Gemstone Holistic Properties

Ancient writings from China, Mexico and other countries have all referenced the healing properties of gemstones. Even the Celtic and Vikings all believed that certain gemstones had magical properties or would provide luck. Japanese were thought to be the first to use magnets to alleviate pain and is now a wide spread practice. The ancient Greeks believed moonstones became brighter or dimmer with the phases of the moon. It was also believed to be a powerful good luck charm and wearing one was considered a guarantee of success in a precarious endeavor. Aztec believed turquoise would protect them from physical harm so they used it on their battle shields.

With a lot of people today without health insurance and limited funds or just tired of all the chemicals and pharmaceuticals , some are turning to holistic healing of minor aliments with gemstones and herbs and eating organic foods or drinking fresh juices. I bought into the whole thing years ago and used to make up my own formulas and even put them into capsules myself. Good thing most herbs are harmless! ;0) I drank fresh organic carrot juice and even turned orange from all the carotene, did the colon cleanse thing, tried wearing magnetic jewelry, I kinda tried it all.

Although I can say most of it didn't fix any of my problems or cured any aliment I have ever had, I did find some relief from a few things I tried. The magnets did alleviate some pain. Valerian root was a good sedative but I could NEVER get past the taste! Wearing amber didn't make it me any calmer when I wore it. Apatite didn't make me any smarter, aventurine didn't make me any richer but it was all pretty to wear!

I found researching and putting together info on each of the gemstones for my website to be a lot of fun actually. I got into studying minerals and rocks, and because I deal in a lot of beads, metals, and glass I researched those too. Glass beads have a cool history!

Now I want to get out and dig in the dirt and do some rock hounding and treasure hunting. I used to do that when I lived in Tucson and I sure miss it. It's too wet in Washington State to dig anywhere till June! Even when I was a kid, I walked around with a pocket knife so I could dig the pretty agates out of the blacktop! Dig dig dig! Now, I just buy too many beads and because I have 2 businesses and need a "happy place", I make jewelry. Or play guitar. \M/

I put together a list of all gemstones I could think of and put them into alphabetical order with their holistic or magical properties and any other tidbits I could find and put them in one page on my website.
You have my permission to copy and paste as I did (and I asked for permission as well) and you can take what you want from any of the info I collected.

agate ... talisman against fear; good for dreams
amethyst ... acts as purifier, controls temperament
aquamarine ... purpose and direction, meditation
carnelian ... stimulates energy
citrine ... acts as purifier, holds electricity
coral ... good for averting negative intent (wear in combination with black onyx or jet for averting the "evil eye")
emerald ... amplification of understanding; balancing the aura (wear on left hand or as a pendant)
flourite ... mindfulness
garnet ... red almandine - counters melancholy; balance, peace, solitude
green grossular ... thought projection; purifier
iolite ... intuition
jade ... tranquil wisdom and peace; integrity of mind and soul (wear as protection)
labradorite ... consciousness of clear mind
lapis lazuli ... attunement to higher vibrations (wear as a pendant)
malachite ... acts as a mirror (wear when feeling happy)
moonstone ... reflection of the wearer (wear on the Full Moon)
peridot... rejuvenation, clarity
opal ... attunement; channel for truth
ruby... mental concentration and strength (wear on left hand, but not continuously)
sapphire ... lightness and joy; best for the quiet nature
sardonyx ... good fortune
topaz ... friendship, health (helps with headaches and nightmares)
tourmaline ... compassion; maintain relationship with others
turquoise ... balance, grounding, harmony (wear on left hand or as pendant)
zircon ... independence

I do have to disclose that I DO NOT recommend any treatment of any ailment holistically without consulting with a DOCTOR! My website is a work in progress but all links to my e-stores and myspace page and my blog about starting a jewelry biz are on my home page.

http:/www.jewelrydesignsbytwig.com