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: Eudialyte

Eudialyte - Image by Sonatona

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: 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: 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: Red Poppy Jasper

Red Poppy Jasper - Image by Sonatona

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. 

Stone: Bloodstone Jasper

Bloodstone Jasper - Image by Sonatona

Country of Origin: Australia, Czech Republic, Russia Indian, China, Brazil, USA

General information: In the past there were various stories told about this stone. It was said that the Bloodstone had special powers for reasons that it was formed when drops of blood fell and stained jasper at the foot where Jesus was crucified. Ancient warriors carried Bloodstone amulets because they believed that their bleeding would stop whenever they were wounded. Bloodstone Jasper was also known as Heliotrope in Greek which means "Sun Turner". Many believed that the sun turns red when this stone is immersed in water. 

Physical Properties: The name of this stone if derived from the red spots or patches that are inclusion of iron oxide. These stones are a variety of Chalcedony, which is a crypto crystalline quartz. It appears to be glassy to waxy with an inconsistent color as the green is derived from chlorite particles. 

Metaphysical properties: Bloodstones are known to be stones of courage. It improves physical strength, enhances self-esteem and self-appreciation, and calms anxiousness. It promotes love for family and enhances wealth by improving the business and its legal matters. This stone works predominantly within the base and root chakra. 

Stone: Brecciated Mookaite

Brecciated Mookaite - Image by Sonatona

Country of Origin: Outback of Western Australia

General information: The name Brecciated Mookaite is derived from the term "Brecciation", which refers to a geological process where earth movements cause mineral deposits to break and shatter. Over time, as water rich in silica flows between the broken pieces, the silica crystallizes and fuses the pieces together again. The end result is this beautiful stone with a mosaic of varying hues. 

Physical Properties: Brecciated Mookaite is from the same deposit as normal Mookaite, but is a few levels deeper in the ground. This stone is composed of opaque segments bordered with translucent borders. This creates a puzzle/mosaic of colors that range from mustard yellow, creamy whites and tan browns. 

Metaphysical properties: This stone encourages the desire for new experiences and helps to keep a balance between external activities and internal responses. It imparts a deep calm while encouraging versatility. This stone is known for encouraging adventure yet at the same time aids physical protection when carried. Brecciated Mookaite targets the base and sacral chakra.