A question I get asked often is “What should I do when my crystal breaks?”

This is a good question and one which has different responses depending on who you ask.  Some crystal “purists” believe when a crystal falls, breaks, splits or chips, it should be buried back into the earth.  I don’t always subscribe to that thinking because there are a number of reasons why crystals break.  However, if a crystal EXPLODES, all of the pieces MUST be buried.  More on that in a moment…

When crystals break, disappear or get stolen, it happens for a reason, even though we may not know why at the time.

The whereabouts of and when crystals break can provide information regarding why they broke.  In addition to where and when, our understanding of the crystal’s properties can also provide pertinent information.  Clearing our mind and focusing can usually ascertain the reason(s) why a crystal may have been compromised.

When we lose our beloved crystals to “sticky fingers” and theft, I also believe THAT happens for a reason.  As painful as it is for us to lose an item we cherish,  I believe that the item served its purpose for us and had to move on and / or  it needed to benefit someone else.  Some of you are probably shaking your head right now…. and that’s OK.  It’s simply my feeling, talking from first hand experience.

Why would a crystal simply fall off a shelf or disappear for no apparent reason?  Could Divine intervention or messages from our angels or spirit guides have been involved?  Maybe the crystal didn’t like the company it was keeping.  All are possible explanations.

CRYSTALS ARE NATURAL HEALING GIFTS FROM THE EARTH AND BEYOND.

Many of us use crystals in healing ourselves and others.

When crystals are in our presence, they can absorb, protect and shield us from harmful negative energy.

When crystals explode, break or crack in healing applications, they should NEVER AGAIN be used.  Here is the reason why… The crystal took (absorbed) the bad or negative energy that our body would normally have taken.  We can only imagine the harm we would have endured from the “bad energy” that caused the crystal to break or explode.  In this case, the crystal served its purpose to us. We have to thank it and bury it.

In cases where crystals have fallen, some may opt to glue it and keep it.  If you can’t part with the crystal, tell it that you enjoy and appreciate it and want it to remain with you. Please note… When a crystal brakes, it should NEVER be used again for health and healing.  A break can change its energy and vibration.

Someone mentioned that 3 of their stones (rose quartz, onyx and aqua aura) had recently broken:

My responses take into account the crystal’s properties and how that may have been instrumental in the crystal(s) being compromised.

Rose quartz represents love, love relationships, our emotions, our heart and heart chakra.  Many people place a rose quartz in their bra to help ease stress and anxiety related chest pains.  Over time, the rose quartz may turn white or break from having absorbed bad energy that normally would have affected our heart and our health.

Onyx works on the psyche, deflecting negative energy, providing stamina, inner harmony, a sense of responsibility and self confidence to the user.  When onyx breaks or shatters, here again we have to think about how these related issues may pertain to us.

Aqua Aura (clear quartz bonded with vaporized gold) is very fragile and can break easily. Aqua Aura has a high and intense vibration. It calms and soothes the emotions, benefits depression, anxiety and chaotic behavior and is a tremendous stress reliever. Aqua Aura can protect the wearer from psychic or psychological attacks.  Aqua Aura increases our spiritual evolvement and removes malicious and “parasitic” energies from our energy field. Many intuitives, channelers and healers are drawn to the gentle energy of this gorgeous crystal.

I have had aqua aura pieces break in two and somehow feel it is OK to keep both pieces.  However, that’s me.

Another question comes from someone who recently purchased many crystal hearts from me to give as gifts.  She had given the fluorite heart to her friend, who in turn gave it to her daughter to hold. Unfortunately, it slipped out of her hand and chipped.

The crystal did indeed slip out of her hand for a reason.

I had just gotten another fluorite heart that was magnificent.  Maybe the higher ups wanted her friend to have this one instead.

Maybe the child’s energy didn’t resonate with the fluorite.

Hopefully, this blog shed some light on why crystals  fall, break, chip, disappear, etc.

Remember, in life and with crystals too, there are no accidents and no coincidences.

Quiet your thoughts and focus.  Information will surface and give you answers..  Your higher self will always guide you in the best direction.

In 1912, the American National Association of Jewelers made turquoise the official birthstone of December.

Even though, we are more than half way through the astrological sign of Sagittarius, I want to wish all Sagittarians a very Happy Birthday! The other day, I was talking with my dear friend, telling him that I was running behind on the turquoise blog and that I kept putting it on the back burner. He came back with “Do you not like Sagittarians?” to which I retorted “Of course I do.  I love Sagittarians. Sagittarius is one of my favorite signs.”

TO ALL SAGITTARIANS

I am continually amused by your painfully blunt, brutally honest and most sincere comments and I am in awe of your profound wisdom and wise judgment.  Isn’t wisdom and judgment the definition of “sage”?  I believe that the word “Sagittarius” and “Sage” are similar for a reason and it is not a coincidence.  Then again, there is no such thing as coincidences!

WHAT IS TURQUOISE

Turquoise, known as the “Sky Stone” is mineral classified as a hydrous (containing water) copper aluminum phosphate. Turquoise is almost always cryptocrystalline ( crystal structure is so fine that no distinct particles can be seen without a powerful microscope) and without any specific outer shape.

Turquoise is easily identifiable by its coloring, nodular shape, cavities, conchoidal fractures and veins, all of which are a result of the way it forms. Its colors include powder blue, sky blue, greenish blue, yellowish green and white. The black flecks are usually pyrite and its thin veins are limonite.  The blue comes from its copper content while the green is usually the result of iron impurities (iron sometimes replaces the aluminum) or dehydration.

ANCIENT BEGINNINGS, ITS POPULARITY AND ITS NAME

Turquoise has been around a very long time and was one of the first gems mined.  People loved the coloring so much that turquoise became the name of the blue it resembled.

The Egyptians discovered and mined turquoise in the Sinai Peninsula at least 5000 years ago.

Turquoise was discovered in Persia (modern day Iran) over 2000 years ago and today Iran continues to produce some of the finest turquoise. While many of those mines have long been depleted, some are still being worked by hand or with little or no machinery.

Turquoise was so popular that it was worn by Pharaohs and Aztec Kings.  It still remains a popular stone..

As with most names, “turquoise” has many origins. One derivation is the French word “Turquie” for Turkey or Turkish.  This was most likely because turquoise was originally brought to Europe from the Turkish mines or through Turkey from the Persian mines.  The name could also come from the French words “pierre turquin” meaning dark blue stone.

The Persians had their own name for turquoise calling it “pirouzeh” for “victory.”  The domes atop Iranian palaces were made from turquoise because they believed that its intense blue color was a symbol of heaven on earth.

WHERE TURQUOISE IS FOUND

Turquoise is usually found in arid, semi-arid or desert regions where volcanic activity most likely took place. Turquoise is often found in cavities and fractures of volcanic rock. This explains the limonite and iron oxides in it.

For centuries, the most valuable turquoise came from Persia (Iran).  It was called “Persian Turquoise” and it didn’t have the black and brown veining common to turquoise found in the U.S. More recently, beautiful specimens have been produced in the southwestern U.S.  Significant turquoise deposits are found in Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Nevada, California and Virginia too.  Today, Arizona is considered to be the biggest producer of Turquoise.  Being a copper based mineral, turquoise is often found around copper deposits and mines. It is often a byproduct of large-scale copper mining operations.

Other countries producing turquoise are Mexico, Chile, Australia, India, Afghanistan and China.  China has been a minor source of turquoise for over 3000 years.

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY MINERALS

Primary or accessory minerals are characteristically formed from molten magma or extreme temperatures and pressure usually deep within the earth’s crust.  In contrast, secondary minerals are a product of already formed minerals that had been exposed to hydrothermal alterations (caused by weathering) and / or oxidation.

WHY TURQUOISE IS A SECONDARY MINERAL

In simple terms, turquoise was formed when water from the ground seeped into the soil and mixed with aluminum rich minerals in the presence of copper.

Most likely, the copper in turquoise came from chalcopyrite, (a copper sulfide) or azurite or malachite, (both copper carbonates).  Its aluminum could very well have come from feldspar and its phosphorus could have come from apatite.

HOW DOES TURQUOISE FORM

Turquoise grows inside a mother rock, also known as the matrix. This matrix often appears as splotches or netted patterns of veins and is referred to as a “spider web matrix.” This is what creates the black and brown veins running throughout the stone.

As you see, nature plays a big part in the formation of turquoise and explains the various colors, shapes, cavities, fractures and veins.

IMITATION IS THE HIGHEST FORM OF FLATTERY.

When you have a stone as popular as turquoise, the demand is often hard to meet. Such was and continues to be the case with turquoise.  As a result, a whole new industry erupted aimed at capitalizing on profits.

The process of reconstitution and stabilization creating synthetic, simulated, treated, altered or enhanced turquoise emerged.  These treatments also include light waxing, oiling, dyeing and / or impregnating the color. This practice soon became commonplace with the lesser quality turquoise.

The most common imitation of turquoise is dyed blue howlite because howlite also has black veins. Even though howlite can appears as nodules, it does not have the matrix that turquoise does.  Magnesite and chrysocolla are two other minerals used for imitation turquoise.

CHALK TURQUOISE

Chalk Turquoise is considered a lower grade turquoise with many thoughts on what it actually is.  One theory is that it is a porous white stone that comes from China.  Another thought is that it is a turquoise with a yellowish green chalk like consistency resulting from high amounts of iron.  A third theory says it can’t be classified as turquoise since it doesn’t contain copper. (As you know now, copper gives turquoise its blue coloring). Another thought is that it is dyed magnesite.

A SACRED STONE USED IN RITUALS

Tibetans, North American Indians and shamans all over the world consider turquoise to be a very sacred stone, using it in many of their rituals and ceremonies.

TURQUOISE JEWELRY    VALUE AND WORTH

Turquoise is one of the most valuable opaque minerals used in jewelry.  Its waxy luster finish lends itself to beautiful jewelry when it is cut and polished. Like coral and other opaque gems, the price for turquoise is often based on its size rather than its weight.

Two main factors in determining the value of turquoise are its hardness and intensity of color. The color itself is not usually a good criteria, however experts feel that the blue resembling a robin’s egg is the most desirable. Regardless of the color, turquoise should not be excessively soft or chalky (that also pertains to treated turquoise).

NOT REAL HARD AND QUITE FRAGILE

The hardness of turquoise is slightly under 6 (a little more than window glass) which means it can fracture easily, yet turquoise can only be dissolved by hydrochloric acid.

Its fragile nature is another story.

The phosphorous content in turquoise makes it a fragile mineral sensitive to solvents, jewelry cleaning formulas, perfume, hairspray, cosmetics, skin oils, sunscreen and the like. These all can harm the natural finish and alter its color.

Prolonged exposure to direct sunlight should be avoided as it can distort the color and can dehydrate it.

CLEANING AND STORING

After using turquoise, gently clean it with a soft cloth to remove any residue. Turquoise should be stored in its own container or away from harder minerals which could scratch it.  Turquoise does best when it’s NOT stored in an airtight container.

BELIEFS AND LEGENDS

Many ancient civilizations shared the belief that turquoise possessed prophylactic qualities.  They also thought that turquoise would change color  according to the wearer’s health and protect him or her from unknown forces.

Many cultures held turquoise in high esteem believing that it was a holy stone or talisman that brought good fortune.

Turquoise had been referred to as the “gemstone of the people.”   In Persia, sky-blue turquoise was worn to provide protection from an unnatural death.  If the turquoise changed color, folks believed that impending danger or death was approaching.  Today, we understand that excessive exposure to light or reactions to dust, cosmetics or the acidity of our skin can change the color of turquoise.

PROPERTIES AND BENEFITS OF TURQUOISE

According to Melody (Love is in the Earth), “turquoise is a gift from Earth bringing the blue of Father Sky to the Earth and melding together the energies of the heavens with the consciousness of Mother Earth.”

Turquoise reinforces and aligns our chakras, meridians and our consciousness.  It benefits our throat, heart and naval chakras and brings love to everything connected with those 3 chakras.  Like most blue stones, turquoise has a strong connection to the throat chakra, the one associated with communication.  Turquoise helps us communicate and manifest wholeness and truth.  It compliments and arouses the throat chakra allowing for articulation and deep wisdom. (If those two last sentences don’t sound like they apply to most Sagittarians, I should give up my knowledge of crystals and astrology.  ; > ) One more word about turquoise and wisdom….Turquoise represents the wisdom that comes from all of our life’s experiences.

Getting back to “wholeness,” turquoise supports overall well being and encourages an even keel with regard to our mood and emotions.

The wisdom and message of turquoise is quite profound. When we let go of our insistence on getting “justice” and replace it with the ability to see others through eyes of compassion and forgiveness, we receive heartfelt loving gifts.

If the above isn’t enough to make you fall in love with  turquoise, here is more. Turquoise brings serenity, peace, kindness, understanding and mental and spiritual clarity.

This blue gem lifts our spirits, restores our lost vitality, heals our emotions, relieves stress and brings awareness to the heart.

Be sure to read the IMPORTANT MESSAGE at the end of the blog.

WHAT IS SHUNGITE

Shungite is a black stone that is usually shiny and intense in appearance.  It has a hardness of 3.5 – 4 and is often referred to as “black carbon”.

Shungite is a natural composition of primarily amorphous graphite (carbon), crystalline silicate particles and other minerals evenly distributed throughout the stone. The carbon in shungite gives it catalytic abilities, electro-conductivity and chemical resistance.  Its complex composition of materials, interesting structure and amazing properties make shungite quite unique.

The varying elements and non elements in shungite are as follows:

Carbon: 20% – 95%, Silicon: 5% – 60%, Aluminum: up to 4%, Iron: up to 3.5%, Magnesium: up to 3.5%, Kaliy: up to 12%, Sulfur : up to 1.2 %, Calcium: up to 0.58 %, Phosphorus:- up to 0.34 % and various other elements and concentrated organic matter

Shungite’s outward appearance resembles anthracite, a compact and lustrous coal mineral.  It also resembles black coal, most likely because it contains fullerenes.

WHAT IS FULLERENES , WHEN WAS IT DISCOVERED AND WHAT’S WITH THE NAME

A fullerene is a carbon molecule that is composed of an even number of atoms.  Fullerenes consist of hollow carbon ions in the shape of a sphere, ellipsoid or a tube and they resemble the outside covering of a football. These carbon ions enable shungite to open, save and receive ionic information with our body.

Fullerenes were discovered in 1985 by a team of scientists from Rice University and the University of Sussex.   On October 9, 1996, the Nobel Prize in Chemistry was awarded to 3 of those scientists: Professor Robert F. Curl, Jr., Professor Sir Harold W. Kroto and Professor Richard E. Smalley.

Fullerenes is named after Richard Buckminster  “Bucky” Fuller , a scientist and architect famous for designing the Geo Dome and other geodesic domes.

Near the end of 20th century, scientists concluded that fullerenes is a natural healer in its own right and shungite’s superpower was indeed a result of fullerenes.

WHERE SHUNGITE IS FOUND

The only place shungite is found is in a deposit in Zazhoginskoye, near Lake Onega in a region called Shung in the Republic of Karelia.  Karelia is north west of Russia and east of Finland.  Lake Onega is one of the largest lakes in Europe.

HOW OLD IS SHUNGITE

Russian scientists have been studying shungite for over 100 years and calculate its existence on earth at almost 2 billion years.  Even though shungite is a fairly new discovery and is still relatively unknown, it has already been coined “The Stone of Life,” The Stone of the 21st Century and Medicine of the 21st Century.

WHERE DID SHUNGITE COME FROM

There is only speculation as to where shungite originated.

Even though shungite resembles coal, at the time, there were no forests to form carbides such as coal.

Shungite is found deep in the layers of the Earth. It formed at a time when either no life forms existed on Earth or only proto bacteria existed in an atmosphere free of oxygen.

HOW DID IT FORM?

There are at least 3 theories explaining how shungite may have formed.

Primitive microscopic organisms existed in shallow areas of the ancient sea.  These eventually produced shungite.

Billions of years ago, a gigantic meteorite could have brought a part of a decomposed planet and landed in what is now known as Karelia.  This decomposed planet had carbon based life forms.  A side note:  Fullerenes WAS recently found in outer space.

Shungite could have formed when a volcano erupted since its form and structure are similar to volcanic ash.

HISTORY

In the early 1700s, Peter the Great of Russian had a palace built near a “magic” spring.  That area became the first Russian resort and was named “Martial Waters” after Mars, the god of war.

Back then, the Russians must have had an inkling about the powers of shungite water because they used it to cure all kinds of issues and dis-eases including  a weak stomach, vomiting, diarrhea, hypochondria, bile, scurvy, kidney problems and many others.

Peter the Great required every soldier to carry a piece of the unusual stone in their backpack.  Many believed that the reason the Russians prevailed in the battle of Poltava was because the soldiers had the shungite with them.

Today, the water at the Martial Resort continues to pass through the thick layers of shungite, exclusive to that area.

HEALING AND HEALTH BENEFITS

Its extensive diversity of healing properties makes shungite a mineral that is unlike any other.

Scientists who have studied, investigated and worked with shungite unanimously agree that it is a “miracle” mineral.

Some words that have been used to describe Shungite’s  miraculous powers are:  treats, saves, purifies, heals, cleans, protects, improves, normalizes,  neutralizes, restores, regenerates and even grows.

Shungite is the ideal stone to have on us because it heals on all levels.  Shungite is the stone of regeneration and revitalization. Shungite initiates cell rejuvenation and enhances cell and dna / rna repair.

Shungite eliminates, kills and absorbs everything that can do harm or impose a hazard to all living beings.  Shungite focuses on restoring all that is healthy, beneficial and useful for us.

Below is a list of MANY MORE HEALTH AND HEALING BENEFITS of shungite.  Wait til you read all the issues it’s good for.

Like many other minerals, shungite can be held, placed on or against the body, carried or consumed as an elixir.

There is much to appreciate about shungite.  Shungite eases headaches, stomach aches, backaches, rheumatism, nerve pain, nervousness and skin spots. It can stabilize our organs, our blood pressure, our bio light field and our immune system.  It can clear our respiratory tract, increase our sexual activity and help us sleep. It is also beneficial for our gastrointestinal tract, liver, kidneys and metabolism and varicose veins.

ELECTROMAGNETIC AND PATHOGENIC RADIATION

We all know that radiation exposure can cause heart and cancer dis-ease.  Shungite is biologically active and can neutralize or lessen the intensity of high frequency electromagnetic emissions. This powerful stone can shield us from the electromagnetic radiation that comes from computers, microwaves, TVs, mobile phones, power lines, etc.  Shungite pyramids are particularly beneficial against that harmful radiation.

What is amazingly unusual is that shungite can store electric current with out creating magnetic fields. Even more spectacular is that shungite takes the negative frequency out of any electro magnetic field which is not in tune with our DNA Light pulse frequency.

SHUNGITE WATER NEVER NEEDS PURIFICATION

For thousands of years, the natural shungite water from Lake Onega in Russia has never needed purification prior to drinking.

Shungite is a more safe and effective method of “disinfecting” and cleaning our drinking water than boiling or using chlorine.   One reason for this is because shungite has strong antibacterial abilities.

Shungite has the ability to eliminate almost all organic compounds (including pesticides), metals (including copper and iron), chlorine, bacteria, nitrates, magnesium and harmful micro-organisms from our water.

Beginning in the 1990s,  shungite water filters were used commercially.  During that time, many experiments and studies were conducted on shungite’s influence on the human body.  Scientists concluded that shungite water was absolutely safe, non-toxic and consumable without the need to boil first.

In one experiment, water was contaminated with concentrated groups of A and D streptococcus.  After 30 minutes in shungite water, both groups of streptococcus were significantly decreased.

DRINKING SHUNGITE WATER

Drinking at least 2-3 glasses of shungite water daily can cure or prevent digestive, muscular and / or neural system illnesses and increase blood circulation.

Shungite water is also beneficial for the treatment of the following:  acne, allergies (all kinds), anemia, asthma, cardiovascular dis-eases, chronic fatigue, common cold, diabetes, upset stomach, indigestion, gall bladder issues including inflammation, gastritis, immune system (weak), impotence, kidney dis-ease, liver dis-ease, pancreas dis-ease, skin issues including redness.

Shungite water has an antihistaminic effect. After drinking shungite water, there is a dramatic decrease of histamine in the blood stream, which helps reduce allergies.

APPLYING SHUNGITE WATER WHERE NEEDED

“Shungite water” provides powerful cures for many illnesses and helps improve many issues.

Shungite water has been found to rejuvenate our  face and skin, improve skin elasticity, eliminate skin dis-eases and smooth our wrinkles.

Washing with or applying shungite water to our hair can restore its health, strengthen hair roots, fight dandruff and prevent hair loss.

Shungite water helps heal burns, cuts, rough patches of skin, arthritis, osteoarthritis and varicose veins.

Shungite water  “mouth wash” can cure sore throats, stomatitis, colds and tonsillitis.

DAY TO DAY LIVING

Shungite helps combat stress and our environment , two things that adversely affect our health.

EVIL EYE PROTECTION

Shungite guards against the evil eye and protects us from negative fields and influences that can have serious effects on our health.

SHUNGITE BENEFITS ANIMALS TOO

Shungite is even beneficial to animals.  Animals in Karelia with digestive or other health issues find the stone and lick it.

From my own personal experience with shungite and hearing what others have experienced with this powerful stone, I have to agree that shungite is most definitely the miracle “medicine stone of the 21^st century”.

IMPORTANT MESSAGE

Most crystal enthusiasts are aware of the strength and power of crystals.  That being said, I have to say that shungite is by far the most powerful crystal I have ever been around.

A WORD ABOUT POWERFUL CRYSTALS…

Powerful crystals can give us all kinds of reactions.  They can range from minor discomfort to mild annoyances to almost violent reactions.  Crystals can make us dizzy, light headed, nauseas and cause headaches, cramps, trembles, uncontrollable shaking and pains in various areas of our body.

If you ever experience any of these symptoms, we don’t believe that (in most cases) it is cause for alarm.  Based on experience, we feel that these uncomfortable symptoms are usually a result of the crystal working their magick and bringing out, eradicating, opening up and unblocking what is doing harm within our body.

When working with a new crystal for the first time, please exercise caution and awareness.  If you ever initially experience an unpleasant side effect, please ONLY use the crystal for short periods of time until your body adjusts to it and its energy. Begin by simply holding it in your hand for a few minutes at a time. Hold off on putting it in your bra or kept on your body for long periods of time.  This also holds true for drinking a gem elixir.

You will most likely find that the symptoms eventually ease up and go away once the crystal has done what it needs/needed to do. If you initially experienced a strong reaction to the crystal, it may be one that you need to work with from time to time.

Nirvana Quartz ,  AKA Ice Quartz and Kulli Quartz, is a rare and recent discovery.  In 2006, these different looking quartz crystals were discovered over 18,000 feet up in the Himalaya Mountains in India.  Today, the mines are believed to be completely depleted of these special crystals.

These crystals are referred to as “growth interference” crystals because calcite or other minerals grew inside the quartz during its formative years. Eventually, these mineral inclusions dissolved leaving the crazy shapes.

How “Nirvana Quartz” formed:

It is believed that they remained under ice for thousands of years. When the glaciers began to melt, as a result of global warming, these crystals became exposed. Their serrated, contoured and often stubby “icy” formations resemble the sheets of ice and crevices that were hiding them for so long.

The nirvana ice comes in two colors, clear and pink, with neither one more common. The pink is a result of mineral inclusions (most likely iron) that formed in or near the surfaces. Even though each piece has its own irregular shape with no two being alike, they belong to the same family: quartz (silicon dioxide).

Having been buried for so long, they have now finally come alive and want to help us adjust to what lies ahead. It is not surprising that their energy represents our past and our future. Nirvana, as it pertains to this crystal, means “enlightenment” and nirvana quartz is indeed associated with our inner enlightenment.

Nirvana provides a link between our head and our heart. Even though clear nirvana represents our head and pink represents our heart, the energy from either flows between our head and our heart.

In preparing for meditation, nirvana quartz brings us profound peace, inner silence and quiets our thoughts. To paraphrase Melody, “Love Is In the Earth”, regarding “growth interference quartz”… Nirvana helps us access the astral, ethereal and other higher realms to help us remove barriers and understand the step wise progression. It helps us understand and get through traumas and change with ease. Nirvana also teaches us that the end of every journey or experience is the beginning of enjoyment and pleasure.

Nirvana’s energy is a gentle strength that even those who are not normally tuned into crystals can feel. The more we work with nirvana, the more we receive conscious messages and visions which unfold providing us guidance in reaching our highest and best path.

Nirvana ice helps us overcome challenges and painful experiences while still maintaining strength and inner beauty.

Thank you also to Robert Simmons and Naisha Ahsian, co-authors of the “The Book of Stones” for their valuable info on this fabulous stone.

Once the “nirvana ice” is gone, chances are they are gone forever. That explains why they are on the expensive side. If you are drawn to these VERY SPECIAL CRYSTALS, you should get them now.   You most likely will see them for more money elsewhere.

We have a few more pieces of this very special crystal in clear, pink and very light pink.

WHAT IS TOPAZ……..

Topaz is the birthstone of November and it is part of the nesosilicate subclass of the silicate family. Nesosilicates are the simplest formation of silicates (an individual silicon-oxygen tetrahedral). The chemical name of  topaz is aluminum, silicate fluoride hydroxide and its chemical formula is Al2SiO4 (F, OH)3

Topaz crystals are often prismatic with two different prisms forming a rounded or sharp diamond shaped cross section. Its terminations are usually covered by a dome that resembles a roof top.

The facets and ends of topaz crystals are believed to have both positive and negative energies through which a request to the universe can be focused and then manifested on earth.  More on that in a few paragraphs.

Not only is Topaz the hardest silicate mineral, it is #8 out of 10 on the Moh’s scale of hardness.

MANY HAVE EXPRESSED THAT THEY DON’T CARE FOR TOPAZ…

Topaz, the birthstone of November and one that is considered a Scorpio and Sagittarian stone, is a crystal that I have recently come to appreciate. Over the years, many folks told me they had a November birthday and came back with “I don’t like my birthstone.”

Most expressed that yellow topaz looked washed out, saying they much preferred citrine as their birthstone. With yellow and gold not being my favorite colors and having heard it over and over, I could understand what they were saying.

Three things caused my topaz epiphany: seeing NATURAL yellow topaz, realizing that topaz comes in colors other than “drab” yellow and discovering silver topaz. I have come to appreciate and love topaz and chances are that you will too once you read about it.

COLORS OF TOPAZ….

Topaz crystals come in a range of transparent to translucent colors. In addition to yellow, topaz can be blue, brown, orange, clear, gray, green-red, red yellow, silver, multi-colored and the more rare reddish pink. There is also rutilated topaz.

HEALING AND METAPHYSICAL PROPERTIES

Topaz is a lovely mellow and empathic stone to have, whether you are a November baby or not.

Topaz supports our affirmations, manifestations and visualizations. Topaz represents “the laws of attraction” and manifestation. Its vibration provides the magnetic effect while its gentle colors influence the manifesting.

One beautiful aspect of topaz is that its energy is directed to where it is needed most. Topaz soothes, heals, stimulates, recharges, re-motivates and aligns the meridians of our body.

Topaz encourages honesty, openness, forgiveness, creativity, individuality, self realization, expression of our ideas and confidence in our decisions. This lovely stone helps us discover our inner “riches.”

Topaz releases tensions and discourages doubt and uncertainty. Topaz encourages a trust in the universe to let us “be.”

Topaz sheds light on our path, taps into our inner resources and emphasizes a successful attainment of our goals.

Topaz is a stone of love and good fortune and its vibrant energy brings joy, generosity, abundance, good health, relaxation.  This gentle stone makes us feel confident and philanthropic and encourages us to share our good fortune and spread sunshine all around.

Topaz cleans the aura and replaces negativity with happiness and love. Negativity does not survive around joyful topaz.

Topaz can speed up “spiritual journeys” that normally involve long and hard work.

SOME TOPAZ COLORS AND THEIR REPRESENTATIONS…

Blue Topaz: connection to the angelic realms, brings ancient wisdom, communication, expression, calms and soothes the whole body, reduces stress, inspires, uplifts, eases throat issues

Clear Topaz: self confidence, utilizing our talents and skills, taking action, removes self imposed restrictions, strengthens nerves, nervous exhaustion, increases appetite, activates metabolism

Green Topaz: sense of wonder, freshness and joy, brings peacefulness, provides strength to those who have many and long drawn out challenges, benefits heart and lungs, lymph drainage, assimilates nutrients, “be kind to yourself” message

Imperial Topaz:  connection to higher self, understanding of who we truly are, path to enlightenment, clears meridians, cleanses chakras, confidence, and belief in our abilities, creating ideas and the confidence to make them happen, aids nervous system and exhaustion, optimum metabolism, stimulates appetite

Pink Topaz:  hope and optimism, comforts and soothes emotions, encourages us to love ourselves (and ultimately others) benefits blood flow, and heart function

Silver Topaz: psychic awareness, communication with higher realms, remembers forgotten memories and ancient wisdoms of this and past lives, clear and analytical thinking, lessens and removes all kinds of blockages, increases blood flow and efficiency of body system, beneficial for respiratory, circulatory and digestive issues

Smokey Topaz: extremely protective, stimulates intellect, encourages abstract thinking and creativity and manifestation of it, lessens negativity, tension, exhaustion and pain issues arising from liver , gall bladder and endocrine gland dis-orders, benefits blood circulation, nervous system, detoxifies body, strengthens liver and kidneys, gallbladder, spleen, tissue regeneration, digestion and sexual dysfunction

Yellow Topaz: energizes all areas of the physical body, brings vitality energy and a sense of power, aids liver, gall bladder, spleen, pancreas, stomach, skin and nervous system, helps eating dis-orders, enhances emotional and mental states

FOLKLORE AND LEGEND…

The Egyptians believed that Topaz had a connection with “Ra”, their sun god.  They made topaz amulets and wore them for his protection.

The Romans also believed that Topaz was associated with their sun god, Jupiter.

As early as the 1100s, topaz (and rubies too) were believed to be powerful healers of many physical complaints. They were soaked in wine and the “medical” remedy would be consumed.

Legendary belief is that topaz removes our fascinations and directs its energy toward increasing our strength. It is believed to make those wearing it “invisible” in emergencies.

PRIMARY SOURCES OF TOPAZ

The most common sources of topaz are Minas Gerais, Brazil, Pakistan, San Diego, CA, the Thomas Range in Utah, the Ural Mountains in Russia and Mexico.

The arrival of October has me asking “Where did this year go?  Wasn’t it just June?

Happy Birthday to all the gentle, gracious and agreeable Libras.  I promise not to ask you which restaurant to go to tonight.  I like to have dinner before 2 AM.  ; > )

To me, October represents the beginning of Autumn, cooler weather, Halloween, Thanksgiving around the corner, followed by the Holidays and a New Year before we know it.

Like its predecessor month, October’s birthstone starts with the same first letter as its name.  “O” for Opal.  In 1912, opals were made the official birthstone of October by the American National Association of Jewelers.

Opals are a favorite among many collectors despite the fact that they are brittle, not terribly heat resistant and scratch easily.

Where the name “opal” came from….

There are several origins on the name “opal.” Pliny the Elder, a Roman author, philosopher and commander in the Roman Empire named the stone after Saturn’s wife “Ops,” the goddess of fertility. The Roman word “opalus” means “to see a change in color.”  The Greek word “opillos” has two meanings “seeing” and “other” as in “alias.” The Sanskrit word “upala” means “valuable stone.”  Take your pick.

What are opals?

Opals are hydrated silica which is a composition of silica and water. The water content of most opals is between 6% – 10%.

Opals are an amorphous (not having a distinct shape) mineraloid, which means that unlike minerals, they do not have a true crystalline structure. However, some opals do have crystalline formations that started to form. These opals are known as cryptocrystalline or microcrystalline opals.

Even though opals aren’t truly crystalline, they do have an internal structure.  They have many VERY tiny stacked silica spheres that can be seen with a microscope. Millions of these amorphous silica spheres are closely bonded together and are stacked in a 3 dimensional formation. The miniscule silica spheres and the voids that form between them create a grating. This grating is what causes the diffraction of white light or sunlight. Diffraction is the process of light waves being divided when they pass through something solid. It is this process that creates the beautiful display of rainbow colors. The size of the voids between the tiny spheres plays a big part in how the light is split and the colors it produces. (Sorry that this is so technical!)

This is a big difference between opals and other gemstones, which get their colors primarily from impurities.

An interesting note…

The term “opalescence” is often used to describe the opal’s phenomenal display of colors, however the correct term for that is “play of color.”

The correct application of the word “opalescence” is the reference to the milky, cloudy and opaqueness of “common” opal, aka “potch”.  There is no display of color in potch opal.  More on that in a moment…

Where most opals are found…..

Over 90% of the worlds opals are found in Australia and not surprisingly opals are the national gemstone of that great country.

The town of Coober Pedy in South Australia is a major producer of opals. If you want to read about a most fascinating town, where there are underground homes and businesses. You may want to Google “Coober Pedy.”

The largest and most valued gem opal was discovered in August 1956 at the “Eight Mile” opal field in Coober Pedy. Its name is “Olympic Australis”and it is 17,000 carats, 11 inches long, 4 ¾” tall and 4 ½” wide. It is quite valuable.

How opals grow ….

Opals are usually found in the cracks and crevices of many kinds of rock including sandstone, claystone (AKA bulldog shale) basalt, limonite, marl and rhyolite. Opal deposits are usually spread over a large area and finding them can be difficult.

One reason opals can be expensive…

Mining for opals is usually done by individuals who work with hand operated machinery, small instruments and explosives as opposed to large mining companies.

Coloring of opals….

Opals can be translucent, opaque or a host of colors: white, clear, yellow, gray, green, olive, blue, magenta, pink, rose, orange, red, slate, brown and black. White opals are the most common (60%) with black opals comprising 8% of the market.

Properties of opals…..

The many types of opals have their own properties, however there are inherent properties that ALL opals share. One is their ability to magnify our good and not so good traits and attributes.  This can be a good thing because it encourages us to change our undesirable characteristics.  Opals put us in touch with our own creativity by providing us inspiration and imagination. Opals help release our inhibitions to follow through on clean, true and spontaneous action.  All opals purify our blood and kidneys, regulate insulation production, ease our fears, help with vision dis-orders and stimulate our circulation.

Many varieties of opals…..

There are many kinds of opals, however only the following will be mentioned in this blog: Common Opals (which include Fire Opals), Precious Opals, Peruvian Blue Opals, Boulder Opals (which includes Matrix Opals) and Synthetic Opals.

** COMMON OPAL (POTCH) Has no display of “fire” because their internal make-up is not stacked or consistent in size.  Clarity varies

Coloring: usually opaque, can be clear, white, pink, blue, brown, black, yellow, orange and red.  The yellow, orange and red colors are considered Fire Opals.

Less valuable than precious opal

Lower vibration frequency than other opals

Gentle energies, extremely calming, soothing and relaxing

Benefits those who are overwhelmed by stress or who use stones that are too powerful for them

Clear common opals can be faceted

Various properties of the common opals:

White: purifies our energy field, cleans, rebalances and supports our chakras, attracts angels

Pink: emotional healing, especially subconscious pain, resolves painful wounds and remembrances from past lives or dreams, gentleness and compassion for ourselves

Blue: counteracts restless thoughts, place under the pillow to quiet an active mind, remembering our dreams, encourages expression of our feelings

Brown and Black: helps physical healing, supports our emotions, eases isolation, lifts depression, stimulates 1^st and 2^nd chakras increases our life force

** FIRE OPAL (AKA MEXICAN FIRE OPAL), a form of COMMON OPAL.

Coloring:  vivid and intense orange, yellow, orange-yellow or orange-red transparent or translucent, can have bright green flashes, although don’t usually have a display of color.

Originally found in Mexico and now mined in other countries

Properties:  mystery, variety, progress and change, reflection upon life, benefits eyesight, emphysema and central nervous system

**PERUVIAN BLUE OPALS (aka blue opal)

Coloring: greenish blue opaque or translucent.  No display of colors

Properties: aids sleep, calms the mind.

The blue opal is found in the area of the Andes Mountains.

The blue opal is the gemstone of Peru.

** PRECIOUS OPAL (AKA Noble Opal)  Contains “fire”

Coloring:  white (milky colored) or black

White Precious Opal: (aka “crystal” opal) most well known

Properties: intense spiritual energy, release of our unhealthy energies, intensifies our positive and negative emotions, brings to our conscious whatever needs clearing

Black Precious Opal: similar to white, however its dark background (black, dark gray or dark blue) really shows off the iridescent “fire.”

Properties: magic and mystery. Links our root chakra to crown chakra, thus connecting our spiritual to our physical, very powerful manifestation stone, magnifies the intensity and effect of our emotions and intentions, releases karmic patterns from previous lifetimes, represents death and rebirth

Interesting Fact:  cannot be faceted

The Virgin Valley Black fire Opal is the state gemstone of Nevada

**  BOULDER OPALS

Opal that forms on ironstone boulders …the ironstone backing makes it very durable

MATRIX OPAL is boulder opal that is mixed throughout the ironstone

Properties:  connection to the stars, brings about communication between the Earth and the star children, clears our aura, brings about all aspects of healing, removes cobwebs from our mind

The water content is very low, so it seldom cracks as it ages.

**  SYNTHETIC OPALS

All types of opals have been lab created since 1974. These synthetic gems are made from exactly the same material as “natural” gems with almost the same exact structure. Only with a magnifier can an expert distinguish a synthetic opal from a natural opal.  The pattern of the synthetics has more regularity and the arrangement resemble the skin of a lizard. Synthetics are usually not as dense and are often more porous than natural opals.

Since opals are popular in jewelry, they are often enhanced to be gem quality.  One way of enhancing their colors is by attaching the thin outer layer of the opal to a dark mineral, sometimes one that it grows with. The dark mineral “backing” makes the display of colors even more spectacular. A thin domed outer layer of quartz or plastic can both protect the opal and magnify the display of colors.

Beliefs about opals……

Throughout the years and depending on the civilizations, opals were considered to bring hope, evil, good luck and bad luck.

During the Middle Ages, opal was considered a stone of good luck. With their wide spectrum of colors, opals were believed to possess all the benefits of every gemstone.

In the 1800s, some superstitious folks believed that only those who had birthdays in October should wear opals. They thought that others who wore them would have bad luck or a horrible fate.

As recently as 100 years ago, many Russians believed that the opal represented the evil eye.

Other places where opals are found…….

Significant deposits of precious opal have also been found in Brazil, the Czech Republic, Ethiopia, Guatemala, Honduras, Hungary, Indonesia, Japan, Nicaragua,Slovakia, Turkey and the U.S.

In late 2008, NASA announced that opal deposits were discovered on Mars.

The most common elestials are smokey quartz, clear quartz, and citrine with amethyst elestials rare and ametrine elestials even more rare.

Most elestials come from Minas Gerais, Brazil, a region known for its thousands of small mineral laden mines. Elestials have also been found in Africa, Madagascar, Romania and the U.S.

The term elestial means “Crystal of the Angels” and not surprisingly, elestials have a strong connection to the Angelic realm. Elestials contain the spirit of angels and beings in other dimensions and bring us their messages, information and love.

Elestials contain a gentle flowing energy and frequency that is tuned into both the pureness of the angelic domain and the vibrations of the Earth.  Since smokey quartz is a natural grounding stone, smokey elestials are an excellent choice for grounding the higher vibrations here on Earth.  Smokey quartz also has the added benefit of providing us protection from negativity.

Elestials are considered the master healing crystal of the mineral kingdom.  The energy of elestials is extremely powerful and many shamans, healers and metaphysical folks enjoy working with and gaining knowledge from them.

Being a healer isn’t a prerequisite for working with elestials, though. Everyone can gain information from them simply by clearing our thoughts, having no great expectations and gently rubbing our fingers up and down the sides of the crystal.

Elestials will come into our lives when they are meant to. If they haven’t come into your life yet, then you aren’t ready for them.

When they do come into our lives, it will be like having a direct connection to the higher realms 24 hours a day.  And the best part is that we can work with an elestial stone for a lifetime, never outgrowing its powerful healing energy.

The celestial energy of elestials works on many levels and brings us significant lessons and change.  Elestial crystals provide us comfort and support. They are also great for removing blockages and fears, overcoming emotional baggage, easing the load on the heart, connecting with our timeless self and bringing us the necessary changes.  Elestials can take us back to our past lives in an attempt to understand and heal our genetic blueprint, current karma and spiritual journey.

The energy of elestials is considered “emotionless” which means it is not based on emotions.  The lessons taught by elestials are to use both our head and heart to gain individuality.

Elestials are powerful deep emotional cleansers, which bring to surface our old emotional wounds and negative thoughts for us to deal with and overcome. These pains are often ones that have been suppressed for years and are so deep in our subconscious that we are not even aware that they exist and how much they affect us. Since these “celestial” crystals bring powerful changes, it is particularly important to go slowly when first beginning to work with them.

Our troubles begin when we don’t put forth any actions regarding our emotions. By not acting on our hurt feelings, they can become repressed. On the converse, if we feel love and don’t act on that either, it can become suppressed in the deep recesses of our mind.

If those negative feelings don’t get resolved, they will remain trapped in the subconscious of our mind, festering into negativity. These repressed hurts can eventually lead to physical illness related to the nature of the emotion and the personality of the individual.

Celestials have many different applications.

During meditations with elestials, we can often hear the angels singing and bringing us their spirited love which provides joy, peace and well being throughout our whole body.

Elestials are used extensively in light energy work because its frequencies are in synch with the recipient, administering just the right amount of light that the person can handle without getting overload or burnout.

Elestials are beneficial for a number of physical issues.

The unemotional energy of elestials concentrates on healing the pineal gland in our brain.  This is where our thoughts and feelings are brought to clarity, a place far removed from our emotions.

Elestials are also beneficial for the pituitary gland, an endocrine gland located at the base of the brain.  The healing energy of elestials is a positive force for schizophrenia, counteracting the after effects of drugs and rebuilding burned out brain tissue.

Elestials are also powerful gems for healing many bone issues: bone breaks, recovery from bone cancer and healing from bone surgery to name a few.

Elestials make potent elixirs. Since all elestials are quartz crystals, it is safe to make an elixir the traditional way by submerging the cleansed crystal directly into the filtered water.  For more info on making elixirs, please visit our crystals and elixirs page which can be found by clicking on our knowledge and learning link.

Elestials are also used with success in the laying on of crystals on our body.  When strategically placed on the body, elestials can remove toxicity that has accumulated in the major body organs and releases those toxins into the bloodstream.  Once that healing session is completed, it is very important to drink plenty of water to flush the toxins from the body.  Actually, since elestials are powerful detoxifiers, it is advisable to drink a lot of water after using them in any manner.

With their close association with the spiritual realm, elestials can bring comfort and lessen the fear of those who are close to becoming a spirit in heaven.

Because of the nature of elestials, please respect them and use them with only the highest and best intent.

We have a few amethyst elestials at a very good price of $25.00 each.

September is here.  September reminds me of how lucky I am not to be in school wondering how many snow days we would be getting in the upcoming winter.  Obviously, I wasn’t raised in South Florida.

Happy Birthday to our modest, discriminating and well organized Virgo friends.  Virgos are great.  They can do something that I have never been able to do… Balance a checkbook!

September’s birthstone starts with the same first letter as the word September….Sapphire   AKA Blue Corundum

The origin of the name “sapphire” could come from different languages. The Greek word “sappheiros” means “blue stone.”  The word “sapphire” can come from the Roman word “sapphirus”, a word they also used for lapis lazuli. Sapphire could also be derived from the Sanskrit  word “Sani” which means “Saturn” since sapphires are associated with the planet Saturn.  If that is the case, then why aren’t sapphires the stone for Capricorns, the astrological sign ruled by Saturn?  In general, sapphires are associated with the astrological signs of Virgo, Libra and Sagittarius. Blue sapphires are particularly beneficial for Geminis.

Like rubies, emeralds and other stones, sapphires were considered to be a prized possession by the royalty.  Sapphires were believed to keep kings safe from harm or envy.

Sapphires are usually blue, however they can be any color other than red or dark pink, which are considered rubies.  Pinkish orange sapphires are known as padparadscha.

The chemical makeup of sapphires is very similar to its close relative, ruby. Both are aluminum oxides with impurities. While chromium, the primary impurity in rubies, creates pink hues, sapphires have varying amounts of iron, titanium and / or chromium which produce a whole host of colors: blue, yellow, pink, purple, orange, green, gray, black or colorless. Yellow or green sapphires are a result of lesser amounts of iron.

Like rubies, sapphires are a very hard mineral, #9 on the Moh’s hardness scale. So, why are sapphires so hard when both of their main components, aluminum and oxygen are both lightweight elements?  The simplest explanation is that oxygen forms a particularly strong bond to aluminum.  These strong bonds pull both the oxygen and aluminum atoms closer together making it harder and more dense.

Here is an interesting tidbit:  Emery boards (AKA nail files) are composed of cardboard and emery.  Emery, a hard rock, composed primarily of corundum with some other minerals, is used as an abrasive. So, if the next time you get a manicure or pedicure and your thoughts turn to sapphires or rubies, you will know why.

Since sapphires are considered one of the 4 precious gems (along with diamonds, emeralds and rubies), sapphire specimens are often appraised. Their value depends upon several variables: color, clarity, size, how it is cut and where it was mined. Sapphires and rubies are often found growing in the same area, with one sometimes more prevalent than the other.

Since sapphires are popular, artificial sapphires have been lab created for over a hundred years now. They are often subjected to heat treatments which can intensify the blue.

Because sapphires are particularly hard and durable, they have many applications in the decorative, industrial and electronic fields. They have been used in wrist watches, infrared optical instruments, windows and solid state electronics, to name a few.

Even though rubies and sapphires are very similar in composition, they each have their own metaphysical “properties.” The properties of rubies can be found in our July Birthstone blog.  Even though all sapphires share some of the same properties, the various colors of sapphire have their own specific vibration and metaphysical properties. We will touch on some of the main properties of sapphires with an emphasis on blue sapphires.

Sapphires represent wealth, success and strength.  They ease our frustrations, help us achieve our dreams and desires and provide us with life’s “gifts.”

Sapphires give us a powerful mind, thought process, ESP, dream recall and meditative astral travel. Sapphires open up and sharpen our mind and intuition, removes negative thoughts and allows us to focus and bring our ideas to fruition. These blue gems bring us wisdom, a desire for learning, contentment, serenity, pleasure and an appreciation of beauty. Sapphires are also used in hypnosis and past life regressions in helping us remember our prior lives, their lessons and the emotional issues that we carried over from them into this life.

Many folks believe that there is a connection between the blue sapphire and blue of our sky.  Maybe that is why this fabulous gem is associated with the angelic realms.

For those who may be easily persuaded by others or who rely on others for advice, listen up.  Sapphires can make us more confident in our knowledge and opinions.

Their association with serious Saturn should bring no surprise that sapphires are all about organization, self discipline, restraint, staying focused, achieving goals and providing help with the tasks that seem mundane.

Many channelers work with blue sapphire to awaken both the throat and third eye chakras.  When these two chakras are in synch, the 3^rd eye vision and psychic abilities are increased making it easier to receive information from higher realms.

In addition to the many emotional and spiritual properties, sapphires have some pretty phenomenal health and healing benefits.  Blue sapphires can ease headaches, vertigo, inner ear and eye issues. They are also beneficial for blood and cellular dis-orders, curtailing excessive bleeding and for fortifying the walls of the veins.

Today, Australia supplies the largest amount of sapphires with the finest specimens coming from there, Thailand, India,  Sri Lanka and other Southeast Asia countries.  Sapphires are also mined in Pakistan, Madagascar, East Africa, Africa and the U.S.

Welcome, August!

And thank you for your fabulous birthstone, “Peridot” …the 16^th wedding anniversary gemstone.

Happy Birthday to all of you proud and fabulous Leos..  You ROCK!

August is a warm and sunny month (in many parts of the world) and Peridot, its birthstone, has a warm and sunny persona.  Leos, who are ruled by the “sun,” are known for their sunny and warm dispositions.

No coincidences there!    ; > )

The Gem Maven loves peridot and can’t stop singing its praises, so very little information on this “stone” is going to be left unturned.  You may have to read this  L   O   N   G   blog in piece meal.

PERIDOT IS A STONE OF MANY DISTINCTIONS……..

Peridot is the only stone that comes almost exclusively in one color:  GREEN; yellowish green, olive green, brownish green, anything in between and very rarely brown.

Peridot has at least 3 different names (aka olivine and chrysolite) and two pronunciations (French and American).

Peridot has several nicknames ; “poor man’s emerald”, “gem of the sun” and “emerald of the evening.”

Peridot was originally discovered on a small volcanic island in the Red Sea off the coast of Southern Egypt .  This island has been known as Zagbargad, Zeberged (Arabic for “olivine”), Seberged, Topazios and St. John’s Island

Originally, peridot was called “topaz” after Topazios (aka Topazos), one of the names of the small island where it was first discovered. Those names came from the word “topazein” which means “to conjecture” because that shark infested island was difficult to find.

PRONUNCIATION OF PERIDOT……

In the 18^th century, the French were the first to name this gorgeous stone “peridot” which is why its correct pronunciation is “pare uh doe.”  Some prefer to call it by the American pronunciation ending of “dot.”  Further discussion on that will be avoided in this article.

EARLY HISTORY

This 4000 year old “iron magnesium silicate” stone was cherished by the Romans and Greeks as early as 3500 years ago.  Since then, the availability and popularity of peridot has surged and waned over the years.  Today, peridot is once again prevalent and popular.

Many of the beautiful “green emeralds” that Cleopatra had in her collection were believed to be peridot.

PERIDOT AND RELIGION……….

Peridot has played an instrumental part of religion.  In the Bible, it is referred to as “pitdah”, the Hebrew name for peridot or topaz.  During the 11^th, 12^th and 13^th centuries, the Crusaders brought peridot back to Europe.  As a result, many Catholic Churches (the Cologne Cathedral for one) were adorned and decorated with this special gem. The popularity of peridot peaked during the Baroque era of the 1600’s and gained a new resurgence and interest when it was again discovered in Pakistan in the 1990’s.

ORIGIN OF THE NAME PERIDOT…..

There is no definitive origin of the name “peridot.”  Some distinct possibilities can be …

The Arabic word faridat is “gem.”

The French word peritot means “unclear.”

The word “pedoretes”  is a kind of opal according to the Oxford English Dictionary.

Olivine is the French word for Peridot.

Chrysolite (not to be confused with chrysotile which is a form of asbestos) is Greek for “golden stone” or “gold stone”. Chrysolite usually refers to a more pale green peridot.

PERIDOT OFTEN GROWS IN IGNEOUS ROCK…..

TWO TYPES OF OLIVINE PERIDOT – FAYALITE AND FORSTERITE…..

Peridot is the gemstone variety of “olivine” a group of iron and magnesium rich silicates composed of varying amounts of magnesium, iron, silicon and oxygen.  Two minerals which fall under the olivine category are fayalite and forsterite both found in igneous rock containing large amounts of iron and magnesium.

Fayalite (Fe2SiO4) contains iron.

Forsterite (Mg2SiO4) contains magnesium.

Since iron and magnesium are compatible and interchangeable metals which often grow together, it is often difficult to tell the two minerals apart.

MINING FOR PERIDOT….

Year ago, miners searched for peridot at night, marked their exact location and went back digging the next day. There are two theories behind the night searching.  1) The moonlight made it easier to see the green crystals.  2) The fiery green appearance of the peridot glowed with light even at night.

PERIDOT ALSO COMES FROM…..

Peridot is also believed to come from volcanic magma, so wherever you find peridot is a good indication that volcanic activity is nearby.  This explains peridot being found along the black sands of Hawaii.

Peridot can also form as basalt (igneous rock formed from hot magma below the ground which flows onto the surface and cools).  Basalt can also be found on our Moon, Mars and Venus.   The very hot magma can be responsible for its fiery green appearance.

Fayalite peridot has also been found in pallasite meteorites, an iron-nickel meteorite.

MAGNESIUM  AND  IRON  PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN THE COLOR AND VALUE …

Fayalite has higher concentrations of iron which creates a darker and less desirable peridot.

The high magnesium content of forsterite produces what most people consider to be a more attractive and popular light green peridot.

Peridot with pure green coloring and no inclusions is considered the most valuable.  Any hint of brown diminishes the price. Experts say the finest peridot contains less than 15% iron and only minute amounts of chromium and nickel. More than 15% iron gives the peridot an overall dark “blackish green” color.

INCLUSIONS     APPEARANCE      SIZE       USE IN JEWELRY

The clearer peridot (fewer inclusions) is often cut and faceted into a round, oval or octahedron shape.  Peridot with more inclusions is often made into  cabochons, which are perfect for showing off its phenomenal shine.

When light is shone on peridot, its fiery brilliant green separates and bends the rays of light passing through it, giving it a glowing velvety appearance and oily luster.

Until recently, peridot was seldom seen larger than 3 carats, which is one reason why it has always been a popular stone for jewelry.

WHERE PERIDOT HAS BEEN FOUND…..

More recently, peridot has been discovered in Afghanistan, Antarctica, South Africa, Australia, Brazil, China, the Congo, Egypt, Kenya, Mexico, Myanmar (Burma) , Norway, Pakistan, Saudia Arabia, Sri Lanki, Tanzania and the U.S. (Arizona, Hawaii, Nevada, New Mexico  and North Carolina).  Today, peridot has once again gained recognition and popularity.

Transparent olivine is usually found in the more arid areas like Arizona, Pakistan, Egypt and Saudia Arabia.  Peridot has a tendency to decay when it is subjected to humidity and rain of other areas.

CONFUSION WITH OTHER STONES……

Over the years, peridot has been confused with other green stones. ie: apatite, chrysoberyl, diopside, emerald, green garnet, moldavite, sapphire, green tourmaline and green zircon to name a few.

FOLKLORE AND LEGENDS ………….

Peridot was considered a symbol of individual strength, vitality, fame, persuasiveness, eloquence and successful relationships and marriages.  Peridot was believed to help dreams become a reality and bring growth in the future. It was used to ease angers and anxiety, calm high-strung individuals and cure nervous afflictions.

Egyptians believed that peridot would ward off all evil and evil spirits.

This green gem was used as a remedy for sinus problems and easing thirst brought on by high fevers.  Powdered peridot was used as an asthma cure.

It was believed that drinking from peridot cups would increase the strength of other medicinal remedies. Egyptian priests drank from peridot goblets because they believed it would bring them closer to their goddess of nature, Isis.

Pirates loved peridot because they considered peridot powerful protection from all evil.  They believed that those who wore peridot set in gold would be protected from having nightmares and other night fears.

HEALING PROPERTIES…

Peridot is a powerful tonic for our physical and mental well being.  Peridot is beneficial for our heart, lungs, gallbladder, spleen, pancreas, liver, adrenals thymus glands, ulcers, eyes, metabolism and digestion.  This green gem heals and regenerates our tissues and is good for skin irritations.

Those ancient folk must have had a lot of wisdom because peridot does indeed ease anger, anxiety, stress, bad tempers, dehydration and high fevers. It’s also good for jealousy, resentment, spite, negativity, depression, obsessions and bi-polar issues.

There is no wondering why peridot is considered the “visionary” stone.  This beauty clears our mind, helps us see our mistakes, learn our lessons from them and move on.  It releases our past baggage and guilt from our subconscious and teaches us that old emotions are counterproductive.

Peridot helps both astrological signs which share the month of August.  Peridot teaches Leos self forgiveness, taking responsibility for their life and eases their bruised egos and pride.  Peridot helps Virgos get to the heart of the matter.  It can also help them increase their confidence and assertive behavior (something many Leos already have).  Also good for hypochondriacs.    : > 0

Did I mention that Peridot also increases intuition?

There is more to this very special crystal, however at 1552 words and it being August 2^nd already, it is time for this blog to get up.

WE HAVE THIS FABULOUS CRYSTAL IN STOCK….