Going back over 5,000 years to the Bronze Age, the jewel we call Garnet has a remarkably rich story about it. These Garnet jewels are the only gemstones believed to contain protective and destructive powers. Crusaders from the Middle Ages set these gemstones of Garnet into their armor, believing they would be protected from all evil. And in some Asian cultures, Garnets were added to bullets, believing it would add destructive power to the bullet. Biblical mythology says when God’s wrath clouded the earth with endless storms during the great flood, a radiant red Garnet guided Noah and his ark to safety.

Amethyst has a 4500 year history, documented in early Greece, circa 2,500 B.C. Amethyst is said to bring serenity and calm, to enhance one’s ability to assimilate new ideas, and to assist during meditation. It is also said to give strength and mental stability, and to provide balance between one’s physical, emotional, intellectual states. Amethyst is also said to make one shrewd in business matters. Amethyst is said to help remove toxins from the body and to help treat arthritis. It also said to be useful in treating a number of disorders including those of the digestive system, heart, nervous system, skin and hearing and to help provide relief from pain and to strengthen the immune system. In medieval times, Amethyst was still credited with protecting one from the effects of drunkenness, both of the cup and also from the intoxicating effects of being in love. The wearing of amethyst was also known to protect soldiers from harm and give them victory over their enemies, and assist hunters with the capture of wild animals.

A history of water. The Aquamarine has long been associated with its ability to capture the energy of the ocean. When Aquamarine amulets and Aquamarine pendants were worn by sailors, they believed that unmatched bravery would be instilled in their souls. In some areas, these jewels accompanied their owners while out on the high seas, and in the event of a storm, were tossed overboard to subdue the Greek god Poseidon’s anger. Thailand’s culture contains a common belief that Aquamarine jewels can ward off seasickness and prevent the wearer from drowning. Also, Aquamarine is considered to be a purification and cleansing gemstone that washes the mind with fresh clear thoughts. It also promotes self-expression.

Diamonds were tears of the gods, according to the Greeks. Diamonds were created when bolts of lightening struck rocks, according to the Hindus. Diamonds helped Jewish high priests to decide the innocence or guilt of the accused. The gems turned dull and dark in front of the guilty, while glowing with increased brightness before the innocent. Diamonds were actual living beings, embodying celestial spirits, according to Plato.

The Emerald, one of the earliest known gem minerals to man, has been related to a large number of occult properties over the last 6000 years. Some of these beliefs are: the Emerald is a symbol of immortality; it is good for the eyes and eyesight; it cures snakebites; it encourages and preserves chastity. In general it can be said that Emeralds are believed to protect against illnesses, physical danger and evil and that it can improve your mind and character. No wonder so many women love to wear Emerald necklaces and Emerald earrings! It keeps the Emeralds near their mind.

The romantic pearl is associated with chastity and modesty. Stable marriages are said to be the result of pearls.

The most important characteristic about the Ruby is its color. There is of course a reason for this: the name “Ruby” was derived from the Latin word “rubens” meaning “red” The red of Rubies is in a class all by itself: warm and fiery. Two magical elements are associated with the symbolism of this color: fire and blood, implying warmth and life for mankind. In the Middle Ages, Rubies were thought to contain prophetic powers. It was believed that a Ruby could warn its owner of misfortunes by deepening in color. Native Americans believed that offerings of a fine Ruby resulted in rebirth as a powerful Chief.

This lime-green gem has been mined in the Red Sea for over 3,500 years. This favorite jewel of Cleopatra’s was mistaken for the Emerald. In fact, she had quite a collection of Peridot jewels, but thought they were Emeralds! Legend speaks of pirates favoring Peridot as protection against evil spirits; and when Peridot is set in gold, such as in a Peridot gold pendant, it was said to protect the wearer against night terrors. A mystical property of this jewel is its ability to help dreams become a reality. Peridot is also believed to protect your wealth, and even enhance it!

In Greek mythology, Prometheus, who stole fire from the gods, was the first person to wear Sapphire. He took the gemstone from Cacaus, where he stole the fire. Sapphires are one of the 12 holy gemstones set in the breastplate of the high priest Aaron, as mentioned in the book of Exodus, from the holy bible. Sapphire is said to help those who wear it find the correct solution when faced with challenges. In India, if one wears a Sapphire pendant as a talisman, it was believed to protect them from evil spirits. So get yourself a nice Sapphire pendant, or Sapphire necklace, and keep it around your neck!

The name Opal evolved from Greek “Opallus” which means: to see a change in color. Early Greeks believed that Opals held the powers of foresight and prophecy. Some people believe that the Opal has therapeutic properties that rejuvenate their spirit and invigorate their mind. Today in Scandinavia, women still wear Opal hair bands to ward off the onset of gray in their hair, and to maintain their lustrous blonde locks. So take heed: get some Opal earrings, or an Opal necklace…Opal jewelry that will keep close to your hair.

Cool topaz has the power of healing and preserving ones sanity. The stone is associated with life and strength of body and mind. It was once thought that the wearer would become invisible when danger was near.

Zircon was available in Greece and Italy as far back as the sixth century. However, the earlier Hindu writing list zircon as one of the many gemstone on the Kalpa Tree of their religion; green zircon was this mystical tree’s foliage, or so the story is told.
In antiquity, the zircon was often called Hyacinth or Jacinth, the legend tells of a mythological character named Hyacinthus, a youth accidentally slain my Apollo who was jealous of the young man’s beauty. This blood produced the hyacinth flower, whose beauty is said to be reflected in the red zircon.
The red zircon or hyacinth was believed to drive away evil spirits and nightmares, protect it’s wearer from enchantment and lightning.

Citrine is known as the “success stone” because it promotes success, prosperity, and abundance. It particularly promotes success in business, earning it another nickname, “merchant’s stone”, and is said to bring business if put in the cash box of a shop or carried. Citrine is a stone of good fortune, although it brings good fortune in sometimes unexpected ways. It is a stone of manifestation, helping manifest abundance in many ways. Along with prosperity and good fortune, citrine imparts generosity, to share the wealth, so to speak. As a solar plexus chakra stone it is said to increase and magnify personal energy and power.

Tourmaline is a wonderful stone, with a color for each of the main Chakras. Excellent channeling stone for communication with higher forces. Tourmaline helps to break up energy blockages, which we mentally experience as anxiety, stress or confusion.
Tourmaline helps you to move beyond limited thinking, to an expanded sense of reality, and see past experiences in new ways. It teaches us that we are light beings in physical form, and helps us to experience the physical and spiritual worlds as one.

Sardonyx can attract good friends, fortune, and a good marriage or relationship. It allows you to take delight and joy in just living! This stone instills courage, encourages self-control, and works on helping you learn not to hesitate when movement is necessary. Sardonyx is excellent for depression.

Agate’s most noticeable properties overall are balancing yin/yang energy, courage, protection, healing, and calming. Historically it was placed in water for cooking or drinking to dispel sickness. The Metaphysical and Healing Properties Lore of any specific type of agate depend to some extent on the color of the agate, but all agates have certain things in common.
Agate is a stone of strength. It was used by the Ancients on the breastplates of armor to give warriors strength and make them victorious in battle. Energetically, it is considered to give strength in both battle and physically.
Agate enhances creativity and strengthens the intellect, making it a beneficial stone for both students and artists. It is also known as a good luck stone. As a stone of harmony, one of the things agate does is balance yin/yang energy. Agate increases energy. However, because it is a grounding stone, it does not increase energy at all times, but rather enables bursts of energy as needed. In this way, agate is a conservation stone, and enhances longevity.

Alexandrite is a stone of prosperity and longevity. It balances mind and emotions, pacifies soul and promotes spiritual growth. Alexandrite is a rare mineral variety of Chrysoberyl. In the daylight it is of bluish-green or even emerald-green color, and in the artificial light it may be red, crimson, purple-red and violet-red. It is said this stone is emerald during the day and ruby in the evening. Originally the dense-green stone was mistaken for an emerald; however it was harder than an emerald, and in the candle light it lighted up with a blood-red fire. As the discovery was made on the day the future Russian czar Alexandr II came of age, the stone was named after him. Since red and green are national Russian colors, Alexandrite acquired wide popularity in Russia and was generally considered as a good omen.

Moonstone is said in crystal healing to help calm responses and avoid overreaction; enhances feminine energies, sensitivity, intuition, and psychic abilities. It is also said to bring strong energies of abundance to one’s life.
Moonstone is a stone of protection, especially during childbirth, pregnancy, and travel at sea. It is a stone of calm and relief from emotional stress. It is also associated with love of all kinds.
Physically moonstone is used in crystal healing to aid the pituitary gland and digestive system, obesity, water retention, hormonal problems, menstrual problems.
Moonstone is also used as a stand in for pearl, when pearl is not available. Moonstone is associated with the crown and third eye chakras, and sometimes with the heart chakra.

Because red jasper stones instilled confidence and courage it was known as a warrior’s stone. Today it’s mostly used as a worry stone, the ability to give confidence and courage especially helps those with fear of embarrassing themselves when speaking in public.
A simple small stone or pebble should work, though you could get it set in a necklace to be able to wear it on your skin at all times.It can also be useful for those who worry too much when starting something new, such as a new job.
You should simply touch it when you need that bit of extra confidence as jasper works better when touched.

Black has been associated with regeneration and new beginnings. It is thought by some to have protective qualities, making it advantageous to carry when one is traveling. It is said to be useful in fighting basic fears and in helping to create the opportunity to move beyond bad relationships–and to heal old emotional wounds. The Romans associated it with courage and it is thought to be useful when one is defending him/herself against unfair criticism.

Jade is an ancient stone that has historically been used to attract love.
Jade can be used to bring money into your life. Create a positive attitude towards money and visualize yourself using money creatively and productively while holding the stone in your power hand. When making an important business decision, use the prosperous energies of jade by holding it while contemplating your course of action. Jade strengthens your mental faculties and assists in clear reasoning.
Jade is also a protective stone, guarding against accidents and misfortune. Place a piece of jade between two purple candles and let the candles burn for a short while. Then carry the jade with you as a protection amulet.

Bloodstones are excellent stones for helping you to feel a stronger sense of determination, as they help you to regain your personal power. These stones have strong metaphysical properties, and their vibration will aid you to find within yourself a deep sense of spiritual tenacity.
They will build courage and strength of mind, to do what needs to be done within your individual reality. If you have been fearful or vacillating when you need to take action the energy of these stones gives you the confidence to face your challenges.
They were known in olden times as Heliotrope, and were popular as they raise self esteem. It was believed that if you carried one of these stones you might avoid dangerous situations.