Jewellery Facts
Gemstones
Amethyst
Amethyst is a form of quartz and ranges in colour from pale mauve to dark violet. It has been popular since pre-Roman times. The Greeks believed amethyst gems could prevent intoxication and medieval Eurpean soldiers wore amethyst amulets to protect them in battle.
Properties: Courage, psychic energy, dreams, healing addictions, peace, happiness, love
Birthstone: February
Chakra: Crown
Country of Origin: Brazil, Madagascar, India
Zodiac: Sagittarius, Pisces, Capricorn
Aquamarine
Aquamarine is made of beryl and is a hard gem so is a good choice for jewellery. For hundreds of years it has been believed that the oceans energy is held in the aquamarine. Sailors believed that by wearing an amulet made of aquamarine they would be protected during storms. Aquamarine's clarity is often seen as its finest feature as it is usually eye-clean. It ranges in colour from pale to deep blue.
Properties: Courage, purification, peace, psychic awareness, self-expression, balances all the chakras
Country of Origin: Brazil, Madagascar, USA
Birthstone: March
Citrine
Citrine is a form of quartz. It has been used for protection against the plague, skin problems and evil thoughts. It is also believed to work against bites from snakes and other poisonous reptiles. It ranges in colour from pale yellow to yellowish brown and is often seen as a bright golden yellow. Its name comes from citron the French word for lemon. It is meant to symbolise happiness, help digestion, remove toxins from the body and help with depression, constipation and diabetes.
Properties: Psychic powers, protection, creativity, sexual energy, deflects nightmares
Country of Origin: Brazil, France, Madagascar
Birthstone: November
Cubic Zirconia - Amethyst CZ, Champagne CZ, Peridot CZ, Pink CZ, White CZ
Cubic Zirconia (or CZ) is zirconium oxide, a mineral that is extremely rare in nature but is synthesized for use as a diamond simulant. The synthesized stone is hard, optically flawless and usually colourless, but can be made in a variety of colours. These include purple, champagne, green, blue and pink.
Diamond
There are four things to look for when purchasing a diamond, known as the 4 Cs. These are cut, colour, clarity and carat weight. Cut refers to the shape and symmetry of the stone. These include antique, baguette, baguette tapered, briolette, cabochon, emerald, heart, marquise, octagon, oval, pear, princess, round brilliant, square and trilliant. Colour in white diamonds, may vary from colourless to yellow or brown tints. The colour scale starts at D and goes through to Z with D being almost clear white. Clarity is a measure of slight imperfections or inclusions in a diamond. The less inclusions the more valuable the stone is. Carat weight is a measure of the size of a stone and comes from the word carob which was a small bean used in ancient times to measure gem weight.
Properties: Courage, strength, healing, protection, spirituality, mental and sexual abilities.
Diamond Clarity Scale: Flawless (Loupe clean), IF (Internally clean), VVS1&2 (Very very slight inclusion), VS1&2 (Very slight inclusion), SI1&2 (Slight inclusion), P1,2&3 (Pique - eye visible)
Country of Origin: South Africa, Australia
Birthstone: April
Emerald
Muslems believe that the first of the seven heavens is made up of emeralds. The Biron Emerald is a very high quality man-made stone, created by the same forces that produce natural emeralds. Under high pressure and temperature, real emerald crystals are used to produce these fantastic emeralds.
Properties: Prosperity, mental and psychic abilities, dreams, meditation, visual acuity, love, peace, balance, opens the heart chakra
Chakra: Heart
Country of Origin: Colombia, Russia, Zambia, Zimbabwe
Birthstone: May
Garnet
Garnet was very popular in the Bronze Age. It is believed during the Great Flood that a radient red garnet illuminated the sea at night and guided Noah to bring the ark to land. Garnet's are believed to contain protective powers, the Crusaders setting them in their body armour, signet rings, belt buckles and other personal objects for safety during battle and to bring them peace and tranquility when they returned home. It is believed the name garnet came from the word pomegranate because of its red garnet coloured seeds or from the Latin word granum meaning grain as the typical shape of the garnet is like the pomegranate's seeds. There are several major types of garnet - Almandine, Pyrope, Spessartine, Grossular, Andradite, Rhodolite and Malaia. Colours include reds, oranges, yellows, burgundies and greens.
Hardness: 7.5
Properties: Strength, physical energy, healing, protection, purification, compassion
Chakras: Opens the base and crown chakras
Country of Origin: South Africa, USA, Siberia, Italy, Australia
Birthstone: January
Iolite
Iolite is a transparent light blue, yellow grey and pretty violet blue colour and is sometimes known as water sapphire. One stone can show the three different colours. It also became known as Vikings Compass because of its ability to determine the direction of the sun on overcast days.
Properties: Establishes accurate visions
Pearl
The pearl is the oldest known gem. It was believed to be a symbol of the moon and have magical powers. The pearl reprents purity and innocence so is an ideal wedding gift. The Chinese used it medicinally for eye problems, heart trouble, indigestion, fever and bleeding. In India pearls were believed to give peace of mind and strength of body and soul. Muslims believe if they are good they will be crowned with pearls of incomparable luster and attended by beautiful maidens resembling hidden pearls upon entering the Kingdom of Heaven. English knights wore pearls during battle to protect themselves from harm. In 1919 a method of cultivating pearls was achieved and patented in Japan. Natural pearls are formed when an irritant enters an oyster (mollusk). To protect itself the oyster secretes a fluid which coats the irritant. The coating is known as nacre. With many layers a pearl is formed. Cultured pearls are formed by surgically implanting a mother-of-pearl bead or nuclei which is then coated in nacre by the oyster. They are still real pearls. They have just had help in getting started. Nearly all pearls sold today are cultured pearls.
Properties: Manifests truth, peace and sincerity
Country of Origin: Australia, Indian Ocean, Persian Gulf
Birthstone: June
Peridot
Peridot has always been regarded as having mystical powers. It is believed to stave off anxiety, improve speech and to give success with relationships and marriage. Peridot was used by the Ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Romans. Hawaiin peoples believe peridot is the Goddess Pele's tears. It was one of the stones in the high priest's breatplate representing one of the twelve tribes of Israel. Powdered peridot has been used to treat asthma. Peridot can range from a light yellow green to an intense bright green to olive. The stone has a natural rich glow.
Properties: Protection, prosperity, sleep, health, emotional balance, intuition
Country of Origin: Zeberget (Red Sea), Hawaii, USA
Birthstone: August
Rhodolite
A variety of garnet which ranges in colour from a beautiful raspberry red to a deep pinkish-red. Garnet is the birthstone of the month of January. Rhodolite is found in the US, Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka.
Properties: Peace, mental clarity, memory, confidence
Chakra: Opens the crown chakra
Ruby
The word ruby comes from the ancient Latin word rubeus. Hindus considered the ruby to be ratnaraj or the King of Precious Stones. It has long been considered to have mystical and prophetic powers giving the wearer the ability to predict the future. In ancient times the Burmese believed inserting one beneath the skin gave the wearer protection from accidents and attacks. Rubies are nearly as hard as diamonds so are ideal for jewellery. Natural rubies normally have inclusions which may be dissolved through heating.
Properties: Prosperity, power, courage, integrity, joy, deflects nightmares
Country of Origin: Burma
Birthstone: July
Sapphire - Black Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Ceylon Sapphire
The word Sapphire is derived from the Latin Sapphirus. Sapphires were believed to contain the power of wisdom and would enable the wearer to find solutions to problems. The Persians called the sapphire the celestial stone as its blue colour was likened to the heavens. It is believed to represent truth and sincerity. Usually people think of sapphires as being blue. However sapphires come in all colours except red and these other colours are referred to as Fancy Sapphires. Sapphires are nearly as hard as diamonds and so ideal for jewellery.
Properties: Psychic abilities, inspiration, love, meditation, peace, healing, power, prosperity, protection
Country of Origin: Kashmir
Birthstone: September
Topaz - Blue Topaz
The modern word topaz has been derived from the Sanskrit work tapas. Topaz has been used back as far as ancient Egyptian times and in the middle ages was believed to strengthen the mind. Blue topaz comes in variety of shapes, sizes and colour. It ranges from pale blue to deeper blue. Colours include the sky blue topaz, swiss blue topaz and london blue topaz.
Properties: Protection, healing, dieting, prosperity, love, emotional balance, tranquility, creativity
Country of Origin: Brazil, Germany, Nigeria
Birthstone: December
Tourmaline
Properties: Love, friendship, prosperity, luck, friendship, healing, communication, happiness, emotional balance, astral travel
Chakras: Strengthens all the chakras
Gemstone Properties
Agate
Balancing physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual energies; perceptiveness, strength, inspiration, awakening talents
Amazonite
Success, joy, self-expression, awakening heart, soothing, harmony, balancing
Amber
Soothing, calming, cleansing
Amethyst
Contentment, spirituality, dreams, healing, peace, happiness, love, intuition
Ametrine
Intellectual stimulation, attunement, releasing, dispelling tension, connecting
Apatite
Intellect, achieving results, healing, insight, humanitarianism, meditation, balance, creativity
Aquamarine
Courage, purification, peace, intuition, self-expression, balance, preparedness
Aventurine
Healing, money, mental agility, visual acuity, peace, opening heart, motivation, leadership
Azurite
Intuitive energy, dreams, healing, insight, stilling the mind, concentration, self transformation
Bloodstone
Courage, intense healing, renewal, strength, victory, intuitive decision making
Calcite
Purification, peace, calming, memory, awareness, appreciation of nature
Carnelian
Precision, analytical capabilities, physical energy, verbal skill, peace, spirituality
Celestite
Verbal skill, healing, compassion, calming, growth, intuition, hope
Chrysocolla
Easing heartache, stamina, wisdom, peace, love, communication, vitality, inner strength
Chrysoprase
Balancing male-female energy, love, grace, compassion, clemency, personal growth
Citrine
Intuition, comfort, protection, creativity, physical energy, wealth, mental awakening
Coral
Diplomacy, quieting emotions, visualization
Crystal Quartz
Intensifying energy, spiritual development, healing, raising consciousness
Diamond
Courage, strength, healing, protection, spirituality, mental abilities
Dumortierite
Self-reliance, stamina, patience, recognition of potential, understanding, communication of ideas
Emerald
Love, domestic bliss, sensitivity, loyalty, memory, mental capacity, harmony, focus, eliminating negativity
Fluorite
Stability, impartial reasoning, responsibility, concentration, health
Fossil Stone
Accomplishments, improvement of one’s environment, communication, innovation
Garnet
Health, removing negativity, awareness, commitment, regeneration, order, insight
Hematite
Mental attunement, memory, calming, balance, focusing energy and emotions, peace, inner happiness, transforming negativity
Howlite
Awareness, calm, emotional expression, observation, patience, eliminating negativity
Iolite
Intuition, spiritual growth, healing, balance, releasing discord, awakening to inner knowledge
Jade
Fidelity, dreams, realization of potential, peace, accord, resourcefulness, accomplishment
Jaspers
Protection, nurturing, joy, awareness; balancing of physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual energies
Labradorite
Alignment, spiritual connection, transformation, clarity, peace, progression, discernment
Lapis Lazuli
Wisdom, intuition, awareness, objectivity, clarity, creativity, expanded consciousness, dreams, purity, courage, serenity
Lepidolite
Hope, stress reduction, birth, peace, spirituality, physical strength, luck, protection, emotional balance
Malachite
Transformation, insight, clarifying emotions, fidelity, loyalty, practicality
Marble
Charitable actions, original thinking, alleviation of sorrow
Moonstone
Introspection, reflection, beginnings, insight, tenderness, harmony, peace, travel
Mother of Pearl
Mental clarity, intuition, sensitivity, imagination, adaptability, cooperation
Obsidians
Clarity, deflecting negativity, protection, healing
Onyx
Self-control, decision making, intuition, recognition of personal strengths
Opal
Creativity, spontaneity, relationships, memory, happy dreams and changes
Pearl
Purity, faith, charity, innocence, integrity, focus, wisdom, spirituality, sincerity, fertility
Peridot
Warmth, friendliness, understanding, openness in love and relationships, regulation of cycles
Pyrite
Defense, prevention, protection from negativity, physical wholeness, memory
Rhodocrosite
Love, emotional balance, cleansing, renewal, relaxation, expansion of consciousness
Rhodonite
Peace, generosity, attention to details
Rhyolite
Change, variety, progress, creativity, transcending barriers
Rose Quartz
Love, peace, happiness, gentleness, healing emotional wounds
Ruby
Nurturing, spiritual wisdom, attainment of values, economic stability, protection from distress
Sapphire
Joy, peace, beauty, intuition, prosperity, fulfillment of dreams
Serpentine
(see Jade)
Smoky Quartz
Dissolving emotional blockage, clearing the mind, cooperation, personal pride, joy in living, attentiveness to the moment, protection
Sodalite
Wisdom, logic, calmness, healing, stress reduction, companionship, self-esteem
Sunstone
Alleviating fears, energizing, cleansing
Tanzanite
Communication, intuition, protection, symmetry, decision-making, spirituality
Tiger Eye
Practicality, peacefulness, clarity, intelligence, intuition, new experiences, financial stability, calmness, releasing inhibitions
Tiger Iron
Artistic endeavors, beauty, vitality
Topaz
True love, success in endeavors, understanding of interrelationships, expression of ideas, trust, health, personal expansion and growth
Tourmaline
Energizing, soul-searching, releasing
Turquoise
Spiritual attunement, cleansing, healing, protection, valor, soothing, peace of mind, guidance through the unknown, romantic spontaneity
Unakite
Balance, re-birth, foresight, emotional balance.Zoisite: Dispelling laziness, facilitating advancement
