenal glands, remove toxins, rebind cellular and skeletal systems including the hips, and help to heal stitches. It can also be useful for fertility and childbirth, for balancing body fluids and water-salt/acid-alkaline ratios. It is good for calming the nervous system, harmonizing dysfunctional relationships and channeling passion in constructive ways.
Jasper (Astrological Birthstone: Virgo): Jasper was a favorite gem in ancient times – it’s mentioned in the Bible, and in Greek, Hebrew, Assyrian and Latin literature. Jasper is believed to be able to align all the chakras and balance yin yang energies (mental, physical, emotional) acting as a stabilizer and healer. It’s known as the ‘supreme nurturer’ – a strong securing and stability stone. It sustains and supports during stressful times and brings tranquility and wholeness. It grounds energies and the body, and absorbs negative energy thus clearing electromagnetic and environmental pollution including r radiation. It supports during prolonged illness or hospitalization and re-energizes the body. It can bring courage and support during necessary conflict whilst promoting honesty with yourself. Jasper supports the circulatory, digestive and sexual organs; it balances mineral content in the body.
Labradorite (Astrological Birthstone: Sagittarius, Capricorn): This Labradorite family also includes the moonstone and sun-stone. The mineral property gets its name from this mineral and refers to the luminous blue, green, gold and red sheen given off when turned under light. Labradorite offers protection and clarity, deflecting unwanted energies and preventing energy leakage. Its healing properties are said to create a barrier to negative energies shed during therapy and to banishing fears and insecurities. It can aid issues related to eyesight, stress and mental agitation, help the metabolism, it can facilitate sleep, ease communication when relating to others, and help identify a person’s strengths. Relief is often experienced from colds, gout, rheumatism, hormone imbalance, menstrual tension and in lowering blood pressure.
Lapis Lazuli (Birthstone: December) (Astrological Birthstone: Libra): Lapis Lazuli is an opaque to translucent blue gemstone composed mainly of l lazurite, calcite, pyrite and sodalite. The rich blue color is due to the sulfur inherent within the structure of lazurite. It's healing properties are said to strengthen total awareness, creativity and ESP, cleanse the mental body whilst releasing old karmic patterns, to alleviate pain (especially migraines), benefit the respiratory and nervous systems including the throat, larynx and thyroid, cleanse organs, bone marrow, the thymus and the immune system. It can help with hearing loss, alleviate insomnia and vertigo and lower blood pressure. It is a protective stone that blocks psychic attack, releases stress, and can bring deep peace and serenity.
Malachite: Malachite’s appearance is of concentric light and dark green bands and rosettes. Malachite is an extremely powerful stone. It grounds and protects, promoting inner peace and hope. It is believed to absorb negative energies and pollutants including soaking up plutonium and electromagnetism. It can assist in helping you receive insights and for activating visualization and psychic vision. It breaks unwanted ties and outworn patterns and is believed to alleviate mental disturbances. Malachite resonates with the female sexual organs and is useful for cramps, period pains and during childbirth. Also, it can lower blood pressure, benefit asthma, arthritis, epilepsy, swollen joints and fractures, tumors, the pancreas, spleen and parathyroid. This multipurpose powerful stone can also stimulate the liver to release toxins.
Moonstone, Rainbow (Birthstone: June) (Astrological Birthstone: Cancer) In India, Moonstone is considered to be a sacred stone because of its floating light effect and sheen called adularescence, similar to the light of the moon. It is usually set as a cabochon and rarely faceted. Moonstone is a stone of ‘new beginnings’ and is strongly connected to the moon. It’s healing properties are believed to help with digestive & reproductive system issues including eliminating toxins and fluid retention, to alleviate degenerative conditions of skin, hair, eyes, liver and the pancreas, to aid during PMS, conception, pregnancy, childbirth and breast-feeding. It is said to enhance psychic abilities, to promote intuition and empathy and to soothe stress. It is effective for calming the emotions and can balance male-female energies.
Obsidian: Obsidian is a silica rich volcanic rock with its main component being natural glass. Obsidian is a fast worker and is believed to have great power – it is merciless in exposing flaws, weaknesses and blockages…nothing is hidden from Obsidian. It's key healing areas are believed to be for the stomach and intestines and it can provide insight into disease. It can provide deep soul healing and is helpful for highly sensitive people. Obsidian detoxifies the body and can benefit hardened arteries, whilst reducing painful arthritis, cramps and injuries, and even shrink enlarged prostrate glands.Obsidian helps to protect the very sensitive against depression. It is the stone of the soft hearted and gentle people of the world. Use obsidian to help block negativity of any kind. As a black gemstone, it symbolizes self control and resilience.
Opal (Astrological Birthstone: Libra) Opal can be 50-60 million years old, dating back to when dinosaurs roamed. It forms as silica from decomposing rocks mixed with ground water which formed a silica gel that collected and hardened in underground cavities. This light diffusion shows iridescent flashes of green, blue, aqua and sometimes yellowish or red colors that are referred to a ‘fire’. Opal’s properties include aiding inner beauty and the ‘will to live’, eyesight, and can help to recall past lives. It has a fine vibration and can intensify emotional states and release inhibitions whilst teaching you how to take responsibility for how you feel. It can be beneficial to treat infections and fevers and to strengthen memory, to purify the blood and kidneys, to regulate insulin and ease childbirth and PMS. Opal encourages loyalty, faithfulness and spontaneity.
Pearl (Birthstone: June) (Astrological Birthstone: Gemini; Cancer) Pearls are classed as Organic Gems. Pearls vary in color from cream, pink, silver-grey, blue, yellow, lavender green and occasionally black. A pearl is formed when an irritant such as a tiny stone or bit of sand gets inside the oyster's shell. A lustrous substance, called nacre, is secreted around the object to protect the soft internal surface of the mollusk. Over 7-8 years of treatment, the layers increase which creates the characteristic iridescent luster when exposed to light. There are many types of pearls. Pearls are believed to offer the power of love, luck, protection and money as well as offering wisdom through experience, to quicken the laws of karma, to keep children safe, to cement engagements and love relationships, and to offer emotional support.
Peridot (Birthstone: August) (Astrological Birthstone: Libra) Peridot is a volcanic gemstone and is a yellow-green variety of olivine. It is composed of silica, magnesia and iron. The gemstone is formed of olivine, a silicate found in igneous rocks and a major constituent of the Earth's upper mantle. Small crystallites of Peridot are often found in the basalt rocks created by volcanoes but have also been found in iron and nickel meteorites called pallasites. Peridot is a ‘protector’ stone and its healing properties are said to heal and regenerate tissues, to strengthen the metabolism, to benefit the skin and eyes. It aids the heart, thymus, lungs, gallbladder, spleen, intestinal tract and ulcers, it is a powerful cleanser, releasing and neutralizing toxins on all l levels. It can calm anger, jealousy, resentment and spite, soothe nerves and relieve stress, dispel negative emotions and promote self-forgiveness.
Quartz: Clear Quartz comes in many varieties and colors including pink, lemon, rutilated, tourminaliated, smokey, blue and clear. Clear Quartz is the most powerful healing and energy amplifier on the planet because of its unique helical spiral crystalline form. It can be used to aid any condition, and it’s a powerful dis-speller of negativity in your own energy field and environs. Quartz will raise spiritual energy to the highest possible level yet it’s an energy saver too – attach it to a fuel line and fuel consumption reduces! It stimulates the immune system, re-balances the body, receives, activates, contains, amplifies and transmits energy, soothes burns, helps with meditation and connections with the higher self, and harmonizes all the charkas. Quartz can double your bio-magnetic field, protects against radiation, dispels static electricity and generates electromagnetism.
Quartz, Rose (Astrological Birthstone: Taurus) Rose Quartz is part of the Quartz family. Its pink color varies in intensity and is usually translucent, sometimes transparent, and for jewellery purposes is frequently tumbled and faceted. The healing properties of Rose Quartz can aid calming in a trauma or crisis, dissipate negative energy and stored anger, resentment, guilt, fear, jealousy, broken hearts and grief, strengthen the physical heart and circulatory systems whilst releasing impurities from body fluids. It can heal issues with kidneys, adrenals, chest and lungs, and can allow acceptance of necessary change. It’s useful during mid-life crisis and is an effective healer of emotions whilst encouraging self-forgiveness and acceptance. It can help purify the heart and promote deep inner healing as well as bringing self-love and romantic love to you.
Quartz, Rutilated (Astrological Birthstone: Virgo) Rutilated Quartz is part of the Quartz family. It often forms needle-like crystal inclusions inside quartz. This form of quartz is known as Rutilated Quartz and it looks like small bars of imbeded gold. Rutilated Quartz is said to intensify the metaphysical properties of its host crystal and to enhance a person’s understanding of difficult situations, whilst improving creativity, relieving depression and loneliness. It can slow the aging process. It is a strong healer bringing forth each person's strengths, it encourages originality, and it’s often described as an illuminator for the soul and spiritual growth. It has a vitality that can aid chronic conditions, is effective for exhaustion and energy depletion, helps respiratory tract and bronchitis issues, stimulates and balances the thyroid as well as helping to regenerate cells and repair torn tissues.
Smokey Quartz: Smokey Quartz is part of the Quartz family. Smokey Quartz has a sophisticated brownish to blackish hue, sometimes with yellow tinges. It appears translucent and for jewelery purposes it is usually faceted or tumbled. Smokey Quartz is believed to have effective healing properties against geopathic stress and for absorbing electromagnetic smog, assisting elimination and detoxification on all levels. It can neutralize fear, lift depression ( (including suicidal tendencies) and encourage emotional calmness and positive, pragmatic thoughts. It can help ailments of the abdomen, hips and legs, can relieve pain (including headaches), boost the reproductive system, dissolve cramps and aid take-up of minerals whilst regulating liquids within the body. It is highly effective as a grounding/anchoring stone whilst raising vibrations during meditation, and offers a powerful antidote to stress.
Rhodochrosite: The pink color of Rhodochrosite is caused by the element manganese which is formed when manganese is dissolved by ground water and combines with a carbonate material and then drips off the ceiling of caves and crevices deep underground. Rhodochrosite’s healing properties are believed to include drawing love to the wearer, helping release past psychological issues and creating a dynamic & positive attitude. It helps recovery from sexual abuse, imparts a dynamic and positive attitude, and aids those who feel unloved. Because it’s an irritant filter, it can relieve asthma & respiratory issues and purify the circulatory system (including kidneys). It can improve poor eyesight, normalize blood pressure and stabilize the heartbeat, aid migraines through blood vessel dilation, and invigorate the sexual organs.
Rhodonite: Rhodonite has a distinctive pink color. Rhodonite is the ‘complementary sister’ to Rhodochrosite. It is an emotional balancer and grounding stone that nurtures love and togetherness. Its healing properties are believed to heal wounds (including relieving insect bites) and reduce scarring. It can calm the mind and ease stress by improving self-confidence, encouraging forgiveness and clearing emotional wounds. It can activate the pineal gland and bring intuitive guidance. It’s also helpful for emphysema, inflammation of the joints, arthritis, promoting bone growth, aiding autoimmune diseases, stomach ulcers, and helping hearing. This stone can balance yin-yang, repair emotional shock and panic, aid reconciliation after long-term pain/abuse. It alleviates confusion and helps achieve one’s highest potential.
Ruby (Birthstone: July) (Astrological Birthstone: Capricorn) Ruby is a bright red color, transparent when polished and opaque when not, frequently faceted. Ruby’s healing properties are said to detoxify the body, blood and lymph, and for aiding treatment of fevers and infectious disease. It helps restricted blood flow, heart and circulatory system issues, whilst it stimulates adrenals, kidneys, reproductive organs and the spleen. Ruby is very effective at boosting energy but for delicate or irritable people, it can sometimes over-stimulate! However, it’s effective at calming hyperactivity. It’s believed to balance the heart charka and to offer protection from psychic attack, it can promote good dreams and visualizations and stimulate the pineal gland. It aids clearing of negative energy and thoughts and encourages a positive, sharp and courageous state of mind.
Ruby-ziosite: Ruby-in-Zoisite has been known for nearly 200 years as an ornamental stone. The medium grade red ruby material is usually spread irregularly throughout the green zoisite. The stone consists of crystalline aggregates of green zoisite (soft stone) with non-transparent ruby (hard stone) inclusions – there’s no other stone like it in the mineral world. Due to the differing hardness of the two materials, it’s quite hard to cut so diamond tools are usually used. Rubyziosite is found in Tanzania. Rubyziosite’s properties include those for Ruby (see above) but also include aiding spiritual learning and past life work, promoting individuality whilst retaining interconnectedness, and powerfully amplifying the bio-magnetic field around the body. Like Zoisite, Ruby in Zoisite is said to enhance fertility and to help with diseases of the reproductive system particularly the testicles and ovaries.
Swarovski Crystals: Glass and crystal are strongly related…like cousins we might say. Glass is made of silica (sand), burnt lime stone and soda. Melt these together at extremely high temperatures and you have glass. But if you add one more thing to the composition – lead – the result is substantially different. Only small amounts of lead can turn what should have been normal glass into a similarly looking material only much stronger and resistant. Another main characteristic of this “special glass” is its high refractivity. All these mean that the lead glass can be cut and faceted just like any gemstone and it has a fascinating glare. Needless to say, the Swarovski company has its own secret recipe for their world-famous crystals, but what makes them so special is not the combination of ingredients but the superior cutting and polishing methods that they use.
Tiger’s Eye: Tiger’s Eye is recognizable by the rippled wavy bands of browns, golds, and yellows which often resemble a scenic view. It’s a member of the quartz group of chalcedonies and is one of the chatoyant gemstones, similar to Charoite. Tiger’s Eye’s healing properties are said to aid spiritual and body well-being, aid clarity of mind and act as a psychic protector. It can help eye issues, help throat and reproductive problems, dissolve constrictions and is helpful for repairing bones. This stone combines the earth energy with those of the sun to create a high vibrational state that remains grounded. It is a protective stone, it helps accomplish goals and promotes clarity of intention and is especially useful in aiding mental dis-ease and personality disorders. It can block self-criticism, alleviate depression and encourage creativity and self-worth.
Topaz (Birthstone: November, December) (Astrological Birthstone: Sagittarius, Leo) Topaz comes in wide range of colors including blue, red, orange, peach, pink, gold, yellow, brown and clear. Being a transparent stone with a vitreous luster, its pure crystals look beautiful in exclusive jewelry items. The name Topaz comes from the Sanskrit and means fire. Topaz is found in Brazil, USA, Mexico, Australia, Pakistan, Russia, Siberia, China, Myanmar (SE Asia), Japan, Sri Lanka, South Africa and Nigeria. Valued for centuries, it is thought that the healing properties of Topaz help mental and physical disorders including anorexia, it soothes, heals, stimulates, recharges, re-motivates and aligns the meridians, improves eyesight, facilitates ‘being’ rather than ‘doing’ and an urge to develop inner wisdom, is an aid for digestion and stimulates the metabolism. This stone facilitates problem solving.
Turquoise (Birthstone: December) (Astrological Birthstone: Taurus, Sagittarius) Turquoise is a blue to blue-green mineral of aluminium and copper. It is one of the oldest known gem materials on our planet. Turquoise’s healing properties are believed to relax the mind, to ease mental tension, providing solace for the spirit and well-being for the body. It’s a protective stone and enhances the physical and psychic immune systems. It can regenerate tissue, benefit gout and rheumatism, alleviate pollution and viral infections, act as an anti-inflammatory, and stimulate overall healing. It instills inner calm while remaining alert, can inspire creative expression, aid exhaustion, depression and panic attacks, and being ‘protective’ it wards off influences and pollutants in the atmosphere. Some say that it attracts money, success, love, courage, friendship and luck.
Zircon (Birthstone: December) Zircon comes in many colors. It contains zirconium, silicon and oxygen with small quantities of rare earths and radioactive elements such as thorium and uranium. Due to its high refractive index and strong dispersion, zircon gemstones have great brilliance and intensive fire. It is used widely in industry as the main source for the metal zirconium used in steel alloys, abrasives and jet engines. It is not connected to Cubic Zirconia. Zircon is found in Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Myanmar, Australia, South Africa, France and the USA. Zircon was used in the Middle Ages to induce sleep, to promote honor and wisdom, as a poison detoxifier and to bring prosperity to its owner. It’s a general healer but especially useful for liver complaints, childbirth and depression. It inspires intuition, durability, steadiness and integrity.