Amethysts were thought to induce a sober mind; the name is derived from the Greek word “amethystos” which means “against drunkenness’.
In traditional Chinese medicine, ground amethyst is prescribed for stomach pains and bad dreams.
Roman gods used it as a talisman to ward off the intoxicating powers of Bacchus.
Aquamarine
·In medieval times, this stone was thought to reawaken the love of married couples. It was also believed to render soldiers invincible.
·Aquamarine is known as the sailor’s gem, ensuring safe passage across stormy seas.
·Neptune, the King of the Sea, gave it as his gift to the mermaids and from then on, it has brought love to all who have owned it.
Azurite and Malachite
During the Middle Ages, malachite was used as a cure for vomiting.
Worn by children, malachite was thought to protect them and to keep evil spirits at bay.
The ancient Egyptians used malachite amulets to ward off evil.
Chalcedony
In the Middle Ages, bloodstone was thought to hold drops of Christ’s blood and to be all-powerful.
Possesses the essence of life and is considered to be God’s gift to man.
In Renaissance times, sardonyx was worn by wives to bring about marital happiness.
Chrysoberyl
In the East, cat’s eye chrysoberyl is used to ward off evil spirits. In the West, they are used in crystal healing.
Cat’s eyes are also used medicinally in India, particularly as a remedy for cancer.
Diamond
·Hindus believed that a flawed diamond would bring misfortune.
·The Greeks thought that diamondscould protect against poisons
·In medieval times, those who could afford to wore a diamond jewel to safeguard against the plague.
Emerald
Hundreds of years ago, emeralds were thought to possess healing powers, particularly for restoring eyesight.
During the Renaissance, emeralds were exchanged among the aristocracy as symbols-and tests-of friendship; the stone would stay intact only if the friendship lasted.
Garnet
In Medieval times, garnets were thought to cure depression, protect against bad dreams and relieve diseases of the liver and haemorrhages.
According to legend, Noah used a finely cut, glowing garnet as a lamp on his bow to illuminate the ark as he cast about on the ocean.
Believed to be the sign of friendship, loyalty and devotion.
Jade
In China, children wore small jade amulets to prevent disease.
Powdered and distilled in dew water, jade was believed to calm the mind.
Its name comes from the Spanish “piedra de hijada” loin stone, as jade was thought to cure hip problems.
Believed to possess the essence of life and is considered to be God’s given gift to man.
Iolite
Seafaring Vikings used iolite to filter the haze and glare from their eyes and the power over the sun aided these fearless warriors in navigating the vast oceans upon which they sailed.
Lapis Lazuli
Both the ancient Egyptians and Babylonians believed that lapis lazuli could cure melancholy. Believed to possess the essence of life and considered to be God’s gift to man.
Today, lapis is used in Chinese medicine to treat phlegm, congestion and spasms.
Moonstone
In India, the moonstone is beleived to bring good luck and is considered sacred.
The Romans thought that the wearers of moonstones would receive wisdom, wealth and success in battle.
Opal
To the ancient Greeks and Romans, it was the symbol of hope, innocence and purity.
In Europe today, the opal is regarded as unlucky. Its reputation dates from the 14th Century when many thought that it had caused the plague known as the "Black Death".
In Asia, the stone is viewed more favourably. It is a symbol of hope.
Peridot
The early Egyptians claimed that peridot glowed by night but was invisible by day.
In the Middle Ages, peridot was believed to dispel the darkness and terrors of the night.
King Edward V11 of England used to wear a peridot for good luck.
Hawaiian legend called peridot the divine tears wept by Pele, goddess of the volcano.
QuartzRock Crystal/Rose Quartz/Citrine
Throughout the world, crystal balls have been used to see into the future.
Crystal healing is an ancient art. It works on the principle that certain crystals give-off powerful, much needed energy for the body.
Citrine-The ancients honoured it as a gift of the sun and a powerful antidote to the viper’s venom.
Ruby
At the time of the Borgias (15th-16th Centuries), rubies were thought to counteract poison-and so were much in demand.
Rubbed on the skin, these gemstones were once thought to restore youth and vitality.
In the Middle Ages, the rubywas viewed as a stone of prophecy. People believed it would darken when its wearer was in danger.
Sapphire
At one time sapphires were though to exude heavenly rays that had the power to kill all poisonous creatures.
The Persians thought the earth rested on a giant sapphire and that the blue of the heavens was its reflection.
Spinel
Spinel was recognized as a mineral only 150 years ago. Prior to this, it was classified as a ruby and so shared the ruby’s reputed medicinal and prophetic powers.
It was used as a remedy for haemorrhages.
Topaz
In 1255, St Hildegard offered a simple remedy for failing eyesight: steep a topaz in wine for three days and then lightly rub it over the eyes.
Worn around the neck, topaz was thought to cure madness.
Tourmaline
·In the 18th Century, a Dutch scientist claimed that a tourmaline wrapped in silk and placed against the cheek of a feverish child would induce sleep.
·The empress Dowager Tz’u Hsi, the latest empress of China, valued its rich pink colours above all other gemstones.
Turquoise
Turquoise has always been considered lucky and able to safeguard or bring happiness.
According to a 15th Century legend, the stone loses its colour when its owner is unwell or is in danger and regains its brilliance when the illness or danger has passed.
Believed to possess the essence of life and is considered to be God’s given gift to man.
Zircon
Zircons that lost their lustre were once thought to be a sign of danger.
All zircons were deemed magical. In the 14th century they were popularly worn to safeguard against the Black Death.
Since medieval times, zircon has brought wisdom, honour and wealth to those who possess it. It is especially prized for protecting travellers from harm.
The Hindus believe it can stimulate spiritual growth.
Organic Gemstones
Amber
Sacred to the Greek sun god Apollo, amber was once thought to be congealed sunlight.
Amber was also viewed as tears-for the Vikings, Freya’s tears for Svipdag and the ancient Greeks, tears over the death of Phaeton.
Coral
In the 16th Century, people thought that a sprig of red or white coral could calm a raging tempest.
Coral allegedly cured madness and protected against enchantments.
Jet
·According to the Roman writer Pliny, jet mixed with the marrow of a stag could heal a serpent’s bite.
·Powdered and mixed with beeswax, jet was used to reduce tumours, and mixed with wine, to alleviate toothache.
·In China, jet is seen as a symbol of winter.
Pearl
According to the Roman writer Pliny, Cleopatra dissolved a priceless pearl earring in her wine and drank it as a testament of love for Anthony.
Pearls have long been used medicinally. They were thought to cure everything from fevers to stomach ulcers.
Old Arabian legend says that pearls were formed when dewdrops filled with moonlight fell into the ocean and were swallowed by oysters.
Pearls were believed by the ancient Babylonians to have life-giving powers and the ability to restore youth. Even in todays’s informed age, their allure is timeless.
Shell
In China, mother-of-pearl has been prescribed for over 1,000 years. It is used for heart palpitations, dizziness and high blood pressure.
Venus, goddess of love, is believed to have emerged from the sea in a giant scallop shell.
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