Abalone is a shell that has an oval shape and an iridescent interior. The interior sheen includes many colors of the rainbow. It can be found in South America and Asia.
Enlivens the body. Native northwest Native Americans used the shells as a vessel for cleaning and for offerings.

Agates are aggregates of various forms of silica. Agates are found in shades of red, yellow, brown, orange, black, and white.
Strengthen a person’s connection to the earth by grounding the emotions. Lessens feelings of envy. In particular, crazy agates relieve emotional pain, improve stamina, and ward off evil. Multicolored agates will give you strength for carrying out your goals.

Amazonite a variety of feldspar, amazonite is a semi-opaque stone and is usually polished in the form of a cabochon. It can be bright verdigris green to bluish green. It was once believed to be jade. Was used extensively by early Egyptians and was called the stone of courage. Improve confidence, restores spiritual faith, and enhances creative expression and self-worth. It is a good stone for writers and other creative people.

Amber is a petrified resin from ancient pine trees. Amber’s colorings range from a deep brown to an almost clear lemon yellow. Amber is often labeled by its area of origin, e.g., Baltic amber is from Eastern Europe.
Electromagnetic in nature – helps the body heal itself. Transforms negative energy into positive energy. It helps to calm the nerves and enliven the disposition. It can add stability and bring about a positive state of mind. Purifies the body, mind and spirit.

Amethyst is a purple variety of quartz and the birthstone for people born in February. It is the most valued stone of the quartz family. The stone must be purple to be an amethyst, but it can come in a variety of shades of purple. Purple is the color of royalty, so amethysts were used in the ancient ornaments of Greeks and Egyptians. The British crown jewelry also contains amethysts.
Stone of meditation and spirituality. Cleanses, purifies, restructures, and renews. Reduces anger, impatience, and nightmares. It can help to overcome addictions. The ancient Greeks believed people who wore an amethyst or drank from an amethyst chalice would not become intoxicated.

Apatite is most often seen in blue, but also can be found in brown, pink, yellow, green (from Spain called asparagus stone) and a rare variety of violet.

Apatite is an inspirational stone. It develops psychic abilities and spiritual attunement. Use it to aid communication and self-expression.

• Encourages extroversion
• Dissolves alienation
• Draw negativity from oneself
• Stimulates creativity and intellect
• Clears confusion

Apatite heals bones, aids absorption of calcium, helps cartilage, bones, teeth and motor skills. Relieves arthritis, joint problems. Overcomes hypertension

This is the stone to help you be in touch with your spiritual being. This stone is used in deep meditations.

Aquamarine is a blue-green stone that comes from Colombia and Brazil. It has been called "Water of the Sea", because of its color. The aquamarine is the stone of sailors, believing it would be protection for them on water. Folklore says the aquamarine will protect against gossip. It is also said the aquamarine will pick up spirits. It is an excellent stone to use for meditating.

Aquamarine is most powerful as a meditation stone, as it brings a great peace and serenity. Some people can meditate on an Aquamarine to receive the wisdom to see truth, but this is a very advanced meditation.

Aquamarine is often associated with the thymus gland. It is very soothing worn as a necklace. Healers use it to help reduce fluid retention. It has been used to calm the nerves.

The Romans used the aquamarine for diseases of the stomach, and believed it could cure liver and throat troubles.

Aventurine is a variety of microcrystalline quartz. It can be translucent to opaque and have inclusions of shiny minerals such as mica. There is a wide range of colors – green, peach, brown and blue. It is often mistaken for jade or amazonite.
Heals the heart by releasing emotional stress. Allows reuniting of the healthy heart and soul. Heal emotional pain, fear, negativity and imbalance. Calm a trouble spirit and brings about inner peace. It is often used as a lucky stone. It was used in the Native American Medicine Wheel rituals. When held over the heart of the participants, they felt a wave of love all around them.

Onyx is known to separate. It can help release negative emotions such as sorrow and grief. It is used to end unhappy or bothersome relationships.

Onyx jewelry is worn to defend against negativity that is directed at you. Black stones have protective energies in the sense that black is the absence of light, and therefore, can be used to create invisibility.

• Fortifies self confidence and responsibility
• Sharpens your senses
• Encourages a healthy egotism

Calcite is an abundant crystal that can be white, gray, black green, yellow, brown or blue.
Sharpens mental clarity, boots memory. It is uplifting, bringing joy, happiness, and humor. Improves relationship with and understand of nature.

Carnelian this stone is a form of chalcedony, a member of the quartz family. It ranges in color from deep red to orange. It is one of the oldest stones used in jewelry making found in Egyptian tombs.
Represents the fertility of the earth and gives signifies strength. Reinforces confidence, initiative, dramatic abilities and assertiveness. A stone of passion and sexuality. Protects against anger and fear and improves sense of touch.

Cat's Eye can be translucent gold or green or clear green or brown. It is rarer than tiger’s eye, but often mistaken for it. Promotes prosperity and confidence.

Citrine is transparent sunshine yellow. Its name comes from the same root as citron, the French word for lemon.
Promotes a bright, happy disposition and increases physical and material power. It also expands mental clarity.

Coral is made up of calcium and calcite. Coral is the hard stony skeleton of a sea creature. Coral may be red, salmon, or pink in color, and its color is uniform throughout.
Quiets the emotions and bringing peace. Can facilitate intuition, imagination and visualization. Calming and recommended for brides.

Clear crystal known as crystal quartz or rock crystals are one of earth’s most common minerals. Quartz encompasses a large family of stones and crystals, all of which are made up of silicon dioxide, one of the most common substances in the world. Crystals of pure quartz, which are generally six-sides, can be found in all shades and colors.
Crystals are used for harmony and is one of the most powerful healers. Crystals are used for meditation, transformation, protection, and enlightenment. They promote general good health and balance.

Fluorite comes in all colors – deep purple, (its most famous) amethyst, sky blue, sea green, sunny yellow, and crystal clear. There are rarer colors of pink, reddish orange (rose) and oven black. Has a crystal structure. Fluorite is a beautiful and interesting mineral, and very popular among mineral collectors.
Increases the life force and expands mental power. Clears the mind of stress and enhances serenity and strengthens consciousness.

Garnet is the January birthstone. Most often recognized as a deep red, but can range in color from deep emerald green through yellow, brown, and red. Many varieties of garnets are named of their color. It is common to the United States, but found all over the world. Garnets are formed under high pressure and/or high temperature. The name is believed to be derived from the word “pomegranate” because of its resemblance to the jewel-like fruit.
Stimulates creativity and passion. Garnet is useful in avoiding bad dreams. Garnets were one exchanged as gifts between friends to demonstrate their affection for one other and to insure meeting again. It also helps calm anger.

Hematite (iron ore) is a very common mineral on Earth. It is most often a silver-gray metallic, but can be found in rainbow varieties. Found in the US, Brazil, and Canada. Hematite is derived from the Greek word meaning “blood”. In soft powder form, it is called “red ocher”.
It is a protective stone, helps bolster low self-esteem. Hematite is known to deflect negativity and restores equilibrium, and stability, also helps concentration and memory.

Jade is the most valuable form of jade is known as imperial jade and is and emerald green color. Jades also appear in mottled green and white. The range of greens is light to dark, creamy, and grayish. Because it has a smooth even texture, it has been a preferred material for carving and for jewelry, where it is cut into cabochons.
A powerful emotional balancer. Brings peace, wisdom, courage, and clarity. Radiated divine and unconditional love. Increase longevity. Jade is the stone of health, wealth, and long life. For almost a thousand years, jade has been worshiped for its life-extending powers. Brings good luck and fortune.

Jasper is an opaque and fine-grained variety of chalcedony. It can be found in all colors. Many times it will have patterns or bands of material and/or mineral oxides. Picture jasper gets its name from its patterns that look like landscapes, containing hills and valleys.
Each color of jasper has specific qualities. Overall, believed to stabilize emotions and reduce fears. Yellows jasper stimulates the heart area and nurtures the digestive organs. Red jasper is used for bronchial problems and to strengthen the blood. Brown – grounding. Green – overall healing. Poppy jasper enhances organizational abilities, relaxation, and a sense of wholeness. Picture jasper encourages creativity. Leopard skin jasper stabilizes frustrations, bringing serenity and mental clarity. Gray – serenity; black – protection; pink – love.

Kyanite is an interesting gem that was discovered during the nineteenth century. The most highly prized kyanite is the vibrant blue or blue-green hue. It is also found in shades of gray, yellow, white and a colorless variety that is considered quite rare.

It was once believed that a kyanite suspended from a human hair could follow the earth's magnetic force. Early travellers sometimes used it as a compass when exploring unknown territories.

The fan like clusters or blades that are formed by kyanite make it an ideal stone for restoring energy balance. It is a very effective energy conduit that can balance most systems of the body. It can quickly create stillness and tranquility, making it an excellent stone for meditation.

Kyanite is found in mountainous regions in the United States (Montana and North Carolina), Switzerland, Brazil and Myanmar.

Labradorite is a feldspar stone. The name is derived from Labrador, the original source of the Canadian variety of this stone. It is highly iridescent and vividly colored. An excellent stone for blind people – helps gauge distance. Brings forth each person’s strengths and helps us to relate to others.

Lapis Lazuli is one of the most valuable semi opaque stones. It is most often a solid strong blue. It is most valuable when it is found with small veins of pyrite. Lapis was used extensively in ancient Egypt and has been mined in Afghanistan for over 7,000 years. The ancient city or Ur had a thriving trade in lapis as early as the 4th century BC.
Organizes and quiets the mind, as well as adding wisdom. Helps heal anxiety restlessness, insomnia, and depression. Protects from physical harm and points the way to enlightenment.

Malachite an opaque stone with bands of deep green to black/green. It has a high copper content and is a copper carbonate.
Improve mental strength. Stabilizes the psyche. Used for protection, peace, and success in business. A guardian stone for traveler’s attractive translucent green color. It is a marble variety containing mica and varying amounts of quartz and dolomite. When used for jewelry the stone is sometimes called emerald quartz.

Mariposite is an attractive translucent green color. It is a marble variety containing mica and varying amounts of quartz and dolomite. When used for jewelry the stone is sometimes called emerald quartz. Mariposa is the Spanish word for butterfly.
Mariposite is the power stone for artist. Stimulate self expression and creativity. Help one adapt easily and successfully to new situations.

Moonstone belongs to the feldspar family. It is opalescent and can range from colorless to blue, green, and peach. Moonstone has been found in ancient Roman jewelry where it was believed to have been formed from the light of the moon.
Soothes stress and anxiety. Balances emotions, calm the emotions and cures headaches.

Mother of Pearl isn’t a stone, but comes from the lining of pearl oyster seashell. It is listed her with other healing stones because it is used widely in jewelry making and it also contains healing power.
As the sea calms and relieves stress, mother of pearl carries this same energy. Wear mother of pearl for relaxation and soothing of emotions.

Onyx is a form of quartz. It is fine textured and usually black. However some can be found with white bands, which is sometimes called sardonyx.
This stone protects against negativity. Balances the physical being and strengthens the mind. It can be used to banish grief, enhance self control, and encourage wise decision-making. It increases happiness and good fortune.

Pearl is the June birthstone. It is usually white or cream colored, but black, blue and gray varieties can be found. The pearl’s luster comes from the unique way it reflects light – light rays reflect off both the surface of the pearl and also off the concentric inner layers of nacre. Nacre is a lustrous substance that coasts irritants such as sand or grit that may get into an oyster or mussel shell. As layer upon layer of nacre coasts the grit, a peal if formed. The luminosity fostered the belief, long ago, that pearl were moonbeams that fell into the ocean and were eaten by oysters.
Pearls symbolize the moon, purity, spirituality, and virtue. The white pearl symbolizes the pure heart and mind. Pearls are soothing, reducing irritability. Because pearls are from the sea, they have water and lunar aspects and are said to balance the emotions. They contain the power of love. Ancient Greeks thought that wearing pearls would bring about marital happiness.

Period is the birthstone for August. They are a clear bright green and sometimes found in meteorites. Legend has it that one of Cleopatra’s favorite emeralds was actually a period.
A good luck stone bringing protection, wealth, and health. Help us connect to our life’s purpose or destiny. It was used by ancients to help heal the physical heart. Calms anger and dispels negative emotions and jealousy.

The resemblance of pyrite to gold has made it a traditional symbol for money and good luck. It's sunny golden color associates it with the sun, and with fortification and strengthening of the mind. The name comes from the Greek word meaning "a stone which strikes fire".

Iron Pyrite makes a wonderful energy shield, blocking out negativity from various sources. Some of its properties include:

• Overcomes inertia and feelings of inadequacy
• Energizes the area where you place it (such as on a desk where you work)
• Helps you to see behind a facade

These delightful pyrite pieces contain golden rays in the shape of a rising sun! Pyrite suns were once thought to be fossilized sand dollars or lily pads.

Mineralogists now believe that they are pyrite crystals formed between layers of slate and coal that simply had no room to grow in the traditional cubes that one normally finds pyrite. Formed 350 million years ago deep in the coal mines of Illinois, USA, each is unique!

Use this stone to overcome lethargy and fatigue. It increases the oxygen supply to the blood and strengthens the circulatory system. It is beneficial for the lungs, alleviating bronchitis and asthma.

Coral has been called the 'garden of the sea'. It was once believed to be a plant, but is now known to actually contain living animals called polyps. Coral is the result of accumulated skeletal masses from these polyps. Red is considered the most sought after color but coral also can be found in pink, white, yellow and black.

Records dating back thousands of years confirm that coral was used in decorative art objects. It was believed to prevent ill fortune and offer protection from skin disease when worn as a necklace. Dreams about coral are believed to foretell recovery from a long illness. Ancients believed that Mars was composed of red coral.

Coral is a good aid for meditation or visualization.

Coral symbolizes life and blood force energy. Dark 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.

Locations where coral can be found include the Mediterranean Sea, off the coast of Australia, the South Pacific, the waters of Japan, and Africa.

Rose Quartz stone is a beautiful ballet pink color to a rosy red. It is a unique variety of quartz because the color is caused by impurities or iron and titanium. Love, beauty, peacefulness, forgiveness, softness, and emotional balance are all healing qualities of rose quartz. Help us love and accept ourselves. It is often called the love stone because it can assist in emotional heart problems.

Ruby Quartz stone is a beautiful ballet pink color to a rosy red. It is a unique variety of quartz because the color is caused by impurities or iron and titanium. Love, beauty, peacefulness, forgiveness, softness, and emotional balance are all healing qualities of rose quartz. Help us love and accept ourselves. It is often called the love stone because it can assist in emotional heart problems.

Serpentine is light or dark green, with variations of color and inclusions that make it look like snake skin.
A good stone for meditation and protection for travelers. Relaxes one’s overall nature. Heals the emotions. In ancient times it was worn as an amulet to protect one from snake bite.
Silver can be used as a mirror to the soul and help you see yourself from the outside without judgement. It is used often with gemstones because it’s able to both attract and retain those qualities that are emitted by the stone and provides a steadying influence for the jewel. Specifically the Karen (pronounced Kah-ren) Hilltribe

Smokey quartz is nature's stone of endurance. If you need a extra boost, carry a smokey quartz gemstone with you. It promotes:

• Personal pride and joy in living
• Creativity in business
• Opens the path for perception and learning

Smokey Quartz is a grounding stone that transmutes negative energies and facilitates your ability to get things done in the practical world. It enhances organizational skills and is good to have around in the workplace or home office.

Smokey Quartz is connected with the sounds of the universe. It makes you more aware of sounds including telepathic sounds. Smokey Quartz helps relieve depression.

Snowflake Obsidian when used for jewelry, it has a polished black base with white snowflake-like inclusions. It is volcanic lava that has cooled quickly to form natural glass. The snowflakes are bits of hardened ash. It was one of the first stones used by native people to make weapons, such as arrowheads and knives. Snowflake obsidian is a good stone to use in times of change. Promotes transformation and believed to absorb and dissolve negativity, stress, and fear. Helps transform negative energy into positive energy. Helps us recognize negative patterns in our lives.

Soladite stone is navy blue with white inclusions. Found in North America as well in Brazil and France. Sodalite’s high blue color is thought to be evidence of its spiritual significance.
Aids in healing, meditation, and acquisition of wisdom. Called the “writing stone” because it is believed to enhance communication, logic, ideas, and truth. It can strongly affect your attitude about yourself.

Sterling Silver can be used as a mirror to the soul and help you see yourself from the outside without judgement. It is used often with gemstones because it is able to both attract and retain those qualities that are emitted by the stone and provides a steadying influence for the jewel. Specifically the Karen (pronounced Kah-ren) Hilltribe Silver comes from the villages of Thailand. The Karen silversmiths were taught to carefully handcraft each design from scratch, using high-content silver. They learned to give each design a unique appearance only seen in their own creations and they skillfully melt, pour, mold and stamp their beads by hand. They have passed down their silver work skills and traditions and today, each handmade ornament is a unique masterpiece that represents centuries of Karen culture and art. Often, the jewelry is engraved with plant, animal, or geometric designs, symbolizing their direct connection to their land and water. Choosing Karen silver is much more than buying jewelry of rare distinction. Your purchase also helps preserve the timeless culture, art, religion, and language of the gentle Karen people. I have chosen to use their beautiful handcrafted silver pieces with my jewelry as a part of Right Livelihood and hope you enjoy it's simple beauty as I do. Because it is handcrafted each bead and piece is distinct and slightly different.

Tiger's Eye stone can be gold/yellow, gold/brown, or yellow/brown with streaks. It is of the quartz family and sometimes called tiger iron. It has streaks of fibrous material that create landscape like patterns. Gives inner strength and helps with decision making and creativity. Aids in achieving clarity and prospering in business. Promotes spiritual well being. A good stone to wear if you need more confidence to accomplish goals.

Topaz is the birthstone for the month of November. The most common color is a radiant yellow; but it can be found in shades of blue, green, and brown. It is a very hard gemstone.
Assures true love and success in all endeavors. It is an excellent stone to promote relaxation since it is thought to calm the nervous system and lesson tension. Attracts love and prosperity.

Tourmaline is a wonderful stone, with a color for each of the main Chakras. Excellent channeling stone for communication with higher forces. Tourmaline helps to break up energy blockage, which we mentally experience as anxiety, stress or confusion. Toumaline helps you to move beyond limited thinking, to an expanded sense of reality, and see past experiences in new ways. It teaches us that we are light beings in physical form, and helps us to experience the physical and spiritual worlds as one.                                                                                    

Turquoise is the birthstone for the month of December. It has a high copper content which gives the stone its color. The color can be turquoise, greenish blue or sky blue shades. The name is related to the fact that the stone was brought to Europe by traders known as Turks. The book f Exodus refers to turquoise as one of the stones in the breastplate of the Hebrew high priest Aaron. Native Americans of the Southwestern United States believe turquoise connects earth and sky and it is one of their sacred stones. It is one of the four elemental gemstones of Pueblo Indians. (The others are coral, jet, and abalone shell.)
Used for mental relaxation, mental and spiritual clarity, stress reduction, and physical balance. Attracts prosperity and love. Relaxes the mind. Brings protection, courage, and luck. An ancient absorber of negativity. Turquoise was used to decorate the bridle of horses to protect them against broken bones from falls. It is a good general healer for all illnesses.