About semiprecious gemstones

Agate - Agate is a semipellucid crystallized quartz consisting of banded or branching inclusions. The chemical structure of agate is identical to jasper, flint, chert, bloodstone and tiger eye. Agate is the birthstone of taurus and the anniversary semiprecious gemstone for the 12th year of marriage. There are several varieties of agate including blue, blue lace, crazy lace, green, indian moss, tree and wood. The healing ability of agate is said to reduce fever, quench thirst, be beneficial in the stomach area, quiet the pulse and give a long and prosperous life. It is also said to guard against danger, cure insomnia and ensure pleasant dreams.

Alexadrite - Alexandrite is a valued variety of chrysoberyl and has great power in the absorption of light. It is the birthstone of gemini and the anniversary semiprecious gemstone for the 45th and 55th year of marriage, The healing ability of alexandrite are said to help fight low self esteem, improve the central nervous system and relieve spleen and pancrease problems. Alexandrite is also said to be a stone of good omen and increase ones ability to experience joy.

Amethyst - Amethyst is the most valuable transparent variety of the silica mineral quartz. It is the birthsone of aquarius and the anniversary semiprecious gemstone for the 4th and 6th year of marriage. The healing ability of amethyst are said to magnify psychic ability, strengthen immunity, energise and purify the blood, relieve headaches and improve blood suger imbalances. Amethyst is also regarded as a love charm and produces calm peacful sleep when placed under ones pillow. 

Aventurine - Aventurine is composed of two gem minerals, plagioclase feldspar and quartz. The sparkling reflection is caused by minute inclusions of mica or hematite. It is the anniversary semiprecious gemstone for the 8th year of marriage. The healing ability of aventurine are said to increase labido, release fear and anxiety and strengthen ones blood and muscle tissue. Aventurine is also said to increase confidence and promote emotional tranquility.

Amazonite - Amazonite is a opaque gemstone variety of green microcline, a feldspar mineral. The healing ability of amazonite is said to make your skin better, release fear and anxiety and make your married life happier.

Aquamarine - Aquamarine is a bluish variety of beryl which is a mineral composed of aluminium slicate, a commercial source of beryllium. It is the birthstone of pisces and the anniversary semiprecious gemstone for the 16th and 19th year of marriage. The healing ability of aquamarine is said to work against nervous pain, glandular disorders, strengthen the liver and kidneys and relieve problems with the eyes, ears and stomach. It is also said to have soothing effects on just married couples and ensures a long and happy marriage. 

Bloodstone - Bloodstone is a dark green variety of the silica mineral chalcedony that has nodules of bright red jasper distributed throughout. It is the birthstone of pisces and is believed to be able to stop hemorrhages, relieve stomach and bowel pain, strengthen blood purifying organs and improve circulation. It is also belived  bloodstone will help one become more knowledgeable in the ways of the world.

Chalcedony - Chalcedony is a finely crystallized or fibrous quartz that forms rounded crusts, rinds or stalactites in sedimentary rock. Chalcedony, agates, jaspers, bloodstone, cornelian, onyx and chrysoprase all make up the chalcedony gemstones. Its healing abilities are believed to banish fear, hysteria, depression, mental illness and sadness, It is also believed to promote peace and calm and stimulate creativity.

Charoite - Charoite is a rare and unusual mineral formed from alternation of limestones by the close presences of an alkali rich nephline syenite intrusion. Its healing abilities are believed to combat bad dreams when placed beneath ones pillow. It is also believed to cleanse and purify ones energy body as well as dissolve negative energy.

Citrine - Citrine is a course grained variety of the silica mineral quartz and is valued for its resemblance to topaz. Citrine is the birthstone of scorpio and the anniversary semiprecious gemstone for the 17th year of marriage. Its healing abilities are believed to help in the treatment of depression, eliminate self destructive tendancies and heal the heart liver and kidneys. It is also belived to promote happiness, enhance creativity motivate writers and is a protective talisman.

Coral - Coral is the skeletal material of calcium carbonate, built up by animals that colonize in the sea. It is believed that coral can heal difficulties with the lungs, digestion, depression, nutritional deficiencies and help with circulation of blood to the heart. It is also believed to cure madness give wisdom and is used to build an emotional foundation.

Diamond - Diamond is a mineral composed of pure carbon and is chemically the same as opaque black graphite and soot. It is the birthstone of aries and the anniversary semiprecious gemstone for the 30th and 60th year of marriage. The healing abilities of diamonds are believed to assist all brain diseases and improve the owners memory. It is also believed to give faith, purity, innocence and repentance. If the owner  becomes ill it is said the diamond will lose its brilliance and will only regain its brilliance once the owner becomes well again.

Emerald - Emerald is a green variety of beryl and a highly valued gemstone. Synthetic emeralds are now produced in the USA by placing aquamarine crystals in a water solution and used as seeds to grow crystals very similar to the real thing. Emerald is the birthstone of taurus and the anniversary semiprecious gemstone for the 20th, 35th and 55th year of marriage. The healing abilities of emeralds are believed to help emotional healing, heal eye trouble and act as an antidote for poisons and poisonous wounds. It is also belived that emeralds will drive away evil spirits and preserve the chastity of the wearer.

Garnet - Garnets are a group of common silicate minerals that have similar crystal structures and chemical compsitions and is the birthstone of capricorn. Garnets are belived to heal blood deficiencies, stimulate the bloodstream relieve rheumatism and combat depression. It is also believed garnets carried close to the body are balancing and peaceful and will enhance the wearers imagination. Garnets symbolise fire, faith, courage, truth, grace, compassion and fidelity.

Hematite - Hematite is a heavy and relatively hard oxide mineral that has a high iron ore content which resembles metal. It is believed to heal venerial diseases and has a positive influence on the bladder it is also said to strengthen the body, improve resistance to stress and promote inner peace

Liolite - Iolita is a blue silicate mineral that occurs as crystals in igneous rock by contamination of the magma by aluminous sediment. The name is derived from the greek "los" meaning violet. Iolite is known as th vikings compass due to its ability to determine the direction of the sun on overcast days.

Jasper - Jasper is opaque, fine grained or dense variety of the silica mineral chert. It is believed to heal the stomach and cure gynecological problems. Leopard skin jasper is said to bring one what they need. poppy jasper brings joy into life and opalite jasper is said to aid sleep.

Lapis lazuli - Lapis lazuli is not a mineral but a rock. It is coloured by lazurite. In addition to sodalite minerals it often has inclusions of white calcite and pyrite crystals. It is the anniversary semiprecious gemstone for the 7th and 9th year of marriage. Lapis is belived to cure fever, relieve sore throats and eliminate negative emotions. Its mytical powers are said ti increase mental clarity, virility, calm one down and enhance creative self expression.

Malachite - Malachite is a valuable copper ore, hydrous copper carbonate and is responsible for the green colour of tarnished copper and bronze. It is the anniversary semiprecious gemstone for the 13th year of marriage and its healing abilities are believed to regenerate body cells, create calm and aid sleep. Its mystical powers are said to detect impending danger and give a person extra energy.

Moonstone - Moonstone is a valuable variety of feldspar with a rainbow sheen or bluish silver irridescence. It is the birthstone of gemini and the anniversary semiprecious gemstone for the 13th year of marriage. It is believed to be able to align the vertebrea and aid digestion. Its mystical powers are said to protect women and babies and bring good fortune.

Obsidian - Obsidian is a natural glass of volcanic origin that is formed by the rapid cooling of viscous lava and is extremely rich in silica. Its mystical powers are believed to be used for gaining clear insight into ones problems.

Onyx - Onyx is a striped semiprecious variety of the silica mineral agate. It is the birthstone of leo and the anniversary semiprecious gemstone for the 7th year of marriage. The healing abilities of onyx are believed to be used for problems with the heart, kidneys, nerves, hair, eyes and act as a nail strengthener. It is also believed to eliminate negative thinking, sharpen the wits of the wearer and bring spiritual inspiration.

Opal - Opal is a solidified jelly so has no crystal structure and contains up to 13% water. It is the birthstone of libra and is the anniversary semiprecious gemstone for the 14th and 18th year of marriage. Its healing abilities are said to be a cure for diseases of the eye. It is also believed to be a lucky stone and is a symbol of faithfulness and confidence.

Pearl - The cheif component of the nacre that constitutes the pearl is argonite. Pearls are formed by a mollusk consisiting of the same material as the mollusks shell. It is the birthstone of gemini and the anniversary stone for the 12th and 30th year of marriage. The healing abilities of pearls are said to eliminate emotional imbalances, help one master the heart chakra and aid stomach, spleen, intestinal tract and ulcer problems. Pearls symbolise love, success and happiness.

Peridot - Peridot also called olivine is a gem quality transparent green olivine. It is a mineral that composes a lot of the earths mantel, the layers below the crust. It is also common in balsalt on the moon. It is the birthstone of leo and the anniversary semiprecious gemstone for the 16th year of marriage. It is believed to increase strength and physical ability, protect against nervousness, aid in healing hurt feelings and help liver and adrenal functions. It is also believed to help dreams become reality, attract love, calm a raging anger, dispel negative emotions and attract wealth.

Tiger Eye - Tiger eye is a quartz that contains oriented fibres of crocidolite that have been replaced by silica. It is the anniversary semiprecious stone for the 9th year of marriage and has healing abilities said to relieve high blood pressure, rheumatic heart disease, otitis and psoriasis. It is also believed to focus the mind, offer protection for travellers and benefit the weak and the sick.

Tourmaline - Tourmaline is a borosilicate mineral of complex and variable compositions. Tourmaline is very abundant and has the best developed crystals in pegmatites and in metamorphosed limestones in contact with granitic magmas. It is the birthstone of libra and the anniversary semiprecious gemstone for the 8th year of marriage. Its healing abilities are believed to calm the nerves, regulate hormones. fight genetic disorders and relieve arthritic pain. Its mystical powers are said to dispel fear, negativity and grief.

Turquoise - Turquoise is hydrated copper and aluminium phosphate that is extensively used as a gemstone. It is the birthstone of sagittarius and the anniversary semiprecious gemstone for the 5th year of marriage. The healing abilities of tuquoise are said to guard against all diseases and aid tissue regeneration. Its mystical powers are thought to warn the wearer of danger or illness by changing colour.  Turquoise is believed to bring happiness and good fortune.

Zircon - Zircon is a silicate mineral, zirconium silicate. The high refractive index and dispertion of zircon cause it to approach diamond in fire and brilliancy. It is the birthstone of sagittarius and its healing abilities are said to relieve pain and ensure deep tranquil sleep. Zircons mystical powers are said to help be more at peace with oneself and provide the wearer with wisdom honor and riches.