Posts Tagged ‘creativity’
Topaz, the Birthstone of November
November 5, 2011 | 
Author Happy Birthday to the intense, secretive and (by and large) quiet Scorpios. No astrological sign is more loyal than you, if we “win your approval.” I see some of you smiling.
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.
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July’s Birthstone – Red Corundum
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Happy July, Everyone!
To me, July signifies the birth of our nation (July 4th) and warm weather. July is also the month of two “warm” astrological signs ruled by two very different heavenly bodies. The warm, sensitive and nurturing Cancers are ruled by the Moon and the warm, proud and sunny disposition Leos are ruled by the Sun.
The birthstone for July is the stone with whom many folks are familiar: Red Corundum. What? You have never heard of red corundum? How about it’s more familiar name… RUBY? More on that strange sounding name later.
Rubies have been around for a very long time and were revered by many ever since. Rubies were considered the king of the gemstones. The Greeks considered rubies to be the mother of all gemstones and the Romans referred to rubies as the flower among stones. Rubies were believed to resist dis-eases and provide protection from infections. Many believed that rubies instilled manhood and nobility in men and passion and power in women.
Rubies and Sapphires are siblings in the mineral kingdom. Both of these precious stones belong to the “corundum” family. The word corundum is derived from the Indian name “kuruntam” and the Sanskrit term “kuruvinda” which both mean “ruby.” Ruby comes from the Latin words “ruber” and “rubeus” which mean red. Corundums are very hard minerals (number #9 on the Moh’s hardness scale) below diamonds, the hardest mineral. However, diamonds are 4 times harder than corundums.
Rubies are known as red corundums, sapphires are blue (and other colors besides red) and lesser known padparadscha are pinkish orange corundums. Corundums (Al2O3) are aluminum oxide minerals (aluminum and oxygen) which usually contain minute amounts of iron, titanium and chromium. Corundum in its natural state is clear. The red coloring of rubies is due to the trace amounts of chromium.
Ruby is a stone that is often cut, polished and heat treated before being made into fine jewelry: earrings, rings, brooches, etc. However, ruby in its natural state has a completely different look. I love to see the expression on people’s faces when I discreetly pull a raw ruby out of my bra and ask them if they can identify the stone. After a few moments of staring (mostly from the disbelief of what they just saw), I tell them that it is ruby. What follows is pretty much consistent. “That is ruby?” I smile and say, “You’d never know. Yet, if someone were wearing red earrings or a ring with a red stone, you would probably guess that it was ruby.”
Raw rubies usually have a very dark red (almost brownish) appearance while polished rubies are often a vibrant dark burgundy”ish” red. All rubies have natural imperfections as a result of other minerals, including needle like inclusions of rutile (titanium dioxide). Actually, the lack of rutile inclusions is what enables gemologists to determine the real rubies from synthetics. Before being made into jewelry, rubies are often heat treated to remove the rutile and other impurities, making it more transparent.
Rubies provide warmth (like the month of July), love, happiness, sexual energy, sensitivity in a relationship, power and wealth. The intense energy of ruby can amplify and increase our positive and negative emotions (ie: love, passion, jealousy, joy, enthusiasm, bliss and impatience). It’s intense energy stimulates our motivation and can bring about revelations and visualizations.
Rubies are associated with the root chakra (reproduction and removing sexual blockages) and the heart chakra (our emotions and love of our self and others). Rubies can open up our heart chakra and strengthen our heart physically and emotionally. These red beauties encourage spirituality, rev up our passion, sensuality and sex appeal and bring enthusiasm back to our love life. Be careful not to employ rubies for the use of controlling or pressuring others for love as it can backfire on the user.
Like other red stones, rubies emit an energizing and stimulating energy and help combat exhaustion. They symbolize our life force, strength, stamina and vitality. Rubies benefit our circulatory system, immune system and low blood pressure and help reduce cholesterol, blood clots and infections. They are also a good blood detoxifier. Rubies are also believed to have a positive effect on eye infections.
The energy of rubies can be strong and intense, so we should only call on rubies when we are in a productive mood. Otherwise, rubies can prevent us from relaxing and sleeping..
Rubies bestow us with courage, wisdom, confidence, creativity, leadership qualities and the ability to prevail over challenges. Rubies encourage us to follow our dreams and gain knowledge from our experiences.. The intensity from rubies can evoke up some angry and negative responses from us if we aren’t careful.
Since rubies are associated with fame, success, invulnerability and protection, rubies can benefit those in many professions: politicians, spiritualists, inventors, engineers, electricians, chemists, doctors, medical field personnel, mathematicians, astronomers, researchers, writers, publishers and athletes.
Rubies have been found primarily in Burma (Myanmar), Pakistan, Afghanistan, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Madagascar, Nepal, Kenya and Sri Lanka. Rubies have also been mined in three U.S. states: North Carolina, South Carolina and Montana.
Posted in Our Blog | Tags: aluminum oxides, birhtstone of july, blog by gem maven, blog on july birthstone, brings revelations, brings visualizations, Cancerian stone, combats exhaustion, corundums, creativity, crystals, crystals and gems, crystals and gemstones, crystals blog, crystals cure many issues, crystalsandgemstones blog, energy blockages, gems, gems blog, gems heal, gemstone blog, gemstones, heart chakra, icreases positive and negative emotions, July birthstone, july birthstone blog, love, mother of all gemstones, protection from infections, red corundum, related to sapphires, resists dis-eases, revs up passion, rock blog, root chakra, ruby, sensitivity in a relationship, stoe for blood detoxifier, stone for blood clots, stone for Cancers, stone for cholesterol, stone for circulation, stone for circulatory system, stone for emotions, stone for enthusiasm, stone for exhaustion, stone for fame, stone for immune system, stone for infections, stone for invulnerability, stone for love of others, stone for lovers, stone for low blood pressure, stone for protection, stone for removing energy blockages, stone for reproduction, stone for self love, stone for sensuality, stone for sex appeal, stone for spirituality, stone for stamina, stone for stimulating energy, stone for strength, stone for vitality, stone of happiness, stone of life force, stone of love, stone of manhood, stone of nobility, stone of passion, stone of power, stone of sensitivity, stone of sexual energy, stone of wealth, stone that benefits eye infections, stone that combats exhaustion, stone that encourages us to follow our dreams, stone that provides an energizing energy, stone we gain knowledge from, stone with rutile inclusions, stone with strong intense energy, strengthens heart | Comments Closed
Moonstone, a June Birthstone
Here it is, June already. June is one of my favorite months, representing the beginning of very warm weather here in South Florida, along with less traffic on the highways and in the restaurants.
There are 3 birthstones for June: Moonstone, Pearl and Alexandrite. Today’s blog is on moonstone, a potassium, aluminum and silicate feldspar and member of the oligoclase family. Moonstones are one of the stones for Cancerians, an astrological sign ruled by the “moon.” Many “moon children” have birthdays in June.
Moonstone was made the official mineral of Florida in 1970, one year after our astronauts landed on the “moon” after taking off from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. By the way, moonstone wasn’t found on the moon and it isn’t a stone native to Florida.
Moonstones are often a milky white translucent mineral with chatoyant white streaks. Moonstones can also be grayish yellow, pale blue, light green, pinkish, brown, orange or colorless depending on where they are found. Sri Lankan moonstones are known for their light blue coloring while moonstones from India often have brown, beige, green or orange hues.
Moonstones seem to have a strong lunar connection. Many years ago, moonstones were referred to as “selenitis” named after “Selene,” the Greek goddess of the moon. Another stone named after “Selene” is selenite, a white stone that often resembles moonstones. In the olden days, many folks thought that they could see the phases of our moon when looking at this shimmering stone. They believed that the moonstone had a brighter shimmer when our moon was full and was more dull when it was close to being a new moon. Moonstones enable us to see the similarities between the moon and us. Our moon’s constant cycle of change affects the health and well being of our planet as well as our own health. Just as our moon has different cycles, so do our lives. The various cycles of our life provide us with a continual progression of learning, growing and gaining wisdom and intelligence through our experiences.
Moonstones are great for manifesting change and new starts in our lives. Words of caution: The powerful universal energies of moonstones can provide us with what we need and not necessarily what we want. Moonstone is the stone for discovering the hidden truths deep within our soul.
Considered a woman’s stone, moonstones are believed to have strong feminine energies regarding fertility, childbirth, love and sensitivity. Moonstones are perfect for our nurturing, feeling, emotional, intuitive and mothering Cancerians. Moonstones are beneficial for many female issues including our hormones, menses, fertility, pregnancy and menopause. In India and in some Arab countries, this stone for “lovers” may be sewn into the dress of brides to keep the harmony in a marriage and ensure a large family. Of course, moonstones can also benefit men who want to get in touch with their inner feelings. Moonstones have a positive influence on our immune system, lymphatic system, thyroid, glands and digestion.
These pearly opalescent beauties are spiritual stones that are associated with intuitive awareness, astral journeying, meditation, past life regression and the clearing and removing of negativity from our aura.
Moonstones calm our emotions, bring inner peace and can ease our fear of the future. They bestow us with flexibility, creativity, a go with the flow attitude and a zest for life. Keep moonstones around to provide an eternally young attitude, even in our older years. This Mother Earth stone is beneficial to those who are involved with gardening and agriculture.
Moonstones are a popular stone for making into jewelry. A moonstone pendant worn over the heart does wonders for calming stressed nerves. When travelling, bring along moonstones for safe journeys.
Posted in Our Blog | Tags: blog by gem maven, blog on moonstone, Cancerian stone, composure, creativity, crystals, crystals and gems, crystals and gemstones, crystals blog, crystals cure many issues, crystalsandgemstones blog, discovering our hidden truths, gems, gems blog, gems heal, gemstone blog, gemstones, happy in environment, headaches, June birthstone, june birthstone blog, manifesting change, moonstone, moonstone blog, named after Greek goddess Selene, rock blog, self expression, self tenderness, stone for agriculture, stone for an eternally youthful attitude, stone for astral journeying, stone for Cancers, stone for childbirth, stone for digestion, stone for easing our fear of the future, stone for female issues, stone for fertility, stone for flexibility, stone for gardening, stone for getting in touch with inner feelings, stone for glands, stone for go with the flow attitude, stone for hormones, stone for immune system, stone for inner peace, stone for intuitiion, stone for intuitive awareness, stone for love, stone for lovers, stone for lymphatic system, stone for meditation, stone for menopause, stone for menses, stone for moon children, stone for past life regression, stone for pregnancy, stone for removing and clearing negativity from our aura, stone for sensitivity, stone for thryoid, stone for zest of life, stone to calm our emotions | Comments Closed