Crystal/Gemstone Meaning/Property Guide C2

Chiastolite

Chiastolite is a brown variety of Andalusite, which contains a black cross. It transmutes conflict into harmony and dispels negative thoughts and energies. Use it to enhance the energy of Prosperity stones.

Chrysanthemum Stone

Chrysanthemum Stone is a stone that awakens your true purpose in life and lends the support and courage necessary to follow your dreams. This stone brings unexpected opportunities (luck) once you have stepped on a chosen path. It has an energy that forges through obstacles to joy, love, and abundance in your life.

Chrysocolla (aka Bisbeeite, Chrysocole, Crysocolla, Chrysocolle, Chrysocollite, Chrysokolla, Crisocola, Crisocolla, Gem Silica)

Chrysocolla is most commonly found in an attractive blue-green color with brown, rust or black inclusions, but, if you are lucky, you may find a stone that also contains gold flecks. Chrysocolla is a minor ore of copper, as it forms in the oxidation zones of copper-rich areas. The name is of Greek origin, chrysos meaning "gold" and kolla meaning "glue," in reference to similar-looking material that was used to solder gold. It is a very fragile mineral and cannot be used for jewelry unless it is agatized in chalcedony. When found in a brilliant blue state it can be mistaken for turquoise; typically, the brighter the blue or green color, the higher the price. Much of the chrysocolla on the market is mined in Africa, and is sometimes billed as African chrysocolla. Chrysocolla is said to be good for creativity, female energy and communication, as well as relieving ulcers and arthritis. It is also associated with tranquility, peace, intuition, patience and unconditional love.

Chrysocolla lifts and balances emotions, eases emotional heartache, attracts love, sweet dreams.

Chrysoprase (aka Australian Jade)

One of the most valuable chalcedony (quartz) gemstones, chrysoprase is prized for its rarity and opalescent apple-green color. Its name comes from Greek words chryso for golden and prason for leek. It is a lighter-colored form of prase. Chrysoprase occurs as nodules or fillings of clefts in serpentine rocks and in weathered materials of nickel ore deposits. Unlike most other green gemstones, which owe their color to chromium or vanadium, chrysoprase's color is derived from staining by nickel oxide.

Chrysoprase is quite often opaque, but the more translucent the gemstone, the better the quality. The highest-quality material is a rich apple-green of even color, without flaws, fractures, inclusions, cavities or other imperfections. Much of the chrysoprase used for beads has a brownish matrix. Chrysoprase is easily worked and takes a fine polish. The stone's cheerful hue can fade in sunlight and when heated. Fading occurs when dehydration robs stones of their coloring agent, and as stones dry out, they lose translucency and luster. To restore these attributes, leave stones in wet cotton or take a bath while wearing your chrysoprase jewelry.

Before large quantities of the stone were discovered in Australia, dealers compensated for the gem's scarcity by staining colorless quartz green, using either nickel salts or chromium salts. Despite the abundance of chrysoprase today, dyed stones remain an annoyance; buyers should guard against them as natural chrysoprase becomes more popular and expensive. According to Robert Webster's Gems, chromium salts are most commonly used in simulated greens. They can be detected with a Chelsea filter (stained stones show a "brownish-red residual color") or a spectroscope (look for "three vague lines in the red part of the spectrum").

This gemstone has been mentioned as early in history as 23 A.D., but was not mined commercially until about 1740. Chrysoprase was used by the Greeks, Romans and Egyptians in jewelry and other ornamental objects. Prussian king Frederick the Great adorned his palace with objects and furniture made fully or partly of chrysoprase. His favorite ring was set with a large chrysoprase surrounded by 15 brilliant stones (presumably diamonds). Reportedly, Frederick never took this ring off. He also carried a walking stick with a knob of chrysoprase.

The stone has also been renowned as having unusual powers. In the Middle Ages, it was believed that if you put a piece of chrysoprase in your mouth, you would become invisible, and Romanian folklore claims chrysoprase enabled its owner to understand the language of lizards. Metaphysical characteristics attributed to the gemstone today include soothing heartache and loneliness, and promoting emotional balance. It also is said to relieve gout, eye problems and mental illness.

Chrysoprase encourages the balancing of yin-yang energies, activates and opens heart chakra, compassion, promotes the connection with the trinity, helps to heal a broken heart, fidelity in business and personal affairs.

Citrine (aka Brazilian Topaz, Citrine Topaz, Colorado Topaz, False Topaz, Gold Topaz, Jeweler's Topaz, Madeira Topaz, Occidental Topaz, Saxon Topaz)

The name citrine comes from the French citron, or "lemon," for its color. The stone is a particular type of quartz. Much of the citrine on the market today is actually heat-treated amethyst (a different type of quartz), and ours might be (we've been unable to confirm our vendor's assertion that we are receiving all-natural citrine). All it takes is a kiln that can reach and hold a specific temperature for long enough, and a purple amethyst will turn to citrine. Natural citrine is not common and occurs in lighter hues than the heat-treated material. Also, heat-treated forms can often be distinguished from natural citrine by their red tint (a quality of all heat-treated gemstones).

Unfortunately, some unscrupulous dealers have created false names for citrine so unaware buyers think they are buying more valuable topaz. Citrine does closely resemble topaz, but is it more durable, slightly softer and has less brilliance. It should be known that most "topaz" labeled with a prefix name (such as gold topaz and others listed above under "aka") is actually the heat-treated form of citrine, though our own crystal blue topaz is just that — crystal! The only known exceptions (those that are truly topaz) are imperial topaz, oriental topaz and precious topaz.

Some of these beads are cut in India, so irregularities in shape, size and other qualities should be expected. Citrine is easily scratched. Also, it permanently changes color if left in the sunlight for several hours, hence citrine beads should be kept away from prolonged exposure to strong light or heat. With these precautions, citrine jewelry will last for many generations.

In ancient times, citrine was carried as a protection against snake venom and evil thoughts, but it didn't see substantial use as a gemstone in jewelry until the Romantic Period (1837-1860). Citrine is valued for the treatment of depression and is said to eliminate self-destructive tendencies. It also is purported to stimulate memory, aid digestion, remove toxins from the body and fight diabetes. Citrine symbolizes light-heartedness, joy, happiness, wisdom and peace, and is said to enhance creativity and motivate writers.

Citrine is known as the lucky ‘Merchants Stone’. If you are in any type of sales, just put a citrine in the cash drawer and watch what happens. Citrine also nurtures our feelings of self-esteem and helps us to appreciate that our own needs are valid.

It is one of the few minerals on the planet which Citrine does not hold and accumulate negative energy, but dissipates and transmutes it, working out problems on both physical and subtle levels. Citrine is one of the stones to be called merchants stone - placing citrine in ones cash box has produced more income for the merchant. Diminishes self-destructive tendencies; Raises self-esteem, lightheartedness, cheerfulness, and hope. Warming, energizing, and attracts abundance, affects naval and crown chakras.

Powers: Mental Powers, Creativity, Happiness, Protection, Psychism, Prosperity.

Magickal Uses: Wear or place under pillow to remove fear, ensure a good night's sleep and to facilitate psychic awareness. Put in cash register or place in wallet to enhance business success and attract money.

Coral

Coral is a calcium carbonate built up by the skeletal material of small animals that live in colonies in the sea. It comes in a wide range of colors, with black, red and pink considered the most valuable. It appears dull and matte when unfinished, but gains a beautiful gloss after polishing. It often grows in branches that look like underwater trees, and most is found in the Mediterranean Sea and in the Pacific Ocean off Japan and Taiwan.

The origin of the word "coral" has been a source of disagreement for linguists. Some believe it comes from the Greek word koraillon, which refers to coral's hard skeleton. Others point to the term kura-halos, or "mermaid," because coral's curving branches often resemble people. Another possible source is the Hebrew word goral, the name for the stones used to cast an oracle; coral was in fact used for casting oracles long ago in Palestine, Asia Minor and the Mediterranean.

Coral is often imitated by plastic, glass, porcelain and stained bone, but natural coral has a distinctive wood-grain texture that can help identify it as the real thing. We carry several subspecies of coral. Sponge coral, when polished smooth, has visible pores like a sponge. Bamboo coral grows in segmented branches that resemble bamboo stalks, with beige/brown sections partially covering the black underlayer. Coral is much softer than other gem materials, and as a result it should be stored carefully to avoid scratches. Cosmetics, hot water and bright sunlight are damaging to it. Coral is also fragile and porous, so it should be protected from sharp blows and kept away from chemicals. To clean, wipe it gently with a moist soft cloth. Some of the more vibrantly dyed colors might bleed; test for colorfastness before wearing. If needed, wash the beads in warm soapy water and blot dry with paper towels. Repeat until no dye transfers to the paper towels.

Many people think coral, like ivory, must be protected and/or is an endangered species. However, the few threatened coral reefs are monitored by international law. Furthermore, research shows that at current harvesting levels, even the Great Barrier Reef's coral is sustainable; in other words, it replenishes itself at a rate equal to or greater than it is collected. While some types of coral grow extremely slowly (at a rate of only about three centimeters every 20 years!), other branching varieties are estimated to grow up to 10 centimeters each year. Live coral for aquariums currently is more profitable to harvest than dead coral for jewelry.

Coral is among the most ancient of gem materials, used for adornment since prehistoric times. Coral inlays and ornaments have been found in Celtic tombs from the Iron Age (500 B.C.-400 A.D.). In ancient China, red coral was a symbol of wealth, favor and high social status. In the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), emperors wore accessories made of red coral, such as belts and necklaces, when meeting ministers. Queens also wore necklaces made of red coral in important activities such as birthday celebrations. Coral is one of the seven treasures in Buddhist scriptures, and Tibetan lamas use coral rosaries. To Buddhists, coral is a treasure that can protect you from evil spirits.

Today, coral, with its reputed ability to calm and improve life, is considered the best accessory for modern people living in the fast lane. Coral is said to protect children and it is given as a gift to children in many countries. It also is used in difficulties of the lungs and digestion, and many relate it to blood circulation. Coral is said to help restore harmony in the event of emotional conflict and work against nutritional deficiencies, depression, and lethargy. In addition, mystics claim it cures madness and gives wisdom but loses its power when broken.

Coral symbolizes life and blood force energy. Red Coral is used for heating and stimulating the bloodstream. Pink shades restore harmony to the heart. It is used as an aid to depression, lethargy, or deficient nutrition.