Agate is a type of chalcedony quartz that took its name from the River Aghates near Sicily – it is now called River Drillo. As an aid to emotional healing, it is said to help discern the truth, as well as accept circumstances. Because agate was believed to help protect against high fevers, it was placed in drinking water to banish illness. Agate was also thought to be instrumental in relieving arthritis, headaches and thirst. In addition to being worn as an amulet, agate was used for decorative jewelry and small objects. During the classical Greek and Roman era, agate was widely used for cameos and intaglios. These were frequently worn upside down for the wearer’s enjoyment. Bowls carved of agate were common throughout the Byzantine Empire, and Mithradates had amassed a collection of several thousand. During the Renaissance in Europe, collecting agate bowls surged in popularity again as did its use in jewelry and furniture inlay.

Not only does agate come in a wide variety of colors, but also a plethora of fascinating effects. Eye agate actually looks like an eye, and plume agate displays a feathery pattern. Because of layers that form when agate is created, some colors and textures are structured into bands of color while others seem to create “scenes” (nature’s Rorschach test). There are also the delicate-patterned lace agates.

Agate is good for grounding and balance. It fosters abundance, wealth, love and connection with the natural world. It is also used for protection. Moss agate attracts abundance and aids in building self-confidence and strength. Lace agate helps to clear the mind.

Color(s) - A wide range and usually multi-colored, black-banded, blue-lace, crazy-lace, moss, tree and white.

Associations - General: Gemini; solar plexus chakra; Earth, Mercury; yin/yang

Moss agate: Virgo; heart chakra; yin

Lace agate: Pisces; throat and third eye chakras; yin

Uses - balance/connection to the natural world; wealth; love; protection/combat illness

Although this type of feldspar takes its popular name from the Amazon Basin where it was first thought to be jade, amazonite has been widely used for thousands of years. This gemstone’s older name, microcline, comes from the Greek words micro for small and klino meaning tilt. It is suspected that this second word was associated with it because of the shape of its crystals.

Amazonite was used for jewelry in Egypt, Mesopotamia, India and the Sudan as early as 2000 B.C.E. It was included among the gemstones found in King Tutankhamun’s tomb. While the Egyptians used this gemstone widely for amulets, tablets of amazonite have been found with part of The Egyptian Book of the Dead engraved upon them. In pre-Columbian Central and South America, amazonite was used for personal adornment. Ancient Assyrians believed amazonite was the gemstone of their god, Belus, and used it in sacred rituals.

Amazonite is useful to disperse negative energy. It is also emotionally soothing and can aid in communication with a lover. It inspires openness, trust and honor.

Color(s) - Green, blue-green

Associations - Virgo; heart and throat chakras; yin

Uses - self-cultivation; partner/relationships; disperse negativity

A variety of quartz, this gemstone has enjoyed a long history of popularity that has rarely waned. Since ancient Egypt it has been a prized stone of royalty. It was preferred by Catherine the Great of Russia and has an honored place in the crown jewels of England. It was a favored stone worn by bishops in the Middle Ages. Since the sixteenth century each new Pope is given an amethyst ring during his investiture. This ring is destroyed when the Pontiff dies and a new one is made for his successor. It was especially popular during the Renaissance. Pale-colored amethyst was occasionally called “Rose de France” and was frequently used in jewelry during the Victorian era.

This gem’s name comes from the Greek word amethustos, as well as the Latin amethystus which translates as “not drunken” or “without wine”. Throughout the ages amethyst has been hailed as a preventative for getting drunk. Goblets carved from amethyst were believed to allow drinkers to imbibe as much as they liked without suffering the after effects. It is suspected that the drinker could appear to be enjoying vast quantities of wine while actually consuming water that looked wine-colored because of the amethyst. This could also be the source of the belief that amethyst aids in overcoming alcoholism.

Several versions of a Greek myth tell of a young woman named Amethyst who, while on her way to pay tribute to the Goddess Diana, is set upon by tigers dispatched by an angry Dionysus (or Bacchus). Diana turned Amethyst into a statue of white quartz to protect her from the tigers’ claws. One version of the story tells that the remorseful tears of Dionysus (which were wine, of course) fell on the statue and turned it into a purple quartz. The other version merely states that a less charitable Bacchus poured wine over the statue. This story could be the root of the belief in amethyst’s powers of protection.

Today amethyst is commonly used in crystal work to transform body energy into the spiritual realm. A gemstone of change, amethyst is a general healer, spiritual tool and a stone of wisdom. It is good for calming the mind and attracts good luck, as well as love. Amethyst is a general healer.

Color(s) - Pale lilac to deep purple

Associations - Pisces; third-eye chakra; Jupiter, Pluto, Neptune; yin/yang

Uses - balance/spiritual growth; wisdom; protection/good luck; helps manifest change

Carnelian is a form of chalcedony quartz and is found throughout the world. One of the earliest Uses - of carnelian was in jewelry found in the tomb of Queen Pu-Abi of Sumer which dated to approximately 3000 B.C.E. It is common in Egyptian tombs and was apparently as popular as lapis lazuli and turquoise for jewelry. Egyptian myth links carnelian with the Goddess Isis who is purported to have used it to protect the dead (more specifically, their souls) as they made the transition to the afterlife.

Buddhists in China believed in carnelian’s protective powers and fashioned it into amulets. Tibetans used it for amulets as did Muslims who called it the “Mecca stone” because it was believed that Muhammad wore carnelian in a ring. This gemstone is also named in The Bible as one of the stones in the breastplate of Aaron.

Ancient Greeks and Romans called carnelian sardius. It has also been known as sadoine and pigeon’s blood agate. The word carnelian comes from the Latin carneus which means fleshy and probably was so named because of the stone’s color. Carnelian was popular in Europe during the Renaissance and the nineteenth century.

Belief in carnelian’s power of protection remains, as well as its power to calm fears of death. It also protects against anger and soothes grief and sorrow. Carnelian is useful for maintaining calm during times of transition and is helpful in drawing out a person’s talents. This gemstone aids in reaching goals through focus. Carnelian promotes harmony, creativity and self worth.

The coral that is considered a gemstone comes from the species Corallium rubrum. The best grows in clear, shallow (10 to 45 feet deep) warm water. Evidence of its use dates to the Paleolithic Period. Its use in Sumer dates to 3000 B.C.E. and it continued to be popular into the classical Greek and Roman era. Greek legend tells that when Medusa died, her drops of blood turned into red coral. In Rome it was used as a protective amulet for children.

Even today the Italian “horn” luck charm is made of coral. Pliny mentioned a coral trade with India in his writings. Centuries later, Marco Polo wrote about the coral that adorned Tibetan temples. It was also used by Tibetans for mala beads – an aid for prayer and meditation. In twelfth century England, coral was used as an amulet of protection and an aid during childbirth. Coral was particularly popular in Victorian and Art Deco jewelry.

Coral promotes love and harmony, and helps build community. It is useful to clear negative energies and provides protection.

Color(s) - From white to black, most valued are pink and red

Associations - Venus, Neptune; yin

Uses - relationships; harmony; community; protection/clear negativity

means grain or seed-like. This name most likely evolved from the ancient jewelry that used clusters of tiny red garnets that resembled pomegranate seeds. (Pomegranate is malum granatum in Latin.) The garnet group includes almandine, andradite, grossular, pyrope (now popularly called rhodolite), spessartine and uvarovite.

The use of garnet dates to at least 3100 B.C.E. in Egypt where it was used in jewelry and made into beads. Early mentions of garnet come from The Bible. Carbuncle was another name for garnet (as well as ruby) which was one of the twelve stones in the breastplate of Aaron. Noah was said to guide the ark at night with a garnet lantern. The almandine variety has been widely used since the classical era of Greece.

For centuries garnets were carried by travelers to protect them from accidents. Ancient Persians considered it a “royal stone” and carved it with images of their kings. In Arizona, tiny granules of this gemstone are called anthill garnets because ants push it to the surface while building their tunnels. Garnet saw its first industrial use in 1878 in the United States as a coating for sandpaper.

Like alexandrite, some garnets change color according to the light in which they are viewed. Although rare, there are both four and six rayed star garnets. This gemstone occurs in every color but blue. Some garnets are mistakenly called Arizona ruby, Ceylon ruby and Ural emerald.

Garnet symbolizes faith, devotion and truth. It strengthens personal power and helps bring victory/success. Garnet aids in the release of kundalini energy and sparks creativity. Garnets tend to have strong supportive energy. This gemstone fosters confidence and success.

Color(s) - Almandite – red, orange-red with brown, purple-red

Andradite – black, green, yellow

Demantoid – green, yellow-green

Grossularite – brown, green, orange-yellow, white, yellow

Hessonite – range of orange to brown

Malaya – orange, red-orange, yellow-orange

Melanite – black

Pyrope – red, orange-red, purple-red; all quite dark

Rhodolite – purple, red-purple

Spessarite – orange-brown, red-orange, yellow, yellow-brown

Mandarin – vibrant orange

Tsavorite – bright, dark green

Uvarovite – range of greens

Associations - Aquarius, Capricorn, Leo, Virgo; brow and crown chakras; Mars, Pluto; yang

Uses - spirituality; personal journey/success; partnership; travel; personal power to bring victory

There are two types of jade: jadeite and nephrite. The name jade originated with the Portuguese phrase piedre de ilharga meaning “stone of the loins” describing its use to relieve kidney problems. In Spanish it is piedra de ijade and French piedra de l’ejade. Nephrite comes from the Greek nephros meaning kidney. Lapis nephriticus is Latin for stone of the kidney.

Both types of jade are technically rocks made up of microscopic interlocking crystals. Jadeite has a slightly more coarse crystalline structure.

Nephrite is the jade that was used in ancient China as early as 3000 B.C.E. It was a status symbol and believed to endow powers of immortality. For these reasons it was used in the tombs of emperors and other important people. It was also a symbol of love and virtue. While the ancient Chinese were familiar with jadeite, they did not consider it “real” jade and preferred their nephrite.

In the Americas, jadeite was used by Aztecs, Olmecs and Mayans for adornment and carvings. In Europe, jadeite axes and tools date back to the Neolithic period. It was also popular through the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.

Today it is the jadeite that is generally considered the “real” jade. There are three grades of jade: “A” jade is a natural stone with no enhancements, “B” jade is stone that has been treated to diminish any secondary colors; “C” jade is artificially colored.

A plethora of imitators exist. These include aventurine, carnelian, chrysoprase, emerald, garnet, jasper, quartz, glass, plastic and others.

Jade has been called the “stone of fidelity” because of its connection with love and virtue. It is also called a “dream stone” as it aids in remembering dreams. Like herkimer diamond it can be placed under your pillow for dream work. Unlike herkimer diamond it does not need a companion stone to soothe the energy. Jade promotes peace and harmony, and is connected with longevity. It helps in finding wisdom to solve problems and bring good luck.

Color(s) - Jadeite – black, brown, green, lavender, red, white, yellow

Nephrite – black, brown, green, red, white, yellow

Associations - Aries, Gemini, Libra, Taurus; crown chakra; Neptune, Venus; yin

Uses - harmony; partners/love; wisdom; longevity; solve problems/bring luck

Jasper was called jashp in ancient Persia and ashpo in Syria. The Latin name is jaspis. Nowadays the many types of jasper names correspond with their attributes such as colors or patterns such as ribbon jasper or picture jasper (another one of nature’s “Rorschach” stones).

This gemstone was popular throughout the ancient world for jewelry, bowls and other objects. Its early use dates to the Paleolithic Period. Native Americans employed it for protection when traveling, as well as connecting to the spirits. Red jasper is symbolic of blood and aids in connecting with earth energies.

Jasper is a variety of chalcedony that fosters the ability to nurture. It provides grounding and protection against negativity.

Color(s) - Gray-blue, green, orange, red, tan, yellow

Associations - Generally Leo, red jasper Taurus, yellow jasper Sagittarius; all chakras; yang

Uses - grounding; relationships; community/family; protection against negativity

Labradorite is a type of spectrolite in the plagioclase feldspar family. Its iridescent dispersal of different colors is called labradorescence. Frequently found with quartz, this gemstone’s most famous deposits are in Labrador, Canada, where it was “discovered” in 1770. Its use by Algonkian tribes in the state of Maine dates to the year 1000. It is sometimes confused with opal.

Labradorite is instrumental in cultivating psychic abilities. With strong powers of transformation, it ushers thoughts from intuition to positive action. It aids in self-reliance and ridding oneself of insecurities. It symbolizes vitality.

Color(s) - Light blue, light green, gray, white, pale orange-red, black

Associations - Leo, Sagittarius, Scorpio; sacral chakra; Neptune, Pluto, Uranus

Uses - resources; success/reputation; self-cultivation; vitality

Magnesite is a mineral with the chemical formula MgCO3 (magnesium carbonate). Mixed crystals of iron II carbonate and magnesite (mixed crystals known as ankerite) possess a layered structure: monolayers of carbonate groups alternate with magnesium monolayers as well as iron II carbonate monolayers. Manganese, cobalt and nickel may also occur in small amounts.

This gemstone is from the carbonate class of minerals and takes its name from the Greek malaku meaning mallow, a family of herbs. It is a secondary mineral of copper that is created when copper is altered by other chemicals. Azurite, another secondary mineral of copper, is usually found with malachite. It is not unusual to find malachite and azurite banded together in one stone. This is called azure-malachite.

Malachite has been used for centuries in jewelry and as household ornaments. Like other gemstones, it was crushed and used as pigment for paint. In Czarist Russia it was used to stunning effect to adorn cathedrals and palaces.

Malachite has been called the “stone of transformation”. As such, its powers encompass everyday situations, as well as spiritual progression. It is an aid for introspection and balance. This gemstone attracts loyalty and comfort. Malachite is also instrumental in providing protection, promoting success and banishing negativity. It aids in navigating life’s setbacks and challenges.

Color(s) - Light to dark green

Associations - Capricorn, Scorpio; solar plexus chakra; Venus; yin

Uses - spiritual progression/balance; relationships/loyalty; personal journey/introspection; achieve goals; protection and banish negativity

This form of chalcedony quartz takes its name from a Greek word that referred to a fingernail, claw or hoof. It was popular in ancient Greece where a legend tells of Cupid (whether as a form of joke or service) trimmed the nails of the sleeping Venus. Not wanting to see any part of her perish, the Fates turned Venus’ fingernail clippings to stone. The Greeks called almost any colored chalcedony stones onyx.

The Romans limited the name onyx to only dark brown and black forms of chalcedony. They also gave the name sardonyx to reddish-brown onyx. (See separate listing for more on sardonyx.) Onyx was also popular during the Renaissance and in the nineteenth century.

Onyx is a stone that provides balance and stability, as well as protection. When used in dream work or meditation it can help bring guidance and transformation from an inner source. It helps control emotions and negative thoughts.

Color(s) - Black, black-brown with bands of white

Sardonyx – reddish-brown sometimes with white or lighter red bands

Associations - Leo; base and throat chakras; Saturn, Mars; yang

Uses - balance; self-cultivation; transformation; protection

This gemstone takes its name from the Sanskrit word upala meaning precious stone, as well as the Greek word opallios, change of color. In ancient Rome it was called opalus.

Containing as much as ten percent water, the opalescence “play of color” is produced by miniscule spheres of silica. Along with the water these tiny spheres create different rates of light diffraction. The more aligned the silica spheres, the more brilliant the stone’s color. This iridescent play of color is also referred to as a stone’s “fire”. If the stone is heated at high temperatures, the water will be lost and along with it the opalescence. The transparency of the stone and its background color also effect the overall depth of color.

Six thousand-year-old artifacts found by Louis Leaky are the earliest known use of opal. Ancient Greeks and Romans prized the use of opal and its value was greater than diamond. The Romans nick-named it “Cupid’s stone” because its color can be evocative of a sensuous complexion. The Aztecs also used and valued Opal. This gemstone was mentioned in the writings of ancient scholar Pliny, and again centuries later by Shakespeare in Twelfth Night. In the Middle Ages it was galled ohthalmios meaning “eye stone” because it was thought to preserve one’s eyesight. Also in Medieval Europe, if it was worn by a woman with blonde hair the opal was believed to keep her hair from turning gray.

During the fourteenth century plague years, opal became known as a stone of bad luck. It was said that the stones of those who wore it and died had changed color. It is now thought that the fairly rapid change of temperature in the wearer’s body (from high fever to cold after death) may have been enough to cause an opal to change color. An opal that has a fracture can easily break – a fault that added to this gemstone’s connection with bad luck.

Rulers enjoyed opal. It was used in the emperor’s crown of the Holy Roman Empire and in the French crown jewels. Opals came to the attention of Queen Victoria when new sources were found in Australia. Her liking this gemstone brought it back into popularity during her reign.

Some of opal’s imitators are called opalite and Slocum Stone. Imitators also include glass and plastic.

Opal has been called the “stone of visionaries”. The Greeks believed that it had powers of prophecy. The Romans saw it as a symbol of hope. Opal attracts inspiration, insight, and stimulates a wider vision. Some believe it enhances clairvoyant abilities.

Color(s) - Black opal – dark to gray-black, dark base color

White opal – milky, light gray, white base color

Gray opal – light gray, gray base color

Fire opal – yellow-red, brown-red, red-orange base color

Hyalite – colorless (from the Greek hyalos meaning glass)

Associations - Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius; throat, third-eye and crown chakras; Mercury; yin

Use illumination/insight; personal journey; self-worth; creativity; symbol of hope

Pyrite (Not from Sandra Kynes)

The shiny pyrite wakes up any space in a matter of seconds. Highly energizing and freely sharing its optimistic energy, a good quality pyrite is a must for your feng shui collection of crystals and stones.

Initially thought to be gold, pyrite is also known by the name of fool's gold. Pyrite mostly comes in clusters, but you can also find pyrite in stunning shapes of cubes and globes.  Pyrite jewelry is gaining popularity, along with many pyrite carvings.

Pyrite has a unique combination of excellent energies for any home or office. It radiates optimistic and cheerful energy that is also solid and grounding. Pyrite is very protective and can shield you from negative energies while promoting a happy and cheerful state of being.

The versatile pyrite can also share its qualities of shine and solid brightness to facilitate a better judgement and a clear mental state. It is an excellent stone to help with any business endeavours, as well as academic pursuits.

Pyrite will give you the optimism, the clarity, as well as the physical stamina necessary to pursue any of your endeavours. An excellent companion, indeed!

Most of the pyrite on the market comes from US, South America and Britain.

Feng shui-wise, pyrite is one of the best feng shui stones to attract the energy of wealth and abundance (another popular feng shui crystal for wealth is citrine). Pyrite can be used as a cluster, sphere or cube, as well as in combination with a variety of other popular feng shui cures for wealth, such as Chinese coins, the abundance ship, etc.

The pyrite is also an excellent choice for your wealth vase, as well as a good decor piece for your living room or office. You can also use pyrite in any areas of your home that need an energizing and uplifting solar energy that this stone can freely share.

Rhodonite takes its name from the Greek rhodon meaning rose. This gemstone is pleochroic and has been used for decorative objects, mainly carved beads, boxes and vases, since the nineteenth century.

Because of its rose color and the Associations - of roses, rhodonite has been called the “stone of love” and the “stone of brotherly love”. This love is on the wider level of caring for humankind and spiritual wealth. Rhodonite brings order to chaotic situations with emotional support, and quells anxiety through clear vision. It balances yin and yang.

Color(s) - Dark pinks with veins of black

Associations - Taurus; solar plexus and heart chakras; Mars; yang

Uses - community; balance; wisdom; love; banish chaos

This milky rose pink variety of quartz was cherished in classical Greece and Rome, Renaissance Europe and the nineteenth century. It was used by the Assyrians (800-600 B.C.E.) for decorative objects, but very little jewelry.

Rose quartz is associated with the heart, love and beauty. Its calming effects help to balance yin/yang energy. Its warmth heals emotional turmoil and strengthens friendship.

Color(s) - Pink, milky rose

Associations - Libra, Taurus; heart chakra; planet Venus

Uses - relationships; emotional balance; emotional healing

This gemstone is a type of feldspar that glitters because of inclusions of hematite and/or goethite. While the most common colors are like those of the sun, a green sunstone is commonly called aventurine feldspar. Sunstone has been used by people in ancient India and Greece, as well as Native Americans in Canada for rituals of sun healing and connecting with spirit guides.

Sunstone relieves stress and banishes fear. It is also useful when working with the spiritual realm.

Color(s) - Yellow, orange, red, brown, pink, peach, green and gray

Associations - Libra, Leo; sacral and solar plexus chakras; the sun; yang

Uses - spirit; personal journey; self-cultivation; deal with fears; relieve stress

Tiger's eye (also called Cats eye) is a chatoyant gemstone that is usually a metamorphic rock that is a golden to red-brown color, with a silky luster. A member of the quartz group, it is a classic example of pseudomorphous replacement by silica of fibrous crocidolite (blue asbestos). An incompletely silicified blue variant is called Hawk's eye.

This gemstone takes it name from the Middle Ages and an Old French word turqueise which meant Turkish – stones arrived in Europe from the Middle East. Its more ancient name was callais from the Greek words kallos lithos, beautiful stone. Turquoise is one of the most widely used gemstones. It comes from dry (arid and semi-arid) regions and is a secondary mineral in copper deposits.

The use of this gemstone can be traced back to 5500 B.C.E. in Egypt where turquoise was found in the tomb of a queen. It was also used for amulets and ground into powder for cosmetics. Persia, where it was used for religious carvings, was the ancient source for fine turquoise. Turquoise is one of the twelve mentioned in The Bible on the breastplate of Aaron.

In China, the use of turquoise began before the year 1000. Hindus and Tibetans utilized it and ascribed it with the ability to bring good luck. In parts of the Middle East verses from the Koran were engraved onto tablets of turquoise. It was not used in Japan until the eighteenth century. In the Americas, it was mined in New Mexico since the fifth century and used by the Anasazi, Apache, Navajo and Zuni. It was mined by the Aztec since approximately 900. Some American Southwest tribes carved turquoise for beads, others utilized it for currency in trade with Mexico. Warriors tied turquoise to their bows to aid in making precise shots.

While the use of turquoise dates to approximately 500 B.C.E. in Eastern Europe (Siberia), it did not become popular in Western Europe until the late Middle Ages. Resembling the color of the forget-me-not flower, turquoise jewelry was given for remembrance and affection. Such use was documented by Shakespeare in The Merchant of Venice with the ring given to Shylock by Leah.

Howlite, dyed chalcedony, glass and plastic are used to imitate turquoise. Synthetic turquoise is sometimes called neo-turquoise or neolite.

Since the days of ancient Persia, turquoise has been a stone of good luck. During the Middle Ages in Europe it was believed to protect both horse and rider from danger. It was also thought to change color if the wearer was ill. This may actually happen because turquoise is slightly porous and will react to oils, soaps and perspiration. It is also sensitive to strong sunlight.

Many cultures from the Middle East to the Americas considered this gemstone a symbol of the sky. The Apaches believed that it contained the powers of the heavens and the sea. It is still considered to be a “bridge” between heaven and earth and is used for spiritual cleansing. Turquoise has been called a “stone of communication” and provides a balance of yin/yang energy. It protects against negativity, and can attract love. Turquoise is a general healer.

Color(s) - Blue, blue-green

Associations - Aquarius, Sagittarius, Taurus; throat chakra; Venus, Neptune, the Moon; yin

Uses - balance; spiritual cleansing; personal journey; partner/love; protection