Gemstones and Minerals
Descriptions and Metaphysical Properties
A-B C-E F-H I-K L-N O-Q R-T U-Z
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.
Fluorite- A mineral with a veritable bouquet of brilliant colors that range from purple to blue, green, yellow, colorless, brown, pink and orange. Enhances spiritual energy work, focuses the will and balances the psyche. Mental clarity, concentration, and protection from disease. Used for stomach disorders, eases discomfort from IBS/colitis. Chakras: Causal, Crown, Frontal, Heart, Third Eye Astrological sign: Gemini, Capricorn
Garnet - The deep, glossy red color of garnet resembles the juicy seeds of a pomegranate, which is perhaps why its name is derived from the Latin word for pomegranate seeds, granatum. Garnet is a name used to describe a diverse group of silicate minerals that include almandine, pyrope, spessartine, grossular, andradite, mozambique and uvarovite. Its deep wine red color results from iron and chromium. Balances your natural energy. A highly protective stone. Increases confidence and security. Chakras: Base, Crown, Link, Sacral
Astrological sign: Scorpio, Aquarius Traditional and Modern Birthstone: January
Almandine Garnet- The most common garnet, is dark brownish or purplish red. Garnet is very popular for its excellent hardness and brilliance.
Color-change Garnet- A mix of spessartite and pyrope garnet. This garnet presents a color change from brownish in daylight to a rose pink in incandescent light.
Demantoid Garnet- The rarest and most valuable of the garnets. Found in green to emerald green, demantoid garnet is difficult to find and is typically found only in smaller sizes.
Grossularite Garnet- (AKA Grossular) A calcium-aluminum garnet. The name grossular is derived from the botanical name for the gooseberry, grossularia.
Hessonite Garnet- An orange-brown variety of garnet colored by traces of manganese and iron. It is sometimes known as cinnamon stone.
Mali Garnet- One of the hybrid garnets, a mixture of grossular and andradite garnets. The name derives from the West African country of Mali where it was first discovered in 1994.
Pyrope Garnet- The most famous of the red garnets. Its dark, blood red color often resembles the color of ruby.
Rhodolite Garnet- Is the name applied to a mixture of pyrope and almandite. Rhodolite tends to be lighter in color than most other kinds of red garnet.
Spessartite Garnet- The most valuable spessartite garnets display a bright, orange red. The best specimens come from Namibia.
Star Garnet- A rare and unusual garnet, found only in Idaho in the USA and in India. It displays a four-ray star due to aligned inclusions of rutile.
Tsavorite Garnet- The green species of garnet was discovered in 1967 by British geologist Cambell R. Bridges in the bush along the frontier between Kenya and Tanzania.
Gaspeite- A recent discovery (1966), Gaspeite is a very rare nickel carbonate mineral named for the place in eastern Canada where it was first described. Assists with spirituality, brings good fortune, prevents loss and grants success. Reduces ignorance and attracts friendship. Chakras: Heart Astrological sign: None
Goldstone - Man-made (glass) with copper flecks glittering through them, and are either brown or blue in color. Uplifting, reduces tension and stomach problems. Chakras: Base, Crown, Frontal Astrological sign: Gemini, Leo
Goshenite- A colorless precious beryl named after the small town of Goshen in western Massachusetts where it was first described. Promotes practical wisdom, breaks down stubbornness, brings creativity and originality. Helps maintain self control and stabilize relationships. Treats leg (primarily musculature) problems, and remedies dust allergies. Chakras: All Astrological sign: Gemini
Hambergite- One of the lesser-known gemstones. It is usually nearly colorless, with the vitreous luster of glass when cut. It is quite a hard material, with a hardness of 7.5.
Hematite- (aka Hemalyke) An iron oxide, is typically a blackish grey, with a magnetic quality When highly polished it can sometimes look like silver. Hematite is a remarkably dense material. Great stone for grounding. Calms and soothes, reducing stress and blood pressure. Chakras: Base, Heart, Link, Sacral, Solar Plexus
Astrological sign: Taurus, Cancer, Aquarius
Hemimorphite- Usually found in aggregate form with blue and white bands, or mixed with a dark matrix.
Hiddenite- A form of spodumene containing chromium. The green color varies from a yellowish to a bluish green. Attracts prosperity, helps relieve monetary and love loss, brings trust to relationships. Helps regain youthful vigor, skin issues, circulation problems, and diseases due to repressed emotions. Chakras: Heart
Astrological sign: None
Howlite - In the raw, it's found in cauliflower-like masses. This versatile stone is named for Henry How, a 19th century mineralogist, who found it first in Nova Scotia. Because howlite is soft and takes on rich hues of color when it's dyed, it becomes an inexpensive alternative to more costly stones. Its natural color is like snow softly falling. Dyed, it looks like luscious lapis lazuli or cherry red coral or a tantalizing turquoise. Reduces stress and anxiety. Quietly soothes and calms to bring gentleness and patience. Chakras: Crown Astrological sign: Gemini