A while ago I got this really beautiful rose quartz crystal gemstone as a present from a friend. It came with a little paper that described the healing powers of this stone. Reading this paper surely made one thing clear to me: don’t be fooled by its subtle pink color!
While Rose Quartz is a gemstone of the heart and has
The description really triggered me, so I started to dig deeper into the world of gemstones. The more I read about it, the more I became fascinated by these stones. One thing became really clear to me: gone are the days when only clairvoyants and free spirits were privy to the insights and mystics of gemstones.
With celebs like Cara Delevingne, Katie Perry, and Adele raving about their calming, fortune bringing, and healing properties, gemstones have made a resurgence in recent years. Nowadays, millions of people all over the world widely acknowledge and recognize the benefits of gemstones.
What makes a gemstone a gemstone?
Before I dig deeper into the benefits of gemstones, I will first give you a tiny lesson about how gems are formed. So what is a gemstone? Ok, first the official definition: “a gemstone is a precious or semiprecious stone that can be cut and polished for use in jewelry or other ornamental applications”. Gems are made from rocks or fossils. However, the majority of the gems is made from minerals, with over 130 different minerals that are used as gems.
Minerals are solid substances that are present in nature and can be made of one element or more elements combined together (chemical compounds). Gold, silver, and carbon are examples of minerals made out of one element. Ordinary kitchen salt, on the other hand, is a chemical compound, as it is formed of sodium and chlorine ions. Gemstones can also be made out of one or more minerals. That’s why some minerals refer to more than one gemstone name.
How do gemstones form?
Gemstones form under various conditions on the earth. The majority of the gemstones are created in the earth’s crusts. This is the top layer of the Earth, which is 3 to 25 miles deep. Only two gemstones, known as diamond and peridot, are being created in the earth’s mantle. This mantle consists of molten rock called magma and a solid supper layer.”Only two gemstones, known as diamond and peridot, are being created in the earth’s mantle.”
All gems including diamond and peridot, mine in the crust. This crust consists of three different kinds of rock: igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rock. The difference between these three rocks is the way in which they form. Some gemstones are associated with one kind of rock, in particular, others with several types.
Igneous Gemstones
Igneous rocks are of volcanic origin. They form when magma cools and solidifies. These rocks can either be intrusive, solidifying within the earth or extrusive, solidifying outside the earth. Increases in pressure can also cause this pegmatitic fluid to infiltrate surrounding rocks, often making chemical exchanges with them.
A lot of gemstones form from igneous rock, including all the peridot and diamond, all quartz, beryl, garnet, moonstone, apatite, diamond, spinel, tourmaline and topaz. Igneous rock can be glassy, crystalline or both.
Sedimentary Gemstones
Sedimentary gemstones are the second type of stones and give rise to transported minerals such as jasper, malachite, opal, and zircon. These type of gems arise when stones wear down and water or wind carry the fragments, and they finally compress together over time.
Metamorphic Gemstones
The last type of gems are, as the name ‘metamorphic’ already suggests, gems that morph due to intense heat and pressure. When intrusive magma or tectonic plate interactions put igneous and sedimentary rock and minerals under heat or pressure, changes in their chemistry and crystal structure might occur. The result is the creation of metamorphic rock. Famous metamorphic gemstones include Ruby, Jade, Sapphire, Garnet, Zircon, and Turquoise.
The Powers of Gemstones
And here comes the best part…As I described, gemstones consist of one or a group of elements of repeated patterns. Their steady rhythm of healing stones and their formation falls in sync with the earth and its cycle of birth and rebirth. And this is what gives the gems, apart from their exquisite beauty and appearance, their powers. Gemstones have been believed to hold metaphysical properties, alter our moods, increase positive energy in your home, and remedy a spectrum of ailments for thousands of years.
Choose Your Stone
If you want to benefit from the powers of the gem, it is important that you choose the right stone. Therefore, you first need to identify the problem or challenge you’re currently facing. Do you want your heart to be more open? Or do you feel like you want to be calmer or attract abundance, success, protection, health, and happiness?
Also, you need to recognize which crystals you naturally gravitate toward. In particular, you need to pay attention to the color of the stone as color holds important clues about the stone’s energetic vibration. Chakras, symbolic of our sacred energy centers within, link to the healing properties of specific gemstones for time immemorial.
Consulting a healing guide is a great way to figure out which crystals to use. Therefore I’ve included one below in which I summarised the 7 most famous and popular gemstones and their healing powers.
1. Amethyst
“The All-Purpose Stone.” This stone is available in various hues and shades of light violet color, to lilac to vibrant purple. It resonates with Crown Chakra, as well as Third Eye Chakra, which opens up the gateway to divine consciousness, and higher intuition, and let you connect to your spirituality. It also helps to relieve stress and anxiety and can help with mood swings, and immunity.
The Amethyst Crystal can be especially great for people with the following zodiac signs: Pisces, Virgo, Aquarius, and Capricorn.
2. Rose Quartz
“The Love Christal.” Rose Quartz resonates with the Heart C
The Rose Quartz Crystal can be especially great for people with the zodiac signs Libra and Taurus.
3. Green Jade
“The Stone of the Heart.” The Green Jade is a symbol of serenity, tranquility, and purity and brings good luck, friendship, peace, and harmony. Besides, Green Jade is a protective stone and will ward off negative energies that surround you. It can also show you how you can enhance your creativity and how you can be more resourceful. It will encourage you to not listen to your self-imposed limitations and will support you in achieving your goals and manifest your dreams into reality.
The Green Jade is the traditional zodiac stone for those born in the heart of spring under the zodiac sign Taurus.
4. Clear Quartz
“The Master Healer.” Clear quartz is the most iconic of the quartz family. It is used for anything and everything. Clear Quartz is translucent and clear and can heal issues at your physical, mental, emotional or soul level. It brings in divine white light and connection to higher-self, higher consciousness, higher wisdom, and unconditional pure love.
There are no zodiac signs directly related to the Clear Quartz. Nonetheless, this crystal can temper the stubbornness of Capricorns – represented in the Capricorn spirit animal, the sea goat – and the power lust of Leo.
5. Citrine
“The Light Maker.” Citrine is a stone that carries the powers of the sun and is as bright as its energy. Everything about this stone emanates optimistic energy and joy and this gem will help to fend off any negative energy that comes your way. It will give you inspiration and increase your energy and drive. So, if you want to feel joyful and sunny, carry your citrine gem with you!
The Citrine Crystal is the traditional zodiac stone for Gemini, Aries, Libra, and Leo.
6. Black Tourmaline
“The All-Round Protector.” Black tourmaline is famous among healers and shamans for its protective, and grounding qualities. It heals physically, spiritually, and emotionally and repels lower harmful frequencies by creating an electrical force field around your aura. It will absorb negativity and transmute it into positive energy.
Tourmaline is one of the zodiac stones for those born under the sign of Libra.
7. Hematite
Calling all drama queens! As soon as you touch a hematite gem, you will feel more grounded and calm. It will remove any negative feelings caused by stress or anxiety and will make you feel calm and centered again. In addition, you can use Hematite to cleanse the blood and supports circulation. The warm and energizing vibes of this stone will jumpstart a slow nervous system and will give a boost to your energy centers.
The Hematite Crystal can be especially great for people with the following zodiac signs: Aries and Aquarius.
8. Moonstone
Moonstone is a soft, feminine stone that increases intuition, promotes inspiration, success and good fortune. It helps you to unlock the energy of the Moon that resides within you, thereby soothing emotional instability and stress, and stabilizing the emotions, providing calmness.
9. Aquamarine
Aquamarine is a very empowering crystal. While using this crystal, you may start to feel the presence of the divine feminine deep within you. It will strengthen the energies between your heart and throat, which enhances clarity, a better understanding of yourself and your inner truth.
How to use your gem?
Once you’ve bought your stones, it is important to not just put them in a drawer where nobody can see them. As the gems emit energetic vibrations that impact your mood and feelings, you have to work with them. Carry the stones with you, sleep with them, and/or meditate with them.
Another way to work with your stones is by adding your favorite gem to your drinking water. Please keep in mind that some gems are unsafe to use in elixirs (malachite, for example). Therefore it is important that you do your homework first. But there are gemstones that are actually used to purify water, like Shungite.
“Gems emit energetic vibrations that impact your mood and feelings.”
You can also use your gems to decorate and increase positive energy in your home. Make a healing tray, a prayer tray, or an alignment tray, with flowers, gems or candles. I also use my gemstones to boost my yoga practice. Just place your crystals and gems around your mat as you practice or on an altar in your practice room.
Have fun and enjoy the process of using what you have and collecting. It’s a lifelong labor of love.
Final Thoughts on Gemstones
Based on the above, we can conclude that gemstones are not just exquisite pieces of jewelry, they also contain an abundance of healing powers.
When it comes to choosing your gemstone, find out which gem has the powers that fit your needs, but also you need to recognize which crystals you naturally gravitate toward.
Just choose the gem that resonates with you and
P.s. If you’re looking for gemstones that can help you to unblock a specific chakra, also check out this article about chakra stones!
Vanessa says
This was awesome and insightful. Thank you for sharing this
Wille says
Hi Vanessa! Thank you for reading and taking the time to leave such a nice comment! Wille