Healing Powers of Semi-Precious Stones
Healing with natural stones is a practice traced back to many centuries ago, and there are still those who believe in the healing power of precious and semi-precious stones and metals. Modern research in the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases does support the belief that gold may prevent rheumatoid arthritis, a finding discovered after studying patients with the disease and comparing the progression in fingers constantly wearing gold rings to fingers left bare over the years. The study found that the disease had not progressed as severely in the joints of fingers wearing gold rings.
While many people choose jewelry based on its beauty and personal appeal alone, some choose specific semi-precious stones for their reputed holistic powers. Mostly practiced as part of metaphysical and astrological belief systems, there are numerous stones derived from Mother Earth that are thought to have physical and emotional effects on the body. This is especially true of birthstones which are assigned by month and generally correspond to and support Zodiac signs. Some of the powers of birthstones and other semi-precious stones are believed to be associated with their color.
Garnet, the January birthstone, is a semi-precious stone alleged to regenerate and provide health for the heart while enhancing sexuality. There are several types of garnet, including andradite, rhodolite, and almandite, all of which vary in shade and intensity of red, with some appearing as green, yellow, and almost black in color. Red is the most popular color.
Amethyst is the traditional birthstone of February. Amethyst is associated with change and is thought to have calming properties. It, along with aventurine, is believed to quell anxiety and relieve stress. Many other stones, including agate and coral, are also known as stones that help heal emotional distress. Similarly, the traditional birthstone of March, aquamarine, is a stone reputed to have a calming effect on the mind. Aquamarine is a popular choice in jewelry because of the symbolic nature of the color blue.
April’s traditional birthstone is the diamond and, though a precious stone, was used centuries ago as a way to draw out poison. Diamonds are classified by color, ranging from colorless to tinted. Tinted diamonds reflect a certain degree of yellow that can progress into a brownish tint with time. May is another month with a traditional birthstone being a precious gem, the emerald. Emerald corresponds with the Zodiac sign Taurus, responding also to garnet, agate, and the diamond. July’s birthstone is a ruby, another precious gemstone. Also red like the garnet, the ruby is believed to provide healing powers for the heart. The emerald, a green gem, symbolizes the renewal of life. Semi-precious stones in green include malachite, gaspeite, and peridot, which is the traditional birthstone of August.
Some precious and semi-precious stones can reflect different colors depending on their type. For example, the sapphire, which is traditionally a deep blue, can also be found in varying shades of blue as well as yellow, pink and white. Sapphire is the traditional birthstone of September and like aquamarine, has a peaceful symbolism believed to calm and relieve stress. Semi-precious stones with varying colors and similar healing powers include turquoise, the traditional birthstone of December, lapis, and unakite.
Opal, the traditional birthstone of October, is another semi-precious stone that reflects a variety of colors. Opal is associated with visualization and is reputed to have healing effects on the eyes. It is also a popular choice in jewelry, along with turquoise, and prized for its beauty. Colors range from light blues to greens, and even include white and black.
Novembers birthstone is topaz, a stone associated with sanity and reputed for having a healing effect on those inflicted with asthma, insomnia, and depression. A commonly colorless stone reflecting an orange-brown hue, it may also be gold, peach, green and blue. Red and pink are the rarest and most valuable of topaz stones.
Whether you choose jewelry with precious or semi-precious stones for beauty, symbolic color, or reputed healing effects on the mind and body, know that like flowers, the stones reflect meaning. Giving jewelry as a gift has far more meaning beyond the stone set in it. The gift of jewelry can symbolize friendship, love, admiration, and respect - all sentiments likely to have a lasting effect on the recipient far above that of the healing properties or symbolism associated with it.Jewellerygets.com is a jewellery wholesaler offering you beautiful jewellery at competitive prices. Our product line covers beaded jewellery and handcraft jewellery, which is made of semi-precious stones, rhinestones,resin beads, acrylic beads, wooden beads, iron wire, and even fabric and alloy.