Agate, Botswana (Astrological Birthstones: Gemini, Capricorn): Botswana Agate (or Eye Agate) is a variety of Chalcedony and can come in grey, blue, green, pink, brown and milky white. With the power to harmonize in ying and yang, the positive and negative forces that hold the universe in place. Botswana Agate is excellent for anyone connected with fire or smoke and is believed to be beneficial for those wanting to quit smoking. This gemstone looks to solutions rather than dwelling on problems…often encouraging exploration of unknown territory and your own creativity, helping you see the bigger picture. It can sometimes look like the brain with which it resonates. Especially helpful in assimilating oxygen into the body, benefiting the circulatory system and the skin. It also aids depression and is ideal for those who are sensitive, lonely and are easily hurt – it helps with self-confidence.
Agate, Moss (Astrological Birthstones: Aquarius, Virgo): Moss Agate is a multi-shade of green that resembles moss or trees from a distance. Agate is one of the first materials known to man, proving especially popular in the Byzantine Empire and during the Renaissance. It helps balance emotional energy, allowing release of anger and bitterness whilst enhancing concentration, persistence, endurance and success. It is especially useful during times of stress and is helpful in relieving sensitivities to weather and pollution, can lessen pain during birthing, speed up recovery and cleanse the circulatory and elimination systems. It is also believed to be a powerful aid against depression, effective for colds, flu and fevers, can boost the immune system and also act as an efficient anti-inflammatory.
Amazonite: Amazonite varies from bright verdigris green to bluish green, is mottled, is semi-opaque and sometimes contains light striations. Amazonite was used extensively by the Egyptians and is said to be named after the Amazon women warriors. Amazonite’s properties include the ancient Egyptians calling it the stone of courage, and these days it’s believed to enhance creative expression, improve self worth & create a unity with life. It’s believed a powerful protector against the health hazards of microwaves and electromagnetic smog. It can act as a soothing stone that is effective on the throat chakra whilst enhancing loving communications and intuition. It can be effective for osteoporosis, calcium deficiency and balancing the metabolic deficiencies that cause these problems. It is called the "hope stone" because it inspires confidence and hope.
Amber (Astrological Birthstone: Taurus): Amber is really a solidified tree resin that became fossilized, deposits ranging between 360 and one million years old. As sticky resin oozed from ancient pine trees, small insects, and other small objects in the path of the flow became entrapped. Over time, the resin was encased in dirt and debris and through a process of heat and pressure it fossilized to become amber. Amber has strong connections to the earth and is a grounding stone. Its healing properties are believed to help remove energy blockages, strengthen the physical body, enhance states of consciousness including finding humor and joy, bring love, strength, luck and protection, calm hyperactivity and stressed nerves. It can treat the stomach, spleen, kidneys, bladder, liver and gallbladder, alleviate joint problems and strengthen mucus membranes.
Amethyst (Birthstone: February) (Astrological Birthstone: Pisces): Amethyst can differ in color depending upon where it has been mined. Its variety of colors makes it the most popular of the quartz family to be used in jewelry production. Amethyst’s healing properties are believed to tune the endocrine system/metabolism, strengthen the immune system, cleanse the blood, offer relief of physical, emotional & psychological pain or stress, aid insomnia and for blocking geopathic stress. It can ease headaches and tension, aid issues with the lungs and respiratory and digestive tracts, benefit the intestines through regulating flora. It can balance and connect the physical, mental and emotional bodies with the spiritual, it can be helpful when facing death. Amethyst is a powerful and protective stone.
Apatite: Apatite’s healing attributes are said to encourage formation of new cells, heal bones, aid absorption of calcium for cartilage, bones, teeth and motor skills improving arthritis and joint problems. It can raise the metabolic rate yet help suppress hunger. It can aid glands, meridians and organs, balance the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual chakras by eliminating over activity and stimulating under activity. It can help with hypertension and autism and is also effective for increasing energy reserves and motivation. It aids development of spiritual attunement, deepens meditation, aids communication and self-expression, helps induce openness and social ease by dissolving aloofness and alienation. It can ease sorrow, apathy and anger, reduce irritability and help overcome emotional exhaustion. Blue Apatite connects to a very high level of spiritual guidance.
Aventurine (Astrological Birthstone: Aries Leo): Aventurine is a stone of prosperity. It reinforces leadership qualities and decisiveness. Promotes compassion and empathy. Encourages perseverance. Aventurine relieves stammers and severe neuroses. It stabilises one’s state of mind, stimulates perception and enhances creativity. Aids in seeing alternatives and possibilities. Calms anger and irritation. Promotes feelings of well-being. Aventurine balances male-female energy. It encourages regeneration of the heart. Protects against environmental pollution. Aventurine benefits the thymus gland and nervous system. It balances blood pressure and stimulates the metabolism, lowering cholesterol. Aventurine has an anti-inflammatory effect and eases skin eruptions, allergies, migraines, and soothes the eyes. It heals lungs, sinuses, heart, muscular and urogenital systems.
Black Onyx (Astrological Birthstone: Leo): Onyx is one of the Chalcedony family. It occurs in bands of different colors so as well as black, Onyx is found in brown, grey and white. Onyx is composed of relatively straight, parallel layers of different colors. When the dark layers are brown or brownish red, it is often called sardonyx. Onyx is usually cut into cabochon (highly polished, convex-cut gems for jewelry), or beads. The healing properties of Onyx (all colors) are believed to be beneficial for teeth, bones, bone marrow, blood disorders and issues with the feet, it is strength and stamina-giving and supportive during difficult circumstances, can help to positively view future steps, and imparts self-confidence. It can help anchor the flighty, can alleviate overwhelming fears and worries, and can balance the yin/yang energies within the body.
Bloodstone (Heliotrope) (Astrological Birthstones: Pisces, Aries): Bloodstone is green quartz flecked with red or yellow jasper giving it its distinctive red and yellow spots. Bloodstone is treated as a sacred stone by Native American Indians and is believed useful for boosting the immune system, calming the body, bringing about change and for aiding self-protection. It is helpful for blood circulation issues, detoxifies the liver, intestines, kidneys, spleen and bladder, helps remove energy blocks and for aligning the body centuries. It can dispel confusion and enhance decision making. Historically it’s been used to stop bleeding and was regularly used as an amulet to protect against the evil eye. Bloodstone is the symbol of justice and is a powerful healer, especially when the body and mind are exhausted. It’s believed helpful in cases of leukemia as it supports the blood and removes toxins.
Blue Chalcedony: Blue chalcedony is a translucent to transparent milky blue or grayish quartz. Chalcedony’s healing powers are believed to be as a powerful cleanser, for improving mineral assimilation, to help the gallbladder, bones, spleen, blood and circulatory system, to lessen the effects of dementia and senility, to increase physical energy whilst balancing the body, emotions, mind and spirit, to banish fear and depression, and to reduce fevers. In addition to the above, Blue Chalcedony’s properties can aid acceptance of new situations, encourage mental and verbal flexibility and dexterity whilst enhancing listening skills, and be useful for illnesses connected to changes in the weather. It can also aid regeneration of mucus membranes, aid lung problems, enhance the immune system, stimulate the flow of lymph, act as an anti-inflammatory and can help with reducing blood pressure.
Carnelian (Birthstone: August) (Astrological Birthstone: Leo & Aries): It is a stabilizing stone, Carnelian restores vitality and motivation, and stimulates creativity. It gives courage, promotes positive life choices, dispels apathy and motivates for success. Carnelian is useful for overcoming abuse of any kind. It helps in trusting yourself and your perceptions. It overcomes negative conditioning and encourages steadfastness. It sharpens concentration and dispels mental lethargy. Protects against envy, rage and resentment. Calms anger, banishes emotional negativity and replaces it with a love of life. Carnelian boosts fertility and stimulates sexuality. Carnelian treats lower back problems, rheumatism, arthritis, neuralgia and depression. It regulates the kidneys, and accelerates healing in bones and ligaments.
Chrysocolla: Chrysocolla is often confused with turquoise with colors being variegated blue and green when a mixture of chrysocolla and other copper minerals are combined. It is a copper-bearing mineral found wherever copper deposits occur. Pure Chrysocolla is very soft but when found in quartz deposits, it’s then hard enough to polish for cabochons & jewelry and is frequently found mixed with malachite, turquoise and azurite. Chrysocolla’s healing properties are believed to aid creativity, female energy (including helping with PMS, menstrual cramps, hot flushes), communication, relieving ulcers and arthritis, aiding bone disease, muscle spasms, blood disorders, itching, strengthens the thyroid, and detoxifies the liver, kidneys and intestines. It’s also associated with tranquility and peace (offering gentle, soothing qualities), intuition, patience, and unconditional love.
Coral: (Astrological Birthstone: Taurus & Pieces): Coral represents diplomacy and concurrence. It quiets the emotions and brings peace to within the self. Facilitates intuition, imagination and visualization. Coral expedites and accelerates the transfer of knowledge.Coral strengthens the circulatory system and the bones of the body. It stimulates tissue regeneration and nourishes the blood cells. Treats disorders of the spinal canal, the alimentary canal, the nervous system, and the thalamus. Red Coral stimulates the energetic pursuit of pre-determined goals. It protects from depression and despondency. Treats hiccups, colic and heartburn. Aids in the release of impurities from the muscular system. Red Coral treats disorders of the kidneys, bladder and parathyroid. Coral is a 35th Anniversary gemstone.
Citrine (Birthstone: November) (Astrological B/stone: Gemini): Citrine ranges from pale yellow, yellow, yellow-brown to smokey grey-brown and is a variety of crystalline quartz resembling topaz. Being one of the most affordable gemstones, Citrine is durable, slightly softer and has less brilliance than precious topaz. Citrine is believed to be powerful for energizing and recharging, to reverse degenerative disease and to be highly beneficial for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Other properties can stimulate the spleen, pancreas, kidneys and digestion, help eye problems, increase blood circulation and cleansing, activate the thymus and balance the thyroid. It promotes creativity, helps personal clarity, and as an ‘eliminator’ can relieve constipation and self-destructive tendencies. It raises self-esteem and being a stone of abundance it can help attract wealth and good things as well as help you share.
Fluorite: (Astrological Birthstone: Capricorn & Pisces) Fluorite cleanses and stabilizes the aura. It absorbs and neutralizes negative energy and stress. An excellent learning aid, Fluorite increases our powers of concentration, self-confidence and helps us in decision-making. It encourages positivity, balances the energies, and improves balance and coordination, both physically and mentally. Fluorite boosts the immune system and stimulates the regeneration and restructuring of cells and DNA, particularly in the skin and respiratory tract, and heals ulcers and wounds. Fluorite strengthens bone tissue, and alleviates rheumatism, arthritis and spinal injuries. It improves the discomfort of shingles and other nerve-related pain. Blue Fluorite calms the emotions and stimulates clear communication. Green Fluorite brings hormones into balance. It harmonizes and recharges all chakras.
Garnet (Birthstone: January) (Astrological Birthstone: Aquarius): Garnet is an aluminium or calcium silicate mineral found embedded within igneous and metamorphic rocks. The color of Garnet ranges from shades of red, pink, purple, orange, yellow, violet, green, colorless and occasionally black. Garnet derives its name from ancient Greeks, as its color reminded them of the pomegranate seed or granite. It is a renowned ancient gem, treasured for thousands of years. Garnet’s healing properties are said to relieve inflammation of the skin, to stimulate the bloodstream and help to combat depression and lethargy. It symbolizes fire, faith, courage, truth, grace, compassion, constancy and fidelity. It can regenerate the body, stimulate the metabolism, aid spinal and cellular disorders, re-energize the blood, heart, lungs and DNA as well as helping assimilation of vitamins and minerals.