Gemstones and Minerals
Descriptions and Metaphysical Properties
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Minerals and gems have been given many attributes throughout the ages. Different traditions ascribe different traits to them - this is a general list of stones and their common associations.
Disclaimer: Minerals and gemstones can accent, help, negate, protect, encourage, strengthen, and balance and thereby promote healing. Their effects can be extraordinary, but use in addition to medical advice, and not as a substitute for proper care. If you are ill, you need to seek medical attention from a qualified physician.
Calcite- Pure calcium carbonate is colorless, but calcite is often colored by various impurities, including iron, magnesium, manganese, zinc or cobalt.
Cassiterite- One of the densest gem materials known. It also has a very high refractive index, higher than zircon, sphene and demantoid garnet.
Carnelian - A brownish red to orange variety of chalcedony quartz, colored by trace amounts of iron. Darker colors (red-brown to brown) are often referred to by the name Sard general healing stone. Restores the natural energy flows of your body. Chakras: Base, Sacral, Solar Plexus Astrological sign: Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Capricorn
Cat’s Eye - The cat's eye effect, is a reflection of light by parallel fibers, needles, or channels, which resemble the slit eye of a cat. Any of various semiprecious gems such as chrysoberyl, reflecting a band of light that shifts position as the gem is turned, can be considered a cat’s eye.
Cat's Eye Aquamarine - Aquamarine is best known for its breathtaking range of blue colors and belongs to the same family as emerald. Cat's eye aquamarine is quite rare.
Cat's Eye Chrysoberyl - The most famous and valuable cat's eye gemstone is chrysoberyl cat's eye. It is valued for its excellent hardness (8.5) and sharp cat's eye.
Cat's Eye Diaspore – (AKA Zultanite) A fairly rare color change gem from Turkey.
Cat's Eye Quartz - A quartz in which inclusions of rutile create the cat's eye effect. Usually found in colors of white, green, yellow or brown.
Cat’s Eye Scapolite -A sodium calcium aluminum silicate with a hardness of 5.5 to 6 on the Mohs scale. It is named from the Greek for "stick," since its crystals grow in columns.
Cat’s Eye Sillimanite- An aluminum silicate, related to both andalusite and kyanite. In fact these three minerals share the same chemical composition but different crystal structures.
Cat’s EyeTourmaline- A tourmaline with tiny parallel inclusions sometimes displays a strong cat's eye effect when polished.
Chalcedony- The fine-grained variety of the silica mineral quartz. It has a waxy luster and appears in a great variety of colors. Alleviates hostility, irritability and melancholy, enhances generosity, responsiveness and receptivity, increases mental stability. Chakras: Crown, Stellar Gateway, Universal Gateway Astrological sign: Cancer, Capricorn
Charoite- A new gem on the market, first appearing in 1978. It is found only in one location in Siberia, Russia. The swirling shapes of lavender and violet are quite unique. Brings focused clarity, helps conquer fear based emotions & patterns. Chakras: Crown, Earth Star, Heart, Soul Star, Stellar Gateway, Universal Gateway Astrological sign: Virgo, Aquarius
Chrysoberyl- A beautiful gem which is not as well known as it deserves. Apart from the very good hardness (8.5 on the Mohs scale), it has excellent luster. Brings peace of mind, increased self confidence, and balanced emotions. Provides relief from feminine discomforts and intestinal maladies. Chakras: Solar Plexus Astrological sign: Leo
Chrysocolla - A hydrous copper silicate. Often confused with turquoise, chrysocolla is found in unusual multicolor combinations as well as in blue or green. Soothes nervous tension. Chakras: Heart, Throat
Astrological sign: Taurus, Gemini
Chrysoprase - A gemstone variety of chalcedony or cryptocrystalline quartz, colored by trace amounts of nickel. Its color varies from apple-green to deep green. Soothes heartache and helps depression, promotes emotional balance, wisdom, and peace. Chakras: Heart Astrological sign: Libra
Citrine - Named from the French word for lemon, citrine is yellow to gold to orange-brown shades of transparent quartz. Helps digestion and aids in mental and intellectual functions. Increases self-esteem and energy. Balances and dissipates negative energy. Chakras: Crown, Frontal, Heart, Sacral, Solar Plexus Astrological sign: Aries, Gemini, Leo Traditional Birthstone: November
Clinohumite- A rare mineral and an especially rare gemstone. Only three sources of gem-quality material clinohumite are known, in Tajikistan, Siberia and Tanzania. Used for healing, to help bring independence and understanding. Chakras: All Astrological sign: Taurus
Coral - Precious coral is a species of coral that grows in rocky seabottoms. Coral exhibits a range of warm reddish pink colors ranging from salmon pink to deep red. Helps in childbirth and adoption. Wards off bad thoughts from others and promotes general well-being. Chakras: Base Astrological sign: Libra
Fossil coral- (AKA Agatized Coral) A decorative material that is formed when ancient coral is gradually replaced with agate.
Danburite- Derives its name from Danbury, CT, where it was first discovered in 1839. It is quite hard, with a rating of 7 to 7.5 on the Mohs scale. Allows one to get along well with others, maintain personal identity while fitting into society, bring self love. Facilitates motor capabilities, provides catalytic action to the muscular structure, and removes toxins. Chakras: Heart Astrological sign: Leo
Diamond - The hardest known natural material is a transparent crystal of carbon. Diamond is famed not only for its superb hardness, but also for its high refractive index and dispersion. Manifests abundance. Used in conjunction, it strengthens the properties of other stones. Chakras: All Astrological sign: Leo Traditional and Modern Birthstone: April
Diaspore- (AKA Zultanite or Color Change Diaspore) A color change gem from Turkey recently introduced to the international market.
Diopside- A calcium magnesium silicate mineral of the group pyroxene. It is available in a chromium-rich gem variety and comes in three different types. The stone is relatively soft. Stimulates intellect, academic learning, mathematical and analytical ability. Allows understanding of the duality within oneself, and recognition of feminine nature. It has been used to calm pets. Chakras: Heart Astrological sign: Virgo
Chrome Diopside- The most common diopside, this is colored by chromium and displays a rich forest green that has similarities to tsavorite garnet and chrome tourmaline.
Star Diopside- Best known for the vivid green chrome diopside, but the black diopside exhibiting asterism or the star effect is also important. Enhances academic learning, helps wield pride objectively. Treats physical weakness and psychological disorders. Also used to help calm pets.
Tashmarine Diopside- A brilliant yellow-green diopside from a recent discovery in Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Western China.
Emerald - The most precious stone in the beryl group. The wonderful green color of emerald is unparalleled in the gem world. A mind stone. Enhances memory, promotes clear and quick thinking, and right action stemming from right thought. Chakras: Crown, Heart, Link, Solar Plexus Astrological sign: Taurus, Cancer, Libra Traditional and Modern Birthstone: May