Stone Guide

by Allison Schmidt
Information on Symbols | Old Stone Guide

The beauty and attraction to natural colored gemstones is a fascinating study. Beyond the decorative pleasures, it is believed by many that certain gemstones and minerals have definite and stable properties that work either alone or in conjunction with others, to produce specific desired effects.

Color itself, is also a powerful stimulant and inspiration. Individual colors are associated with facilitating certain effects.

Black | Blue | Brown | Red | Pink | Green | Purple

Symbols form the basis of our sensory responses. When combined with colored gems, symbols can represent a little bit of magic and wonder!

I thought it would be interesting to give you more information on the subject of symbols and colored gems. Following is a list of some of the colored gemstones I use, and easy access to the jewelry/symbols set with the stones.

Black - The color black is associated with Beginning!

Onyx is a shiny opaque chalcedony. It is purported to be a mental and physical tonic. In old Rome, carved onyx was believed to impart courage! Baby Rocks ER #9, Dome, Heart

Hematite is a silvery gray iron oxide. Hematite is credited with grounding and protection. Powdered it is red, a health color! Hematite cleanses blood. Homepage, Horse Earrings, Bottom Stone, Arch

Snowflake obsidian is a form of volcanic glass. It is black, with grayish white splotches. Obsidian is associated with grounding and protecting!

Blue - The color blue is associated with ascent! It could be considered as a reaching for, rising above and attaining color. The sky is, after all, the limit!

Azurite is one of the basic carbonates of copper and is found in oxidized portions of copper-ore veins. It resembles the world seen from space: an opaque cobalt blue stone, mixed with green shapes. Some believe it is an aid during dreamtime. It is associated with prophesy, healing, meditation and inspiration. People who are drawn to azurite can learn about transition, transformation and rebirth. Azurite helps embrace the new and eliminates blocks in communication. Baby Rocks ER# 6, bottom stone.

Agate is a variegated chalcedony and occurs in many patterns and colors. It can be opaque, transparent or a mixture of the two. It is said to attract the favor of God! Archaically, Moslems drank agate powder as a cure for melancholy.

Chrysacolla is a hydrous copper silicate. It is opaque and the color is intense dark turquoise/ green. With regard to the medicine wheel it helps balance the earth/sky elements within you. Some believe it restores tranquility. Pins & Pendants #7, Bottom Stone

Turquoise is a basic hydrous copper aluminum phosphate that often contains small amounts of iron. It is opaque, and the color is sky-blue or greenish-blue. Turquoise is a healer stone and is believed to enhance the immune system. Baby Rocks ER# 5. Largest Stone

Sodolite is sodium aluminum silicate with chlorine. It is opaque, and occurs in blue, white, gray, colorless and green. Some believe that sodolite clears the head and issues. Named for its sodium content, it helps with cleansing, as does salt. Jubilee ER #1, Top Stone

Lapis is predominately calcite tinted blue. The colors of Lapis Lazuli are royal blue, azure blue, violet blue and greenish blue. It is believed that lapis enlightens and stimulates. Lapis symbolizes water, the primordial element of creation. On the medicine wheel it promotes clarity and is associated with courage and bonding. Baby Rocks ER #7, Star

Brown - The color brown symbolizes the dawn as well as bringing to mind the rich earth and wild riot of the forest floor. As with both of the above, brown is a color of possibility!

Amber is fossilized resin from prehistoric pine trees. Often small insects are found captured in amber. It is transparent and semi-transparent, light yellow to deep reddish brown. Amber symbolizes strength and encourages beauty, longevity, stamina and abundance.

Tiger's Eye is an opaque quartz with very fine similarly oriented inclusions and with a color range from brown to yellow to pink to blue. Tiger's eye is said to protect and balance. It promotes various phenomena of vision and enables sight with wisdom. Baby Rocks ER#3, Spiral

Pineapple Jade is a creamy, buttery yellowish brown . It has the same origins as green jade but the yellow color would point to illumination and revealing. Jubilee ER#10, Top Stone inverted arch for luck!

Red - Red is the color of life, "Life Water" and health. At one time sickrooms were painted red. Red represents the fire of life and encourages physical strength, power, fearlessness, sensuality and heat. It is a color of action.

Red Tiger's Eye is opaque quartz with tiny similarly oriented inclusions forming shimmering lines. The red color is heat induced. Jubilee ER#9

Red Coral is the calcareous skeleton secreted by certain marine polyps. Coral symbolizes protection for children as well as women. It is not surprising to find that coral also symbolizes collective effort.

Carnelian is a variety of chalcedony ranging from fiery orange to ember red. It can be transparent or semi transparent, banded or solid colored. It symbolizes inner peace and healing, stanches blood and is useful in grounding and focusing. It is said to be a super cleansing stone. Amulet ER#11, Bear Paw

Garnet can be a silicate of calcium, magnesium, iron or manganese with aluminum or iron. It occurs in many colors from deep red, pink red, brown and green, and can be transparent or semi-transparent. Garnet inspires love and health. It is used to balance energy and bring serenity. It stimulates understanding and conclusion. Jubilee ER #4, Bottom Stone, domes

Ruby is a red variety of corundum and can be transparent or opaque. In India the ruby is the "lord of precious stones". It is said to encourage heat and passion, the healing of enemy relations, and reconciling lovers. Amulet ER#2, Bird

Jasper is an opaque variety of quartz that occurs in many colors and patterns. It is said to be a stone of nurturing and tranquility. Jasper facilitates focus. Baby Rocks ER#3, Large Stone

Pink- Pink is the color of ultimate health. The color pink promotes maturity and sensitivity, and enables deep healing.

Rhodocrosite is manganese carbonate. Its wild pink to white color scheme and crazy quilt patterns resemble lace. It is said to aid in all health matters and remove denial. Use rhodocrosite to attract a soulmate!

Rose Quartz is a beautiful translucent pink with flecks of sparkling titanium and other inclusions. It is said to "open the heart".

Pink Coral has the same origins as red. It is opaque. Set in a crown, pink coral means health for the whole kingdom. Pins & Pendants #4

Green - is energy, growth and fertility. Green is going forth to fruition.

Jade is a glassy mineral with colors ranging from light to dark green, black, and in rare cases white, brown and blue. Wisdom, justice, modesty, courage and clarity are all characteristic to jade. It is believed to enable one to draw from the wisdom of the ancestors and from any past life experiences. Bracelet, #6, Turtle, Spiral

Aventurine is a quartz gemstone with mica crystals. Pale to medium green, translucent and beautiful, it is said to enhance creativity. Aventurine was set into shields to strengthen the shield arm.

Varisite is a hydrous aluminum-iron phosphate. It is associated with encouragement and regeneration. Jubilee ER #12, Dome

Malachite is an ore of copper. It is pale and kelly green with a variety of bands and wild multicolor patterns. Use it for a protection amulet. It discourages weakness and on the medicine wheel it raises sensitivity to the spirit. Jubilee ER #2, Spiral, Dome

Peridot is a beautiful dark green to yellow green transparent type of olivine. This is a stone of renewal! It is said to promote psychic ability and help renew spiritual purpose. It also releases and neutralizes toxins. Baby Rocks ER #4, Top Stone

Rhyolite is a mottled dark/light green with brown and red igneous rock rich in silica. It can be spotted with crystal inclusions. Rhyolite is said to ignite the potential of the soul and facilitate change. Amulet Icon Necklace # 8, Center Piece

Bloodstone is a dark green opaque quartz splotched with red jasper. It is an energy cleanser. Bloodstone provides a positive grounding force and is said to displace bad energy. Jubilee ER #10, Bottom

Purple - Spirit!! Royalty!! In the medicine wheel purple is associated with the brown bear and the harvest moon. Purple is the color of ceremony, ritual, spiritual insight, idealism and love of humanity.

Amethyst is a purple transparent quartz. In Greek, the word amethyst means "not drunk". Some believe amethyst boosts your hormones and immune system. It has long been considered a healer and amplifier. Amulet Icon Necklace #8, Left Piece

Iolite is the gem name for cordierite. It is a clear cornflower blue. Most iolite is found as water-worn pebbles from gem gravel beds. It is known as the gemstone of clear vision and once was worn as a homeward guide. Baby Rocks ER #3, Top Stone

Charoite is a beautiful blending of lilac and deep purple in unusual patterns. It is opaque. Charoite is associated with revealing matters of the heart and the acceptance of things meant to be.