Stone: Boulder Opal

Boulder Opal - Image by Sonatona

Country of Origin: Australia

General Information: Boulder opal is one of the most valuable varieties of opal, second only to Australia's black opal. Fine specimens of boulder opal can exhibit all of the spectral colors through their distinct play of color. Boulder opal was first discovered in Quilpe, Western Australia, around the year 1870. Almost all boulder opal available today is from Western Queensland's opal-rich fields, confined to an area of about 200 to 300 square kilometers.

Physical Properties: Boulder opal is found embedded in large boulders of ironstone, which is how it earned its name. Occurring as pebble rock, precious opal develops within thin veins, fissures and hollows. As opal miners attempt to remove the embedded opal from the ironstone, some of the host matrix is preserved during the process. For this reason, boulder opal is sometimes referred to as 'opal in matrix'. 

Metaphysical properties: Boulder opal is thought to help alleviate depression and help find true love. Since boulder opal can display a wide array of colors, it possesses a range of healing abilities. Boulder opal is October's official birthstone. Boulder opal is also the zodiac stone for Cancer, Libra, Pisces and Scorpio, and it is the astrological gemstone for the sign of Virgo. Boulder opal is assigned to the element of fire, although it can enhance all of the elements. Boulder opal channels a projective energy that can benefit all chakras.

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Stone: Nephrite Jade

Nephrite Jade - Image by Sonatona

Country of Origin: New Zealand, China, Canada, Russia, Australia, Brazil

General Information: Jade is one of the oldest and most important gemstones, with a history dating over 7,000 years. It is especially prized throughout Chinese and Latin American cultures, often holding more value than gold. The name 'nephrite' was derived from the Greek word for 'kidney', which refers to its supposed ability to cure kidney disease. Nephrite is one of two distinct mineral forms classified as jade (the other is jadeite) and up until 1863, nephrite was believed to be one and the same as jadeite.

Physical Properties: Nephrite is a fibrous aggregate variety of tremolite-actinolite, a basic calcium magnesium iron silicate, whereas jadeite is a pyroxene mineral. Nephrite is more common than jadeite and although it is slightly softer than jadeite, it is considered tougher due to its denser structure. 

Metaphysical properties: Since ancient times, nephrite jade has been used by many cultures for its powers. It was often used in burial ceremonies, since jade was believed to be an 'imperial gem'. Nephrite Jade is a protective stone that will transmute negative energies in your life into positive and uplifting ones. Nephrite Jade also helps open the Heart Chakra to allow good fortune to flow naturally into one's experience of this physical realm.

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Stone: Amazonite

Amazonite - Image by Sonatona

Country of Origin: Russia, USA, Brazil, Madagascar, Australia

General Information: Amazonite is also known as the Amazon Stone. Amazonite is a light green to light bluish-green color gemstone, with a soft and attractive color that can closely resemble that of nephrite and jadeite. It is sometimes erroneously referred to as 'Colorado jade' or 'Pikes Peak jade' because of its close resemblance.

Physical Properties: Amazonite is variety of green microcline feldspar. The feldspars are a fairly homogenous group of rock-forming tectosilicates that make up nearly 60% of the Earth’s crust. 

Metaphysical properties: Amazonite is a great stone and works on calming all your chakras. Not only that, it will help you balance your masculine and feminine energies so that you will be able to utilize them in the most positive way. Amazonite is an appropriate stone for Aquarians, promoting vitality for all those who wear it. Often worn by gamblers, amazonite is said to attract luck and good fortune. When worn as an amulet, it can protect against a wide variety of ailments and diseases. 

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Stone: Amethyst

Amethyst - Image by Sonatona

Country of Origin: Mainly found in Brazil. Other amethyst origins include Canada, India, Madagascar, Russia, and USA

General Information: Amethyst is one of the most precious and valuable stones belonging to the quartz group of minerals, with exception to rare blue-green gem silica. It is recognized as the official birthstone for the month of February.

Physical Properties: Amethyst belongs to the macrocrystalline branch of quartz and owes its violet/purple color to iron and aluminum impurities. Without such coloring agents, amethyst would simply be transparent, ordinary colorless quartz.

Metaphysical properties: Amethyst is the birthstone for those who are born in February or for the zodiacal sign of Pisces. Amethyst has healing powers to help with physical ailments, emotional issues, and in Energy Healing and Chakra balancing. Amethyst crystal therapies are primarily associated with physical ailments of the nervous system, the curing of nightmares and insomnia, and balancing the crown chakra.

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Stone: Fluorite

Fluorite - Image by Sonatona

Country of Origin: Argentina, Austria, Canada, England, France, Germany, USA 

General Information: Fluorite is considered to be one of most popular minerals in the world among gem and mineral collectors, second only to quartz. It is often referred to as 'the most colorful mineral in the world' owing to its variety of brilliant colors. 

Physical Properties: Fluorite is frequently fluorescent under ultraviolet UV light. The fluorescence is thought to be due to impurities of yttrium or other types of organic matter within the crystal lattice. The color of visible light emitted when a sample of fluorite is fluorescing appears to be highly dependent on where the specimen was collected.

Metaphysical properties: Many people believe fluorite has a calming effect on the body. Fluorite increases intuitive abilities, links the human mind to universal consciousness, and develops connection to Spirit. This stone stimulates the third eye chakra, throat and crown chakra. 

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Stone: Larimar

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Country of Origin: It is found only in a limited deposit in the Dominican Republic. 

General Information: Larimar is a blue variety of the mineral Pectolite. Pectolite is not a rare mineral and is found throughout the world, but the exquisite sea-blue color exhibited in the Larimar variety is very unique, and only comes from one place in the world.

Physical Properties: The color of Larimar is caused by copper inclusions. Its color is rarely solid; it is almost always blue with interconnecting white lines and rough circles. A radiating pattern of crystal needles can often be observed within the Larimar. The blue color can vary in intensity from very light to greenish-blue to deep sky blue. Deeper blue colors and less white are more desirable.

Metaphysical properties: Larimar is also known as 'the Atlantis stone', based on old legends which claim that the Dominican Republic was once part of the lost city of Atlantis. This association makes Larimar very important in the world of metaphysical gems. It is believed that the energy of Larimar can help to enhance spirituality and communication. It is a stone which is able to soothe emotions, cool tempers and alleviate stress, bringing a feeling of calmness to its wearer. This stone works best with the heart, crown and throat chakras. 

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Stone: Seraphinite

Seraphinite - Image by Sonatona

Country of Origin: Russia, Switzerland, Austria, Italy, Turkey, USA

General Information: Seraphinite is the trade name given to a variety of clinochlore, which belongs to the chlorite group. The name seraphinite comes from the Greek word "seraphim", which refers to a celestial being with three pairs of wings. This could be due to the silvery feather-like chatoyant fibers that can be seen in seraphinite. These fibres are a result of mica inclusions.

Physical Properties: Seraphinite is typically dark-green to gray, with silvery chatoyant fibers. These silvery mica inclusions may be sparsely or densely distributed throughout the stone. The luster of seraphinite can be pearly, vitreous, greasy or dull.

Metaphysical properties: Seraphinite is sometimes referred to as "the angel stone" or "angel's wing stone" and is said to possess a great deal of spiritual energy that brings the physical self into harmony with the emotional self. Seraphinite is thought to encourage the flow of energy in the body and release blockages. It is also considered to be helpful in encouraging positive energy, harmony and balance. This stone stimulates the heart chakra

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Stone: Golden Rutile Quartz

Golden Rutile Quartz - Image by Sonatona

Country of Origin: Madagascar, Brazil, South Africa, India, Sri Lanka, Germany and Switzerland

General Information: Quartz stones that contains mineral inclusions are called "rutilated quartz" or "sagenite", popularly known as Venus-hair stone. Rutiles are small needlelike crystals. These may be red, black or brassy yellow. 

Physical Properties: Golden Rutile is a titanium dioxide mineral, and sometimes contains large quantities of iron oxide. When the iron oxide content is high, the rutilated quartz may have needles of gold and red in it, and when the content is lower, it may have a darker color to it, such as black.

Metaphysical properties: Rutilated quartz is highly energizing and can bring passion into difficult times or difficult projects. Because it heightens energy, it is important for illuminating the soul, removed barriers to spiritual growth and filters negative energy. It is very powerful within all of the chakras from the heart chakra up.

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Stone: Eudialyte

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Country of Origin: Canada, Greenland, Russia, Madagascar, USA. 

General Information: Eudialyte is a unique stone, whose names derives from the greek phrase "eu dialytos" meaning "well decomposable". 

Physical Properties: Eudialyte is found associated with other alkalic ingneous minerals such as microcline, nepheline, aegirine, sodalite, magnetite etc. This stone has a significant content of various different rare earth elements. Eudialyte is known to go by other names such as almandine spar and saami blood. 

Metaphysical properties: Eudialyte is considered to be a supportive stone, that helps you to find a bigger purpose to your life. It connects your spirituality with the physical existence.  This stone is said to increase both the beta and alpha brain waves, and this is why it is considered to be such a powerful stone. This crystal opens the heart and base chakras.

Stone: Coffee Bean Jasper

Coffee Bean Jasper - Image by Sonatona

Country of Origin: Australia, Canada, Egypt, India, Kazakhstan and Uruguay. 

General information: The various shades/colors of coffee give this gemstone its name. Traditionally, it is revered that it is a stone that cherishes and nurtures the well-being of its carrier in all ways. It is also considered to be a sacred stone, as it protects its carrier from the negativity of earth. Ancient Egyptians whispered it to be an arrowhead of love as well as protection. In the medieval period, this stone was worn as a talisman.  

Physical Properties: Coffee Bean Jasper is so unique in its qualities that no two pieces of this stone seem to be alike. It is said to be the gemstone of fortification as well as grounding. It possesses the color of coffee which further contains blotches of grayish, blacking rust as well as wine. This stone is a variety of Chalcedony, and is opaque as it contains impure varieties of silica.

Metaphysical properties: Coffee Bean Jasper is thought to be the gem of protection and grounding that is known to associate with the vitality of the world. It tends to open and resonate within the base/root chakra. This jasper is said to be the foundation of corporeal and spiritual energy, and frequently contributes to independence and spontaneous leadership.

Stone: Crazy Lace Agate

Crazy Lace Agate - Image by Sonatona

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

General information: Crazy Lace Agate is also known by the name of "Laughter Stone", "Happy Lace", or "Mexican Agate". It is associated with sunny Mexican fiestas and dancing, and brings joy to those who wear it. Historically, Agate has been discovered with the artifacts of Neolithic people, and was used as a healing amulet and ornamentation dating back to Babylon. Agate sparked a world renowned stone cutting and polishing industry in Germany that flourished from the 15th to the 19th century, and exists today.

Physical Properties: Crazy Lace Agate is a variety of banded Chalcedony, a mineral of the Quartz family. It is predominantly white, with layers of creamy browns, blacks and grays. Some include layers of yellow ochre, gold, scarlet and red. Agate is sometimes called the "earth rainbow" because the concentric bands in nature form nearly every color the earth can produce, including a colorless form.

Metaphysical properties: Crazy Lace Agate is said to help people stay focused. It is also a balancing and protective stone. It bring laughter and absorbs emotional pain. This agate is useful as a protective amulet when travelling, and is especially effective against traffic accidents, that is why it is also said to ward off the "evil eye". 

Stone: Malachite

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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. 

Stone: Chrysanthemum

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Country of Origin: Japan, China, Canada, USA

General information: This stone is commonly black and white but it may also be brown and white. The way that the minerals are arranged in the stone resembles the flower chrysanthemum, thus explaining its name.

Physical Properties: This is a naturally occurring stone that is composed of a mixture of gypsum, dolomite and limestone. There are inclusions of various other minerals such as celestite, calcite, andalusite, and feldspar within this stone as well. 

Metaphysical properties: Chrysanthemum stone contains an energy that helps you overcome through obstacles to joy, love and abundance in your life. It helps create a balance between our physical and spiritual sides. This stone is said to bring unexpected opportunities and help in one's life. This stone is associated with both the heart and crown chakra.  

Stone: Unakite

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Country of Origin: USA, Switzerland, South Africa

General information: Unakite is also known as Epidote, for its main component deriving its name from the Greek epidosis, meaning "growing together". A combination of red jasper, pink feldspar, and green epidote, Unakite is bound together of these various stones and is said to symbolize "what comes together belongs together". The name "Unakite" is derived from the Unaka Mountains of Tennessee and North Carolina, USA, where it was first discovered. 

Physical Properties: This stone forms in dense, opaque masses as a granite rock and ranges in color, from pistachio to moss green interlaced with areas of pink, peach or light red/orange. These stones are made up of red jasper, pink feldspar, green epidote, and have various other inclusions which may be quartz and/or granite. 

Metaphysical properties: Unakite is a highly spiritual stone. It is said to bring serenity and optimism about the future and aid in spiritual growth. Unakite has a protective element within its make-up and will help you release negative energies and addictions that may be holding your back. It has quite powerful vibration within the heart chakra, and third eye chakra. 

Stone: Ocean Jasper

Ocean Jasper - Image by Sonatona

Country of Origin: Found only along the Northwest coast of Madagascar. 

General information: Orbicular Ocean Jasper is also known as the Atlantis Stone, and is believed to be linked to the ancient city and holds mystic knowledge within its structure. Ocean Jasper also goes by the name of Sea Jasper, with a distinction. Ocean Jasper is the trademarked name for material from the original mine near Morovato on the Ambolobozo Peninsula of Madagascar. Sea Jasper is similar to Ocean Jasper, but is collected from the Madagascar minerals found in the same area a short distance away.

Physical Properties: Ocean Jasper is a variety of Chalcedony, micro-crystallized quartz colored by oxides, iron and other impurities, with quartz and feldspar forming the spherical (orbicular) structures. Background colors them to be green, brown, cream/white, red, pink or yellow. The orb-like inclusions come in various different colors and combinations. 

Metaphysical properties: Ocean Jasper is considered to activate the Heart Chakra, Solar Plexus Chakra, and the Throat Chakra. Ocean Jaspers help to alleviate stress and induces tranquility. Its cleansing effects eliminate negative energy and stabilizes the aura. It is the perfect stone for banishing nightmares and harmful thoughts.

Stone: Pietersite

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Country of Origin: Africa and China

General information: Pietersite was discovered by Sid Peters in a farmland of Namibia, Africa in 1962. After his discovery, he registered the find in the mineral records of Britain. His discovery was then published in 1964, and the mineral was named Pietersite. Pietersite is considered as a type of tiger's eye because of their similar properties. 

Physical Properties: Pietersite is a variety of Quartz, composed naturally of Tiger's Eye, Hawk's Eye and Jasper, and is characterized by an incredible chatoyancy and brilliance of light within the stone. Its hues are contrasted with deep blue-black, grey, brown, gold, red, as well as occasional clear areas. The blue coloration within Pietersite is considered to be the rarest, followed by red. 

Metaphysical properties: Pietersite is considered to activate the Sacral Chakra, Solar Plexus Chakra, and the Third Eye Chakra as well. This creates a powerful increase in energy of personal will and intuitive ambitions. It helps to ground the body's physical energy centers, not to the earth, but to etheric realms. 

Stone: Wild Horse Jasper

Wild Horse Jasper - Image by Sonatona

Country of Origin: Eastern Oregon, Western Idaho

General information: Wild Horse Jasper is one of the many varieties of cryptocrystalline quartz, which included others such as agates, chalcedony and various other jasper. he name Wild Horse Jasper is derived from the location in which it is mined, at the Wild Horse Canyon in Oregon. Mohr hardness is 7.

Physical Properties: Wild Horse Jasper is a member of the Picture Jasper family and is very rich in color combination of grays, tans, dark browns, and reds. These combinations of colors create stunning scenic landscape patterns much like that of Owyhee Jasper and other Picture Jasper varieties. 

Metaphysical properties: Wild Horse Jasper is considered to be a protective stone and is said to align our chakras and balancing the ying yand energies within our body. It is also believed to help with spiritual communication and can help you achieve balance in your life. This stone activates with Third Eye chakra, and the Root chakra. 

Stone: Red Poppy Jasper

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Country of Origin: Spain, California

General information: Red Poppy Jasper is considered to have been attributed with magical powers and were often used in ancient European times to bring rain. These stones are rarely referred to as "Silex"

Physical Properties: Poppy jaspers are stones of brick red coloration mixed with shades of brown or black. These beautiful stones sometimes also show shades of golden yellows, cream, or white in a single bead. Its vibrant red to red-brown coloration is due to high iron content, and may contain other minerals or impurities that create the rich patterns. 

Metaphysical properties: It is believed that Poppy jaspers encourage a deep connection with the earth as well as a sense of where you belong within your community. These jaspers are also believed by some to both protect from nightmares and aid in the recollection of dreams. Red poppy jasper activated the Base chakra, Solar Plexus chakra, and heart chakra.