Gemstone Meanings, Symbolism & Powers

The booming worldwide trend for healing gemstones has seen crystals of all shapes and sizes move from small boutiques owned by friendly hippies and wiccans to the runways of Paris fashion houses and websites owned by Hollywood superstars.

History and archaeology can tell us that gemstones have been appreciated for their spiritual powers just as much as their beauty since we first plucked them from riverbeds or sandy shores.

Ancient Egyptians, Assyrians, Greeks and Romans bedecked themselves in protective amulets, pendants and bracelets made of lapis lazuli, carnelian, amber, agate and quartz not only for daily wear but even for the journey into the afterlife.

With the arrival of the industrial age and modern medicine you would think it was game over for healing crystals but they are probably more popular now than at any time in history.

Whether it is a distrust of pills, a dislike of indifferent and disbelieving doctors or a desire to avoid invasive treatments many people turn to gemstones for help both physical and emotional.

I would be the first person to recommend visiting a qualified medical practitioner if you have any ailment - either in body or spirit - but there is no denying the benefit of crystals. It could be all down to a positive placebo effect but so long as it works, who cares?

We have several detailed articles on various gemstones that have a history and reputation for the spiritual strengths but here we have a mini guide to many of our most popular gemstones as an introduction to their best assets.

If you would like more information on any gemstone, just click on the link for the full article.

Actinolite Cat's Eye

Actinolite is popular for its metaphysical abilities. It is an excellent stone for both physical and spiritual healing, and can be used for any of the chakras. It is used for balancing the energies of the heart, and is known to produce soothing energies and awareness.

Actinolite Cat's Eye information

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Agate

Agate is considered a protective stone. It is believed to attract strength and offer protection from bad dreams, stress and the draining of energy. Agate is said to balance energies and awaken talents.

Agate information

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Amazonite

Amazonite is believed to have a soothing and calming effect. It accomplishes this by dispelling negative energy and allowing us to let go of sadness and grief.

Amazonite information

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Amethyst

Amethyst calms the emotions, encourages clarity of thought, and assists in attaining wisdom. Amethyst is a stone of the mind which brings calmness and clarity. Amethyst is said to attune its wearer with intuition, feelings and values. It has long been regarded as an aid to sobriety and is useful for combating alcohol, food and other addictions. It is also thought to ease obsessive-compulsive behavior.

Amethyst information

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Apatite

Apatite is a gemstone of communication. It is believed to help stuttering, hypertension and to assist its wearer in overcoming sadness and grief. Apatite is said to help fight viruses and promote the blending of old with new in one's life.

Apatite information

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Aquamarine

Aquamarine is associated with courage and the release of anxiety and fear. It is thought to soothe, calm, alleviate fear and to help relaxation on long journeys. Many believe that it protects sailors at sea, and prevents seasickness. Tradition holds that it gives insight and promotes mental clarity.

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Aventurine

Aventurine is a stone of opportunity that is believed to attract prosperity. Some good advice is to keep an aventurine in your left pocket when you are buying a lottery ticket or playing any game of chance.

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Bloodstone

Bloodstone improves blood circulation as well as helping to detoxify and purify the blood. It's also said that it can help lessen feelings of anger, hostility and impatience. Since ancient times this deep green gemstone with flecks of red has encouraged courage, confidence and motivation.

Bloodstone information

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Chalcedony

Chalcedony is considered a sacred stone by Native Americans, chalcedony nurtures and promotes brotherhood and goodwill. Chalcedony is said to alleviate hostility, irritability and melancholy.

Chalcedony information

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Chrome Diopside

Chrome Diopside is thought to be a cathartic stone that is believed by crystal healers to heal trauma by bringing forth cleansing tears. Chrome Diopside is thought to foster creativity, love and commitment.

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Citrine

Citrine is said to open the mind to new thoughts and balance impatience and restlessness. Citrine is thought to promote optimism. It also attracts abundance and is known as the "merchant's stone"; it is often placed where business is conducted, not only to acquire wealth, but to maintain it. It is also good for mental focus, endurance and self-esteem.

Citrine information

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Diamond

Diamonds are believed to absorb and amplify the thoughts of its user, as well as the strengths and weaknesses of other gems and their wearers. The ancients also used diamond for detoxification as it is said to protect from poison.

Diamond information

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Emerald

Emerald is a traditional stone, and it is stated that emerald aids fertility, improves eyesight and gives the wearer psychic powers. It is also believed to lift depression and relieve insomnia. Promotes self-knowledge, peaceful dreams and encourages balance and patience.

Emerald information

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Fluorite

Fluorite is thought to balance and stabilize intuition. Regarded as an aid for learning and lateral thinking. Fluorite is believed to improve the ability to concentrate.

Fluorite information

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Garnet

Garnet gemstones are regarded as the stone of passionate devotion; toward family, friends, the self and purpose in life. Believed to stimulate the senses, and increase vitality and stamina. Garnet is thought to attract good luck in business ventures. Garnet gemstones include almandine garnet, pyrope garnet, color change garnet, demantoid garnet, Mali garnet, malaya garnet, rhodolite garnet, hessonite garnet, spessartite tsavorite garnet, star garnet and uvarovite garnet.

Garnet information

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Iolite

Iolite is said to be the stone of inner vision. Believed to assist one in achieving a higher awareness level. Also thought to be useful for the elimination of debt and to increase financial responsibility.

Iolite information

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Jade

Jade is a stone of serenity thought to alleviate anxiety, fear and to promote good luck. Jade not only brings prosperity, but encourages its wearer to hold on to money. A traditional charm for gardeners, jade is said to ensure bountiful harvests. Jade gemstones can include the pure varieties of jadeite and nephrite, as well as jade omphacite, jade-albite and maw-sit-sit.

Jade information

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Jasper

Jasper quartz is a gemstone associated with relaxation, contentment, compassion, nurturing and consolation. Jasper is said to relieve mental stress and help to achieve balance in life.

Jasper information

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Kyanite

Kyanite is a calming stone; it helps to quiet the mind, dissolving emotional or spiritual confusion. Kyanite is said to be particularly good at dissolving anger and frustration.

Kyanite information

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Lapis Lazuli

Lapis lazuli is an ancient stone said to represent friendship and truth. Blue lapis lazuli gems are believed to help bring about harmony in relationships. It is a stone of wisdom and awareness.

Lapis Lazuli information

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Malachite

Malachite blocks and absorbs EMF pollution and all types of negative energy like no other gemstone. It heals and improves immune system functions and supports spiritual growth.

Malachite information

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Moonstone

Moonstone encourages communication by promoting clear thinking, inspiration and receptivity. It also assists in the fulfillment of one's destiny. Long regarded as the gemstone for psychic abilities, wish fulfillment and balancing the emotions, moonstone is thought to work better on things that are needed rather than things that are just wanted. Moonstone varieties include blue-sheen moonstone, rainbow moonstone (though not a real moonstone) and star moonstone.

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Opal

Opal is regarded as a stone strongly associated with the emotions, including love and passion. It is also thought to promote spontaneity, imagination, dreams and healing. Varieties of opal include black opal, common opal, white opal, chocolate opal, opal-in-matrix, Australian boulder opal, opal doublet, opal triplet and fire opal.

Opal information

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Peridot

Green peridot is thought to strengthen life, bring about prosperity, growth and increase openness. Peridot is also believed to help one understand relationships, and to alleviate depression, anger, fear, jealousy and anxiety.

Peridot information

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Prehnite

Green prehnite is a gem with a mystical aura. Prehnite is said to be the stone of remembered dreams, meditation and prophecy.

Prehnite information

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Rose Quartz

Pink rose quartz is known as the stone of "gentle love", rose quartz brings peace and calm to relationships. Excellent for healing emotional wounds, removing negativity and restoring harmony after conflict. Promotes appreciation of the arts.

Rose Quartz information

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Ruby

Red ruby is famous as a protector from misfortune and bad health, ruby is also used to open the heart and promote love. Given as a gift, ruby is a symbol of friendship and love. The ruby is also a symbol of vitality and royalty.

Ruby information

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Rutile Quartz

Rutile quartz is said to intensify the power of quartz crystal, rutile quartz is thought to assist one in getting to the root of a problem.

Rutile Quartz information

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Sapphire

Sapphire has long associations with peace and happiness, and is believed to help with communication, insight, intuition, inspiration and prayer. The ancients felt that sapphires could help them to predict the future.

Sapphire information

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Smoky Quartz

Brown smoky quartz is believed to be nature's stone of endurance, fostering serenity, calmness and positive thoughts.

Smoky Quartz information

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Spinel

Since spinel was confused with ruby for centuries, it has not acquired the richness of meaning associated with other important gems. But it is said that spinel is helpful for relaxation and releasing worry. Since spinel is one of the very few singly refractive gems, it has a purity of color that may be the basis for its symbolic meaning.

Spinel information

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Tanzanite

Violet-blue tanzanite is a recently discovered gemstone, said to be connected with the traditions of the Masai tribe, who believe that it has healing properties. The Masai give tanzanite to newborn children, since it is thought to represent life.

Tanzanite information

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Tiger's Eye

Golden brown tiger's eye is said to help convert anxiety and fear into practical logic and action. It is also believed to promote balance and strength in difficult times, and to relieve doubt.

Tiger's Eye information

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Topaz

Topaz, is thought to calm a bad temper and give strength. It is also said to improve mental clarity, focus and to increase confidence. Topaz gems are recommended for mood swings, insomnia, worry, fear, depression and exhaustion.

Topaz information

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Tourmaline

Tourmaline is said to strengthen both body and spirit. It is believed to attract inspiration, aid concentration, encourage balance and promote understanding. It is also thought to calm nerves, sooth grief, promote balance and build self-confidence.

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Turquoise

Blue and green turquoise is believed to attract money, success and love. Turquoise is a stone of friendship in many cultures. Native Americans associated the colors of turquoise with the blue sky and the green earth. It is still seen by many today as being symbolic of our roots in nature.

Turquoise information

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Zircon

Since the Middle Ages, zircon has been believed to encourage spiritual growth and the promotion of wisdom. It is said that those who wear zircon will find beauty and peace.

Zircon information

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