Gemstone Glossary
Agate
Agate is a type of quartz that is found in a variety of rocks, most commonly volcanic rock or lava. Agate comes in many colors and is usually characterized by banding or stripes. Agate is mined all over the world including: Africa, Brazil, India, Italy, Mexico, and the United States.
Agate’s metaphysical properties include balancing yin/yang energy, and inspiring courage. Agate is also said to boost healing and intellect. Agate is available in a wide range of colors.
Amber
Amber is fossilized resin from ancient trees. It is estimated that most Amber is 40-60 million years old! It ranges in color from yellow to brownish orange. Amber can be found on all continents however most of the Amber which is used in the commercial production of jewelry comes from the Baltic region or the Dominican Republic. In the more valuable pieces of amber you will see insects that have been trapped in the sticky sap before the amber hardened.
Amber helps in healing, protection from negativity, attractiveness and energy.
Amethyst
Amethyst is a purple colored variety of quartz. It is the most valued form of quartz and is mined all around the world. Amethyst has long been called the "sobriety stone." In ancient Rome, crushed amethyst gem stone beads were added to wine cups to prevent drunkenness.
Amethyst increases vivid dreams, relieves depression, promotes calm, serenity, and spirituality. Also helps with addiction and stress.
Carnelian
Carnelian is a reddish-brown form of Chalcedony. It is mined mostly in India, Brazil, Uruguay, and Japan.
Carnelian helps with general healing, such as, relieve sorrows, improve memory, increase creativity, and bring good luck. Restores the natural energy flows of your body.
Coral
Coral is an organic material that as it grows creates formations that resemble tree branches. Coral can be found in a range of colors including white, red and black. Most coral is found in the Mediterranean Sea or the Pacific Ocean, off the coast of Japan and Taiwan. Coral is considered to be one of the seven treasures in the Buddhist scriptures.
It is believed that Coral beads can stop bleeding (helps in childbirth and adoption), protect one from evil spirits, and bad thoughts from others.
Dalmation
Dalmation Stone is a spotted Jasper whose appearance is similar to the spots on a Dalmation breed of dog.
Dalmatian jasper is believed to bring fun and relief to stressful lives and aids in achieving life's goals. It is considered protection against negativity, nightmares and depression. Dalmatian jasper is also believed to protect the body from injury, particularly during endurance sports such as running.
Fluorite
Fluorite is a mineral with a glassy luster that comes in a wide variety of brilliant colors, purple being the most common. This stone can be transparent and translucent. Mineral collectors consider Fluorite to be the most popular mineral in the world. Flourite is mined in many parts of the world including: Germany, Austria, Switzerland, England, Norway, Mexico, Canada, and the United States.
Fluorite stones are said to reduce stress, stimulate the imagination, and protect against nightmares. Enhances spiritual energy work, focuses the will and balances the pysche.
Jade
Jade is a name that is applied to two different type rocks, nephrite and jadeite. Jade stone beads come in a range of colors from translucent to dark green, gold, yellow, and pink. Jade is thought to help reduce fears and do away with negative feelings and brings Luck. Wisdom, mercy, humility, generosity, peace, and harmony. Jade is often used in rosary beads and can be used as a worry stone. Jade mines can be found in British Columbia, Guatemala, and Burma.
Jasper
Usually found in red, yellow or brown, Jasper stone is a fine grained, opaque variety of Chalcedony. Jasper gets its interesting patterns, bands, and colors from the organic minerals and oxides that it contains. Jasper is found in Germany, India, Russia, Pakistan, France, and the United States. Gentleness, relaxation, and tranquility are some of Jasper’s metaphysical properties. Jasper is sometimes referred to as the nurturing stone.
Lapis
Lapis is considered to be a rock, not a mineral, because it is made up of more than one component. Lapis’ color is an intense blue, and you can usually see small flecks of Pyrite within the stone. Lapis is mined in the Badakhshan province of Afghanistan. This stone’s metaphysical properties include bringing truthfulness, inner power, and openness. Helps with healing and stability.
Sodalite
Rich royal blue in color, sodalite was discovered in vast quantities in Ontario Canada. Brazil is also another main source for this stone. The name sodalite refers to its sodium content. Known for being royal blue, it also is found in grey, yellow, green or pink. This stone stimulates endurance and promotes peace and harmony. Purifies your aura and protects you from negative energy from people around you.
Tiger's Eye
Tiger's eye or Cat's eye lets you see everything. Use the tiger eye for insight and you can be a very lucky person. When used in jewelry the tiger eye may bring good luck and protection from the evil eye to the wearer. It also known to bring clear thinking and insight, courage and confidence. Tiger's eye is a stone for the mind, not the body. This is a powerful stone and must be used carefully. Tiger's eye has the power to focus the mind. It will cause the mind to have feeling of oneness and feel more direct in all thoughts. It makes one aware of one's own needs related to the needs of others. This is a very deep process and not all are capable of using the energy of the Tiger's eye correctly
Turquoise
Turquoise is an opaque, blue to green mineral. Though the name possibly came from the color of the Mediterranean Sea on Turkey’s southern coast, it can also be found in Iran, the Sinai Peninsula and the United States. This stone helps in healing, attracts friendship, luck, and happiness.
Unakite
Unakite is a mineral composed of pink feldspar, green epidote, and quartz. The olive green of the epidote combined with the pink hues of the feldspar make this an attractive stone. Unakite (or Epidote) can be used to draw off negative energy and blockage from the Heart Chakra.
Unakite is said to lift your spirits when you are feeling down - this is the gemstone to help you to see the beauty in life. Promotes balance and emotional stability. Transforms negative emotions into positive ones, the grounding stone. It is also used to uncover deception.
*Gemstone metaphysics listed on this website has come from numerous resources and should be used only as an addition to your beliefs and well-being. The jewelry 4 Nomads produces is accompanied with gemstone metaphysic definitions that we feel compliments our designs.