Gemstone Lore Many people wonder about the mystical and healing properties of stones. The Native Americans called stones the history keepers which is pretty fascinating all on its own. We can't attest to any special power of any of the stones but if you are interested in folklore, you may find this interesting. One thing to keep in mind though, minerals come from stones and we take them in the form of vitamin and mineral pills. Could this be where some of the folklore concerning gemstone lore came into existence? Aegerine Aegerine comes in blades much like kyanite. It is said to aid in building a strong immune system. Agates Agate has the power to harmonize yin and yang, the positive and negative forces that hold the universe in place. A smoothing and calming stone, agate works slowly but brings great strength. Amazonite Amazonite is said to enhance creative expression, align astral bodies and improve self worth. Amazonite is considered a soothing stone that offers confidence and works on the throat chakra. It is called the "hope stone" because it inspires confidence and hope. One source says it is useful to activate lazy teenagers. Amber Amber is a powerful healer and cleanser that draws disease from the body and promotes tissue revitalization. Amethyst Amethyst is extremely beneficial to the mind, calming or stimulating as appropriate. When you meditate, it turns thoughts away from the mundane into tranquility and deeper understanding. Amethyst is very effective for helping with addictions. Angelite Angelite enhances telepathic communication and enables out-of-body journeys to take place while still maintaining contact with everyday reality. Apatite Apatite increases motivation and builds up energy reserve. It also induces openness and social ease, encouraging extroversion and dissolving aloofness and alienation. Aquamarine Aquamarine is a stone of courage. Its calming energies reduce stress and quiet the mind and also works to harmonize its surroundings and protect against pollutants. Aragonite Aragonite is a reliable earth healer and grounding stone. It is said to encourage conservation and recycling. Aventurine Aventurine reinforces leadership qualities and decisiveness. It promotes compassion and empathy and encourages perseverance. It allso stabilizes one’s state of mind, stimulates perception, and enhances creativity. A little known fact about aventurine is that is attracts wealth and abundance. Azurite Azurite brings about clear understanding and new perspectives and expands the mind. It releases long-standing blocks in communication and stimulates memory. Beryl Beryl enhances courage, relieves stress, and calms the mind. It also reawakens love in those who are married but jaded. Bloodstone Bloodstone gives courage and teaches how to avoid dangerous situations by withdrawal and flexibility. It encourages selflessness and idealism and aids the recognition that chaos precedes transformation. Some consider it the greatest healing stone. Blue Lace Agate The light blue color of blue lace agate helps is in communicating our truth. It is also helpful in balancing the immune system. Calcite Calcite is a powerful amplifier and cleanser of energy. It calms the mind, teaches discernment and analysis, stimulates insights, and boosts memory. Carnelian Folklore suggests that carnelian was used protect the traveler after death and guard against evil. Carnelian's healing properties are thought to help purify the blood, relieve menstrual cramps and back pain and relieve indigestion. It is also thought to be beneficial in the treatment of infertility and is worn to enhance passion and desire. Chalcedony Chalcedony is a nurturing stone that promotes brotherhood and good will and enhances group stability. Also it’s a powerful cleanser, including open sores. Charoite Charoite is the soul stone that overcomes fear. It stimulates inner vision and spiritual insights and aids in coping with enormous change at a spiritual level. Chlorite Chlorite is a powerful, positive healing stone, beneficial for the environment or personal energy field. Protects against psychic attack and assists earthbound spirits to move on. Chrysanthemum Stone Chrysanthemum Stone drifts gently through time, facilitating time travel. It also teaches how to remain childlike, fun-loving, and innocent while on the spiritual path, and provides an impetuosity to self-development. Chrysocolla Chrysocolla encourages self-awareness and inner balance, and imparts confidence and sensitivity. It enhances personal power and inspires creativity. Also it treats arthritis, bone disease, muscle spasms, the digestive tract, ulcers, blood disorders, and lung problems. Chrysoprase Chrysoprase stimulates fluent speech and mental dexterity. It prevents you from speaking in anger without thinking. Cinnabar Cinnabar attracts abundance. It’s helpful when you want to enhance your persona or change your image as it invests a person with dignity and power. Also it heals and purifies blood. It impacts strength and flexibility to the physical body, stabilizes weight, and enhances fertility. Citrine Citrine is a powerful cleanser and regenerator, carrying the power of the sun. It stimulates digestion, the spleen, and the pancreas. Citrine is a happy, generous stone and encourages sharing what you have and yet helps you hold on to your wealth. It has the power to impart joy to all who behold it. Using citrine is said to increase your bank balance. Diamond Diamonds are the symbol of purity. They bond relationships, bringing love and clarity into a partnership. Also they clear sight, and benefit the brain. Traditionally, they were used to counteract poisons. Dioptase Dioptase is a powerful healer for the heart and opener for the higher heart. It teaches that ultimately pain and difficulty in a relationship is a mirroring of an inner separation from the self. It is particularly effective for overcoming addictions and stress. Use it as an elixir for headaches and pain. Emerald The emerald is a stone of inspiration and infinite patience; a life-affirming stone with great integrity. The emerald aids recovery after infectious illness, improves vision and has a detoxifying effect on the liver. Garnet Garnet's powers include healing, strength, and protection and it is often worn to relieve inflammations of the skin. It is also believed to regulate the heart and blood flow and aid in curing depression. In earlier times, garnets were exchanged as gifts between friends to demonstrate their affection for each other and to insure that they meet again. Gaspeite The Aborigine used gaspeite to bring about good fortune. As a healing stone, it is thought to reduce stress and help with heart, gallbladder and lung problems. Metaphysically, it is thought to bring spirituality into everyday life. Hematite In ancient times it was believed that large deposits of hematite formed on battlegrounds where soldiers were injured and lost blood from their battles. The ancient Egyptians placed hematite objects inside their tombs. Hematite is believed to be a healing and grounding stone, strengthening the body and lessening life's stresses. It is thought to reduce stress and enhance one's personal magnetism. It is also thought to increase optimism and courage and is helpful in transforming negativity. Herkimer Diamond The Herkimer Diamond energizes, enlivens, and promotes creativity. It attunes people and links them together when they have to be parted but each person should retain one stone. it protects against radioactivity and treats disease caused by contact. Howlite Howlite is an extremely calming stone. Howlite stills the mind and is excellent for sleep or meditation. it relieves insomnia and also balances the calcium levels within the body to aids teeth, bones, and soft tissue. Iron Pyrite Iron Pyrite is a fun stone and is generally referred to as Fools Gold. It provides protection for children and keeps them safe and sound. It also stimulates their imagination. Pyrite helps us to reach our highest potential and to have lots of fun while doing it! Jade Jade is a symbol of purity and serenity and is much prized in the East. It signifies wisdom gathered in tranquility. it is believed to attract good luck and friendship. Jade treats the kidneys and supra-adrenal glands, removes toxins, rebinds cellular and skeletal systems, and heals stitches. Jasper Jasper is known as the "supreme nurturer," as it sustains and supports you during times of stress and brings tranquility and wholeness. Jasper supports the circulatory, digestive, and sexual organs. it balances the mineral content of the body.  Jet Jet is actually formed fossilized wood but looks like coal. it has been used as a talisman since Stone Age times. It guards against violence and illness and provides protection during spiritual journeying. Jet treats migraines, epilepsy, and colds. Kunzite Kunzite is an extremely spiritual stone with a high vibration. It awakens the heart center and unconditional love, producing loving thoughts and communication. This stone strengthens the circulatory system and the heart muscle. Kyanite Kyanite is a stone of the unconscious mind. It helps us to dream and it is one of only a few stones that never needs cleansing. It can help dispel insomnia. Labradorite Labradorite is a highly mystical and protective stone. It is a bringer of light. Labradorite banishes fears and insecurities and the psychic debris from previous disappointments. It treats disorders of the eyes and brain, relieves stress, and regulates metabolism. Lapis Lazuli Lapis strengthens total awareness, creativity, ESP, skeleton, thyroid and helps to expand viewpoint. It is believed to improve sleep and cure insomnia. The Romans used lapis as an aphrodisiac.  During ancient times lapis was ground up and used for medicinal purposes as well as a cosmetic. The ground powder was mixed with milk and used as a compress to relieve ulcers and boils and, during the Middle Ages. Lapis is used to energize the throat chakra and when placed over the brow chakra it induces a heightened state of awareness. Larimar Larimar is one of the spiritual stones that open to new dimensions, stimulating evolution f the earth. It radiates love and peace and promotes tranquility. It heals trauma to the heart and reconnects to natural playfulness and joyful childlike energy. Lepidolite Lepidolite clears electromagnetic pollution and should be placed on computers to absorb their emanations. It is useful to reduce stress and depressions. Lepidolite enhances standing in your own space, free from the influences of others. It is a calming stone that soothes sleep disturbances and emotional stress, bringing deep emotional healing. Malachite Malachite us a powerful stone but one that needs to be handled with caution. Life is lived more intensely under the influence of this adventurous stone. It encourages risk-taking and change. Malachite is an extremely versatile healing stone as it is particularly useful for cramps, including menstrual cramps, and facilitates childbirth-- it has been called the midwife stone. Merlinite Merlinite is a magical stone that holds the imprint of the combined knowledge of shamans, alchemists, magician priests, and other workers of magic. It is can bring magic into your life. Merlinite is used for past-life healing and to bring harmony into the present life. It balances yin-yang and masculine and feminine energies. Moonstone Moonstone is a stone of new beginnings. It can be worn as a pendant to encourage acceptance of your psychic gifts. Care has to be taken that it does not induce illusions in response to wishful thinking. A Moonstone elixir was traditionally used for insomnia and the stone can prevent sleepwalking. Muscovite Muscovite is the commonest form of mica. It is a mystical stone with a strong angelic contract, stimulating awareness of the higher self. Muscovite controls blood sugar, balances pancreatic secretions, alleviates dehydration, and prevents hunger while fasting; and regulates the kidneys as well. Obsidian Obsidian is a molten lava that cooled so quickly it had no time to crystallize. Obsidian is a stone without boundaries and limitation. it is a strongly protective stone, forming a shield against negativity. Obsidian’s greatest gift is insight into the cause of disease. It aids the digestion of anything that is hard to accept and promotes physical digestion. Onyx Onyx is strength-giving as it provides support in difficult or confusing circumstances and during time of enormous mental or physical stress. It aids learning lessons, imparting self-confidence and helping you to be at ease in your surrounding. Onyx is beneficial for teeth, bones, bone marrow, blood disorders, and the feet. Opal Opal is a delicate stone with a fine vibration. It enhances cosmic consciousness and induces physic and mystical visions. Opal has always been associated with love and passion, desire and eroticism. It brings loyalty, faithfulness, and spontaneity, but may amplify fickleness where the propensity is already present. It treats Parkinson’s disease, infections, and fevers and strengthens memory. Pearl Early Chinese myths told of pearls falling from the sky when dragons fought. Ancient legend says that pearls were thought to be the tears of the gods and the Greeks believed that wearing pearls would promote marital bliss and prevent newlywed women from crying. Peridot Peridot was believed to keep away evil spirits. It is still the protective stone for the aura. Peridot alleviates jealousy, resentment, spite and anger, and reduces stress. Peridot has a tonic effect. It heals and regenerate tissues. It strengthens the metabolism and benefit’s the skin. Its energy balances bipolar disorders and overcomes hypochondria. Petroskey Stone or Fossilized Coral Petoskey stone is a fossilized coral, the state stone of Michigan and is commonly found along the shores of Lake Michigan and Lake Huron in the United States. It was formed by the fossilization of ancient coral, hexagonaria. These corals lived in warm shallow seas that covered Michigan during Devonian time, some 350 million years ago. The gemstone lore on this is unknown. Picasso Marble Picasso Marble is said to help with self-control, clarity, and total recall of dreams. Assists in meditation. Protects, nurtures, strengthens. Aids in mind expansion and manifestation of physical and material goals. Stability. Helps to heal viral infection. Pietersite Pietersite is known as the Tempest Stone because of its connection to the storm element. It is said to hold the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Pietersite promotes walking your own truth. It assists in processing ancient conflicts and suppressed feelings. At a subtle level, it clears and energizes the meridian pathway of the body. Prehnite Prehnite is a stone of unconditional love and the crystal is used to heal the healer. It alleviates nightmares, phobias, and deep fears, uncovering and healing the disease that creates them. It is healing for the kidneys and bladder, thymus gland, shoulders, chest, and lungs. It treats gout and blood disorders, repairs the connective tissue in the body and can stabilize malignancy.  Quartz Quartz is the most powerful healing and energy amplifier on the planet because of it unique helical spiral crystalline form. Quartz aids concentration and unlocks memory, a great energy saver. Quartz is a master healer and can be used on any conditions. It stimulates the immune system and brings the body into balance. Rhodochrosite  Rhodochrosite represents selfless love and compassion. It expands consciousness and integrates the spiritual with material energies. It is an excellent stone for the heart and relationships, especially for people who feel unloved. It encourages a positive attitude and enhances dream states and creativity. It purifies the circulatory system and kidneys and restores poor eyesight, normalizes blood pressure and stabilizes the heartbeat, and invigorates the sexual organs. Rhyolite Rhyolite ignites the potential and creativity of the soul. Rhyolite imparts the strengthen to deal calmly with challenging life circumstances and brings awareness of one’s own strength. balancing effect, gently facilitating emotional release where this is appropriate. It treats veins, rashes, skin disorders, and infections, and improves assimilation B vitamins. Rose Quartz Rose Quartz has an amazing healing potential and because of its pink color is particularly healing of the heart. People who meditate with Rose Quartz will appear more attractive to others both romantically and in business situations. Ruby The Ruby is an excellent stone for energy, imparting vigor to life. It energizes and balances but may sometimes overstimulate in delicate or irritable people. This stone is a powerful shield against psychic attack and vampirism of heart energy. It charges up passion and fires that enthusiasm. Ruby overcomes exhaustion and lethargy and imparts potency and vigor. Ruby detoxifies the body, blood and lymph system, and treats fevers, infectious disease, and restricted blood flow. Sapphire The Sapphire is know as the wisdom stone with each color having its own particular wisdom. This stone releases depression and spiritual confusion and stimulates concentration. Sapphire calms overactive body systems and regulates the glands. It heals the eyes, removing impurities and stress. It treats blood disorders and alleviates excessive bleeding, strengthen veins, and improves their elasticity. Sardonyx Sardonyx is a stone of strength and protection. It invokes the search for a meaningful existence and promotes integrity and virtuous conduct. Sardonyx improves perception and aids the processing of information. It heals lungs and bones and resensitizes the sensory organs. Selenite Selenite has a very fine vibration and brings clarity of the mind, opening the crown and higher crown chakras and accessing angelic consciousness and higher guidance. Selenite aligns the spinal column and promotes flexibility. It guards against epileptic seizures. Its finest healing occurs at the energetic levels. Sodalite Sodalite unites logic with intuition and opens spiritual perception, bringing information from the higher mind down to the physical level. This stone brings about emotional balance and calms panic attacks. It enhances self-esteem, self-acceptance and self-trust. Sodalite treats the throat, vocal cords, and larynx and is helpful for hoarseness and digestive disorders. Spectrolite Spectrolite is said to bring forth each person's strengths, originality and aids sleep.  Spinel Spinel is a beautiful crystal connected with energy renewal, encouragement in difficult circumstances, and rejuvenation. Spinel enhances positive aspects of the personality. It aids in achieving and accepting success with humility. Sugilite It is said that sugilite strengthens the heart, aids physical healing and reduces stress. It is a balancer of mind, body and spirit and encourages peace of mind, a general feeling of well being and spiritual love. It is also suggested that sugilite seems to protect against and dissipate anger and other negative energies. Sunstone Sunstone is a joyful, light-inspiring stone. It instills joy and good nature and heightens intuition. If life has lost its sweetness, Sunstone will restore it and help you to nurture yourself. Sunstone acts as an antidepressant and lifts dark moods. Sunstone lifts out heavy or repressed emotions and transmutes them. It stimulates self-healing powers, regulates the autonomic nervous system, and harmonizes all the organs. Tektite Tektite is believed to enhance communications with other worlds and to encourage spiritual growth through absorption and retention of higher knowledge. This stone balances male and female energies within the personality. Tektite reduces fevers, aids the capillaries and circulation. It prevents the transmission of disease. Tiger's Eye Tiger's Eye combines the earth energy with the energies of the sun to create a high vibrational state that is still grounded, drawing the spiritual energies to the earth. It is one of the most protective stones available. Tiger's Eye heals issues of self-worth, self-criticism, and blocked creativity. Also it balances yin-yang and energizes the emotional body. It is helpful for repairing broken bones. Topaz Topaz is a mellow, empathetic stone that directs energy to where it is needed most. It soothes, heals, stimulates, recharges, remotivates, and aligns the meridians of the body. Topaz aids problem-solving and is particularly useful for those engaged in the arts. Topaz is an excellent emotional support as it stabilizes the emotions and makes you receptive to love from every source. Tourmaline Tourmaline cleanses, purifies, and transforms dense energy into a lighter vibration. it grounds spiritual energy, clears and balances all the chakras, and forms a protective shield around the body. It enhances energy flow, making it an excellent stone for healing, energy enhancement, and removal of blockages. Turquoise Turquoise is a most efficient healer, providing solace for the spirit and well-being for the body. It is a protective stone and has been used for amulets since early time. Turquoise stabilizes mood swings and brings inner calm. It stimulates romantic love. This stone is anti-inflammatory and detoxifying and alleviates cramps and pain. Unakite Unakite is a stone of vision. It balances emotions with spirituality. Unakite facilitates rebirthing, bringing to light and integrating insights from the past about the cause of blockages, and gently releasing conditions that inhibit spiritual and psychological growth. It treats the reproductive system, stimulates weight gain where required, and aids healthy pregnancy and the growth of skin tissue and hair. Variscite Variscite is a stone of encouragement. Bringing hope and courage, it is extremely useful for illness and invalids. Variscite facilities moving out of deep despair and into a position of hope and trust in the universe. This stone heals the nervous system, treats abdominal distension and constricted blood flow, and regenerates elasticity of veins and skin. Helpful for male impotence, it also relieves cramps. Zeolite Zeolite is the generic name for a group of crystals that are often found together on a matrix. Zeolite is a Reiki stone that aids attunement to the energies and enhances the response to the healing. Zeolite can be used to treat goiters, to dispel bloating, and to release toxins from the physical body. Zoisite Zoisite transmutes negative energies into positive ones and connects to the spiritual realms. Zoisite is a creative stone, bringing the mind back to its objectives after an interruption. Zoisite is a detoxifier, neutralizing overacidificaton and reducing inflammation. This stone stimulates fertility and heals diseases of the ovaries and testicles.