Stone: Malachite

Malachite - Image by Sonatona

Country of Origin: Russia, Africa, Australia, Brazil, USA, Chile, Romania

General information: The name Malachite is said to have come from the Greek word malakee, or malache, signifying the resemblance of mallow leaves, or from the Greek work malakos, meaning soft. This stone was well known to ancient Egyptians and malachite mines were in use between the Suez and Sinai as early as 4000 B.C. This stone was also quite popular with the ancient Greeks and Romans, for various purposes, such as jewelry, ornaments, and in powdered form, for eye shadow. During the middle ages, Malachite was believed to protect against the "Evil Eye" and to cure various stomach ailments.  

Physical Properties: This stone is a carbonate of copper, and is sometimes intergrown with Azurite, forming Malachite-Azurite, or with Chrysocolla, forming Malachite-Chrysocolla. It may also be found with a number of copper based minerals. This stone is a very popular mineral with its intense green color and beautiful banded masses. The bands may consist of concentric rings with interesting patterns; such specimens are highly sought after. 

Metaphysical properties: The energy of this stone strengthens the auric field and is known to alert you to the approach of danger. Malachite has an excellent vibration within the heart chakra and other chakras surrounding it. This stone helps to stabilize your energy thus making you more emotionally balanced. Malachite is also known to clear difficulties/obstructions from your path. 

Stone: Labradorite

Labradorite - Image by Sonatona

Country of Origin: Norway, Finland, Canada, Australia, Madagascar, Ukraine

General information: Labradorite was first discovered in Labrador, Canada, by Moravian Missionaries in 1770 who names the stone for the area in which it was found. It is however, referenced in legends by older Inuit tribes, and was known to be in use by the Boethuk people of Newfoundland and Labrador. Lore of the Inuit people say that Labradorite feel from the frozen fire of the Aurora Borealis, and ordinary stone that transforms to the extraordinary, shimmering in a mystical light that separates the waking world from the unseen realms. This stone became a popular gem in Europe in the 18th and 19th centuries. 

Physical Properties: Labradorite is a member of the Feldspar family and is treasured for its remarkable play on colors, known as labradorescence. This stone, usually gray-green, dark gray, black or gray-whitish, is composed in aggregated layers that refract light as iridescent flashes of peacock blue, gold, pale green, or coppery red. The predominant blue varies within the light, displaying hues from the deepest blue to various shades of pale, almost blue-green. Rarer varieties of Labradorite include Golden Labradorite; a transparent gold or champagne-color, and Spectrolite, an intense variety displaying the entire color spectrum, discovered in Finland in the 1940s

Metaphysical properties: Labradorite enhances ones mental and intuitive abilities of clairvoyance, telepathy, prophecy and coincidence control. This stone brings the gift of serpendipity and synchronicity. It allows you to open your crown chakra and allow direct contact with the divine mind. 

Stone: Aragonite

Aragonite- Image by Sonatona

Country of Origin: Mexico, Morocco, Namibia, Spain

General information: Aragonite is a calcium carbonate mineral. These brown and cream striped stones seem to have a wood grain texture. This stone also forms the skeleton of some marine organisms. 

Physical Properties: Aragonite varies in color and can be white, gray, colorless, yellow, pale blue, violet, or brown. Aragonite is also the primary mineral that makes up the organic compound commonly known as "mother of pearl" 

Metaphysical properties: Aragonite is considered to be a grounding stone. It is often used to center and ground physical energies and is very useful during stressful times. This stone stabilizes the base chakra, and strengthens your connection with the earth.