GEMSTONES DESCRIPTION & HISTORY
Many believe that gemstones possess unique properties and energies, capable of influencing one’s emotions, health, and overall well-being. This ancient belief suggests that each gemstone has specific attributes, such as promoting love, protection, or healing, making them more than just beautiful adornments
CHALCEDONY
Type of quartz that has a waxy luster and
varies from transparent to translucent, Agate and onyx are forms of chalcedony.
Origin:
named after its classic source: Chalcedon, a Roman province of Bithynia located in present day Turkey.
History:
Chalcedony features in Jewish, Christian, Islamic and Buddhist religious traditions. Chalcedony was a big part of the ancient’s gemstone repertoire, playing an important role in Mesopotamian (modern-day Iraq), Hittite (modern-day Turkey), Egyptian and Greek civilisations. To put its heritage into context, Agate (banded Chalcedony) beads dating back to 7000 BC have been excavated in Turkey. The Romans particularly prized Chalcedony, they used Chalcedonies as magic amulets, seals, signets, cameos (a gem carved in positive relief) and intaglios (a gem carved in negative relief), setting them in rings, brooches, bracelets and necklaces. Continuously mined since Roman times, fine translucent Blue Chalcedony from Turkey, also known as Blue Turk Chalcedony, remains highly regarded.
Known as being Alexander The Great’s favourite gemstone.
Properties: calmness, tranquillity, and harmony. It promotes emotional balance, alleviating feelings of anxiety, stress, and negativity. Brings inner peace.
Absorbs negative energy, brings the mind, body, emotions and spirit into
Harmony
It is believed that blue chalcedony helps in calming and centring the emotional energy, while encouraging the wearer to acquire tranquillity.
Healing Properties: it is said to improve mineral assimilation
and combats mineral buildup in veins. Lessens the effects of dementia and senility. It increases physical energy. Heals the eyes, gallbladder, bones, spleen, blood and circulatory system. This gem is best for people who have a propensity to get worried easily.
In chakra practices, chalcedony is believed to be the stone of communication and is often placed by the pharynx to stimulate the throat chakra. The throat chakra is considered the voice of the body and allows energy or pressure from the other chakras to be released.
Even though chalcedony is mined in numerous places in the world, the quantity of rough material reaching the market is limited, which accounts for its reputation as a somewhat rare—or, at the very least, uncommon—gem material.
HOWLITE
Origin: It was first discovered in Canada (Nova Scotia) in 1868 by Henry How, a Canadian chemist, mineralogist and geologist.
Properties: it is most commonly thought of as a stone for patience and calm. It symbolizes radiance, exaltation, liberation, and light. White is a hue that encourages and protects, as well as providing serenity and tranquillity. During your challenging periods, it will provide you with optimism and consolation. Well, these are things we could all do with! It also said that the natural howlite crystal acts as a magnet to good luck. Another thing we all need!
JADE Origin: Its name was given by the Conquistadors in the 15th century. They used to call it “PIEDRA DE HIJADA”, literally “stone of the pain in the side.”Early Spanish explorers named it after they saw natives holding pieces of the stone to their sides to cure or relieve various aches and pains. According to an Amerindian legend, the jade could cure some diseases, as well as driving away bad spirits.
The first jadeite reached China from Burma (now known as Myanmar) in the late 1700s. Jade was regarded as the most precious stone in ancient China. It symbolised purity and moral integrity and was prized for its durability and magical qualities. In FENG SHUI, jade is a highly valued stone that symbolizes gentleness, serenity, harmony, and balance.
Properties:
Jade is a gemstone believed to have several benefits, including increasing fortune, grounding, and enhancing maturity in relationships. It is thought to have protective, lucky-charm energy. That is why babies in Asian cultures are often gifted jade bracelets when they’re born.
Did you know? In Japan, Jade was considered the national stone. It was mainly used for
bracelets and was a symbol of wealth and power (leaders used
