Crystal Basics

What is commonly known as jade can actually be one of two minerals, jadite or nephrite. Jade has been used since prehistoric times, when it was made into weapons and tools. Another name for nephrite is ‘kidney stone’, as both jadite and nephrite were traditionally thought to be capable of easing kidney problems. Indeed, the … Read moreCrystal Work: The Magic of Jade

Emerald occupies an important place in many mythologies. According to the bible, it was believed that when Lucifer was cast out of paradise an emerald fell from his forehead, from which formed the Holy Grail. The ancients also believed that the Greek god Hermes recorded the laws of magic upon an emerald tablet. Mythical gem … Read moreCrystal Work: The Magic of Emerald

The ancient Egyptians prized green turquoise very highly, naming it ‘mefkat’, which means ‘joy’ or ‘delight’. In Egypt, the blue-green colour of the stone symbolised fertility and resurrection. They used it to make mosaics, ornaments and cosmetics, an it was an important stone to shamanic tribes in Tibet. Indeed, demand for turquoise has been so … Read moreCrystal Work: The Magic of Turquoise

Lapis lazuli is a mixture of hauyne, lazurite and sodalite in a matrix of calcite, with pieces of pyrite providing the golden flecks. Its name means ‘sky stone’, from the Latin ‘lapis’ meaning ‘stone and the Persian ‘lazward’ meaning ‘blue’, or ‘sky’. It has been used since at least 5000BC, and was very popular with … Read moreCrystal Work: The Magic of Lapis Lazuli

The word ‘Diamond’ has its origin in the Greek word ‘adamas’, which means unconquerable. Ancient civilisations discovered that diamond could cut any other stone, and so it became known as the ‘ruler of stones’. Diamond has been mined for more than 4,000 years. Such is its value that across time and culture, people from ancient … Read moreCrystal Work: The Magic of Diamonds

In the past, garnet was commonly referred to as carbuncle, and there were all sorts of myths attached to the stone. One of the most impressive was a Medieval belief that dragon’s eyes were made of garnet. In the Far East, garnet was believed to staunch the flow of blood and to be able to … Read moreCrystal Work: The Magic of Garnet

Carnelian takes its name from the Latin word ‘cornu’, which means ‘horn’, and the stone is particularly associated with sexual energy and fertility by crystal healers. Throughout history, carnelian has been attributed protective powers. In Islam, it is called the Mecca stone and used as an amulet against the evil eye. Muslims also believed that … Read moreCrystal Work: The Magic of Carnelian

Moonstone is thought to have characteristics of the moon and there are many traditions concerning its use. In folklore it was said that the milky silver of this stone brightened at the start of the new moon. While in astrology and tarot, it is believed that the moon rules the emotions, and that these are … Read moreCrystal Work: The Magic of Moonstone