More than you ever wanted to know about Danburite

This edition of my ongoing series of blog posts about gem and mineral fact, fiction and lore, features danburite.

Danburite, is a calcium boric silicate crystal. While most danburite is colorless, yellow or pink crystals are sometimes found. First discovered  in 1839 by Charles Upham Shephard.  The name comes from its initial discovery location in Danbury, CT. 

Lore

Because the discovery is fairly recent, danburite hasn't had a lot of time to accumulate much in the way of lore.  Most of that falls into what I call New Age lore.

Danburite stimulates mental activity. Because it also helps to bring about serenity and peace of mind it is a great meditation stone for those seeking enlightenment. It is said that danburite stimulates spiritual awareness and is a multiplier of the energy of stones used in conjunction with it.

"This mineral encourages one to 'let your light shine', and helps people to get-along with others. It is a powerful intellectual activator, bringing both stimulus and responsiveness to the user." 1

Used in conjunction with the seventh chakra (crown); danburite, helps one to feel serene by allowing one to see life from the perspective of the soul.

Used to clear chronic conditions and allergies.


1) A. Melody "Love is in the Earth- A Kaleidoscope of Crystals" pg. 141

More than you ever wanted to know about Bloodstone

This edition of my ongoing series of blog posts about gem and mineral fact, fiction and lore, features bloodstone.

Heliotrope is sometimes called bloodstone or blood jasper in the jewelry trades. However, heliotrope is not jasper at all. It is a dark green chalcedony with red spots. Hornblende needles impart the green color and the red spots are colored by iron oxide. Hematite is often called blood stone as well because when its being cut it turns the lubricant bright red.

Lore

“Because it is green, it is utilized in wealth, money, and business spells. A bloodstone kept in the cash register draws money. Carried in the pocket or purse, or worn, it also attracts wealth. In this regard, since food and money are magically connected, it was a farmer’s talisman in the Middle Ages, worn during planting to increase the yield of crops.” 1

“Other beliefs concerning this common stone abounded in the Middle Ages. Rubbed with the juice of the herb heliotrope, the stone would make the wearer invisible.” 2

“A bat, represented on a heliotrope or blood stone, gives the wearer power over demons and helps incantations.” 3

“[Bloodstone]. . . is a general healing stone and stimulant. Carry it to enrich iron-poor, tired blood or to help balance other blood-related disorders. Hold bloodstone against a bleeding would to staunch the flow of blood.” 4

In ancient times stones with the color red in them were thought to work as antidotes to poison.

Blood stone is a birth stone under the sign of Aries; and is a birthstone for the month of March.

1) Bruce G. Knuth “Gems in Myth Legend and Lore“ pg. 53

2) George Frederick Kunz “The Curious Lore of Precious Stones” pg. 133

3) Marguerite Elsbeth “Crystal Medicine (More Crystals and New Age)“ pg. 153

4) Scott Cunningham “Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Crystal, Gem & Metal Magic“ pg. 92

More than you ever wanted to know about Bertrandite

This edition of my ongoing series of blog posts about gem and mineral fact, fiction and lore, features bertrandite.  Opalized flourite

Bertrandite, sometimes called tiffany stone or ice cream opalite, is beryllium silicate hydroxide, in everyday language you’d call it opalized fluorite. It is only recently that it has come on scene in the mainstream jewelry industry. Once you have seen it’s easy to see why it is gaining in popularity. Bertrandite does look like ice cream, blueberry. I don’t think I’d take a bite though; it’s an ore of beryllium.

I do not know the date of its discovery; however, it is not listed in my 1915 copy of “Dana’s Manual of Mineralogy”, the standard mineralogy text of its day. Scanty information is available on the internet.

Bertrandite’s hardness is about 4; which makes it unacceptable for use in rings but fine for pendants and earrings.

Lore

Said to be called tiffany stone because some stones look like the patterns in tiffany glass. Some think that it is a reference to Tiffany Co., the New York jewelry store.

Because of its recent (in historical terms) discovery one has to look to the minerals that combine to make bertrandite to better understand its metaphysical properties.

Bertrandite “. . . can assist one in conservatism in judgment, in generosity with respect to favour, and in stimulating the growth of appreciation” 1

A number of the references say that bertrandite is a stone for business and business success. Most agree that it has a beneficial effect on the third eye chakra. It is also said that bertrandite can boost the sex drive and enhance sexual experience.

1) A. Melody "Love is in the Earth- A Kaleidoscope of Crystals" pg. 79

More than you ever wanted to know about Aventurine

This edition of my ongoing series of blog posts about gem and mineral fact, fiction and lore, features aventurine.

Aventurine is a quartzite gemstone composed of interlocking grains of quartz and small mica crystals. It comes in a number of colors ranging from golden brown to green. The name comes from the Italian word avventura meaning "chance."

Lore

The ancient Chinese prized aventurine; the imperial seal was said to have been carved from this material. They referred to this stone as yu, and held it in high esteem.

In ages past, the Tibetans revered aventurine. To symbolize increased divinatory power the eyes in sacred statues were often made from it.

As a touchstone, aventurine is thought to be helpful in achieving serenity. Aventurine is also a gambler's talisman. A lucky stone said to attract money.

Medicinally, aventurine has been used to improve eyesight and heal eye disease. "It has been used in the treatment of disorders of the lungs, heart, adrenal glands, and the muscular and urogenital systems." 1

Also known as the "dreamer's stone" as it encourages great ideas and independence. 2

"Green aventurine is a stone associated with the regeneration of one's spirit and creativity. It is said that this is a useful stone for people who love to pursue adventures." 3



1) A. Melody "Love is in the Earth- A Kaleidoscope of Crystals" pg. 68

2) Richard Webster "Pendulum Magic for Beginners: Power to Achieve All Goals" page 82

3) Paul Beyerl "Gem and Mineral Lore" pg. 23

More than you ever wanted to know about Ametrine

This edition to my ongoing series of blog posts about gem and mineral fact, fiction and lore, features ametrine.

Ametrine, also known as trystine, occurs naturally as a bi-color gemstone. It represents two of the most valued members of the quartz species in a single stone: citrine and amethyst. Ametrine was discovered in 1977, and it has become increasingly popular for stone-set jewelry.

Lore

Because of ametrine's recent introduction to the gem world, lore specific to it is only at the beginning stages of development. However, lore concerning citrine and amethyst have come down with us through the ages.

Ametrine " . . . is a stone to enhance universal equilibrium and provides a clear connection between the physical form and the ultimate stage of perfection." 1


1)  A. Melody "Love is in the Earth- A Kaleidoscope of Crystals" pg. 49

More than you ever wanted to know about Amber

This edition of my ongoing blog series about gem and mineral fact, fiction and lore features amber.

Amber is solidified, petrified sap.
The name is derived from Arabic. Succinite is from the Latin succus, meaning "juice". The ancient Greeks called it elektron. They were the first to record information about amber's "electrical" properties. (eg. If it is rubbed with a piece of silk, it will attract dust and ashes.)

Amber comes in a variety of colors including yellow, brown , whitish-yellow and cream. It often darkens with age to a rich red-brown color.

"Amber was one of the first substances used by man for decoration, and it was also employed at a very early period for amulets and for medicinal purposes. More or less shapeless pieces of rough amber, marked with circular depressions, have been found in Prussia, Schleswig-Holstein, and Denmark, in deposits of the Stone Age." 1

Lore

Amber is thought to provide mental stimulation. It enhances love, friendliness, patience, and strength. Used to balance aggressive traits and brings about harmony and peace.

Because amber is often included with insects and small animals, it has been thought to contain the essence of life.

"Amber worn in beads about the neck or wrist was regarded a cure for sore throat and ague, and a preventive of insanity, asthma, dropsy, toothache, and deafness." 2

A rejuvenator, amber is thought to improve eyesight by gazing into it. "Amber allows the body to heal itself by absorbing and transmuting negative energy into positive energy." 3

Amber is also a protective and enhancement stone for Wiccans and Shamans.


1) George Frederick Kunz "The curious lore of precious stones"
2) Oliver Cummings Farrington "Gems And Gem Minerals (1903)" pg. 58
3) A. Melody "Love is in the Earth- A Kaleidoscope of Crystals - The Reference Book Describing the Metaphysical Properties of the Mineral Kingdom" pg. 45

More than you ever wanted to know about AGATE

This addition on my ongoing series of blog posts about gem and mineral fact, fiction and lore features agate.

Agate, a form of chalcedony, is an excellent gem material because of its many colors, patterns, hardness and ability to take a brilliant polish. Agate is named after the Achates River in Sicily, now known as the Drillo River, which remains a major source of this gemstone.


Agate was valued by ancient civilizations back to the beginnings of time; the Egyptians are known to have used it before 3,000 BC. It has been found amongst the artifacts of Stone Age man in France (20,000 - 16,000 BC).

". . . Agates were the foundation of a German stonecutting and polishing industry which flourished form the fifteenth through nineteenth centuries, and which still exists today."1

Lore

In general agates are considered to be protection and good luck stones.

• Banded Agate: Promotes strength of body and will. Bolsters one in times of stress.
• Botswana Agate: Increases sexual power. Helps with emotional understanding. Said to strengthen the auto-immune system. Sometimes used to ease the pain of loneliness.
• Blue Lace Agate: Peace, happiness and harmony. Inspires hope and optimism. Calms the emotions and eases mental distraction.
• Mexican Lace Agate: Said to lift depression and strengthen your attitude.
• White Lace Agate: Elevates your thoughts and increases friendliness and happiness.
• Moss Agate: Eases emotional pain and anxiety to bring peace of mind.
• Moss agate aids creativity, confidence and strength. Farmers use it as a talisman to ensure a bountiful crop as it connects one with the earth and helps us communicate with animals, plants and all of nature.
• Iris Agate: Brings us to a new level of awareness about physical pleasure and our world. Fosters truth, honor, joy, and physical well being.
• Fern Agate: A communication aide. Helps to improve our awareness of the mystical world of nature.
• Fire Agate: Associated with courage and enthusiasm, fire agate can help one in overcoming timidity to become more self assertive and expressive.
• Plume Agate: Said to improve imagination and creative visualization. Aids you in keeping focused towards achieving your goals; thus making it a good stone for job-hunting.
• Dendritic Agate: In addition to general protection this form of agate is also associated with safe travel, and is thought to prevent accidents due to tiredness. Stimulates tranquility.
• Red Agate is known as Carnelian. Carnelian is a stone of good luck. Mohammad, Napoleon I and Napoleon III wore carnelian. It is said to help asthma, and blood pressure.

In the eleventh century Marbodus, Bishop of Rennes, said that agates make the wearers agreeable and persuasive and also give them the favor of God.

"The agate possessed some wonderful virtues, for its wearer was guarded from all dangers, was enabled to vanquish all terrestrial obstacles and was endowed with a bold heart . . ." 2

Agate "stabilizes the aura, providing for a cleansing effect which acts to smooth dysfunctional energies and to both transform and eliminate negativity. It further assists one in the development of precision in the examination of oneself and of circumstances relevant to ones well-being." 3

"In certain parts of England, farmers still take an agate with a naturally bored hole through it and hang it on a nail over the door to the barn or stable. This is said to stop evil spirits from riding the cows and horses at night, and keep thunder and lightning from souring the milk." 4

"Pliny's writings are the source of many of the attributes which are given to agate. He recounts in his writings the beliefs which existed in first century Rome; looking an an agate rests the eyes, and an agate held in the mouth will quench the most desperate thirst." 5



1) Naisha Ahsian "The Book of Stones: Who They Are & What They Teach " pg. 6

2) George Frederick Kunz "The curious Lore of Precious Stones"

3) A. Melody "Love is in the Earth- A Kaleidoscope of Crystals" pg.27

4) D.J. Conway "Crystal Enchantments: A Complete Guide to Stones and Their Magical Properties" pg. 23

5) Bruce G. Knuth "Gems in Myth Legend and Lore" pg. 19

More than you ever wanted to know about ACTINOLITE

This addition to my ongoing blog series about gem and mineral fact, fiction and lore features Actinolite.

Actinolite is a basic calcium, magnesium, iron silicate, sometimes called ray stone. The name is from the Greek akitinos, "ray"; a reference to its radiating crystal habit. It forms in long bladed crystals (with a diamond cross section), fibrous masses, and aggregates.

Nephrite jade is a mix of two very similar minerals, actinolite and tremolite.

Lore

"This mineral also provides for a familiarity with all of those who one encounters, withholding all aspects of that which causes the familiar smile, action, or being, to appear objectionable." 1

Actinolite ". . . heals indecision, hesitation, fear of moving forward, and lack of confidence . . . " 2

"An excellent stone for metaphysical shielding. Actinolite expands the aura and crystallizes its edges." 3

Actinolite ". . . stimulates activities of the liver and kidney as well as all building-up and growth processes." 4

1) Melody "Love is in the Earth- A Kaleidoscope of Crystals" pg. 26

2) Diane Stein "Gemstones A to Z: A Handy Reference to Healing Crystals" pg. 2

3) Judy Hall "The Encyclopedia of Crystals" pg. 104

4) Michael Gienger "Healing Crystals- The A - Z Guide to 430 Gemstones" pg. 6