Precious Stones

Fetishes, Amulets, and talismans have played an important part in every culture and continue to do so to this day. From the early Egyptian and South American civilizations to the oldest cultures in the East, people have imbued stones with supernatural powers. There are stones to control the elements, calm the winds, and still rough seas, and other's to work directly on the body, stimulating vital organs or creating a sense of well-being. There are stones for particular days of the week. and stones for the different months. Stones that capture and reflect light, such as moonstones and star sapphires, are deemed to bring good luck. Agates with central white rings carved into watchful "guardian eyes," can neutralize the power of the evil eye.

The meaning of gemstones

The symbolism of stones varies depending on their color, their form, and the use to which they are put. For example, cut and faceted gemstones symbolize the soul set free from the base exterior of the human body.

Ruby

In India this is the King of stones and is generally associated with royalty, dignity, zeal, and power. In Burma rubies were thought to confer invulnerability, especially if they were embedded in the teeth or flesh so that they became part of the body. Then they allegedly prevented wounding by spears, swords, and guns. Worn as jewelry, rubies may ward off misfortune and illness.

Diamond

The most prized as well as the hardest stone, the diamond is associated with incorruptibility and invincibility. It's transparency and purity make it also a symbol of constancy and sincerity.

Emerald

Legend has it that emeralds are found in the nests of griffins. Revered and most powerful stones, emeralds are thought to enhance the memory, sharpen the wits, and when placed under the tongue, help in predicting the future. The emerald has been used as an antidote for poison and a treatment of eye disease, dysentery, and leprosy. Due to it's color, the emerald is a symbol of spring, of fertility, and of rain.

Topaz

This stone was also widely believed to cure poor vision. According to St. Hildegard, the patient had to place a topaz in wine for a period of three days. Then, on going to bed, he had to rub his eyes with the moistened stone to effect a cure. In the 15th century, topaz was thought to heal plague sores. A Roman physician claimed many successes by touching open sores with a stone that had belonged to two popes.

Lapis Lazuli

In Mesopotamia this blue stone symbolized the heavens and so was used to decorate the ceilings of temples. In Egypt it was used to adore statues of the gods, while in Europe it was viewed as a cure for melancholy and fever. In China it symbolized vision, and was used to cure diseases of the eye.

Sapphire

Like lapis lazuli, sapphire symbolizes the blue of the heavens and also the heavenly attributes of truth, chastity, and contemplation. The star sapphire is a powerful good-luck charm. It's three shafts of light are thought to represent faith, hope and destiny.

Amethyst

Stone of humility, peace of mind, piety, and resignation. It was associated with Bacchus, god of wine, and was thought to cure drunkenness. It became a symbol of sobriety, possibly because water in an amethyst jug looked like wine, but had no intoxicating effect.

Opal

Shakespeare viewed the opal as a symbol of inconstancy, although it's Christian associations are fidelity, prayer, and religious fervor. It is generally held to be unlucky (except for October's children), although this belief almost certainly comes from the fact that opal breaks very easily. Jewelers disliked working with it, and their misgivings turned into popular myth.

Agate

Thought to cure insomnia, to ensure pleasant dreams, to protect the wearer from danger, and to endow a person with a bold heart. It's popularity has been widespread. In Sudan, agate amulets--black with a white circle to look like an eye--were carried as guardian spirits to counter the effects of the evil eye. Black agate stands for courage, vigor, prosperity; red for long life and spiritual love.

Cornelian

Red stones were thought to be stimulating to the circulatory system and the cornelian was deemed particularly valuable to those timid in speech or weak of voice. In the West it is viewed as a stone of self-confidence, courage and health. In the East it was thought to protect the wearer from other peoples envy.

Bloodstone

This stone was thought to contain the blood of Jesus and to be magical. It could allegedly cause thunder, lightning, and tempests. On a practical level, bloodstone was used to stem nosebleeds and hemorrhaging. When made into jewelry, it is symbolic of peace and understanding.

Moonstone

So named because it captures the sheen of the moon, this stone is sacred in Indian and is widely believed to bring good fortune. Legend has it that a person who places a moonstone in his mouth when the moon is full will be able to see into the future. It is symbolic of the moon, of tenderness, and of lovers.

Jade

In China this is the most precious stone, symbolizing purity, perfection, and immortality. Bridegrooms give their fiancees jade butterflies to represent their eternal love. Jade is similarly valued by Mesoamerican Indians, who adorn the masks of their gods with it. The Spanish "conquistadores" believed it helped heal hip and kidney complaints.


Other's

Buffalo Fetish
At one time, Native Americans used fetishes to help control the forces of nature and to tackle problems in their everyday lives. The fetish did not contain any innate power, it's spirit force was given to it by it's owner.

Aztec Turquoise Mask
Highly valued in Mesoamerica and was often used in representations of gods, or tied to weapons to ensure accuracy. The Aztecs called it the "stone of the gods." In ancient Egypt turquoise was thought to be protective. The stone is symbolic of courage, fulfillment, and success.


 Religion, Superstition, & Magic

The rise of Christianity did little to dispel the belief in the magic properties of stones. Jewelers began to include pectoral crosses and rock crystal reliquaries in their range, and it was not uncommon in Spain and Italy to festoon children with protective jewelry.

(e.g.)

Sprig of Coral
Amulet with powers against magic spells.

Malachite lozenge
Often given to children to help them sleep and keep evil spirits at bay

Clenched Fist
The jet hand protects against the evil eye

Crucifix
Large and small crosses ensure God's embrace

Pomander
Contains spices to safeguard against infection

Tooth
Mounted animal tooth for good luck

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