Hardness: 6-6.5
Composition: KAISi3O8 (potassium aluminosilicate)
Qualities: calming, communication, memory
Main chakra: throat, heart
Feldspar is a complex family of related minerals and the most abundant mineral on the planet. Amazonite is one of the most easily identified of feldspars because of its characteristic blue-green color and mottled, streaky, or parallel lines of lighter and darker greens, which are caused by atoms of lead within the crystal lattice. The mineral name for amazonite is microcline. The crystals are flat, columnar prisms that are clearly bounded and often intergrown.
Amazonite is a popular semiprecious gemstone used for cabochons and beads. The ancient Egyptians used amazonite for carving. Its color resembles turquoise, a color associated with the afterlife, fertility, and protection from harm. The color of amazonite also aligns the stone to the heart and throat charkas. Amazonite is a calming stone that helps balance the nervous system and aids communication, memory, and brain functions. Like many turquoise and green stones, amazonite stimulates psychic skills and subtle sensitivity. Amazonite sometimes is able to bring to awareness events from the distant past, known as “far memory.” These images and sensations often relate in some way to the current life circumstances of the person experiencing them.
Qualities: warming, stimulating
Main charka: solar plexus
Amber is found in various parts of the world. Amber is especially common on the Baltic Sea coasts, where it has been used as a valuable jewel for hundreds of thousands of years because it is easily worked. Most amber is cloudy, but it often can be cleared with gentle heat. Amulets and medicinal compounds were commonly made with amber, which dissolves easily in alcohol. Amber has electrical properties; static electricity is generated when a piece is rubbed.
Amber also helps the electrical systems of the body, improving the functions of the brain and nervous system. Amber can release anxiety and improve clarity of mind; amber stimulates and energizes. Some may find that wearing amber for longer than an hour or two creates irritation or overactivity. Amber can be a useful aid to detoxification processes, and it can be used to alleviate cold, damp, or depressive states. But amber is like gemstone caffeine – too much will create chaos, bad tempers, and arguments. Unless the excess energy can be used constructively, problems will arise.
Hardness: 7
Composition: SiO2 (quartz)
Qualities: clarity of mind, calming, integrating
Main chakra: brow, crown
Amethyst is a common variety of quartz that is found as geodes. It tends to have color zones throughout each crystal rather than a consistent shading. What determines the stone’s color is not certain, but it may be caused by iron atoms in the lattice and radioactive decay. Heating can disperse the color, but too much heat will turn the stones yellow, brown, or green.
Amethyst has been used in jewelry for at least 5,000 years. It was cut for seals and rings in the belief that it could prevent the excesses of too much alcohol and so became associated with upright, sober thinking. Amethyst primarily is a stone of the mind, bringing calm and clarity where there is anxiety and confusion. It therefore is useful for meditation and other spiritual exercise. Amethyst calms while keeping awareness sharp and focused. Amethyst also enhances intuition. As a mix of red and blue, amethyst integrates and balances any system of the body and is known as an all-around healing stone. Amethyst works well in cases of anxiety, nervous headaches, digestive disorders (which are often linked to mental stress), or physical-coordination problems.
Hardness: 7.5-8
Composition: Be3AI2(Si6O18)(beryl)
Main chakra: throat
Aquamarine is found in pegmatites, and it can grow to be large hexagonal crystals. Often they contain thin parallel cavities of gas, water, and inclusions of mica and iron oxides. Aquamarine shows dichroism; its rich blue color can be seen from some angles and almost disappears from others. Iron atoms within the lattice are the cause of aquamarine’s blue color.
The color of aquamarine has linked it to the element of water. Aquamarine also is a symbol of happiness and hope; like emerald, it is associated with love and friendship. Aquamarine can be one of the most useful stones for boosting the immune system. It has a cleansing action that, combined with its stimulation of the thymus gland, can help to clear infection from the body. The throat chakra is energized by this crystal, encouraging creative expression and communication skills. Aquamarine also can improve users’ moods by increasing hopefulness, optimism, and inspiration.
Hardness: 7
Composition: SiO2 with inclusions
Qualities: tranquility, positivity, heart
Main chakra: solar plexus, heart
Aventurine forms when quartz melts and recrystallizes in the presence of fuchsite mica, typically transforming the stone into a green color with bright speckles. Aventurine is microcrystalline and can form large slabs and masses that make it ideal for ornamental objects. Brown varieties, which also feature a bright sparkle within the stone, take their color from pyrites or goethite. Aventurine has been carved for centuries in China and the Mediterranean area, and today it is popular in India and Brazil.
In Tibet, aventurine was thought to improve eyesight, clarity of insight, perception, and creativity. Green aventurine is one of the best stones for the heart chakra. It encourages calm and positivity and helps to release emotional pain in a gentle, effective way. Aventurine cleanses negativity and activates positive, life-supporting qualities. It can help release childhood anxieties and fears. This stone allows for the development of interest in spiritual practices, making meditation and creative visualization easier to accomplish. The golden-brown varieties, which work more at the level of the solar plexus, bring self-confidence and a positive, optimistic outlook on life.
Hardness: 6.5
Composition: SiO2 (agate quartz)
Qualities: calming, uplifting
Main chakra: throat
Blue-lace agate is a variety of quartz identified by distinct bands of microcrystalline layers. Each layer of agate crystallizes with different conditions of temperature and impurities; as a result, the color varies, creating distinctive banding. Agate was valued greatly in ancient civilizations, even though today it is regarded as a semiprecious stone. Agate is easy to carve. During the Roman Empire, agate was used for seal rings. At first, only the upper classes were allowed to have rings carved from agate. Agate eventually was used for all sorts of decorative carving and jewelry.
Blue-lace agate can be of use wherever there is aggravation and a buildup of energy causing pain, irritation, or inflammation. The stone’s blue color strengthens the function of the throat chakra and encourages peace, calm, and a sense of quiet detachment. Blue-lace agate tends to be uplifting and supporting, and its subtle colors can suggest the influence of higher spiritual realms. This stone helps with all aspects of understanding and also with the ability to share experiences.
Hardness: 7
Composition: SiO2 (silicon dioxide – chalcedony)
Qualities: healing, soothing, creativity
Main chakra: sacral chakra
Carnelian is a variety of quartz known as chalcedony that forms in tightly packed layers, which gives carnelian a variety of colors and inclusions. Bright-orange carnelian was a highly valued gemstone in Arabia and Egypt. Carnelian was one of the most popular materials with which to carve magical amulets in classical Greece and Rome. The finest carnelian is a deep red-orange color and comes from around Bombay, India.
Carnelian is a very good all-around healing stone. Gently activating and warming, it encourages the body’s natural healing abilities and energizes the sacral chakra, regardless of how old the stresses might be. Where there is rigidity, stiffness, or inflammation, carnelian helps restore correct energy flow. By enhancing the flow of energy, carnelian increases creativity in a way that naturally favors success.
Hardness: 7
Composition: SiO2 (quartz)
Qualities: uplifting, warming, brings confidence
Main chakra: solar plexus
Citrine occurs naturally where quartz recrystallizes with iron inclusions. It can vary in tone from a deep brown-orange to a pale lemon color (when exposed to heat amethyst turns from violet to yellow; because natural citrine is uncommon, much “citrine” available today is created in this way). The rarity and delicacy of its color has made natural citrine a valuable gemstone. During the Middle Ages, citrine was thought to carry the energy of the sun’s rays, so it was used as a remedy for people who became depressed during long winter months or overcast weather.
Citrine’s wide range of color enables it to help balance many different areas. Deep brown-orange helps to energize the root chakra and is gently grounding. Orange-yellow works well at the sacral chakra and helps the body release stress and tension so users can enjoy life. Yellow acts at the solar plexus, balancing digestion and the nervous system and bringing mental clarity and focus. Citrine quartz is gently expansive, relaxing, and comforting and increases self-confidence and personal power. Stones with more golden tones connect to the spiritual energies above the crown chakra, bringing in higher levels of wisdom and knowledge. Overall, as a grounding stone, citrine quartz helps to integrate intuition into everyday life.
Hardness: 7
Composition: SiO2
Qualities: clarity, order, calm
Main chakra: all
Clear quartz is silicon dioxide free from any impurities in the crystal lattice, which would create color. Quartz originates in volcanic rock, where silica-rich solutions cool and crystallize within cracks and cavities. Quartz is formed in long, six-sided hexagonal crystals that meet at a single point. Quartz is used as a tool for divination – particularly for divining the causes of diseases – and also for scrying and healing. Quartz crystal has been vital in the development of modern technology. Quartz was used in early radio sets, and laboratory-made crystals are now widely used in precision equipment.
In healing, clear quartz has an organizing and harmonizing effect on all parts of the body. It can calm the emotions, restoring a more balanced energy by quickly dissipating all areas of imbalance and negativity. It establishes calm and clarity in the mind; as a result, it is a useful stone for all subtle work, such as meditation and healing techniques. Clear quartz tends to amplify the qualities of stones nearby. It enhances positive frequencies of energy, making coherent, life-enhancing energies more effective and reducing or neutralizing chaotic or disharmonious energies.
Hardness: 4
Composition: CaF2 (calcium fluoride)
Qualities: invention, innovation, coordination
Main chakra: brow
Fluorite is a common mineral that forms where mineral veins come into contact with hot water. Fluorite appears in a wide range of colors, and the cubic form of its crystals can make striking clusters of stepped and pyramidal shapes. Although fluorite is soft and easily cleavable, it is used as a gemstone, cabochon, or in relief carving. If certain frequencies of light are shone on the stone it emits light of a difference color. This property is known as fluorescence. Fluorite is an important industrial mineral. It is the main source for fluorine gas; hydrofluoric acid used in steel-making, enamel, and glassware; refrigerator coolant; rocket-fuel technology; and nonstick coatings.
Fluorite helps one assimilate ideas and information from difference sources. Sudden ideas, inventions, new technologies, and dreams of the future are encouraged by this stone. Working with the brow chakra, fluorite focuses its energy on helping the functioning of the mind, physical coordination, dexterity, balance, and learning skills. Gnereally creating orderliness and improving structure, fluorite also specifically helps to maintain the integrity of bones and skeletal systems in the body.
Hardness: 6.5-7.5
Composition: X3Y4(SiO4)3 where X and Y are various metals
(silicates of bivalent and trivalent elements)
Qualities: energizing, accelerating
Main chakra: root
Garnets are formed at very high temperatures from a complex mixture of minerals with similar compositions. They are found in a wide variety or colors; the most popular are the deep reds. Often found as large granules or clusters in rock, garnets are dense and always break with sharp edges, making them ideal as an abrasive material in industry. The name “garnet” comes from the Latin word for pomegranate, possibly because of garnet’s resemblance to the fruit’s seeds.
Red garnets are the best energizers for the body. Red garnet speeds up all processes and amplifies the effects of other stones placed nearby. Cool, sluggish, watery conditions can be balanced by the energy of red garnet. The specific color of a garnet will determine its effects, but all garnets work to focus, activate, and stimulate. Garnets increase passion, anger, new ideas, and creativity. In fact, garnet sometimes can temporarily increase agitation and restlessness before settling down.
Hardness: 5-6
Composition: Fe2O3 (iron oxide)
Qualities: grounding, solidity
Main chakra: root
Hematite is a common mineral formed in igneous rock born of iron-rich water. Hematite crystals are uncommon; hematite often forms in kidney-shaped masses. In its metallic form, hematite has been used for thousands of years for jewelry, ornaments, and as sacred red pigment. Hematite still is used as an important source of pigment today.
With its iron content, hematite strengthens the physical body, the blood, and the circulation. Because it is so stabilizing to the physical body, hematite is one of the best grounding stones. It helps to counteract an unfocused mind or feelings of being “spaced out.” Hematite is used to access spirit travel and astral worlds. Hematite appears as a shiny silver metal that becomes red when powdered. Consequently, this material encourages users to look beyond the surface of the things and situations in their lives to the reality underneath. Hematite provides good, solid foundations upon which to build.
Color: green (jadeite); green, white, cream, brown (nephrite)
Hardness: 6.5-7 (jadeite); 6-6.5 (nephrite)
Composition: NaAI(SiO3)2 (jadeite); Ca2(MgFe)5Si8O22(OH)2 (nephrite)
Qualities: integration, instinct, awareness
Main chakra: heart
Jade is two distinct minerals. Jadeite is harder and deep green; nephrite jade is slightly softer and less dense but more liable to splinter and to crumble. Jade is formed from closely interlocked crystals, which makes jade difficult to carve. Jade has long had a relationship with human ancestors and the spirits of the dead. Ax heads of ceremonial and ritual function have been found in Stone Age tombs. In South America and China, jade was placed under the tongues of the dead. American Indians used jade for diseases of the kidneys; the name “nephrite” comes from this association.
Jade has a balancing effect on the heart. It is very stabilizing and helps to bring awareness to body consciousness or instinct. Jade gives a sense of knowingness, an instinctive ability to sense the truth of any situation. This level of awareness is part of a connection with the planet that creates a sense of belonging and an increased sensitivity to surroundings. Jade helps to bridge the divide between spirit, matter, mind, and body, making all healing processes much more efficient.
Hardness: 6.5-7
Composition: SiO2 (quartz family)
Qualities: energizing, practical skills
Main chakra: root, sacral, solar plexus
Jasper forms in veins and slabs from quartz solutions that contain various trace minerals, which determine jasper’s color. Jasper is an opaque, microcrystalline variety of quartz. The patterning and color variations in each piece are created by recrystallization. Jasper is one of the world’s oldest precious stones. It was used for ornaments and amulets throughout the ancient world and Middle Ages. Every piece is unique, yet it is foun din enough volume to be carved in forms as large as vases, tables, and wall slabs.
Jasper is earthy, solid, and dependable. It gently focuses energy at the chakra related to its color. Its many colors and patterns help to stimulate psychic faculties, dreams, and visionary skills. Jasper’s main focus is the repair of the physical structures of the body. Jasper is an opaque stone – everything appears as it is at face value, nothing is being hidden. Consequently, jasper encourages open and honest dealings with oneself and with others. Jasper also helps to provide practical skills for accomplishing goals.
Hardness: 6-6.5
Composition: (Na,Ca)AI1-2SiO3-2O8 (Plagioclase feldspar)
Qualities: camouflage, energy shifts
Main chakra: all
Labradorite is a special iridescent variety of feldspar whose color is caused by light refracting from microscopic crystals of ilmenite, hematite, and magnetite and from fine intergrowths of labradorite crystals. Labradorite is common in massive form; crystals are rare and small. It was first found in the late 18th century in the province of Labrador in Canada. This area is still the primary source for the stone, although labradorite also is found in Finland and the Ukraine. The beauty of the worked stone makes it a favorite for craving ornaments and jewelry.
Labradorite allows complete polarity shifts because it helps many different levels of energy and awareness to be accessed by users. It is an ideal stone for helping to discover new solutions and to reveal new opportunities in life. Labradorite’s quality of rapid frequency shift enables every chakra and subtle system within the body to move between dimensional states. This removes blockages and rapidly establishes new patterns of behavior more appropriate to each individual.
Labradorite is a very useful stone for energy protection because the ever-changing colors prevent negativity from attaching anywhere. Indeed, labradorite prevents many kinds of energy drain and reduces codependency.
Hardness: 5-5.5
Composition: (Na,Ca)8(AISiO4)6(S,SO4Cl)2 (sodium aluminosilicate with sulfer)
Qualities: deep mind, memory, meditation
Main chakra: throat, brow
When limestone comes into contact with calcite and pyrite, lazurite is created. Lapis lazuli consists of compact lazurite crystals with white dolomite, calcite, grains of pyrite, and sodalite. The finest source for lapis lazuli always has been Afghanistan, which today still produces the finest deep-blue stone. In China, Italy, Russia, and Argentina, lapis lazuli has been ground up to make the pigment known as ultramarine. In Egypt, lapis lazuli was used to carve scarabs and seals, as well as to decorate royal vestments and temples.
In healing, lapis lazuli is a deep balancer that works with the chest and throat areas. Lapis lazuli can remove deep levels of stress and trauma from the whole body, so this stone is an excellent choice for healing deep or chronic wounds of all sorts. Lapis lazuli brings out the spiritual qualities of deep silence and perspective; from the resulting sensations of emptiness or void, intuition and inspiration can emerge. Lapis lazuli helps to access levels of universal truth and balance that are far beyond individual concepts of right and wrong.
Hardness: 4
Composition: Cu2CO3(OH)2 (carbonate of copper)
Qualities: detoxifying, soothing
Main chakra: heart
Malachite is a soft, green mineral often found with blue azurite. Malachite is formed from the decomposition of copper ores. It is rarely found crystallized but rather as nodules and radiating masses of deep, silky green with concentric bands of color. From classical times, malachite has been used as an amulet to protect the young from evil spirits and other harm. When ground down to a fine powder, malachite has been used as a green pigment.
Malachite is an absorbing stone and is excellent at drawing out imbalances from the body. Malachite is used to reduce the pain of inflammations and soothing minor aches. This stone is effective at clearing emotional imbalances by giving time and space to reveal the truth of any situation. Malachite can bring peace and balance to the heart chakra. Malachite also helps to cleanse the body of toxins and pollutants of all types. It encourages the letting go of old patterns, memories, and attachments, allowing for growth and the ability to move forward. Malachite helps painful situations be understood, forgiven, and sent on their way, so that we do not become trapped in the past.
Hardness: 7
Composition: SiO2
Qualities: gentle diffusion, dispersal
Main chakra: sacral, crown
Rock crystal often contains veils and patterns of small bubbles of water or gas within its clear transparent interior. The base of quartz crystals is often cloudy with small bubbles. Milky quartz is this cloudy material, which can sometimes turn clear when gently warmed. Milky quartz, which is considered less precious than the transparent variety, long has been a common stone for making beads in jewelry.
Milky quartz has the same energy as clear quartz, except that it has a more gentle effect. In the same way that the stone gently diffuses light to appear white, milky quartz also radiates a cool, quiet energy into the aura. Milky quartz is soothing to the mind and the emotions. It blends all energies around it and has a gentle purifying action. Milky quartz’s effects are similar to those of rose quartz, but without the focus on emotional states. Milky quartz helps to bring clarity and encourage patience by gently dissipating energies that pull in different directions.
Hardness: 6-6.5
Composition: KAISi3O8 (potassium aluminum silicate)
Qualities: emotional balance, intuition, calm
Main chakra: solar plexus, sacral
Moonstone (also called adularia) is a generic term applied to a number of related minerals. All moonstones belong to the oligoclase family of feldspars. Feldspar is one of the most common minerals and is composed of parallel layers of mineral that reflect light entering the crystal. Fine crystals of nearly transparent moonstone are found throughout the Alps, but Indian and Sri Lankan moonstone has had the longest history of use. In India and Sri Lanka, moonstone has long been thought to emphasize female virtues, reducing many digestive and reproductive ailments common to women.
Moonstone brings emotional calm and stability. It releases the tensions created by emotional stress that so often affect the stomach and digestive system, disrupting normal processes of absorbing nutrients from food. If they have an emotional cause, stomachaches and headaches can be relieved by moonstone. Moonstone encourages fluidity and flexibility in all the body systems, reflecting the relationship the moon itself has with water, mood, cycles, and intuition. Fluid balance and body cycles that have been disrupted through shock and stress can be restored with moonstone’s use. Also, moonstone eases any problems with flow of energy, thereby increasing intuition, creativity, and empathy.
Hardness: 6.5
Composition: SiO2
Qualities: openness, cleansing, optimism
Main chakra: heart
Moss agate is transparent or translucent chalcedony quartz that has intergrown with crystals of manganese oxides, hornblende, or oxides of iron. These inclusions are usually green and brown and take a dendritic form that resembles plant forms in the way they grow. Moss agate long has been sought for ornamental uses, such as cameo brooches, rings, and vases.
The green coloring within moss agate aligns its energy with the heart chakra. The tree-like patterns also are reminiscent of the fine airways of the lungs, the capillary blood vessels, and the channels of the lymphatic system. Moss agate helps free up congestion and constriction in lungs, blood, or lymph supplies. This stone can be useful for detoxification processes. Moss agate encourages openness on all levels and increases feelings of expansion, freedom, and space. Moss agate thus instills confidence and the desire to explore and experience new things in life. The stone resonates with all the realms of nature and encourages an awareness of the natural world. Moss agate is an antidote to overwork, tension, and the other constricting consequences of an urban lifestyle.
Hardness: 3.5-4.5
Composition: MnCO3 (manganese carbonate)>
Qualities: releasing, self-worth, self-confidence
Main chakra: heart, sacral, solar plexus
Rhodochrosite is found in massive aggregates and banded layers, often near copper, lead, and silver deposits. Rhodochrosite can be transparent but more commonly is translucent. It is one of the main ores of manganese widely used in metal alloys. Rhodochrosite is found in Argentina, Romania, South Africa, and the United States. The colors of the banded zones in the rhodochrosite vary from pink and red to peach and cream.
In healing, rhodochrosite’s ability to balance the chakras from the root to the solar plexus helps to clear stress from the heart chakra. Rhodochrosite stimulates and enhances self-worth and self-confidence. The stone helps release tension and old wounds from the subtle bodies within the aura, alleviating all sorts of difficulties that manifest as malfunctions within the digestive and reproductive systems. Rhodochrosite often is of particular help with emotional issues around sexuality and fertility.
Hardness: 5.5-6.5
Composition: (Mn,Fe,Mg,Ca)5(Si3)5 (silicates of manganese, iron,
magnesium, and calcium)
Qualities: compassion, deep healing, practicality
Main chakra: heart
Rhodonite takes its name from the Greek word for rose, “rhodon.” Rhodonite mainly has been used for the carving of ornaments and as a source of metal manganese in industry. The stone helps to bring balance to the heart chakra, emphasizing practical, realistic resolutions to emotional problems. Rhodonite’s dark streaks offer qualities of stability and grounding that can help users release negative states. Its deep-pink tones mean rhodonite resonates with finer levels of matter, making it useful for healing subtle-body damage. Rhodonite also is an amplifier for all healing work involving sound. The stone encourages users to focus on the attitudes they hold about themselves and helps them toward a state of balance. As a result, rhodonite is especially useful in times of difficulty in relationships. Rhodonite opens the heart to the reality of others and to accepting people as they are.
Hardness: 7
Composition: SiO2
Qualities: emotional release, calming
Main chakra: heart
Rose quartz occurs primarily in massive, microcrystalline form. Only very recently have larger crystals of rose quartz been found in some Brazilian mines. Transparent, gem-quality rose quartz is rare. Rose quartz is very brittle and often contains many fractures. Its pink color is thought to derive from titanium or manganese oxides. Rose quartz was highly valued in the classical world for both its decorative qualities and its healing properties.
Rose quartz is an effective stone for reducing all aggravating or aggressive conditions. It encourages better understanding and increases self-worth. Rose quartz helps to neutralize the damage caused by poor self-image, which often prevents effective healing and allows a buildup of stress to occur in the mind and emotions. Large pieces placed close to the heart can release stress and trauma rapidly. This sometimes can cause discomfort, so take care to balance the release with calming, stabilizing stones. Rose quartz is a main stone of relationships perhaps because relationships with other often depend on the relationship we have with ourselves.
Hardness: 6-6.5
Composition: SiO2 + TiO2 (silicon dioxide with titanium dioxide)
Qualities: energy transfer, regeneration
Main chakra: all
Rutilated quartz is a rock crystal intergrown with crystals of titanium dioxide called rutile. Rutile is a valuable material used in industry to make a variety of specialist materials. Rutile forms long, thin, needle-like crystals of golden-brown or red-brown. Known as sagenite or sagenitic quartz, rutilated quartz became a popular gemstone for rings and necklaces known as “hair of Venus” or “arrows of love.” Many pieces bear an uncanny resemblance to locks of golden hair trapped forever in crystal.
In healing, rutilated quartz helps in places where there has been damaged tissue. The patterns of rutile within the quartz stimulate the repair of wounds by encouraging a multi-level flow of energy. This stone is also effective at restoring normal energy and communication between the systems of the body. Rutilated quartz stimulates the nervous system, the efficiency of the brain, memory, and the higher functions of the mind. Rutilated quartz also helps to bring things together so they make more apparent sense; the stone helps to create coherence and pattern where there is lack of order.
Hardness: 7
Composition: SiO2 (silicon dioxide)
Qualities: quieting, grounding, protecting
Main chakra: root
Smoky quartz ranges from a characteristic smoky brown or gray to almost black. The color is produced when clear quartz is exposed to sources of natural or man-made radiation. Fine examples of smoky quartz were often polished and set as jewelry to be handed down through generations as protective or healing amulets.
Smoky quartz gently focuses grounding energy so the stone is useful in any situation in which there is confusion or overactivity. Smoky quartz calms thought processes and helps to disperse fear and other negative states of mind. Smoky quartz creates stability in all body systems. The stone helps create stillness, patience, and a very steady level of activity. It may seem to users that nothing is happening, but change is often underway at deep levels. Smoky quartz reminds users to focus on their plans and dreams while remaining open to any outcome. The stone encourages quiet contemplation, meditation, and withdrawal from outer activity.
Hardness: 5.5-6
Composition: Na8(AISiO4)6CI2 (aluminosilicate of sodium with chlorine
Qualities: peace, clarity, perception
Main chakra: throat, brow
Sodalite is named for its high sodium content and is related to several other aluminosilicates with very similar structures. Sodalite crystals are rare; sodalite commonly is found in massive, microcrystalline form. The deep-blue varieties are popular as gemstones and have been used as an alternative to lapis lazuli. Sodalite can be distinguished from lapis lazuli by its white veining, its slightly darker blue, and its lack of pyrites. Whether as a decorative stone, used for beads, or cut as cabochons, sodalite has been popular for many centuries.
Sodalite works well with the throat and brow chakras. It is a clarifying stone that balances emotions and steadies thought processes. Like al deep-blue stones, sodalite brings a deep level of peace and so is useful for meditation and contemplation. The stone’s white veining is suggestive of communications with far-flung parts of the universe. Sodalite helps to support the lymphatic system and the immune functions of the body. With its high sodium content, sodalite also benefits the fluid systems of the body.
Hardness: 7
Composition: SiO2 (silicon dioxide)
Qualities: grounding, confidence, social skills
Main chakra: root, sacral, solar plexus
Tiger’s-eye is formed from quartz that has replaced fibers of decomposed crocidolite, creating graded bands of yellow and golden brown in various shades. The orange and yellow tones are created by iron inclusions and will turn to a deep red if they come into contact with heat. Tiger’s-eye is usually cut as a cabochon, a smooth, rounded dome that enhances its natural luster. Originally found in India and Burma, tiger’s-eye is now mainly sourced from South Africa and Australia. Tiger’s-eye has a blue variety, known as hawk’s-eye or falcon’s-eye, in which less iron is present in the quartz fibers. Cat’s-eye, in which light reflects from the transparent crystal in a bright line, is more valued than tiger’s-eye.
The range of colors of tiger’s-eye allows it to work with all three lower chakras – root, sacral, and solar plexus – by balancing the flow of energy between them. As a result, tiger’s-eye encourages confidence, practicality, and an ability to feel at home in the world.
Hardness: 7-7.5
Composition: (Na,Ca)(Li,Mg,AI)(AI,Fe,Mn)6(BO3)(Si6O18)(OH)4
(complex borosilicate)
Qualities: protection, grounding, creating energy flow
Main chakra: depends on color of stone
Tourmaline comes in all colors, opaque or translucent. Tourmaline forms long, thin, three-sided crystals with parallel striations along the length of the prism. Schorl, the black variety, is the most common of all the colors. When tourmaline is heated, one end of the crystal becomes charged electrically positive and the other end has a negative charge. This creates all sorts of industrial and healing possibilities. Many varieties of tourmaline closely resemble the color of other gems and have been used as substitutes for more costly stones.
Black tourmaline is one of the best stones for protection from all sorts of negativity because it deflects rather than absorbs energy that is unbalancing. Tourmaline helps users stay in harmony with their surroundings. Tourmaline reminds users that the structures of things, the hidden foundations, need to be taken into account, encouraging user to make sure that the bases of all their actions or relationships are secure and firm. The color of a tourmaline determines which chakra it can help to align or integrate. Tourmaline’s ability to take on every hue of the visible spectrum hints at its underlying resonance with the universal energies that support all life.
Hardness: 5-6
Composition: CuAI6(PO4)4(OH)84-5H2O (hydrated phosphate of aluminum and copper
Qualities: strengthening the aura, supporting all organs of the body
Main chakra: throat
Turquoise is created when water acts on copper and aluminum minerals. The stone usually occurs in massive form or granules. A blue color derives from its copper content, and the green tones derive from impurities. Turquoise is very porous, so heat or sunlight often will change its color. To stabilize its color and reduce porosity, turquoise is often impregnated with a wax or resin. Turquoise has been used across the world as a powerful amulet for protection. Because it was valued by so many traditions, turquoise became an expensive and valuable commodity and a symbol of wealth.
Turquoise works on the heart and throat area and stimulates the subtle energies of the thymus gland. This gland plays an important part in the body’s immunity and spiritually regulates the amount of life-energy available to an individual. Turquoise acts on all systems of the body and offers protection from harm by ensuring a better level of energy function throughout. Turquoise reduces the effects of environmental pollution and negativity. Turquoise also enhances psychic sensitivity and connection with the spirit realms.
