Corundums are a group of minerals of which rubies and sapphires belong. The basic composition of corundums is Al2O3 (aluminum and oxygen which makes it an aluminum oxide) and it refers to 2 atoms of aluminum and 3 atoms of oxygen.

The combination of aluminum and oxygen together makes a hard mineral which is why rubies and sapphires #9 on the MOHS scale of hardness. Because of its extreme hardness, corundums have other uses besides being attractive gemstones. For example, rubies have been used in lasers.

What gives corundums their coloring are minute amounts of impurities in the aluminum oxide. By and large, it is chromium that causes rubies to be red. Blue corundums (sapphires), green, orange, purple, pink and yellow corundums (some of which are also considered sapphires) all get their coloring from varying amounts of iron, chromium, titanium, copper and / or magnesium.

Corundums which also contain hematite or magnetite (additional metals) are known as emery. Emery is a grayish black corundum which is often used as a coating on paper. So, the next time you are filing your finger or toenails with an emery board, say “Hi” to the less glamorous relative of the ruby and sapphire.  Shhh. I didn’t tell you that.

Better quality rubies and sapphires are usually cut, faceted and polished and made into fine jewelry. However, not every corundum makes the grade (coloring, inclusions or appearance) are all factors that determine its value.

Until fairly recently, most red gemstones were referred to as rubies. In reality, many red gemstones are actually spinel, (MgAl2O4) a more common mineral made up of one atom of magnesium, 2 atoms of aluminum and 4 atoms of oxygen.  Chemically, spinel is composed of the two main minerals present in corundums with an atom of magnesium thrown in. Like corundums, spinels also contain trace amounts of various minerals which create their varied colors.

The two main differences between corundums and spinels are hardness and density. Rubies are harder and more dense than spinels. They also have differing optical properties. The micro multiple layers of metal and oxygen in true rubies cause it to be dichroic.  Spinels are known for their refractive properties. Refraction is the change in direction of a light ray caused by its change in speed.

While on the subject of spinels, be careful if you are in the market for black rubies. Most “black rubies” are actually black spinel.

Rose quartz is a member of the quartz family, just like amethyst, citrine, ametrine, smokey quartz, milky quartz, rutilated quartz and clear quartz.

A word on quartzes… All quartzes start off as clear quartz, which consists of one atom of silicon and two atoms of oxygen.  I would like to make a quick comment about my beloved Clear Quartz.  It has and will always remain my favorite crystal.  I guess I am drawn to its sheer beauty and magnificence and its powerful properties. You can be sure that I will be speaking on this master healer in the near future.

Getting back to the composition of clear quartz for a moment… In chemistry, SiO2 stands for one atom of silicon, a metal which is #14 on the periodic chart of elements and 2 atoms of oxygen, a gas which is #8 on the chart of elements.

So, what gives the other members of the quartz family (or any other stones for that matter) their unique coloring?  Yes, it’s the trace amounts of other minerals that are present and seep in as the crystal forms.  In the case of rose quartz, its pink hues can come from a few different minerals, such as manganese, iron, titanium and / or pink dumortierite.  I can almost hear some of you knowledgeable crystals folks shouting to me that dumortierite is a blue stone.  Yes, dumortierite is more commonly recognized as a blue stone, however it can also be pink.

Before I begin talking about the metaphysical properties of rose quartz, I would like to touch on a few stone connections that I always like to include when talking about a stone. First is the stone’s astrological connection.

Astrologically, rose quartz is associated with Taurus and Libra the two signs ruled by Venus. And what does Venus represent? All of you Taureans and Librans know the answer to that… Venus is the Goddess of Love and Beauty. This beautiful Rose Quartz is the stone most associated with LOVE.  While on the subject of Venusian attributes, let me add that rose quartz can enhance our sensitivity and appreciation of beauty, music and art.

Many crystals have a corresponding chakra or chakras to which it can bestow its benefits. Rose quartz is beneficial to all of our chakras and especially our heart and crown chakra.  Love is the most positive and gratifying feeling that we can experience.  And we all know the important connection between our emotions and our well-being.  So, it’s no surprise that rose quartz benefits all of our chakras.

Based on some of the Eastern religions, there are 5 “great elements” in our existence. (earth, fire, water, air AKA wind and storm). Every stone belongs to at least one element group with some of them belonging to 2.  I have to share this interesting tidbit with you. Before I looked up the element associated with rose quartz, I ran through the list of elements in my head and came up with water. Why?  Because when I think of rose quartz, I think of “our emotions.” I think of tears of joy, tears of sadness and tears of laughter.  And what are tears made of?  You got it!  Are you beginning to see the connections here?  When we don’t “overthink” things, everything becomes so much clearer.

Just like all quartzes, rose quartz has a hardness of 7.

Its vibration is also a 7. Actually, the #7 in numerology represents spirituality.  I also have to share this you all too. My birth number is a 7, which explains my passion for and my desire to teach others about crystals and gemstones. I’m definitely following my intended life’s path.

So, what is it about this popular pink crystal that we find so inviting and why is it among the first to be collected by gem enthusiasts?

When you look at this crystal, what do you feel?  Exactly!!!!

In the mineral world, the pink ray represents unconditional love and gentleness.

This stone of love exudes a calming, warm, soothing, accepting, nurturing, compassionate and self loving energy. It provides us with an inner peace and harmony. Rose Quartz increases our self esteem and self confidence and in doing so enhances our capacity to have compassion and love for ourselves and others. This pink beauty calms and balances our emotions and can ease a whole host of issues: stress, anger, guilt, panic attacks, anxieties, aggression, resentment and depression. Want to hear more?  Throw in patience and forgiveness too. So, now you know why this stone is considered a powerful emotional healer.

The energy of rose quartz is sometimes compared to a pink rose.  Its color represents the gentle beauty of a rose and its open loving energy correlates to the rose petals as they open up.

Like the green stones, pink stones are also associated with our heart and heart chakra.  However, the energy of pink stones is more subtle than the energy of the green stones. Rose quartz stimulates and opens our heart, heart chakra and helps heal a broken heart.

In addition to its wealth of emotional healing properties, rose quartz also has a number of physical healing attributes, the most obvious being a super powerful healer for our heart. It helps remove the stressors that take a toll on our heart and turns that negative energy into a love-centered energy. In addition to all of the good it bestows on our heart, rose quartz also encourages the optimum functioning of our kidneys, adrenals, liver, lungs and genitals.  Plus it can increase fertility.

Because rose quartz makes us feel better about ourselves, it helps with any eating dis-orders we may have and can be a positive and encouraging influence on our efforts to lose weight.

Anyone out there want a more clear and soft complexion? How about less wrinkles?  I know I’m raising my hand.

As you see, its gentle healing effects benefit our whole body emotionally, spiritually and physically.

Does anyone out there have trouble falling asleep? Place a piece of rose quartz under your pillow to help lull you into a relaxing and restful sleep. Are there times when you experience stress related chest pains? Placing a rose quartz near our heart chakra can stop those pains within minutes.  I know that first hand. We women are lucky in the sense that we can place a piece of rose quartz in our bra to quickly halt anxiety and stress related chest pains. For our gentlemen friends who don’t wear bras, may I suggest lying down with a rose quartz placed near your heart chakra. The stone can also be held in your hand, placed inside your socks or anywhere else you wish.

Many folks keep crystals in their pockets which is OK.  It is certainly better than them being lost in a purse or bag. I would simply like to remind you that crystals work their magick best when they and their vibrations are touching our skin.

I want to touch on gem elixirs for a moment. The same properties and benefits that we can gain from holding crystals or having them placed on us, we can also receive by drinking a gem elixir made from them. When crystals are placed into water, their healing energies (or vibrations) are transferred into the water.

Some minerals are toxic and must NEVER be submerged in water, however.  Such is the case with most metals.  With all quartz stones, it is safe to place them in a glass of water. I recommend cleansing the stone first, then placing it in a glass of filtered water for a minimum of 12 hours.  A glass container is preferable to plastic.

There are many ways to cleanse stones, including water solutions and smudging with sage. Since quartz has a hardness of 7, it is OK to subject them to methods that involve water. Salt water (with any small amount of salt of your choosing) works well. Or you can simply use mild soap and water.  Of course, living 9 miles from the beach enables me to give my crystals some fun and frolic in the ocean water from time to time.  Placing the stones in a colander or something similar and letting the water run over them is best when cleansing the crystals in the ocean.

Where is this pink gem found?  The most prevalent places to find rose quartz is in Brazil, Madagascar and the Midwest territory of South Dakota in the U.S.

When choosing a stone, it is always best to choose one that you are drawn to.  Don’t let anyone else influence you as to what stone you should or shouldn’t buy. Your higher self will almost always guide you to the stone that you need. Sometimes a stone just calls out to us…When that happens, it is meant to go home with us.

When I first began my crystal journey (in this lifetime), polished rose quartz pieces were among the first stones that I purchased for my store. That initial group of rose quartz stones had a mixture of mostly pink stones, some with a fair amount of white in them.  At the time, I wasn’t aware that rose quartz could have white in them or could be totally white in color, for that matter. For the longest time, I believed that rose quartz only turned white if it had “taken in” a large of amount of negative energies.  Don’t get me wrong… I do believe and have heard of cases where pink quartz can turn white from absorbing the “bad stuff” that normally would have done our body harm.  As we know, crystals can also shatter, break and explode when they have taken an overload of undesirable influences.

As you would imagine, the beauty of rose quartz has made it a popular stone for use in jewelry and ornamental and religious objects.
I would like to finish up with an interesting tidbit regarding rose quartz… Many years ago, Asian women placed a piece of rose quartz under the bed to keep their husbands loyal. Of course, that only worked if they were sleeping with their husbands.

This article on rose quartz was my very first talk on my weekly “Get Stoned”  blog talk radio segment that aired on March 13, 2013.  If you would like to listen to it, here is the link.

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/creatingcalmnetwork/2013/03/13/waking-up-with-wonder-filled-wednesdays                   

My “Get Stoned” show begins at the 90 minute mark.

Every stone and their associated color has its own respective properties and health and healing benefits.  Crystals heal us with their  unique vibrational frequencies (energies).  When we hold a crystal or have a crystal touching our skin, our body absorbs this color vibration. This energy travels through our nervous system and goes to the area that needs healing.  The vibration then rebalances and harmonizes our body’s energies. This is when the healing begins.

Folks are always asking  ”What are the best stones for protection?”

So, I have decided to write a blog on stones that provide us protection. This includes all kinds of protection including harm, negativity, EMFs (electro-magnetic fields) and more.

The first stones that come to my mind for protection are the black stones: black tourmaline, black onyx, black obsidian, nuummite and black jade (which is very hard to get and very expensive).  Another stone that always comes to my mind is fire agate, which happens to be an orange stone with intriguing markings.

Getting back to the color black for a moment…  Black is a color that absorbs. That is the reason why black stones are good at protecting us from negativity and electro-magnetic fields.  It absorbs the bad that our bodies would normally take in and then it either dissolves or releases it.

The beauty of fire agate is that it not only provides protection from those who don’t wish us well, it actually returns the bad that others wish on us back to them, makes them aware of what they are doing and they stop.

Black tourmaline is a special stone to the Native American Indians.  It provides a very powerful protection against “spells” cast on us.

As a side note… In addition to providing protection, black tourmaline also increases our vitality, emotional stability, intellectual sharpness and keeps our spirits high.

When black tourmaline grows with quartz, it not only provides protection from the evil of others, it drives away the spell and actually energizes the “victim” and increases their well being.

The combination of black tourmaline and mica actually returns the spell to the sender and allows us to identify who is sending the negative energies.  

Nuummite is a stone that is figured to be over 1.5 billion years old, despite it being relatively new to the mineral kingdom. Nuummite shields us from the many forms of negativity.  It actually provides us with a protective shield which works on our physical, emotional and etheric levels

Nuummite is considered the stone of magic and it can provide powerful protection against black magic and witchcraft that is directed to us.

Below are various kinds of protection and the stones that best work their magick for them.

OVERALL PROTECTION:

amethyst, ammonite, aventurine, bloodstone, brown jasper, carnelian, chiastolite, fire agate, hematite, jade, jasper, jet, labradorite, black obsidian, sardonyx, silver leaf jasper, smokey quartz, sugilite, black tourmaline, turquoise

FROM DARKNESS OF OTHERS:

jet

ELECTROMAGNETIC  FIELDS / POLLUTION / STRESS (EMFs):

amazonite, black tourmaline, clear quartz, galena, infinite stone, malachite, unakite.  Place stone(s) near or on top of computer, tv, etc.

FROM EVIL/ HARM/ ILL WILL (DIRECTED AT YOU)

coral, fire agate, black tourmaline with mica    and black tourmaline with quartz

FROM GEOPATHIC STRESS:  Geopathic Stress has to do with the relationship between the earth’s harmful electromagnetic energy lines that are all around us and our well being

amazonite

FROM HARM:

fire agate, jade

FROM ILLNESS AND VIOLENCE:

jet

FROM ILL WISHING:

fire agate

FROM NEGATIVITY:

black obsidian, black tourmaline (black tourmaline BOTH repels and protects from negativity)

PERSONAL PROTECTION:

turquoise

FROM RADIATION:

amazonite,  smokey quartz, black tourmaline

Tape a piece of amazonite, smokey quartz or black tourmaline to your cell phone for protection from radiation. You can also place Amazonite near your computer, tv or microwave to protect you from the electromagnetic field.

POLYMORPHISM… What does that strange sounding word mean?

In crystal talk, polymorphs refer to solid compounds which have the same chemical composition (and vapors), yet are very different in their crystalline forms.

Differences in crystalline forms were first discovered in the 1820s by a German chemist, Eilhard Mitscherlich.

There are several polymorph minerals. I am going to talk about two minerals that all of us are familiar with: graphite and diamond. Both graphite and diamond are polymorphs of carbon, which means that both of them are composed of exactly the same thing: pure carbon. However, they differ greatly in their crystalline structure and properties.

Below are brief descriptions on graphite and diamonds…

GRAPHITE

Graphite is a very soft mineral (1 – 2 hardness)

Graphite is believed to be produced by carbonates and organic material that metamorphosed (completely changed in form or nature) into rocks. Coal is even thought to metamorphose into graphite.

Graphite crystals are hexagonal in shape and usually grow as large alternating layers of veins or as scaly granules in metamorphic rock. Graphite’s structure consists of parallel sheets of weakly bonded hexagonal carbon atoms in an orderly arrangement on top and below each sheet.

Graphite is silvery black (opaque), fairly dull in appearance and can be quite flaky (like the Gem Maven).

Graphite is a good conductor of electricity.

Uses of graphite: pencil “lead,” a mineral that toughens steel and a slippery lubricant. This lubricant is used in materials to build autos, aircraft and golf club shafts.

It’s interesting to note that at our atmospheric temperature and pressure, graphite is a stable form of carbon.

DIAMONDS

Diamonds are a very hard mineral (#10) because of their framework. Under extreme heat and pressure, diamonds start growing when one carbon atom bonds to four other carbon atoms creating a very strong bond. If another carbon atom comes close, that too will bond with the others. BTW, most crystals grow this way… one atom locking into another one, creating a repeating network. For those who are wondering how many carbon atoms make up a one carat diamond…Billions and Billions.

Diamonds crystals are isometric (equal dimensions or measurements).

Diamonds are usually transparent.

Diamonds are an excellent electrical insulator and a superb abrasive.

Diamonds represent status and wealth.

A few words about diamonds…

Diamonds grow deep in the Earth’s crust, however many diamonds are found at or near the Earth’s surface. These “surface” diamonds are a result of underground volcanic activity that happened deep within the Earth a very long time ago when the Earth was much hotter. The violent volcanic eruptions carried the already formed diamonds from the upper mantle to the Earth’s surface. The huge amount of volcanic material caused by the eruptions reached the surface of the Earth and eventually cooled. Diamonds were found in the mixture. This process where diamonds were brought to the surface is called the “Kimberlite” eruptions and it is believed to have happened quickly ( 20 – 30 miles per hour). If it was a slow moving process where the diamonds went from a very high temperature to a lower temperature, these already formed diamonds would have turned back to graphite. By reaching the surface this way, there wasn’t enough time and energy for the carbon atoms to have become rearranged and turn back into graphite. Over a very LONG period of time, if these diamonds aren’t found, they will eventually transform to graphite.

Just to confuse you more, other polymorphs of carbon are…. graphene, (very similar to graphite, except the atoms are arranged in a one atom thick sheet), carbon nanotubes (Yeah, that’s kinda technical for me too) and buckyballs (ditto).

You may be asking yourself how and where carbon forms.
No one is exactly sure where carbon forms. Some say that it originated inside the Earth’s mantle while others believe that it formed near the Earth’s surface. It may have come from carbonate sediments, animals, plants and shells that were carried into the Earth’s upper mantle by the plate tectonics (large scale motions of our planet many years ago).

A few words on other polymorphs…

Calcite and aragonite are polymorphs of calcium carbonate.

Calcite is the more stable form of calcium carbonate.

Aragonite will quickly change into calcite when exposed to temperatures of 880 F (470 C). At room temperature, it takes much longer.

Silica has 3 different polymorphs, one being quartz. The other two silica polymorphs are: tridymite and cristobalite. Tridymite is a new term for me, however cristobalite is not. Cristobalites are the grayish white “snowflake” formations on snowflake obsidian.

There has been a lot of talk these days about Atlantis and Lemuria, two civilizations that existed long ago. No one knows for sure when they were around. One theory is that they began around 90,000 years ago and ended approx. 25,000 years ago. Another theory was that they were around 30,000 – 20,000 years ago (the Ice Age). And others put their existence as recent as 11,000 years ago. 

Some believe that Lemuria was around before Atlantis and may have been conquered by the Atlanteans. Others feel that they were around at the same time or just overlapped each other and ended around the same time. 

There is no documented evidence about these civilizations and the names we have given them are not what they were known as back then. 

Both Atlantis, AKA “the lost city of Atlantis” and Lemuria were believed to be continents somewhere in the Atlantic Ocean. Keep in mind that the Atlantic Ocean, or “Ocean of the Atlanteans.” back then was considered the World Ocean, one which encircled the entire world. Today’s locale would put Atlantis somewhere under the South China Sea and Lemuria somewhere in the Atlantic Ocean near modern day South America. 

Until recently, Lemuria was not much of a topic of conversation. The interest in Lemuria surged after the discovery of the lemurian crystals (AKA lemurian seed crystals) in Brazil in late 1999 or early 2000. These quartz points were found in sand at the top of a hill in Brazil where quartz was being mined. The miners realized these points were different, as they were not part of a cluster, which is how most quartz points naturally grow. 

Lemurian seed crystals are different in shape and appearance from other clear quartz crystals. Lemurian crystals are known for their dull or frosted appearance and matte finish with horizontal lines on one or more sides. These striations actually look like grooves that were etched into the crystals. The term seed or seeded refers to those glyph like etchings which are believed to contain the knowledge and messages that the Lemurians wanted further civilizations to know before they disappeared. 
. 
There has been a recent interest in these two civilizations for a few reasons. Today, folks are more spiritually evolved and open and want to learn everything they can. Many of the indigo and star children who were born within the past 20 years have expressed a past life connection to these past civilizations. Then, there are some folks who are concerned that the world may end on Dec. 21st, 2012. Just FYI, the world won’t end this December. 

The people of Atlantis and Lemuria were quite different. 

The Atlanteans were scientific, technological, practical and more warrior like folks who made use of the natural resources native to their island (herbs, fruits, nuts, animals). They were involved in trade and commerce and for many years lived simple and virtuous lives. Eventually, greed and power took over. Legend has it that Zeus, the Greek god of the sky, didn’t care for their immoral and unethical ways. So, he and other gods determined a just punishment. A short time later, the continent and the people were gone, possibly swallowed up by the sea. Another explanation of their demise is that the seas rose over the low lying areas and they eventually sunk into the ocean. Today, the highest peaks of those mountains remain in the southern area of Southeast Asia, around Indonesia. 

Lemuria has been viewed as a paradise, sometimes being referred to as the Garden of Eden. According to some Holy books, it was a peaceful and highly developed place considered to be the birthplace of mankind and civilization. Lemuria had a strong consciousness to emotional and spiritual dimensions. 

The Lemurians were evolved, enlightened and spiritual in nature and were considered quite advanced for their time. They were believed to be very peaceful beings with powerful psychic powers. These intuitive Lemurians were aware that a great change in the land mass was inevitable and that they could no longer stay on this plane. 

Some left to other solar systems while others moved within the Earth. Wherever they went, they had a desire to continue caring for the Earth and maintained a telepathic connection from other galaxies. Before they left in different directions, they “seeded” and programmed their crystals with information and a deep connection to the heart, which included an unconditional love for the Divine, our Creator, each other, our environment and all of creation. 

Even though Lemuria is gone, their consciousness and the crystals with their messages have remained behind. Those who are fortunate enough to work with the consciousness of these crystals quickly discover the strong healing energy that it provides to our souls. Maybe these special crystals were meant for us to become more enlightened like the Lemurians and less like the Atlanteans.

Twin flame crystals help us attract spiritual companions whose evolvement is compatible with ours. (Like attracting like). These spiritual beings usually form more of a kindred soul and platonic love relationship and bond with us rather than a romantic and / or sexual connection. Our twin flame can be a relative (parent, child, sister, brother), a friend, boss, co-worker, someone who helps us or anyone who may mysteriously show up in our lives one day.

Twin Flame Crystals help us obtain and maintain psychic connections with our twin flames, those folks who show up just at the right time with the perfect words or ideas for us.

Twin Flame Crystals mirror us, showing the world who we are and letting us see how we present our inner feelings to the outside world.
These beauties are particularly beneficial for telepathic communication and in accessing past and parallel life memories and info.

The energy of twin flames increases our natural capacity to create compatible relationships having a more active involvement with others. It helps us build a psychic affinity with others.

When crystals break, split, explode, disappear or get stolen, it happens for a reason. There are no coincidences and no need to be disappointed or upset. It simply means that the crystal has served its purpose for us and needs to move on.

Every crystal has its own “personality” and its unique physical, emotional, mental and metaphysical healing properties. Crystals can absorb, protect and shield us from negative energies that would normally be taken in by our body and affect our health. We select and are drawn to the crystals that best provide us with what we need at that time.

Every classification of crystal color has its more specific application. The reason a crystal may break, shatter or split is usually directly related to its healing properties, energies and application of use.

The location of the crystal when it was compromised, can also give us an indication as to why it happened. Crystals don’t need to be on or next to our body to become compromised.

Sometimes, a crystal may all of a sudden fall off a shelf in what seems to be no apparent reason. Divine intervention? Messages from spirits? Possibly so.

With the laying on of crystals, crystals are often placed on its corresponding chakra. If our chakra(s) is blocked or closed, the crystal associated with that chakra, may over time become “compromised” from working its magick on that area.

Here are 3 examples, based on stones that someone had originally asked about.

Rose Quartz is an emotional healing stone that represents all kinds of love (for our self, our partner, family, children, friends and the overall community) and our love relationships. Rose quartz has a gentle and soothing energy that eases our stress, our emotions and our heart. If we can use that kind of emotional healing, a good placement of rose quartz would be in our bra. Over time, the rose quartz crystal may turn lighter in color or white (from absorbing the bad energy that normally would have affected our heart and our health) or it may break.

Onyx is a stone that bestows us with inner strength, stamina, willpower, discipline, focus and reason. Onyx is good for physical strength, vitality, personal power and self control, issues associated with our solar plexus chakra. It is the stone to have around after a prolonged illness. Like other black stones, onyx deflects negative energy and works on our psyche. Here again, if its energy becomes too saturated and drained from working its magick for us, it can break.

Aqua Aura is clear quartz bonded with vaporized gold. Aqua Aura has a high and intense vibration providing us with spiritual elevation. It calms and soothes our emotions, benefits depression, anxiety and chaotic behavior and is a tremendous stress reliever. Aqua Aura protects us from psychic or psychological attacks and can remove malicious and “parasitic” energies” from our energy fields. We may not be aware of how vulnerable we can be from the many forms of attacks from others. That alone would be good reason why the crystal may eventually break or shatter. Keep in mind that aqua aura is naturally fragile because of the manner in which it is made and can easily break. BTW, Many intuitives, channelers and healers are drawn to the gentle energy of the gorgeous aqua aura crystal.

Many people feel that when crystals break, they should be buried back into their native Earth. As with many crystal topics, if you ask folks their opinion, you are going to get several answers. It is always a good idea to go with what you feel is best for you and your comfort level.

I know how difficult it can be to bury a crystal that we are attached to. If you adore a crystal and wouldn’t consider saying goodbye to it, two options would be to keep the broken pieces or use a strong clear glue to put it back together.

Here again, some folks believe that when a crystal breaks, the energy of it changes for the better, resulting in a good thing. If you choose to keep it, you may want to tell the crystal that you love it, thank it for protecting / helping you and ask it to continue to work its magick for you.

In summary, it is always wise to quiet your thoughts and ask your higher self / guidance what you should do.

Black diamonds also contain tiny inclusions of other minerals, often iron and iron oxide minerals such as magnetite and hematite which can provide dark tones, as well as give them a magnetic quality. Black diamonds can be jet black or they can be a lighter or smokier shade.

Slightly tinted diamonds, such as yellow or pink, on the other hand, get their coloring from impurities within the carbon itself.

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN CLEAR, SLIGHTLY TINTED AND BLACK DIAMONDS

Before discussing their differences, one similarity is that all diamonds have a hardness of 10.

Black diamonds differ from traditional diamonds in color, composition and structure.  The crystalline structure of black diamonds is polycrystalline meaning it consists of many small grains of various sized and shaped crystals.  Clear diamonds are usually made up of one single large continuous crystal.

With black diamonds, light is absorbed into the small crystals of graphite as opposed to light being refracted with the brilliant diamonds.  Clear diamonds are cut to create “windows” that cause more sparkle and luster.

Black or dark grey diamonds usually have a pitted surface and their numerous inclusions can cause the diamonds to fracture very easily. These inclusions also make them more difficult to cut, polish and finish.

Black diamonds are also more porous than other diamonds.

HOW NATURAL BLACK DIAMONDS FORM

Black diamonds form differently than clear diamonds and there are different theories regarding their formation.

One belief is that black diamonds are clear diamonds with black pieces of coal inside that occurred during crystal formation.  Another belief is that black diamonds are a result of being mined when they are in between the graphite and pure diamond stages.  Analysis suggests that radioactive inclusions were present in the formation process of carbonado.

Conventional diamonds are typically created when the extreme high pressure within the Earth’s interior transforms organic carbon /graphite into diamonds. Traditional diamonds have been discovered in all areas of the world where they are mined from explosive volcanic rocks called kimberlites. There has never been one black diamond found in those volcanic rocks.  Black diamonds are typically found in loosely arranged sediment deposits.

WHERE BLACK DIAMONDS ARE FOUND

Black diamonds are only found in two locales, far away from other diamond deposits. They were originally discovered in Brazil in the mid 1800s and were subsequently found in Central Africa.

POSSIBLE EXTRATERRESTRIAL ORIGIN

Scientists have found trace amounts of nitrogen and hydrogen in black diamonds, indicating they can be extraterrestrial in origin. If that is the case, they most likely came from outer space and fell to the Earth as a meteor.

Here is one study…

In 2006, there was a study published about black diamonds. Stephen Haggerty and Jozsef Garai of Florida International University analyzed the hydrogen in black diamond samples using infrared-detection instruments at the Brookhaven National Laboratory. The researchers determined that the chemical properties of carbonado indicated that the mineral formed in a supernova explosion that took place prior to the formation of our Solar System.  As a result, carbonado is believed to be similar to carbon-rich cosmic dust, having likely formed near carbon stars. The diamonds were eventually incorporated into solid bodies that subsequently fell to Earth as meteorites.

The argument against this theory is that the shock of a meteorite impact normally creates a hexagonal diamond shape inside the samples and that is not the case with carbonado.

ENHANCED BLACK DIAMONDS

Many black diamonds are treated with radiation to create their black color. They appear black under normal lighting, however, they are actually a very dark green.  This very dark green color can only be seen when a fiber-optic light source is placed near a thin edge of the diamond, illuminating the interior.  Typically, when diamonds are enhanced, they become uniform in color.  Natural black diamonds never have a dark green coloring.

MYTHS AND LEGENDS

In India, black diamonds are often associated with snakes because many believe they resemble snake eyes.

Many years ago, the Italians believed that black diamonds had the power to bring back a loving relationship to marriages.

Even though black diamonds are less common and not as popular as traditional diamonds, recently they have become more valuable. Recent interest and great marketing has kept the price of black diamonds almost on a par of white diamonds.

Crystal Optical Phenomena is an effect produced when a light source interacts with the structural features of or the inclusions within the crystal.  It involves the transmitting or reflecting of light that it is subjected to. Generally, these phenomenons ARE NOT a result of the crystal’s chemical make-up.

Optical effects are sometimes named after a crystal or its mineral content. ie: opalescence (opals), aventurescence (aventurine), labradorescence (labradorite) and adularescence (adularia, a type of moonstone).

One term used to describe an optical phenomena is “The Girasol Effect.” The girasol effect refers to a glowing milky sheen that appears like it is moving when the stone is turned in the presence of any light source.

“Girasol” in Spanish means “sunflower.” Girasols can refer to hyacinth opals, a yellow or orange type of precious opal OR semi-transparent opals which have a bulgy bluish sheen similar to moonstones.

With hyacinth opals, a light appears to float within the crystal.  This floating light follows the light source it is exposed to.  This is different from opalescence in common opals which displays a subtle haziness with the scattering of light.

Here are some common crystal optical phenomena….

ADULARESCENCE comes from the word “adularia,” a translucent or transparent orthoclase mineral.  Moonstones are a member of the orthoclase family and adularescense applies primarily to moonstones.  Besides moonstones, adularescence is found in agates, milky white opals and rose quartz.

Adularescence is caused when light interacts and scatters the tiny inclusions within the crystal.  In the case of moonstone, the light source affects the alternating layers of orthoclase and albite.

This phenomenon appears like moon light floating on water, hence the name “moonstone.” The generally milky white / bluish glowing sheen (usually non hazy) originates from below the surface of the gemstone. Turning the stone or removing it from a light source makes the “effect” appear like it is moving.  White adularescence is more common, however orange or blue lusters can appear in the more rare stones.

The term “schiller or “shiller” (German for twinkle) is often used interchangeably for adularescence or aventurescence.  It refers to the metallic iridescence that originates below the surface of the crystal when light is reflected between the layers of minerals.

ASTERISM is a popular phenomena. The word “asterism” comes from the Greek word “aster” which means “star” and the effect created is a luminous wavy star shape across the surface of the stone. This often billowy and shiny looking reflection is caused when light hits and scatters the tiny parallel shaped fibers inside the crystal. As the stone is turned toward or away from a light source, the reflection appears as if it is floating or moving. The inclusions are often rutile impurities which can be in the shape of needles, tubes or platelets.

Asterism is best seen when a stone has been cut into a cabochon and is exposed to direct sun light.  Stones that may display asterism are star rubies, star sapphires, garnet, diopside, rose quartz and spinel.

There are two types of asterism…

Epiasterism refers to light being reflected due to the parallel shaped inclusions inside the stone. Stones in this category are rubies, sapphires and most other gems.

Diasterism refers to light that is transmitted through the stone. This occurs when the light is shone through and illuminated from the bottom of the stone.  Rose Quartz is in this category.

AVENTURESCENCE (AKA  aventurization) is a reflective effect that looks like glitter.  It comes from many tiny MINERALS WITHIN the stone. In the case of green aventurine, it is the mica particles of fuschite that turn it green.  Iron oxides make aventurine red.  Sunstone is another stone that exhibits aventurescence.

CHATOYANCE or CHATOYANCY (“oeil de chat” is French for cat’s eye)

These are clearly defined silky looking luminous bands of light that run length wise from one end of the stone to the other. They appear to “float” or turn when the crystal is rotated. A cat’s eye effect is created when the parallel fibrous INCLUSIONS or CAVITIES within the stone reflect light into a direction perpendicular to their direction.

Chatoyance is found in chrysoberyl cat’s eye, aka cymophane, Greek for “wavelike form.”

Chatoyance is also displayed in tiger eye.  In tiger eye, the bands are caused by the fibrous STRUCTURE of the material.  Other stones which can display a similar chatoyant effect to chrysoberyl are tourmaline, aquamarine, scapolite, spinel, quartz and ruby.

FLUORESCENCE is caused when invisible short wavelengths are absorbed within the crystal and are then converted and sent back out as longer wavelengths. When these fluorescent minerals are exposed to ultraviolet radiation light, they give off an invisible light.  Usually, an impurity within the crystal is responsible for its fluorescence and the most common impurity in fluorescent minerals is manganese.

Many crystals have fluorescence.  Some of the more common ones are apatite, aragonite, beryl, calcite, celestite, danburite, dumortierite, fluorite, hiddenite, howlite, kunzite, prehnite, rhodocrosite, rhodonite, selenite, sodalite, sphalerite, spinel, sulphur and willemite.

IRIDESCENCE in crystals is when the surface appears to change color as the angle of the view or illumination from the light changes. The word iridescence comes from “iris” which in Greek means “rainbows.”

3 Types of Optical Iridescence (Orient and Labradorescence and Play of Color)

ORIENT IRIDESCENCE  The word “orient” refers to the deep and warm lustrous glow that are found in pearls.  In addition to pearls, fire agate, rainbow calcite, some obsidians and iris agate belong to this classification.

LABRADORESCENCE: is an optical phenomenon found in labradorite.  Labradorite is a feldspar composed of a complex range of minerals and very fine grained layers of sedimentary rock.  Labradorite has thin fractures within the stone which appear on the surface.  When light hits the parallel layers and fractures within the stone, it can create iridescence flashes of blues, greens, oranges, yellows and reds.  This is particularly true with grayish to black varieties of labradorite.

PLAY OF COLOR (aka Color Flashes or Pseudochromatic Coloration) can be caused a couple of ways.

Flashes can be caused when rays of light are scattered and broken down by different light wavelengths.  When the angle of the light source changes, so do the colors that are reflected from the crystal’s surface.

These color flashes happen when some of the light is reflected from the surface of the stone while some of the light is reflected off the backside of the stone as a result of the light travelling through the crystal.

Stones that have a play of color include ammonite, cat’s eye, feldspar, labradorite and opal.

OPALESCENCE (aka Defraction) appears as a milky iridescence or brightness from the surface of the crystal. This subtle hazy scattering of light is most commonly found in common opals and in some agates.

PEARLESCENCE: (aka Luster) is another form of irisdescence.  Pearlescence displays lustrous rainbows.  This pearly appearance can be found primarily in pearls, talc and gypsum.

PLEOCHROISM (aka COLOR CHANGE EFFECT and TENEBRESENCE) This optical phenomenon causes a crystal to change colors when it is viewed at different angles with various light waves.

Some crystals change colors depending on the light source they are subjected to: sun light, fluorescent light or incandescent light.

Alexandrite is known for its strong pleochroism properties..  Alexandrite, a chrysoberyl, is considered the best example of a stone that changes colors.  One reason for its green to red color change is the type of light it is exposed to.  Alexandrite that comes from the Ural Mountains in Russia is green by natural sun light and red by incandescent light (the light given off by our standard light bulbs).  Other varieties of alexandrite can be yellowish or pink in daylight and grayish tan to raspberry red by the common incandescent light bulb.

Another reason for its color change could be a very slight change in its mineral content. Alexandrite contains aluminum, iron, titanium and chromium. Minute amounts of its aluminum are sometimes replaced by chromium which can explain another reason for its color change. This is known as the “alexandrite effect.”

Other gems that can change color are: blue garnets, sapphires, spinel and rubellite (pink tourmaline).

Crystals benefit humans.  Crystals also help our furry friends. If the healing properties of a crystal can benefit our issue, chances are it can also provide relief for the same issue with our pet.

Below is a list of crystals and the animal issues they can help.

Prehnite – calms hyperactive animals

Copper and / or Mookaite calms and helps animals settle down

Lepidolite- good for calming and for dogs that have behavioral and anxiety issues

Rose Quartz – wonderful for strays, traumatized animals or those obtained from a rescue group

Blue Celestite – helps rescued animals trust again

Citrine- helps a pet (especially a rescued one) settle down in their new home

Charoite helps dogs from being too territorial

Blue Calcite- benefits dogs that lash out and snap at people or other animals.
There are some folks who can also benefit from Blue Calcite.  ; > )

Blue Howlite- protection for the runt of the litter

Blue Lace Agate – helps reduce dog barking

Blue Quartz – an overall good healing stone for animals

Applications for Use…

As always, please exercise good judgment and err of the side of caution when working with crystals and our pets.

Crystal pendants can be worn loosely around a dog’s neck. They can be creatively attached to a collar. If you leave home, please err on the side of caution and remove the pendant from the pooch.

Hold the appropriate crystal on your pet while spending quality time with them or giving them a “healing session.”

Make a “gem elixir” with the appropriate stone  (the same as we do for ourselves) and use it in place of regular water for your pet.

One way to determine if a crystal would benefit your animal is by using your pendulum. First,  you must be familiar with  your yes and no direction.  With your pet laying down, hold your crystal pendulum about 6” – 12” above him or her.  Ask the pendulum if this is the right crystal for (say your pet’s name).