Properties of gems

The qualities sought in gems are beauty, rarity, and durability. The beauty of a gem depends primarily on its optical properties, which impart its luster, fire, and color; the durability depends on hardness and resistance to cleavage or fracture. The physical properties by which gems are distinguished from each other are form of the crystal, index of refraction of light, hardness, presence or absence of cleavage, type of fracture (concordat, even, or uneven) in stones without cleavage, specific gravity, color, streak (color of the powder as determined by rubbing it over white, unglazed porcelain), luster (appearance of the surface in reflected light—adamantine, vitreous, resinous, greasy, silky, or pearly), and transparency. Minor properties that serve to identify some stones are chiromancy (changeable luster or color under undulating light), opalescence, asterism (star like sparkling), and play of color, fluorescence, phosphorescence, iridescence, and electrical properties. The unit of weight used for gemstones is the metric carat; one carat equals 200 mg.

THE MAGICKAL PROPERTIES OF GEMS

Agate, Green Moss
Restores energy and health, bring wearer happiness, emotional balance, wealth, health, and long life

Amazonite
Attracts success, money and luck

Amber
Fossils from pine tree resin; they add strength to magic and spells, attract love and increase beauty.

Amethyst
Increases spiritual awareness, used in all workings for peace, love, happiness and protection, used in divination and psychic work

Apache Tears
Carry as a good luck charm.

Aventurine
Increases mental powers, perception and creative insight, gambler's stone

Bloodstone
Increases physical strength and courage, brings victory in the courtroom, used to banish, exorcise

Carnelian
Promotes self-confidence and peace, eases depression

Fluorite
Reduces emotional involvement, used to gain perspective, increase mental power.

Garnet
Enhances strength and endurance, protection, healing, enhances self-esteem and encourages success in business.

Hematite
Used for grounding, stabilizing, focusing, brings emotional balance.

Jasper, Red
Sends back negativity to its source, reversing, used for stress.

Lapis Lazuli
Stimulates wisdom, truthfulness, psychic awareness, healing.

Lepidolilte
A calming stone, this is carried for peace, spirituality and to drive off negativity.

Lodestone, Green
Draws money, employment, strengthens loyalty, used in bindings.

Lodestone, Red
Draws love, friendship, strengthens loyalty, used in bindings

Malachite
Draws money and protection, guard’s wearer from danger.

Moonstone
Draws love, hope and protection, promotes unselfishness and helps settle disputes, induces prophetic dreams.

Obsidian
Used for grounding and centering, divination, and increasing spirituality.

Petrified Wood
Good for past life work, nervous conditions, and grounding.

Quartz, Rose
Draws love and happiness.

Quartz, Smoky
Mood elevator overcomes negative emotions and depression.

Quartz, Yellow
Draws protection, mental awareness. Used in magick to improve visualization.

Rock Crystal
Draws protection, psychic ability.

Sodalite
Used for meditation, brings wisdom and calms inner conflicts.

Tiger's Eye
Draws wealth and money, protects travelers, increases clarity of thought.

Tourmaline, Black
Used for grounding and absorbing negative energy.