Category: Crystals/Gems

Gemstone of the Day for August 29th is Opal

Gemstone of the Day

Opal


(Color: White, colorless, light yellow or red, or gray)

Hardness: 6                            
Specific Gravity: 2                        
Chemistry: SiO2∙n(H2O)       
Class: Silicates                
Crystallography: Amorphous                       
Cleavage: None                 
Fracture: Conchoidal                        
Streak: White                               
Luster: Vitreous – pearly

Healing: Opal is a stone of inspiration which enhances the imagination and creativity as well. It helps one release inhibitions and enhances the memory. Opal is said to be helpful for eyesight and Parkinson’s disease. Fire opals (ranging from orange to red) have also been associated with improving circulation. Green opals help give an energy boost.

Workings: Opal is also said to be a very spiritual stone, and can help one be “invisible” in situations where they don’t care to be noticed. It has been known to bring happy dreams, and also to ease the process of change. Opals are also helpful for enhancing dreamwork or assisting spiritual journeys.
Opal can be a very creative stone, especially for writers and those who need to get their thoughts down on paper.
Fire Opal is said to be energizing, giving strength and endurance in stressful times. It is also a great meditation stone.

Chakra Applications: Blue opals can help open up the third eye, soothe the throat chakra, and encourage telepathic communications. Pink opals address emotional issues, offering nourishment and support to the heart chakra.

Foot Notes: Opal is a gemstone and the birthstone for October. Opals can form anywhere but are mostly found in places where there are hot springs. Opal color depends on how pure the stone is.  Most stones look white but have an iridescent shining of other colors, too.  If they show colors, they are called precious opals.

Source

Author: Crick

Gemstone of the Day for August 23rd – Beryl

Gemstone of the Day

Beryl

The name beryl is derived from the Greek “beryllos” which referred to “precious blue-green color-of-sea-water stone.


Hardness: 7.5 – 8              
Specific Gravity: 2.76                    
Chemistry: Be3Al2Si6O18 Beryllium Aluminum Silicate
Class: Silicates               
Crystallography: Hexagonal             
Cleavage: imperfect        
Fracture: conchoidal                     
Streak: white                    
Luster: vitreous


Healing: Beryl has many healing abilities according to the color of beryl used:

Goshenite – is used to treat disorders and injuries with regard to the legs, specifically the leg muscles.  It is also quite helpful in assisting to remedy dust allergies.

Aquamarine – is used to help reduce one’s dependence on drugs, and to help eliminate fluid retention by strengthening the kidneys, liver, spleen and thyroid, thus purifying the general body.

Emerald – is used to treat conditions of the eyes. It is also used to treat backaches.

Heliodor – is used to remove physical toxins from ones liver and skin. 

Morganite – is used for healing a wide range of ailments related to the heart and throat; such as emphysema, tuberculosis, heart disease, lungs, oxygenation and throat issues. It is beneficial in treating all respiratory ailments and to increase the supply of oxygen to the cells.

Red Beryl – is used to treat bladder ailments and kidney stones by dipping beryl into water and then giving the water to the patient to drink.
 

Workings: Beryl originates from Mesopatamia and was worshiped as a magic stone by the ancient Hebrews, as it was believed to strengthen ones belief in God.
Beryl has various metaphysical and astrological associations which are assigned according to its color:

Goshenite – Goshenite is used to promote practical wisdom, intellectual curiosity as well as thoughtful, and carefully thought out decisions. It will help you see a situation from all sides, breaking down stubbornness and rigidity. It is a stone of truthfulness that encourages truth in all actions. Goshenite is associated with the astrological sign of Libra and vibrates to the number 3.
Aquamarine – Aquamarine is used to open up one’s psychic abilities. It also enables one to be sensitive to the thoughts and vibrations of other people. Aquamarine is associated with the astrological signs of Gemini, Pisces and Aries. It vibrates to the number 1.
Emerald is a stone of love and romance. It brings and enhances joy, cleansing, clairvoyance, memory, and faith. It also benefits intuition and communication, and promotes truthfulness. It is associated with the astrological signs of Taurus, Gemini and Aries and vibrates to the number 4.
Red Beryl is used by intuitives and mystics to bring harmony to relationships and enhance compatibility. It is also used to strengthen creativity energy. Red Beryl is associated with the astrological signs of Taurus and Aries and vibrates to the number 8.
Morganite is known both as an Angel stone and a Heart stone. It can bring love to one’s live or rekindle old love.  As an angel stone, it is known to help with communicating with angels.  It can also balance emotions and ease the pain of separation. Morganite is associated with the astrological sign of Libra and vibrates to the number 3.
 
Chakra Applications: Emerald is associated with the heart chakra. Heliodor is beneficial for the Solar Plexus and Brow chakras. Morganite is associated with the Heart chakra. Red beryl (Bixbite) is associated with the Sacral and Heart chakras. Aquamarine is associated with the Solar Plexus and Throat chakras. Heliodor is associated with the Sacral and Heart chakras.

Foot Notes: The mineral beryl is a beryllium aluminium cyclosilicate. It is a single mineral with many varieties that are distinguished by their color. Beryl is colorless in pure form; it is the many different impurities that give beryl its varied coloration.
Emerald is the green variety of beryl.
Aquamarine is the blue variety of beryl.
Heliodor is the greenish-yellow variety.
Morganite is the pink variety.
Goshenite is the colorless variety.
The name beryl is used for the red and golden varieties.
During the time of Nero, white or clear beryl was found on the Island of Elba and it was often cut to create eyeglasses.
Source:
Author: Crick

 

 

 

Crystal of the Day for August 20th – Seamanite

Crystal of the Day

Seamanite

                                                                                         
                                                                 (Yellow, Yellow brown, Light pink)  
  
Seamanite is It is named in honor for Professor Arthur E. Seaman of Michigan Technological University who discovered it.

Hardness: 4               
Specific Gravity:                       
Chemistry: Mn3(PO4)B(OH)6
Class: Orthorhombic – Dipyramidal                     
Crystallography: Orthorhombic                      
Cleavage: distinct
Fracture: brittle                            
Streak: white                              
Luster: vitreous


Healing: Seamanite is used to assimilate iron within the body. Topically it is a good elixir for dried skin. Seamanite is used to assist in the healing of fratured bones and in the treatment of rickets and scurvy. It is also useful in treating depression. 

Magical Workings: Seamanite is associated with the astrological sign of Scorpio and vibrates to the Master Number 33.

Chakra Applications: none

Foot Notes: Seamanite is a very rare manganese boron phosphate, first discovered in Michigan under the name “koenigite”. Seamanite occurs as small acicular crystals in the crevices of a badly fractured and highly ferruginous siliceous rock.
Author, Crick

Gemstone of the Day for August 7th: Garnet

Gemstone of the Day

Garnet

 

Hardness: 6.5-7.5                                                     
Specific Gravity: 3.5-4.2
Chemistry: Ca3Fe2+2(SiO4)3           
Class: Silicates           
Crystallography: Isometric – Hexoctahedral
Cleavage: None                  
Fracture: Conchoidal                        
Streak: White                        
Luster: Vitreous (Glassy) 

Garnet comes from the Greek word “Granatum” which refers to the color of the pomegranate seed.

Healing: Garnet is known as a Healing stone. It is used to purify and cleanse the body and/or spirit. It’s healing abilities work on all levels of mind, body and spirit. Believed to regulate the heart and blood flow and aid in curing depression. It stimulates the pituitary gland, relieves rheumatism and arthritis pain.

Garnets were believed to protect one from poisons.

Garnets are also known as a Stone of Commitment.

Workings: Garnet is used to protect homes from fire and lightning, heal snakebites and food poisoning, protect people from nightmares, and warn of danger. Garnet is also believed to promote true love. Astrological signs of; Leo, Virgo, Capricorn and Aquarius. Vibrates to the number 2. Its energy is projective and it is ruled by the planet Mars. The element is Fire.

Chakra Applications: Garnet is used to draw negative energy from the chakras.  Stimulates both the Base and Crown chakras, thus energizing the body.

Foot Notes:  Birthstone for the month of January. Garnet may be given as a gem on the 2nd and 6th wedding anniversary.Garnets belong to the isometric crystal class, which produces very symmetrical, cube-based crystals. They are double silicates; one of the metallic elements is calcium, magnesium, ferrous iron, or manganese and the other aluminum, ferric iron, or chromium.
Garnet occurs in many different kinds of rocks ; in metamorphosed impure limestones, in basic igneous rocks, in granite rocks, in schists and other metamorphic rocks as well as in igneous rocks. Garnet jewelry has been found that date back to the Bronze Age (3000 BCE).
Garnets can be found in the U.S. (Arizona), South Africa, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Myanmar (Burma), Scotland, Switzerland and Tanzania .
Author: Crick
Website: The Whispering Woods

Crystal of the Day for July 26th is Actinolite

Crystal of the Day

Actinolite


                                                                        
The name Actinolite comes from the Greek words, “aktinos” (ray) and “lithos” (stone).


Hardness: 5 -6                           
Specific Gravity:                           
Chemistry: Ca2(Mg,Fe)5Si8O22(OH)2 Calcium Magnesium Iron Silicate Hydroxide       
Class: Silicates                     
Crystallography: Monoclinic                                 
Cleavage: perfect in two directions                     
Fracture: splintery to uneven                      
Streak: white                            
Luster: vitreous


Healing: Actinolite is used to boost the immune system.

Workings: Actinolite is an excellent stone to use in shielding. It protects one from psychic attack. Actinolite promotes a feeling of self-worth and strength and encourages inner balance and patience.
Actinolite is associated with the astrological sign of Scorpio and vibrates to the number 9.

Chakra Applications: Actinolite is used to energize the aura. It is associated with the Heart and Root chakras. Green actinolite works on the heart chakra and black works on the root chakra.

Foot Notes: Actinolite is an amphibole silicate mineral. It is a semi-precious stone, consisting of many needle-shaped crystals and their radial impregnations. Actinolite is commonly found in metamorphic rocks, such as contact aureoles surrounding cooled intrusive igneous rocks. It also occurs as a product of metamorphism of magnesium-rich limestones.
A variety of actinolite, Nephrite, is one of the two minerals called jade.
Reference:
Author: Crick

Crystal of the Day for July 14th is Zircon

Crystal of the Day

Zircon


                                            (Colorless, yellow, brown, red, blue, green, orange, violet and pink)

Zircon is named from its containing the element, zirconium; which was named from the Persian, “zar” (gold) and “gun” (like) which translates “like gold”.

Hardness: 6.5-7.5              
Specific Gravity: 3.9 – 4.7            
Chemistry: ZrSiO4 Zirconium Silicate
Class: Silicates                 
Crystallography: Tetragonal             
Cleavage: imperfect in 2 directions
Fracture: conchoidal, very brittle               
Streak: white                  
Luster: adamantine, vitreous, greasy         


Healing: Zircon is used in treating issues related to the central nervous system and the sciatic nerve. It is also used in the mending of bones and muscles. Zircon has also been used as a antidote for poison.

Workings: The Zircon is known as the “Stone of Virtue” for it brings one’s virtues back into balance. Zircon is said to aid sleep, bring prosperity, and to promote honour and wisdom in its owner.  It is a great stone to carry when engaged with a project and/or goal. Zircon is associated with the astrological signs of Virgo, Leo and Sagittarius. It vibrates to the number 4.

Chakra applications: Zicon is used to energize the Base , Solar Plexus and Throat chakras.

Foot Notes: Zircons are commonly slightly radioactive due to trace amounts of uranium and make prime, geochron age indicators. They are earth’s oldest-known mineral. The typical simple crystal of zircon is a tetragonal prism terminated with four sided pyramids at each end. The prism may be lacking and the crystal can look octahedral.
Zircon is one of the heaviest gemstones, which means that it will look smaller than other varieties of the same weight.
Natural Zircon with good color and transparency is uncommon; most Zircon crystals are opaque and brownish. Most Zircon gemstones, especially the blue and white forms, are enhanced by heat treatment.
Reference
Author: Crick