{ The Gemstone Almanac }

A quick and easy gemstone reference guide including birthstones, reported mystical healing properties, and other notable information about the gems, stones, and precious metals featured in our handmade jewelry designs.

Agate - Opaque stone, with a wide variety of colors and patterns. Agate is said to promote awareness, healing, and acceptance.

Amazonite - Opaque stone, light blue to blue-greenish in color. This stone has soothing properties, and balances masculine and feminine sensibilities.

Amber - Yellow to golden brown in color, transparent. Amber is fossilized tree sap, and often has inclusions of ancient insects and various flora. Is said to absorb and transform negative energy into positive, and stimulate balance.

Amethyst - February birthstone. Dark to light purple in color, transparent to translucent. Can be heat treated to create yellow (a.k.a citrine) and pale green (a.k.a prasiolite) hues. Is said to possess strong healing and cleansing powers, and enhances spiritual awareness. Ancient Greeks believed amethyst could prevent drunkenness.

Ametrine - Yellow to purple ombre, ametrine is a transparent to translucent stone that combines the colors of amethyst and citrine. Primarily mined in Bolivia, ametrine is thought to bring clarity and concentration, and promotes healing.

Apatite - With hues ranging from light to a deep electric blue, this transparent to translucent gemstone has inspirational properties, stimulates creativity and enhances intellectual understanding.

Aquamarine - March birthstone. Light blue, pink, yellow, and white varieties are most often seen in jewelry. Transparent to translucent. This stone has calming properties and was carried by sailors of ancient times to protect them from drowning.

Carnelian - Dark orange to golden yellow in color, transparent to translucent stone. Carnelian is a grounding stone. Is said to improve analytic abilities and promote clarity.

Chalcedony - Naturally pale blue to reddish in color, translucent stone. Chalcedony is often dyed a rainbow of colors. A nurturing stone that promotes good will and group stability.

Chrysoprase - Bright electric green in color, sometimes with brown veins or inclusions. Opaque stone. Chrysoprase is said to promote inner awareness, creativity, and relaxation.

Chrysocholla - Turquoise to greenish blue in color, opaque stone. This stone can look very similar to turquoise. Is said to promote inner strength and helps calm rocky situations.

Citrine - November birthstone. Pale to deep yellow in color, transparent to translucent. This stone is rare in nature, and can be created by heat treating amethyst. Citrine has energizing properties, and has been said to manifest wealth and prosperity.

Coral - Natural colors range from bright coral red to pink to white, opaque gem. Can have a smooth or pourous and rough surface. Coral is made up of material that is similar to bone. Red coral is said to calm anger and promote bone health.

Diamond - April birthstone. Available in many colors, transparent to translucent. The most prized gemstone on the planet, diamonds are found throughout the universe. Signifies purity.

Emerald - May birthstone. Green in color, transparent to translucent. Surprisingly, emeralds are more rare in nature than diamonds. Emeralds are said to strengthen memory and stimulate cooperation amongst groups.

Fine Silver - Metal; 99.9% pure silver, .1% base metal. Fine silver is generally too soft and malleable for use in most jewelry applications. Sterling silver is a more durable metal and is perfect for use in jewelry. At Zurina Ketola Designs, we make our own ball headpins with fine silver which we use in our sterling silver jewelry.

Garnet - January birthstone. Dark red, orange, brown, green, and black varieties are used in jewelry. Transparent to translucent. Promotes energy and regeneration. Has been said to ward off danger and was used in ancient times accordingly. Also said to promote love and devotion.

Gold-Filled - Metal; gold sheeting applied to a base metal, often brass. Gold-filled jewelry gives the look and feel of gold without the price tag.

Howlite - Naturally white with grey veins, opaque. Often dyed turquoise, bright green, and lavender for use in jewelry. Promotes calm and is said to help with insomnia.

Iolite - Dark blue to purple in color, transparent to translucent. Promotes understanding, self awareness, and mature thinking.

Kyanite - Ranges from bright blue to pale green in color, translucent. Very beautiful, often seen in smooth delicate "tags", although more styles are readily available. Personally, I prefer the "tag" cuts because you can see a lovely river of color running through the stone. This stone is thought to promote logical, linear thought.

Labradorite - Steely grey with flashes of blue, green and yellow. Translucent stone. Promotes the development of new ideas, creative energy, and is said to help calm an overactive mind.

Lapiz Lazuli - Deep blue in color, opaque stone. This stone has been mined in Afghanistan of thousands of years and was highly prized by ancient Egyptians. Cleopatra was said to have used powdered lapis lazuli as eye shadow. Promotes objectivity and clarity.

Magnesite - Creamy white in color with dark brown or black veins, opaque stone. Often dyed to imitate turquoise. Is said to help counteract self deception and promotes tolerance.

Moonstone - June birthstone. Several different varieties are available. Rainbow moonstone is translucent and white with flashes of blue, green and yellow. Other varieties include peach, white, and grey moonstone. Moonstone is said to calm emotions and promote fertility.

Mother of Pearl - Colors range from white to beige and have creamy matte inclusions. Opaque and luminous gem. Very high quality mother of pearl is pure and luminous without inclusions.

Onyx - Black, blue, green and red varieties are available. Opaque stone. Is said to promote internal harmony.

Pearl - June birthstone. This luminous gem from the sea is available in many colors, shapes and sizes. The most expensive varieties are saltwater pearls, which take longer to form and can grow much larger than their less expensive (but still lovely) freshwater cousins. Because natural pearls are extremely rare, virtually all pearls on the market, saltwater and freshwater, are farmed.

Peridot - August birthstone. Bright green in color, transparent stone. Peridot is said to help overcome jealousy and other negative emotions, and bring calm.

Prasiolite - Pale green in color, transparent stone. This gemstone is rare naturally, but can be created by heat treating amethyst. Amethyst has strong healing and cleansing powers, and enhances spiritual awareness. Ancient Greeks believed the stone could prevent drunkenness.

Quartz - Transparent to translucent stone, sometimes with inclusions. Ancient Greeks believed transparent quartz was fossilized ice, while the Maya believed quartz to be solidified light. Promotes and provides balance for energy.

Rose Gold-Filled - Metal. Rose gold sheeting applied over base metal, often brass or sterling silver. Gives the look of rose gold, which is a softer look than copper. Our rose gold-filled jewelry uses rose gold sheeting applied over sterling silver.

Rose Quartz - Pale pink in color, opaque to transparent stone. Promotes love and peace.

Rutilated Quartz - Transparent stone with golden hair-like inclusions. Can also range in color from caramels and greys to deep greens. Is said to promote spiritual growth.

Ruby - July birthstone. Ranges in color from bright pink to dark red, translucent to transparent gemstone. A prized precious gemstone, rubies are said to promote passion for life, impart a positive outlook, and improve motivation.

Sapphire - September birthstone. Sapphires range from dark to light blue, yellow, pink, and white. Translucent to transparent stone. Promotes wisdom and calm outlook.

Sterling Silver - Metal. Sterling silver is a metal alloy comprised of 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% base metal, usually copper.

Smoky Quartz - Dark grayish-brown in color, transparent stone. Smoky quartz is said to relieve depression, calm fearful thoughts, and promote a positive outlook.

Tiger Eye - Most commonly seen with light gold and dark banded browns, opaque stone. Also seen in blue and red varieties. Is said to promote protection and empathy.

Topaz - November birthstone. Available in golden yellow, blue, brown, transparent, pink, and green varieties. Transparent stone. Often heat treated to impart other effects, such as iridescence and sparkle. Is said to promote joy, generosity, and success.

Tourmaline - Pink, green, black, and transparent varieties are available. Transparent to translucent stone. Is said to have cleansing properties and promote purification.

Turquoise - December birthstone. Turquoise blue to blue-green in color, and sometimes has black veins throughout. Opaque stone. Turquoise has been mined for thousands of years and is prized in many cultures. The highest quality turquoise comes from the Sleeping Beauty mines in Arizona and mines in Iran. Persian turquoise is especially valuable and has a slightly paler blue hue similar to that of a robin's egg. Turquoise is said to promote healing and purification.

Vermeil - Metal. Pronounced ver-may. 14k or 18k gold electroplated over sterling silver. Because the silver can tarnish underneath the gold plating, we suggest storing vermeil jewelry in a lined jewelry box, or a small plastic bag that is closed to ensure long life.

Citations

• Hall, Judy. The Crystal Bible: A Definitive Guide to Crystals. Cincinnati: Walking Stick Press.
• About.Com: Holistic Healing. A-Z Gemstones.