Semi Precious Stones - Timeless Beauty

It is believed that the semi precious stone that you are drawn to contains the mystical and healing powers that you need at that precise time in your life.

Each stone has it's own history, mythology and healing powers.

There are so many semi precious stones all of equal beauty it is hard to cover them all, as much as one would like to, so here are just some of these stones that I have loved over the years.

The Amethyst

The Amethyst is a form of quarts and is know for its purple, violet stone, dating back to the ancient Egyptians, was used by this age old civilization.

It was also used by the Ancient Greeks and Romans as a form of protection, by wearing it, it was thought to protect them from drunkenness.

Medieval European soldiers wore Amethyst Amulets as protection.

In England the stone was found in the form of beads in some Anglo Saxon graves,showing the movements of the Amethyst stone.

The healing properties of the Amethyst are used for hearing problems, insomnia and headaches.

In Greek and Roman times it was said to guard against drunkenness and to over come addictions.

The powers of the Amethyst include healing, peace, dreams, spiritual uplifting and courage.

The Amethist is the birthstone of the star sign Pisces.

Red Coral

Red Coral is called' the gem of mars' and comes from the depths of the sea,mainly found in the Mediterranean.

The uses of red coral dates back to the early Egyptians and prehistoric Europeans where it was used by both cultures in their burial sites.

The Romans believed that Coral protected children from harm and to cue cuts and wounds.

Red Coral branches are naturally matt in finish but when polished this stone comes up to a shine.

Carnelion

The Carnelion gem stone is mainly found in India and has a deep red burnt orange hue.

Once considered as the property of the noble class this stone was amongst the high in status.

It is beleive that this stone gives energy to the wearer, protection from bad vibrations and is an energy booster.

The Carnelion is the birthstone of Leo.

An Egyptian gold braclet with the semi precious stone Lapis Lazuli

Some Egyptian jewelry with semi precious stones .

Tutankhamun's gold burial mask inlaid with semi precious stones Turquoise, Lapus Lazuli and Carnelian

Turquoise stones cut and polished ready to be made into jewelry.

Egyptian Lapis Lazulii elephant

Lapis Lazuli

Lapis Lazuli is an intense blue almost ' the colour of the blue sky.'
It is a rock not a mineral and makes an excellent polished stone to make jewelry with.

For 6,500 years this stone has been mined from the Badakhshan province of Afghanistan and has been used in their ancient art works and buildings that still stand today.

It was also extensively used in ancient Egyptian art and was a favorite stone used for amulets and ornaments such as the scarab.
Cleopatra was meant to have used the powered of the lapis as an eyeshadow.

The Romans believed that the lapis had powerful aphrodisiac properties and it was thought to keep limbs healthy and also to free the soul from error, envy and fear.
The blues used in many medieval illuminated manuscripts to Renaissance panels all comes from the powder of the Lapis Lazuli.

The stone produces a cobalt blue when ground to a powder and becomes the well known pigment Ultramarine which came at a high price to painters of that time.
Lapis Lazuli is meant to contain the healing affects awareness, creativity, esp and is also said to improve sleep and insomnia.

Turquoise

The Turquoise is a pale blue, blue green mineral.
This pastel shaded stone has appeared in many great cultures and has adorned the great rulers of Ancient Egypt, the Aztecs and to some extent has been associated as far away as China.

The Egyptians used this stone as far back as the First Dynasty and it is well known that it was one of the stones used to decorate Tutankhamun's burial mask found from pieces that were buried there.
The Turquoise stone was widely used by the Egyptians in all their decorative art forms and jewelry.

Later in Persia, it was extensively used to decorate objects, mosques and other important building, both inside and out.

The style that was used in Persia was later brought to India where this stone was also used to decorate buildings, one of the most famous being The Taj Mahal.
It was also used as part of the jewelry and decorations in India.

The semi precious stone,Turquoise has the powers of protection, healing, courage, friendship and luck.

Turquoise is a sacred stone to the Native Americans which they used in their burial tombs in the form of carved animals and birds,to attract beneficial spirits and to guard the dead.

The turquoise stone is the birthstone of the star sign Taurus and Sagittarius.

Amber

Amber ranges in colour from a very pale lemon to orange, though to a brown almost a black colour.
It is a fossil organic resin found in the trees from an ancient pine forest.

Dating back to the Ancient Greeks amber was referred to as the ' elektron ' the sun made.
Homer mentions Amber jewelry - earrings and necklace of Amber beads 'as a princely gift ' in the Odyssey.

Most of the Amber used to make jewelry with is found in the Baltic sea of the Dominion Republic and a great provided of this stone is in Sambis.
Amber was of great value to the Assyrians, Egyptians, Phoenicians, Etruscans and the Greeks.

Amber is extensively used for beads and jewelry and also for cigar holders and mouth pieces for pipes.

The powers of the Amber include love, healing and calming of stressed nerves.
Legends say that the Amber can provide magicians and sorcerers with special enhancing powers.

The Amber semi precious stone is also said to remove energy blockages and to strengthen the physical body.
Known to enhance states of consciousness and reflect negative energies or bad vibes.

These are some of my favorite semi precious stones out of so many to look at and choose from.

All semi precious stones come in so many beautiful colours, textures and shape of form, all containing special unique valuable properties.

So when you are contemplating purchasing a piece of jewelry, keep in mind the semi precious stone with it's ancient history and timeless beauty.

Sources http://www.bernardine.com/

Sources
Bernadine.com/
Photos
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