Agates in general are associated with grace, good health, and stability. They are considered calming, soothing stones. Agates are said to assure marital fidelity. Folklore holds that a person gazing at an agate can only tell the truth and will be aided in remembering. Perhaps an agate would make a good "worry stone" for students faced with a test! Some folk traditions hold that an agate is a charm to keep a child from falling, another association with stability. Water in which a blue agate was soaked was once thought to cure illnesses.
agate, blue lace
Associated with peace and tranquility, and the thyroid. Said to assist and support people suffering from depression.
agate, moss and picture
Moss agate was used by some Native American groups to bring on rain. The cloudy appearance is associated with clouds in the sky and hence the gods, so moss agate is sometimes used in meditation to carry the mind skyward. Moss agates are also a traditional gardener's talisman. Buried in the garden or set out as decoration, they were used as a charm to assure good crops.
alexandrite
Alexandrite is associated with grace and purity. Like many green stones, it is associated with abundance, though in the case of Alexandrite, it is an abundance of joy and hope.
amazonite
Cool, refreshing green amazonite is the "hope stone," associated with increased self-confidence. It is said to inspire faith, hope, and self-respect, and reduce self-damaging behavior. It is also associated with positive relationships with others. In some traditions, amazonite is associated with clairvoyance, and touching it to the forehead is said to unlock one's psychic ability.
amber
Amber is sometimes called "Freya's Tears," and is associated with this goddess of Northern Europe. Warriors once carried amber charms for luck in battle, which probably came from the association with Freya. The Greeks were the first to discover the electrical properties of amber rubbed with cloth. Their word for amber -- elektron -- gave us the word "electricity." Because amber is warm to the touch and sometimes fragrant, it is associated with sensuality and is a traditional part of love charms. Gazing at amber was supposed to improve eyesight. The golden-yellow color and its origins as plant material associate amber strongly with the sun. Like many golden and yellow stones, it is associated with wisdom. It is also said to purify the spirit and warm the heart.
amethyst
The Romans wore amber as a protection against drunkenness. Even today some people believe that amethyst helps achieve sobriety and recovery from addiction, and to overcome evil thoughts. The rich purple color is associated with spirituality, and the stone is considered a meditative stone. According to folklore, amethyst enhances psychic powers, and a piece of amethyst was sometimes kept with tarot cards or other divination tools. Placed under one's pillow, amethyst is a traditional charm against nightmares and insomnia. It was also used as a charm to help men attract women. Gazing at amethyst is supposed to be calming. Amethysts are also associated with prosperity.
apatite
Golden apatite is associated with intellectual pursuits, while dichroic blue has oceanic associations. Most apatite is linked to harmony.
aquamarine
The soothing, sea-blue color associates aquamarine with calming effects and mental clarity. According to legend, aquamarine was created when Leviathan, the great sea monster, slept encircling the world. The weight of his body compressed sea water into stone. It is also linked in legend to sea goddesses. Because of its association with the sea, aquamarine was a favorite luck charm among ancient fishermen. It was also linked to the "internal sea." Drinking from cups carved from aquamarine was supposed to help digestive troubles and bladder problems. Aquamarine was also carried as a charm by people who were dieting or who were plagued with urinary tract problems.
aventurine
Sometimes called "the stone of Heaven," aventurine is said to have been used by shamans to open up the "inner eye." The Tibetans revered aventurine and believed it helped in divination. They used it in the eyes of their sacred statues to symbolize the divine ability to see all. Folklore holds that the stone attracts money. It is considered a gambler's talisman. Aventurine has traditionally been used in charms by those seeking new pathways, both physical and spiritual, in their lives. In some traditions, aventurine is said to promote leadership. It is also associated with blocking others from stealing one's own happiness. Orange and yellow aventurine are traditionally associated with joy and creativity.
azurite
Azurite is associated with healing, intuition, and truth. The blue and green bands link calmness and spirituality with abundance and prosperity, a worthy goal to strive for. The dual coloration is also associated with the bond between the conscious and the subconscious minds, so is linked to discovering the power of a unified mind.
bloodstone
The name "heliotrope," as with the plant of the same name, means "sun-turning." This stems from a belief that the stone would turn sun-red when placed in water. The red spots on this stone have long been associated with blood, hence much of the folklore that has built up around bloodstone has to do with a magical association with blood. For example, in ancient Europe, warriors used the stone as a charm to stop wounds from bleeding, and as a powerful charm for healing. In the Middle Ages, the red spots on bloodstone were believed to be the blood of Jesus Christ; hence people believed it had great powers. Because of its green color, the stone is also associated with money and fertility. Some people believe it brings rain, while others believe it can spiritually cleanse a room or house.
calcite
Icelandic spar is sometimes associated with spirituality. It may also be linked to vision in various ways, either increasing one's creative vision, or confounding an enemy's vision. Colored calcites are associated with the typical meanings of the colors: gold for intelect, green for healing and abundance, pink for joy and love, red for health.
carnelian
Carnelians are traditionally associated with courage. It was once believed that carnelians could help dispell melancholy and fears, and help people achieve a positive outlook. It is also supposed to dispel envy and rage. The stone was sometimes used as a charm to prevent wicked sorcerors from reading one's mind, and to ward off "psychic attacks." Carnelians are also associated with sexual appetite, especially in men, and are traditionally used in charms for love and seduction. Carnelian also gives us courage regarding our own mortality, and helps remind us of our cherished place in the cycle of life.
chrysoberyl
Golden chrysoberyl is associated with wisdom, intellect, and abundance. Greener shades and dichroic forms are linked to generosity, optimism, hope, and renewal.
chrysoprase
Cheerful apple-green chrysoprase is associated with uplifting the spirits, reducing greed, banishing envy, increasing wisdom, and easing stress. Like most green stones, it is used as a charm to draw money and luck. It is sometimes associated with the protection of children, as well as communication and easy eloquence.
citrine
Sunny yellow citrine is said to lift the spirits and instill confidence. Like most yellow stones, it is associated with creativity, wisdom, mental health, and the power of the mind. It has also been used in charms for money and abundance, as citrine is associated with generosity and prosperity. It is the stone of success.
coral
Red coral has been long believed to protect children from harm. In many European nations, coral beads were a traditional baby gift. In ancient times, it was used to ward off the "evil eye." It is supposed to draw luck if used as an ornament in the home. Sailors used coral as a talisman against bad weather. Coral is also associated with the female reproductive system, and has been used in ancient healing traditions for women's problems. No doubt the calcium in coral was an excellent tonic for pregnant and nursing women!
diamond
Diamond's transparent fire has been associated with courage. It is also a stone of fidelity, purity, and innocence; hence its popularity in wedding jewelry. Diamonds are said to remove evil thoughts; however, because large, high-quality diamonds are so fabulously expensive, they have attracted avaricious people of less-than-sterling morals, often with tragic results. The horrendous conditions of diamond miners in some countries testifies to the ability of diamonds to inspire greed. It is said that the diamond intensifies the qualities of the wearer.
emerald
Green emerald, like other green stones, is associated with love and wealth. Its rarity and beauty has led people to believe it has especially strong properties. In Greek lore, the emerald was associated with Aphrodite, the goddess of love and beauty. One traditional charm to attract love is to set an emerald in front of a lit green candle. After the candle burns down, the emerald is carried, hidden, close to the heart. Emeralds are also associated with mental clarity and perception. They are said to lift depression and strengthen memory. Emeralds are also valuable to those seeking truth, or who have difficulty telling the truth, particularly when it comes to self-knowledge.
fairy cross (staurolite)
Fairy crosses are often used as luck charms. They are also prized as religious jewelry, particularly by Christians who see the natural cross as an affirmation of their faith. Older associations link the fairy cross with a mystical connection to nature.
fluorite
Fluorite's associates are linked to its colors: blue for calmness, purple for spirituality and metaphysical properties, yellow for wisdom, green for abundance, and white for purity. Its ability to fluoresce under black light increases its spiritual connections.
garnet
The French call the garnet gouette de sange, which means "drop of blood." In Egyptian culture, garnets signified passion, loyalty, and love. According to legend, Noah suspended a garnet in the ark to disperse light. Garnet slices were once used in stained glass windows in Medieval cathedrals and temples. In the Middle Ages, red garnet was believed to cure a person of melancholy. Women used to wear a garnet tied at the waist to help menstrual disorders, as the deep red color was associated with blood. As with other red stones, garnet is associated with strength, vigor, and courage. Garnets were also used in charms to protect against thieves. Folklore holds that a stolen garnet will bring bad luck until returned to its rightful owner.
goldstone
Sparkling goldstone is said to lift the spirits.
hematite
Powdered hematite was once used as a pigment for artist's paints. Because of its blood-red color when sliced thinly, hematite was believed to protect a person against bleeding. Egyptians believed the stone cured hysteria and anxiety. The Roman doctor Galen prescribed it for headaches and inflamations of the eyelids. Many people believe that hematite is a strong "grounding" stone, to help people feel calm and centered, and increase the ability to concentrate. It is reputed to be calming and soothing, which makes it a good choice for "worry" stones. It is also supposed to be associated with psychic powers. One form of divination consisted of looking into a large piece of polished hematite by candlelight. Hematite is also associated with prevailing in legal encounters, and is supposed to be an excellent stone to carry when in court or serving on jury duty.
howlite
Smooth, white howlite is said to be calming and soothing. Like other white stones, it is associated with spiritual guidance and purity. For some people, the gray streaks represent finding one's true path.
iolite
Though fairly new on the gem market, iolite has been known as water sapphire long enough to have built up some folklore around its properties. Iolite is said to enhance leadership qualities, promote inner strength, and support self-confidence. It is a good stone for executives.
jade (jadeite, nephrite)
To the Chinese, jade (nephrite) represented courage, wisdom, mercy, justice, fidelity, and a host of other good qualities. When Chinese couples became engaged, they presented one another with gifts carved from nephritic jade. Longevity and wealth are probably the qualities most strongly associated with nephritic jade. The Spaniards used Chinese jade as a charm to prevent colic in babies. Central American cultures used jadeite in royal jewelry. Dark green jadeite was valued above gold, and was thought to ensure good luck. Jade scarabs have been valued as good luck charms for centuries. Jade is also a traditional charm for gardeners. Buried at the corners of the garden or around the perimeter, it is reputed to ensure bountiful harvests.
Bead buyers please note: most brightly colored jades that are NOT green are artificially dyed. While there are natural lavenders, whites, and yellows, they are subtle shades, not the garish shades that are so often found in cheap jewelry.
jasper, red, yellow, white
Jasper was once thought to restore lost sight and to bring rain in times of drought. It is reputed to calm people who are stressed and to protect against negativity. Red jasper is associated with courage and protection, white with purity, and yellow with creativity and mental clarity.
jasper, leopardskin (orbicular)
Leopardskin jasper is valued by some people as a good luck stone.
jet
Powdered jet added to water was once thought to have medicinal value. Jet was used in the Middle Ages as a charm against fever and the plague. It is reputed to repel negativity, and was once thought to protect a person against posession. It was also used in charms to protect against storms and lightning strikes.
labradorite
Folklore holds that labradorite promotes visions and psychic abilities, and is linked with spiritual guidance.
lapis lazuli
Lapis was sacred to the Egyptian goddess Mut, the Mother of All, and to the Babylonian goddess Ishtar. In the Middle Ages, lapis was prized as an artists' pigment. Though enormously expensive, it was the only blue pigment available that did not fade over time. Ground finely and used in egg tempera painting, it was used to color the robes of the Virgin Mary. Lapis was worn as a charm against evil. It is associated with love,higher guidance, mystery, and intuition. For many, it is an intensely spiritual stone, strongly associated with mysticism and mystery.
malachite
In the Middle Ages, malachite was used as a charm to ward off illness. It has long been prized in many cultures as a powerful healing stone. It was once believed that a piece of malachite worn on the body would break into pieces to warn the wearer of impending danger. As with many green stones, malachite is associated with wealth. One traditional charm to draw money into a business is to place a piece of malachite in each corner of the building, or place a small piece in the cash drawer. Salespeople sometimes wear malachite as a charm to draw wealth. As with lapis, for some people malachite creates intense emotional or spiritual responses.
moonstone
Because of its milky, silvery shimmer, moonstone has long been associated with the moon. Among the lore that has accumulated around moonstones is the belief that the "schiller," or blue sheen, followed the phases of the moon, becoming brighter when the moon was full and less so when the moon was new. The stone is strongly associated with the triple goddesses (maiden, mother, and crone) of Celtic and Greek folklore. The stone has long been used in charms for women's health problems, and in love charms. Also associated with intuition, higher spirituality, and good fortune. Moonstones are used as charms to promote mothering and nurturing, protection, and safety while traveling over water. It is the sacred stone of the moon goddess.
obsidian
Chipped obsidian has an edge sharper and finer than a surgeon's scalpel; it was often used in making arrowheads, axes, and other weapons. In ancient Western cultures, obsidian mirrors were used for divination. As with other black stones, obsidian is associated with protection and breaking bad luck. Snowflake obsidian, because of its black-and-white coloration, is associated with balance. If visiting the Hawaiian volcanoes, do not pick up "Pele's hair" or "Pele's tears." Not only are people forbidden by law to pick up geological specimens in park areas, but native Hawaiians say that Pele herself will curse anyone who takes these souvenirs from her volcanoes without her permission.
onyx, sard, sardonyx
The Romans carved onyx seals and cameos, using stones with several layers. Careful carving revaled each layer with a distinctive pattern. As with most black or dark stones, onyx is associated with protection. Traditionally it was believed to banish grief, which made it useful in mourning jewelry.
opal
Some people believe opals are bad luck; however, they are supposed to be lucky for those whose birthstone is opal, the birthstone of September. Ancient astrology also ascribes opals as a mystical stone for those born under the sign of Aries. It was once believed that opals wrapped in fresh bay leaves made a person invisible. Perhaps for this reason they were considered a lucky stone for thieves, though opals are also supposed to guard one's honor. The aborigines of Australia used opals to bring about visions and find their pathway to "dreamtime." They believed that opals were protective, and provided guidance in spiritual journeys. Folklore holds that opals act like a natural "mood ring," turning cloudy when the wearer is feeling negative and bright when the wearer is in a good mood. Thought to be a highly potent stone.
pearl
Pearls were once thought to be the tears of gods. In Western culture, pearls symbolize innocence and purity. They were considered appropriate jewelry for young, unmarried women, and were a good present for fathers to give to their daughters. Married women also wore pearls, given to them by their husbands, as symbols of wifely purity (in fact, until recently all jewelry a woman owned was given to her by male relatives -- it was considered improper for women to buy jewelry for themselves until costume jewelry came into fashion in the 1930's). Pearls dissolved in wine were supposed to be curative, primarily because pearls were costly and therefore must have strong powers. Perhaps the minerals in the pearls had a tonic effect. A symbol of water and the moon, pearls are strongly feminine stones.
peridot
Channeling, visions, and mysticism are associated with peridot. Traditionally used as a charm against jealousy and envy, to soothe anger, and to help heal a bruised ego. Also associated with marital happiness.
pyrite
The resemblance of pyrite to real gold has made it a traditional component of money and luck charms. It is also associated with the sun, and with strengthening the mind.
quartz crystal (rock crystal)
The name "quartz" comes from the Greek krustallos, which means ice. According to Ancient Greek lore, quartz was ice formed by the gods. The crystal balls of Medieval times were cut from rock crystal. Most of those sold today are glass. True crystal balls are rare and extremely expensive. In many traditions, clear quartz was used as an amplifier of the qualities of other stones or magical objects. Also associated with mysticism and spirituality.
quartz, rose
Rose quartz is a traditional charm to attract love and to heal broken hearts. Associated with peace, gentleness, calmness, and harmony. In folklore, rose quartz is a good gift for friends who need comfort.
quartz, rutilated
Associated with creativity and positive direction. Also known as the "Venus Hair" stone.
quartz, smoky
The beautiful, smoky gray color is believed by some to lift depression and dispel negative moods.
ruby
Rubies were once widely believed to ward off misfortune and ill health. They are traditionally associated with chastity and glory. Because of their red color, Medieval physicians believed rubies were good for the blood and to stimulate body heat. Rubies were believed to inspire courage, to tame base passions, and to inspire power and leadership. They were also believed to be strong attractants of love.
rhodochrosite
The pink and red bands of rhodochrosite are associated with harmony, comfort, tolerance, compassion, and love. It is a good stone to share between friends.
rhodonite
The pink color of rhodonite is linked to calmness, self-confidence, and friendship. The black veining is associated with contrasts and seeing an issue from all sides. It is a good stone to carry when negotiating.
sapphire
In the Middle Ages, sapphires were believed to promote tranquility, peace, and amiability, and to supress wicked and impure thoughts. They traditionally symbolize hope, and were believed to open the mind to joy. In Buddhist traditions, sapphires inspired devotion and enlightenment. The Greeks used sapphires when consulting the oracles, believing the stone to be an aid to prophecy. The gem was connected with Apollo. Sapphires were believed to cure eye problems, and were thought to develop the "third eye." Sometimes called "the stone of prosperity," sapphire is said to help people fulfill their dreams.
serpentine
The mad monk Rasputin liked serpentine so much that he ordered an entire dinner set made of the stone, paid for by the Russian royal family over whom he held power. Serpentine is supposed to be a meditative stone.
sodalite
Associated with deep thoughts, meditation. As with other blue stones, sodalite is associated with calm, harmony, spirituality, and understanding.
tigereye
"Eye" stones are considered strong talismans in many cultures, especially against the "evil eye." It was once believed that a person wearing an "eye" stone could see behind closed doors. Tigereye has long been associated with wealth; in Celtic traditions, the earth deities are associated with brown and green stones, and these deities are called upon to bring abundance. Folklore holds that burning a green candle in a circle of tigereye stones attracts wealth. "Eye" stones are also associated with clairvoyance and with personal insight.
topaz
Topaz is associated with courage and overcoming fears and obstacles. Because of its golden-yellow color, golden topaz is a traditional stone for writers, scholars, artists, and intellectuals. It was traditionally used for aiding higher thinking and soothing mental troubles.
tourmaline
Because tourmaline has been used only relatively recently for gemstones, it has very little lore built up around it. For some people, the dual coloration symbolizes balance.
turquoise
In the Middle East, it was once believed that turquoise could warn the wearer of danger by changing color. For Native Americans in the Southwest, turquoise is an important stone in their spiritual traditions, and was used a great deal in jewelry long before the Spaniards introduced silver-smithing that is so often associated with turquoise jewelry today. Native people sometimes used whole, massive turquoise pebbles for beads to create impressive necklaces. In Eastern traditions, turquoise was supposed to increase wisdom and wealth. Gazing at the waxing moon while holding turquoise was supposed to attract wealth if the turquoise was carried until the money arrived. Turquoise was also associated with romance and spiritual love.
unakite
As with tourmaline, the dual color symbolizes balance.
