iram-inal designs - Semiprecious Stones

Is Said To:
Fun Facts: Greeks called Amber “electron,” or “sun-made.”
The stone can attract small particles when rubbed against clothing.
Is fossilized tree resin of (now extinct) Confir Trees and ancient pine trees. The resin must be several million years old to be called “amber.”

Amazonite

Stone:

A light blue/turquoise and black stone that can come in varying colors of turquoise blue.

Fun Facts… This Stone:

Also known as Amazon Stone
Used as an ornamental lapidary material.
Properties: Alleviates muscle spasms and to relieve stress and exhaustion. It also stimulates clarity of thought, to enhance understanding and improves one's ability to interact with others.
Birthstone of the Pisces

Aventurine

Stone:

Also comes in silvery, yellow, reddish-brown, greenish-brown, bluish green, and orange.

Place of Origin:

Brazil, India, China, Japan, Russia, Tanzania, USA (Vermont), Tamil Nadu, India, China

Origin of Name:

Avventura (Italian), meaning “by chance.”

Fun Facts.... This Stone:

Properties: Is said to increase libido, and releases fear and anxiety, increase confidence, gratitude, and promotes positive attitude.
Is the anniversary gemstone for the 8^th year of marriage.

Carnelian

Stone:

Comes in varying shades of red and brown, often with white inclusions.

Place of Origin:

Arabia, Egypt, India, China, Colombia, Saxony, Scotland, West Germany, USA

Fun Facts.... This Stone:

Properties: Calms mind from fear of death; enforces belief in cycle of birth-death.
Excellent motivator of matters of business choices.

Chalcedony

Stone:

Can be any color of the rainbow.

Place of Origin:

India, Madagascar, Burma, Brazil, Mexico, and the USA

Fun Facts... This Stone:

Agate, jasper, bloodstone, cornelian, onyx, and chrysoprase all make up the chalcedony gemstones.
Properties: Is known to prevent touchiness and melancholy. Worn to promote calm and peace.

Citrine

Stone:

Citrine is a pale yellow variety of crystalline quartz resembling topaz.

Place of Origin:

Brazil, from the state of Rio Grande do Sul

Fun Facts... This Stone:

Is Named: from the French word "citron" meaning lemon.
Fun Facts: Is a stone that has been used in Greece since the Hellenistic period (4^th to the 1^st Century, B.C.)
Properties: Is used as a protective talisman, as it calms and soothes.
Is the anniversary gemstone for the 17^th year of marriage.
Birthstone for the Scorpio

Hematite

Stone:

Silvery, shiny opaque stone that almost looks like metal

Place of Origin:

Found in the sedimentary deposits in North America, Brazil, Venezuela, Labrador and Quebec

Fun Facts.... This Stone:

Is Named: From the Greek word haem, meaning “blood.” This is because of its allusion to a red color.

Properties: Being a good healing and grounding stone, it strengthens the body and improves resistance to stresses.

Is also a protective stone, and aids memory.

Iolite

Stone:

Transparent, violet-blue, light blue, or rich blue-violet stone

Place of Origin:

Found in Sri Lanka, Burma, India, Madagascar, and Brazil.

Fun Facts.... This Stone:

Is Named: From the Greek los, meaning “violet.”
Fun Fact: Iolite is known as the “Viking’s compass,” due to its ability to determine the direction of the sun on overcast days. Vikings used small pieces of Iolite as the world’s first polarizing filter.
Properties: Is highly revered in the Ayurvedic tradition. Promotes accuracy in intuitive pursuits.

Jade

Stone:

Comes in varying shades of green, from pale to deep green.

Place of Origin:

Japan and China

Fun Facts.... This Stone:

Properties: Associated with five qualities: Clarity, courage, justice, wisdom & modesty.
Use Jade to reduce tension.

Moonstone

Stone:

Often seen in varying shades of pale blue, gray, with inclusions of black and silver

Place of Origin:

Found in Brazil, European Alps, India, Madagascar, Mexico, Myanrnar, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, and the USA (Pennsylvania and Virginia).

Fun Facts.... This Stone:

Is Named: For its semblance in color to the moon.
Fun Fact: In India, moonstone is considered to be a sacred stone and its sheen is compared to the light of the moon.
Was popular with the Romans, who believed it was formed out of moonlight.
Properties: Believed to be protective for women and babies.
Is the 13^th Anniversary stone
Along with Alexandrite and Pearls, is the birthstone of the Gemini

Obsidian

Stone:

Obsidian is a hard volcanic glass that displays shiny and curved surfaces. Is normally black, brown, gray, red, blue, green, clear, orange or yellow.

Place of Origin:

The stone is found in the regions of Italy; Mexico; Scotland; Arizona, Colorado, Texas, Utah and Idaho, USA.

Fun Facts.... This Stone:

Is Named: The stone was discovered by Obsius in Ethiopia; the stone is named after him.
Fun Facts: Is formed as a result of volcanic lava coming in contact with water.
Has been used thousands of years in tool making. The stone was often used for arrowheads by Native Americans, as well as the Aztecs, who used them for sacrificial knives.
Properties: Used for gaining clear insight into problems. Stabilizes and is a chastiser.

Onyx

Stone:

May be black, brown, red, white, and grey. May also be banded (alternating light and dark bands).

Place of Origin:

Egypt, Germany, USA, Greece, Mexico

Fun Facts.... This Stone:

Is Named: From the Greek word “fingernail.”
Fun Facts: Was used by the Romans to create marble.
Properties: Eliminates negative thinking, and is believed to sharpen the wits of the wearer.
Birthstone of the Leo

Pink Tourmaline

Stone:

Tourmaline comes in many colors, such as blue, yellow, pink, green, black, and clear.

Place of Origin:

Africa, Brazil, Madagascar, Mexico, Myanmar, Namibia, Sri Lanka, and the USA (California, Connecticut, Maine, New York, and Texas).

Fun Facts.... This Stone:

Is Named: From the Sinhalese name of turmali, or tormally, which means “multicolored.”
Fun Facts: During the medieval times, tourmaline was thought to heal physical and mental disorders, as well as prevent death.
Properties: Said to calm nerves, regulate hormones, and induces a tranquil sleep.
Along with the Opal is the birthstone of the Libra

Quartz

Place of Origin:

Brazil, Uruguay, Mexico, Russia, and Thunder Bay area of Canada, Brazil, South Africa, Mexico, Germany and some regions in the USA.

Fun Facts.... This Stone:

Fun Facts: Amethyst, Citrine, Milky Quartz, Rock crystal, Rose quartz, Smoky quartz, Chrysoprase, Sard, Sardonyx, Onyx, Carnelian, Flint, Jasper, Bloodstone are all forms of QuartzFor thousands of years, Quartz was used for divination, disease diagnosis, and awareness.
Properties: Assists to amplify, focus, direct, transmit and store energy.
Rose Quartz – Enhances all forms of love
Smokey Quartz – Lifts depression

Soladite

Place of Origin:

Namibia, Brazil, Canada, USA

Fun Facts.... This Stone:

Is Named: Due to its sodium content and can be found in all shades of blue, usually interspersed with white calcite.

Properties: Sodalite can help change the way you feel about yourself. Its subtle energies are soothing, and can help you to see the wisdom of adopting a simpler, less hectic lifestyle.

Physically, sodalite is said to boost the immune system, help balance the metabolism, and be beneficial to the cleansing organs.

Sugilite (Hemi) Stone

Place of Origin:

Australia, Canada, Italy, Japan, South Africa.

Fun Facts.... This Stone:

Properties: Sugilite helps strengthen the connection between mind and body and also helps in dealing with negative energies.
Sugilite stimulates the crown chakra and aids in opens all the chakras and allows for the movement of Kundalini energy. It is a wonderful stone for meditation.

Sunstone Tigers Stone

Place of Origin:

United States, primarily Oregon

Fun Facts... This Stone:

Is Named: Often referred to as "Aventurine Orthoclase" or "Heliolite".
Properties: Sunstone is believed to strengthen the life force, bring luck, romance, instill optimism and increase strength and vitality.

Tiger’s Eye

Stone:

Tiger's eye or crocidolite cat's-eye is semi precious stone with a rich yellow and golden brown stripes. It is quartz that contains oriented fibers of crocidolite replaced by silica.

Place of Origin:

South Africa, Australia, Burma, India, United States

Fun Facts... This Stone:

Is Named: Resembling the eye of a tiger, this semi precious stone thus, received its name.
Fun Facts: As per the legend, Roman soldiers wore tiger's-eye for protection in battle and was thought to be all seeing due to its appearance. It can be worn to strengthen convictions and acquire courage and confidence.
Properties: Relieving high blood pressure, the gemstone is used for focusing the mind. This very warm stone is beneficial for the weak and sick.
It is the anniversary gemstone for the 9th year of marriage.

Turquoise

Stone:

Ranges from sky-blue in color, to various shades of green and yellowish gray.

Place of Origin:

Rich deposits of turquoise are found in the regions of Iran, southwestern United States, Africa, Australia, Tibet, China, Siberia and Europe.

Fun Facts... This Stone:

Is Named: From Turc (Turkish in French) as it was transported to Europe through Turkey.
Properties: Ancient manuscripts from Persia, India, Afghanistan, and Arabia report that the health of a person wearing turquoise can be assessed by variations in the color of the stone and was also thought to promote prosperity.
Turquoise is an important ornamental mineral for jewelry and adorned the ceremonial dress of early native Americans. It is believed that the gemstone guards against diseases and assists in tissue regeneration, subtle body alignment and strengthening. It also brings good fortune and attracts healing spirits.
Along with Zircon is the birthstone of Sagittarius.

Ukanite

Place of Origin:

Brazil South Africa, and China.

Fun Facts.... This Stone:

Properties: Being a balancing stone, Unakite is said to help unify the emotional, spiritual, and mental aspects of self. It can also help us to live in the present instead of dwelling in the past.
Its soothing energies also are thought to help insure a healthy reproductive system, especially in women.