Crystal/Gemstone Meaning/Property Guide T2
Topaz
Topaz (aluminum fluorite silicate) is the hardest of the silicate minerals, due to strong chemical bonds within the stone. It is thought to form from fluorine-bearing gases released during later stages of solidification in acidic igneous rocks, and typically is found within rhyolites and granite cavities. Yellow is the most familiar color, red the most rare. The stone is also found in brown, clear and blue, though nearly all blue topaz on the market today is enhanced, ours included. Radiation applied to colorless topaz creates a consistently beautiful blue hue, making this color of topaz more accessible for all. Topaz has perfect cleavage, making it susceptible to splitting if struck upon a hard surface. Consequently, topaz beads should be protected from knocks. Also avoid large temperature changes (such as leaving it beside a heater vent or in a hot car). Do not clean topaz in a home ultrasonic cleaner; the best cleanser is warm soapy water.
Topaz gemstones occur in a large variety of sizes, from tiny crystals to large rocks. The biggest uncut stone was found in Brazil and weighs almost 600 pounds. This specimen is on display at the American Museum of Natural History in New York. Topaz is the state gemstone of Texas and Utah, and the birthstone for November. Some say it derives its name from the Sanskrit word tapas, meaning "fire." Another theory, first put forth by Pliny the Elder in the first century A.D., is that the name topaz was derived from the Greek word topazos, or topazion, meaning "to seek." Most likely, though, topaz derived its name from the Island of Topazos in the Red Sea, which is thought to have been an ancient source for the gem peridot — but not topaz. The name "topaz" was once used to refer to any yellow stone, and until the 18th century, was indeed used for what's now known as peridot.
The ancient Greeks believed topaz had the power to increase strength and make its wearer invisible in times of emergency. It was also said to change color in the presence of poisoned food or drink. Ancient lore holds that it could be used to control heat, and could cool boiling water and excessive anger. For this reason, topaz was used as a medication to cure fever. The yellow variety of topaz was officially discovered in the Middle Ages, during a quest for a supreme golden stone. During this period, topaz was used mostly by royalty and clergy. A falcon figurine carved atop a topaz stone was thought to foster the goodwill of kings, princes and magnates, and the topaz was also considered a holy stone signifying St. Matthew. Pilgrims flocked to Rome just to touch the topaz owned by Popes Gregory II and Clement VI, which was said to cure all ailments and bring health. It wasn't until Marco Polo's time, around the 13th century, that this gemstone began to be widely used for jewelry. In the 17th century, the Braganza "diamond" (1,640 carats) in the Portuguese crown was thought to be the largest diamond ever found. It has since been determined a colorless topaz. In Oscar Wilde's Salome, Herod offers Salome great riches as persuasion to retract her request for the head of John the Baptist. Among the treasures he describes are "topazes as yellow as the eyes of tigers, topazes as pink as the eyes of wood pigeons." For Hindus, topazes worn above the heart are considered to prevent thirst and assure long life, beauty and intelligence.
Mystics today believe topaz will stimulate the endocrine system, balance emotions and improve eyesight. It also is valued in the treatment of hemorrhages, poor appetite and blood disorders, and is referred to as the spiritual rejuvenation gemstone.
One can focus their desires through Topaz, and visual images in the mind are transformed into universal messages. Topaz enables communication from other realms in the universe.
Topaz, Imperial - Combined with an equal amount of Tiger Eye, Topaz will bring wealth and money.Tourmaline
Tourmaline is a complex crystalline silicate containing aluminum, boron and other elements. Its name is derived from the Sinhalese (Sri Lankan) word tura mali, meaning "stone of mixed colors." Indeed, tourmaline appears in blue, yellow, pink, red, black, green and clear. Our tourmaline beads generally contain pink, green, red and clear coloring, sometimes all on the same stone and sometimes one color per stone. Tourmalated quartz contains black tourmaline inclusions and green tourmalated quartz contains green inclusions. Each color of tourmaline is given its own name in the gem world, making tourmaline more a group of minerals than a single type. These include rubellite (pink to red), indicolite (blue), schorl (black), dravite (brown) and achroite (colorless).
Tourmaline boasts a number of rather amazing physical characteristics. For one, it is piezoelectric; this means heating, rubbing or pressurizing the crystal gives it an electric charge, attracting small objects such as hair or small pieces of paper. Because of this property, tourmaline has been employed in depth-sounding devices and other tools that detect and measure variations in pressure. It also is pleochroic, looking darker from some angles than from others. As with all gems, protect tourmaline from scratches and sharp blows, and avoid drastic temperature changes. Do not clean tourmaline in a home ultrasonic cleaner.
Tourmaline has been used as a gem for more than 2,000 years. An ancient Egyptian legend attempts to explain the beautiful array of colors in this gemstone: on the long journey from the middle of the earth up toward the sun, the tourmaline traveled along a rainbow. On the way, it collected all the colors of the rainbow, which is why it came to be known as "the rainbow gemstone."
In medieval times, tourmaline was thought to heal physical and mental disorders, and prevent death. Tourmaline is said to dispel fear, negativity and grief. Many say tourmaline induces a tranquil sleep, and according to legend, it protects the wearer against many dangers and misfortunes. It also is believed to calm nerves, regulate hormones and fight genetic disorders.
Black Tourmaline (Schorl) - Black Tourmaline is used for protection in all situations.
Black is said to protect one against high radiation, and has a positive effect on the body's loco motor system, while strengthening musculature.
Black (energy: receptive, element: earth) this hue is used for grounding purposes and as to represent the earth in spells relating to that element. It is protective, and it absorbs negativity when charged for that purpose through visualization.
Powers: Creativity, vitality, emotional stability, repels and protects against negativity, balances the mind and the chakras.
Magickal Uses: Guards against hexes and returns them back to the sender.
Blue Tourmaline (Indicolite) –
Blue tourmaline is told to combat water-retention, promote detoxification of the entire body, strengthen the immune system, as well as reducing throat and bronchial infections.
Blue (energy: receptive, element: water) this stone is best worn for peace and restful sleep as well as to de-stress.
Brown Tourmaline (Dravite) -
Colorless Tourmaline (Achroite) -
is particularly rare, but may be produced by heat treating pink tourmalines.
Green Tourmaline (Verdilite) -
Green Tourmaline attracts money and success in business. Green tourmaline is said to regulate blood pressure and can strengthen the heart and nervous system. It is also said to stimulate digestion and strengthen the immune system.
(energy: receptive, element: earth) Use this stone to draw money and success in business, it is worn to stimulate one's creativity.
Green Tourmaline absorbs excessive energy, calms nervous system.
Pink-Red Tourmaline (Rubellite) –
Pink (energy: receptive, element: water) this stone draws love and friendship, to be worn to promote sympathy towards others. Red (energy, projective, element: fire) is worn to lend more energy to the body promote courage and strengthen the will; it is also to be used in protection rituals.
Rubellite is a stone of balance and calm. Emotionally, Rubellite helps bring emotional balance and helps open up, relax, and detach from personal pain. It can be used with Lepidolite as a super-powerful energy for calming people in distress. As prosperity is a natural effect of a life in balance, Rubellite also brings abundance. Rubellite is also a stone of passion, bringing passionate energy and love. Physically, Rubellite balances the body's electrochemical system, strengthens immune system, heals backaches, and reproductive system disorders, detoxifies the blood, assists with recovery, and eases the effects of radiation poisoning. Rubellite is associated with the sacral and root chakras, as well as the heart chakra.
Red Tourmaline possesses the most powerful magical force, as it brings happiness in love to men, boosts their energy and strengthens their potency. Crimson Tourmaline is a talisman for artists, as it activates their creative power.
Emotional and spiritual love, healing loss, emotional pain, fear, self-gentleness (especially with severe illness like cancer, emphysema). Best in combination with counseling. Most powerful together with Kunzite or Rhodocrosite. Self-love, compassion, release of old hurt and trust.
Strengthens, grounds / rejuvenates and warms. Unites heart and body for love, courage, passion, energy, stamina and steadiness. High Lithium content (thus pink / red color) brings emotional balance, lovingness, and devotion in a down-to-earth way. Balances body's electro chemistry. Heart and root chakra. Helps detach from personal pain. Releases reproductive, blocks; stimulates fertility. Used to strengthen and detoxify blood and immune system and to ease radiation effects. Yang.
Yellow Tourmaline –
Watermelon Tourmaline -
Watermelon tourmaline is said to alleviate pain, protect the nerve cells and strengthen the immune system.
Watermelon (energy: projective and receptive, element: fire and water) this gemstone is worn to balance the male and female energies within one's body, it is also a love stone and works best for this purposed when used by one who is balanced.
Watermelon Tourmaline is the stone of creative and erotic impulses, which preserves youthful vigor.
Watermelon Tourmaline brings together compassion, passion, depth of heart with life force and grounded ness (red). Emotional and spiritual love (light pink) expressed in the physical heart (Green) Excels for immune system and life-threatening illnesses. Balances metabolism, endocrine system; harmonizing. Empowers other tourmalines. Yin/Yang balance.
Turquoise
(aka Calaite)
Probably one of the most recognized semiprecious gemstones in existence, turquoise has been popular since prehistoric times. Turquoise has been mined since at least 6000 B.C. Early Egyptians wore the stone, and many turquoise pieces have been found in their tombs. The ancient Aztecs of Mexico believed turquoise to be a holy stone and mere mortals were not worthy of wearing this precious stone; it was reserved for the worship of their gods. Persian philosopher Al Kazwini wrote that "the hand wearing a turquoise and using it as a sealing stone will never be poor." Turquoises were used to decorate turbans, often set in a border of pearls, to protect the wearer from the evil eye. The gemstone did not reach Europe until the Crusades.
Considered a stone of wholeness, turquoise promotes a sense of unity of the self and oneness with all that surrounds us. It is said to make one feel at home in both the physical and spiritual worlds. Turquoise is said to open all chakras, permitting the attributes of love, completeness, and communication to flow through the body and increasing spiritual bonding. It is especially connected to the fifth (throat) chakra and is believed to assist in opening the fourth (heart) chakra. It also is believed to assist the absorption of nutrients while strengthening the immune system and stimulating tissue regeneration. Crystal healers recommend it for detoxification of alcohol, poisons or radiation.
Many qualities and types of turquoise are available on the market today:
High-grade natural turquoise: Also known as "gem quality" turquoise. This is the hardest grade and takes the best polish. Many mines produce stones with distinctive color or matrix whose origin can be identified by an experienced person.
Foutz enhanced turquoise: This is the common name for medium-grade turquoise treated by a proprietary process that impregnates and hardens the stone with vaporized quartz. The process will not work on low-grade "chalk" turquoise and is undetectable by normal testing methods. (For details on "Foutz" or "Zachary" enhanced turquoise, please see the Spring 1999 issue of Gems & Gemology.)
Stabilized (treated) turquoise: This variety is treated with a plastic resin, which allows genuine but lower-grade turquoise to be used in jewelry. Most nugget and some rolled bead (heishi) products are made from real turquoise that has been stabilized. Even when a stone has been stabilized, its color can be changed over time by pollution, soap, skin lotion or oil.
Wax-treated turquoise: In the past, most of the turquoise from China was wax impregnated, a process that works like stabilization. Paraffin treatment only affects the surface. However, most Chinese turquoise is now stabilized with resin, since the Chinese turquoise producers have learned the process from American producers in recent years.
Reconstituted turquoise: Most "recon" turquoise is entirely manmade, although sellers of imitation plastic block material often describe their product as "reconstituted" (turquoise powder mixed with small pieces of stone, blue dye and plastic binder). Most products marketed under this name should really be labeled as imitation turquoise block. The use of powdered turquoise is uncommon today.
Block turquoise: A mixture of plastic resin and dyes that is produced in loaf-sized blocks. This turquoise contains no actual rock of any sort. Swirls of black dye are added to simulate matrix. Block is used heavily for inlay, heishi and beads. It is sometimes mistakenly called "reconstituted."
Compressed nugget: A mixture of small and large pieces of real turquoise bound together with resin and dyes. Viewing a cross-section of compressed nugget shows the edges of the individual chunks of stone.
Chalk turquoise: True chalk turquoise is soft, light colored turquoise that must be stabilized for use in jewelry. However, in recent years, chalk turquoise has become a common name for dyed magnesite (and possibly dolomite) products that are dyed to look like turquoise.
Imitation and simulated turquoise: Several stones can be dyed to look like turquoise, including howlite, magnesite and dolomite. Glass, plastic, faience ceramic> and polymer clay can look like turquoise.
Turquoise is a good crystal for both general protection and protection from injury.
Turquoise tones and strengthens the entire body, aids tissue regeneration, circulation, lungs, and respiratory system. Turquoise enhances creative expression, peace of mind, emotional balance, communication, friendship, and loyalty.
