How-To: Identify Gemstones

You've found a good value; you've bought a parcel of loose gemstones...now what? The number one request we get from gemstone customers is, "How can I tell what stones are in my parcel?" With practice, some gemological tools, and this guide, you can learn to tell the topaz from the tourmaline--and nearly any other gem--in about five steps. Plus, if you love a good mystery, you're in for a treat!

Jay Boyle, senior gemstone buyer at JTV, is an advocate of practice. "Follow the procedure and try to train your eye as you go," he recommends. "You'll start to notice that red garnets are never really the color of Burma ruby or red andesine. Eventually, you get good enough to do a 'sight ID' and be right 98% of the time. It takes some practice and a good reference book or two, plus some basic gemological equipment."

(Note: I recently completed the Gemological Institute of America's (GIA) gemstone identification lab course, and I highly recommend it. During the course I developed my own process and order to complete these tests, but they wisely recommend a certain procedure, and I'll follow their sequence in this article.)

Before you begin testing, clean your stone with a gem cloth. Fold the gem cloth in half and then in half again, to make a square. Turn back one corner and "tuck" your stone in as shown at right; then pull over the "covers" and rub the stone firmly between your fingers to clean off any dirt, fingerprints, dust, lint, oil from your hands, etc. Trust me--don't underestimate the importance of a clean stone! Throughout the rest of the process, hold your stone with tweezers as shown whenever possible to keep it clean.

Step 1 - Basic Observation: Color, Transparency, and Specific Gravity

tools you'll need:

tweezers
10x loupe
light source

Note that whenever possible, basic observation should be performed with the naked eye or, in some cases, with a 10x triplet loupe, in daylight-equivalent light. Strong magnification with a microscope is not necessary at this point. Keeping the stone about a foot from your eyes and over a white or gray background (like a gem cloth, as shown), view it face-up and from the side (as shown) under daylight-equivalent or fluorescent light. Now the investigation...

Color: Hue, Tone, Saturation

The easiest clue for separating and identifying gemstones is color. Color is a combination of hue, tone, and saturation, and you'll evaluate all of those during general observation. In general, don't shine a light through the stone to value its color, unless it looks black and you need light through the stone to determine if it's actually dark blue or green, etc.

Hue

First, note your gemstone's basic overall body color (or "hue") by viewing it as a whole. Try to be as specific as possible--is it blue, or is it slightly greenish blue? Is it red, or is it slightly purplish red? There are 31 hues in GIA's color wheel, and the more specific you are, the better "evidence" you'll have when it's time to identify your stone.

Tone

Is your gem's tone light, medium, dark, or somewhere in between? Tone describes how dark or light the color is, and GIA uses seven tone levels to describe colored stones, from very light through very dark. First decide if your stone is light, medium, or dark; then try to be more specific (very light, medium dark, etc.).

Saturation

Next judge the strength or intensity of the color (saturation) in one of six grades ranging from dull through strong to vivid. To assess saturation, first note whether your stone's color falls in the warm (yellows, oranges, reds) or cool (purples, blues, greens) color family. For warm-colored stones, look for brownness. The less brownness you see in the color, the better, and the higher the stone's saturation will be. More brownness indicates lower saturation for warm-hued stones. For cool hues, look for the presence or absence of grayness. Much grayness indicates dull saturation; little or no grayness is strong or vivid saturation. My instructor shared a good rule of thumb: If you don't "see or feel" brown or gray when you look at your stone, it probably falls in the "strong" saturation range. Vivid saturation is very rare.

Transparency and Specific Gravity

Now decide: Is your stone transparent, translucent, or opaque? Then determine how strong your stone's fire or dispersion is, if fire is present at all, and note whether it's strong, moderate, or weak.

Bounce the stone in your palm to determine its heft. Does it feel as heavy as you think it should, considering its size? Does it feel heavier, or unusually light? This is a simple way to determine the stone's specific gravity. It's not exact, but it's close enough.

Step 2 - Light It and Loupe It: Optical Phenomena and Luster

tools you'll need:

tweezers
pen light
10x loupe

Optical Phenomena

Pass a pen light or similar sharp, concentrated, incandescent light beam across the stone's surface to check for special optical characteristics (phenomena), like color change, asterism (star), chatoyancy (cat's-eye), adularescence (floating shimmer), aventurescence (sparkle), etc.

Luster

Turn your stone so that light reflects off its surface (as shown) to assess its luster. View the stone with the naked eye as well as with a 10x loupe (as shown). What do you see? Is it dull, waxy, metallic, shiny like a diamond (adamantine), vitreous (glass-like), greasy, silky?

If there are any chips on the stone, describe the surface inside the chipped area. Is it rounded like the rings on a seashell (conchoidal), straight like steps, granular, splintery, or just uneven? Also determine its luster in the chipped spaces.

Step 3 - Determining Refractive Index and Birefringence

tools you'll need:

refractometer
refractive index (RI) fluid
Refractive Index (RI) Testing

I've found that determining a gemstone's RI is the single most useful bit of information in determining what that stone is. Boyle agrees, stating that "the easiest and most accurate method of clearly identifying these different gems that can look quite similar in small sizes is to take the RI using a refractometer." However, using a refractometer takes some practice and can be frustrating until you get used to it; but once I got the hang of it, it was quite fun, and worth it.

Before you begin, make sure that your stone is still clean. Also note that refractometers require a light source, so if yours doesn't have a light built in, you'll need to shine a light into the light port on the back of it. Almost any light will do, but monochromatic light will generally show you a crisper, clearer reading than white light.

Close the refractometer's cover whenever possible while taking a gem's RI so that ambient light around you won't interfere with your reading. Finally, check your refractometer's calibration from time to time by taking a test reading on a stone that you know.

Refractometers come with instructions, so I won't go into detail, but here's the short version (as illustrated on the right):

1. Touch a tiny dot (about the size of a pin's head) of RI fluid on the metal surface of the refractometer near the back of the crystal hemicylinder. The RI fluid is just meant to be a conduit between the stone and the crystal, so you don’t need much.
2. Using a faceted or cabochon stone, place the largest/best polished surface or facet face down on the fluid dot and slide it through the fluid toward the middle of the hemicylinder crystal (using your fingers as shown, not tweezers, or you'll risk scratching the very valuable hemicylinder crystal). Orient "long" stones (like marquise, oval, pear, or rectangles) lengthwise, aligned with the hemicylinder crystal. If you're testing a freeform stone, hold it so that some polished surface touches the fluid and the crystal, as shown, and make your reading. Remember that only polished stones will give an RI reading. Gem rough and unpolished stones will not give a RI reading.
Note: If your stone seems too slippery, as if it's floating on the fluid, or if you see a rainbow of colors when you look through the viewer, use a tissue to wick away a bit of the RI fluid. Conversely, if the image you see through the viewer looks scattered or incomplete, or if the stone doesn't glide across the crystal easily, you might not have enough RI fluid.
3. Look through the viewer lens (without magnification, at first) for "the bubble" while you bob your head slowly. (Yes, bob your head.) If you don't see the bubble's outline, move the stone back and forth across the crystal slowly until you see it. Note the bottom of the greenish or grayish (depending on your light source) bubble outline (as shown). This is your approximate reading, to two decimal places or the nearest hundredth (0.01).
4. Now place the magnifying lens on the viewing lens and take a more specific reading, rounded to three decimal places or to the nearest thousands (0.01). Leave the stone on the crystal for birefringence testing.

The key--at least for me--seems to be in the head bobbing. I know that sounds strange, and when the instructor said it in my gemstone ID lab class, I thought it was odd, but it proved to be true. I found that if I looked too hard or focused/concentrated too much, I couldn't see the reading, no matter how hard I tried. It's a few-times-removed reflection of a bubble of liquid, after all, so it's hard to imagine it being a very exact visual, but if you bob your head slowly while watching, it will appear and you'll hopefully get a close enough reading to work with.

Some stones will show a very clear, very visible "bubble," but for the more shy stones, I recommend getting as close as you can and moving on. Most RI's are provided in a range of numbers anyway, according to Boyle, because "the refractive index of a gemstone can vary slightly depending on the location of the mine. Therefore, many books or RI charts will give a range."

I found that in most cases, I had a better reading than I thought I'd gotten. You can always go back and try again later, if the number you get proves to be unhelpful.

Birefringence Testing

Birefringence testing will give you another important characteristic about your stone to help you determine its identity. To determine a stone's birefringence, while the stone is still on the hemicylinder crystal, you'll make a series of about six approximately 30-degree turns, until the stone has turned "upside down" or 180 degrees (as shown in the rotating image at right).

Imagine the stone as an imaginary vertical line on a clock, reaching from 12 at the top (the edge farthest from you) down to 6 at the bottom. Turn the gem clockwise so that what was the top edge of the stone moves to about 1 o'clock, and take another RI reading. Continue turning the stone toward 2 o'clock, then 3 (which is half way, or a 90-degree angle), then 4, 5, and ending "upside down" at 6, taking an RI at each turn and noting them on a scratch paper. If it doesn't appear that the reading changes, do at least three turns to be sure. Subtract the lowest reading from the highest to find the stone's birefringence, rounded to three decimal places or to thousandths (0.001).

Note: The RI fluid might dry up during the birefringence testing process. If the reading starts to look broken or scattered, wipe off the stone and the cylinder, add a new dot of RI fluid, and continue.

Refractometer Tip: My instructor shared a great tip regarding the care of your refractometer. If you aren't going to be using it for awhile, rub a dab of petroleum jelly on the hemicylinder to prevent tarnishing.

Over The Limits (OTL)

RI fluid itself has an RI of 1.80. This means that stones with an RI over 1.80 (like diamond, zircon, cerussite, sphalerite, and others) are "over the limit" (OTL) and won't show a reading. You also won't get an RI reading lower than about 1.35. Fluorite (1.434) and opal (as low as 1.37) are probably the lowest readings you'll see.

Step 4 - Determining Single vs. Double Refraction

tools you'll need:

polariscope

A polariscope is a simple tool that will help you determine if your gem is doubly refractive (DR), singly refractive (SR), or an aggregate (AGG). Note that only transparent and translucent gemstones should be used with a polariscope; opaque or nearly opaque stones won't provide a reading.

To use a polariscope, turn the light on and place your stone face down on the polarizer (the lower glass lens). Look down onto the stone through the analyzer (the top lens), turning the analyzer until the area around the stone looks the darkest. This is your starting point. Watching the stone, turn the analyzer a full 360 degrees, until the area around it becomes light and then returns to its darkest again, as shown.

Tip: If you have trouble seeing the light/dark change in your stone, pierce a small hole in a white card and place it over the analyzer, as shown, to block out some of the distractions and light. Then peer at your stone through the hole and attempt to take another reading. A similar trick might also help you focus your eyes on the most transparent area of the stone if it is heavily included.

If your stone appeared dark and seems to remain dark, it is probably SR, though it might be DR. In order to be sure, you should turn the stone a bit and take another reading, twice, checking the stone from at least three views. If it's still dark from all three views, it is SR. Once you've determined that for sure, stop with this test and move on.

If your stone started out light and appears to stay light, it's probably AGG. Various factors can cause a DR stone to appear AGG, like inclusions or high RI readings.Your stone might "blink" from light to dark back to light, or vice versa. In that case, it could be either DR or SR with ADR, which means anomalous (false) DR. In this case, further testing is required. ADR stones include amber, opal, diamond, synthetic spinel, and garnets with red in their colors (orange, purple, red), as well as glass. While the stone appears "light," you might see a "crosshatch" appearance. This is an indicator of an ADR and a good clue that the stone might be synthetic spinel. If you see dark and light bands that appear to move and even cross as you turn the analyzer lens, you probably have an SR stone with ADR.

Polarizer Tips:

Stones with a high RI reading should be tested on their sides rather than face down to cut down on light bouncing around of off their facets and to provide the best results.

Small stones might be hard to read properly. Try using the magnifying lens from your refractometer on top of the analyzer lens to get a better look. Also try to look at only the most transparent areas of your stone if it's heavily included.

If your stone is red and you found a refractive index of 1.73 or greater, skip the polariscope and just use the dichroscope for this step.

Make Your Identification!

Congratulations! In most cases, you now have gathered enough information to determine your stone's identity. Find the gemstones that have your mystery stone's color and RI. In many cases, that alone will positively identify your gem. According to Boyle, "You can clearly identify 95% of all gems with one simple test. Each gemstone has a unique RI that can be proof positive to identify the gems you have in your parcel."

Match your information to the data on our Gemstones 101 pages or to the RI, birefringence, and other charts in Walter Schumann's book, Gemstones of the World.

However, if that leaves you with more than one possibility, you can narrow your options with birefringence and double vs. single refractivity. Only a small percentage of gemstones will still be a mystery after these tests, and more advanced analysis and details will be required to positively identify them. You can learn the more advanced steps through GIA's Gemstone Identification course (available even through the mail or online) and week-long on-location lab class, like I did, or consult books like Antoinette Matlins' Gem Identification Made Easy and Richard T. Liddicoat's Handbook of Gem Identification. Boyle recommends both, sharing that "both books are excellent in walking the novice through the steps to identify a gemstone."

Read More

Healing Power Of Crystals

Many stones have multiple uses or purposes.  There are physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, and general life issues in this list.

Abandonment issues: garnet, thulite

Abundance/prosperity: aventurine, aqua aura, bloodstone, citrine, diamond, epidote, grossular garnet, jade, malachite, moonstone, moss agate, orange moss agate, peridot, topaz, smoky quartz, rutilated quartz, tree agate, tsavorite,  turquoise Also see Prosperity below.

Abuse issues/trauma: carnelian, emerald, iolite, kunzite, lapis lazuli, orange calcite, orange millennium, peridot, rhodocrosite, rose quartz, ruby in zoisite, shiva lingam, thulite, tourmaline

Acting, dramatic: carnelian

Acceptance: dumortierite (blue quartz)

Acid reflux (G.E.R.D.): Aquamarine, Bloodstone, Grossular (Green) Garnet, Jasper, Kunzite, Malachite, Moldavite, Turquoise, Zoisite (green)

Acupuncture: magnetite (lodestone), Sichuan quartz

Addictions /alcoholism / compulsiveness: amethyst (esp reduces withdrawal symptoms), ametrine, astrophyllite, barite, botswana agate, coral, chevron amethyst, chrysacolla with cuprite, citrine, dendritic agate, dravite, dumortierite, galena, green calcite, herkimer diamond, iolite, malachite-azurite, moki marbles, moss agate, nebula stone, obsidian, peridot, petrified wood, phenacite, rose quartz, rutilated quartz, sugilite (esp immune system problems from substance abuse), thulite (esp those caused by abuse/neglect), zircon

ADD/ADHD: cerussite, dravite, lepidolite, petalite, stilbite

Adrenal glands: ametrine, aventurine (green), black obsidian, black tourmaline (schorl), bloodstone, carnelian, cuprite, emerald, epidote, fire agate, garnet, jade, Kansas pop rocks, kyanite, malachite, nephrite jade, peach aventurine, rose quartz, ruby, smoky quartz, sugilite, sulfur

AIDS and Other Immune Disorders: andalusite, Buddha quartz crystal, carved (naturally) quartz, dicinite, dolomite, halite, Petoskey stone, petrified wood, red catlinite, rutilated quartz, scheelite, Tibetan quartz crystal, tourmalinated quartz

Aligning the physical & astral bodies: amazonite

Allergies: apatite, aventurine, brecciated jasper (animals), carnelian, clay, dolomite, garnet, moldovite, white coral

Amplifies energy: calcite, quartz, ruby

Ancient wisdom: celestite, quartz crystal

Anemia: bloodstone, garnet, hematite

Angels, communication: angelite, amethyst flowers, aquamarine, blue lace agate, celestite, danburite, moonstone, morganite, muscovite, selenite, tanzan aura

Anger: angelite, aquamarine, aragonite, blue phantom quartz, bronzite, citrine, colemanite, gold, howlite, jet, lepidolite, lithium quartz, king cobra jasper, kunzite, kyanite, magnetite, peridot, rhodonite, sea shells, smoky quartz, sodalite, sugilite, thunder egg, turquoise

Anxiety: azurite-malachite, berlinite, bloodstone, blue phantom quartz, botroydal hematite, cerrusite, covellite, diopside, dolomite, fluorite, friedelite, graveyard plume agate, growth interference calcite, hematite, kambaba jasper, labradorite, lepidolite, nuumite, picasso stone, plume agate, puddingstone, rhodonite, richterite, snowball included crystals, strontianite, tanalite

Architects/construction: ammonite

Arthritis/bones/joints: abalone, amber, amethyst, apatite, azurite, black tourmaline, blue lace agate, boji stones (Kansas pop rocks), botswana agate, carnelian, chalcosiderite, chrysocolla, copper, dolomite, fluorite, fuchsite, grossular garnet, gold, green calcite, howlite (bones), kyanite (bone breaks), lapis lazuli, lodestone (magnetite), malachite, petrified wood, quartz, rhodonite, ruby, sulphur, topaz

Artistic expression (also see "creativity" below): botswana agate, cobalticalcite, eliat stone, howlite, phantom quartz, rainbow boji stone (Kansas pop rocks), rainbow quartz, rutilated quartz, watermelon tourmaline

Asthma: amethyst, azurite-malachite, chrysocolla, clevelandite, foshagite, malachite, morganite, natrojarasite, obsidian, rutilated quartz, tiger's eye, vanadinite

Astral projection/travel: ametrine, apophyllite, azurite-malachite, calcite, fluorite, honey calcite, iolite, moldavite, quartz, sapphire, spirit quartz

Astrology: angelite

Attracting a good mate: carnelian, rhodonite, rhodocrosite

Attunement: herkimer diamond

Attuning to the earth: chrysocolla

Aura (balancing, cleansing): ametrine, citrine, dravite, epidote (emotional body aura), iolite, labradorite, nuumite (clearing), quartz, rutilated quartz

Awareness: howlite, lapis lazuli, picture jasper

Back pain or problems: Boji Stones, calcite, carnelian, fluorite, garnet, Kansas pop rocks,  lodestone, obsidian, phlogopite, wonder stone

Balance (mental/emotional): ametrine, bloodstone, blue topaz, carnalian, celestite, chiastolite, chrysoprase, fluorite, hematite, kunzite, lepidolite, lodestone, rhodochrosite, rhodonite, sodalite, tektite, tigers eye, tourmaline, tree agate, unakite

Balance, yin/yang: chrysoprase, lodestone, tigers eye, rhodocrosite

Beauty: herkimer diamond, jasper, tigers eye

Bipolar disorder (manic depressive): ametrine, bloodstone, blue topaz, carnalian, celestite, charoite, chiastolite, chrysoprase, diopside, fluorite, hematite, kunzite, larimar, lepidolite, lithium quartz, lodestone, rhodochrosite, rhodonite, sodalite, tektite, tigers eye, tourmaline, tree agate, turquoise, unakite

Bladder: amber, bloodstone, blue chalcedony, coral, green calcite, hessonite, Morrisonite jasper, orange kyanite, orange moss agate,

Blockages (energy): atacamite, bloodstone, danburite

Blood pressure (balance, or high): bloodstone, blue calcite, chrysocolla, sodalite

Blood pressure (balance, or low): bloodstone, halite (salt)

Blood sugar (low): aventurine, serpentine

Blood vessels/blood/circulatory system: amber, amethyst, aventurine, bloodstone, bronzite, carnelian, chalcedony, chrysocolla, copper, coral, dalmation jasper (purify blood) , fire agate, fluorite, garnet, hematite, howlite, kunzite, kyanite, malachite, moss agate, pyrite, red jasper, ruby, rutilated quartz, salt, sapphire, tiger iron, topaz

Body aches: diopside

Body odor: leopardskin jasper, magnesite

Body temperature: emerald and other green stones (to lower); ruby and other red stones (to raise)

Bones: blue lace agate, dolomite, fluorite, howlite, malachite, petrified wood

Brain (physical ability to function, brain chemical balance): albite, amber, aragonite, cerrusite, chalcopyrite, clear quartz, elestial crystals (esp. from drug/alcohol use), garnet, gehlenite, hematite, heubnerite, rhodizite, seraphinite (serafina), strombolite, tanzan aura

Broken heart: chrysoprase, rhodonite, salt

Bronchitis: gold, lodestone, rutilated quartz

Burns: agate, amethyst, chrysoprase, gem silica, quartz, rose quartz, sodalite

Business partnerships: African jade

Calcium balance/deficiency: amazonite, garnet, howlite

Calming/soothing: abalone, amber, amazonite, amethyst, andalusite, angelite, aragonite, barite (especially desert rose type), bloodstone, blue lace agate, blue peru opal, blue chalcedony, calcite (especially blue), celestite, chrysocolla, diopside (especially black star), dioptase, dravite, fluorite, fossilized dinosaur bone, galena, garnet, goldstone, hematite, hiddenite, howlite, infinite stone, jet, pearl, larimar, lepidolite, lepidolite with rubellite, lithium quartz, moonstone, orange millennium, petalite, petrified wood, picasso stone, pietersite, pink manganocalcite, rainbow moonstone, rhodonite, richterite, rubellite, scapolite, septarian, shattuckite, smoky quartz, snow quartz, sodalite, spinel, stichtite, variscite, white fairy quartz, yttrian (yttrium, lavender) fluorite

Calms pets: diopside

Cancer: azurite-malachite, fluorite, gold, hematite, lapis, lepidolite, moonstone, red jasper, rhodocrosite, rose chalcedony, sapphire, sodalite (lymphatic) spinel, sugilite, tourmaline

Cardiovascular: bloodstone, hematite

Centering/grounding: bloodstone, calcite, herkimer diamond, hematite, kunzite, onyx Also see Grounding below.

Changes (handling)/adaptability: bloodstone, botswana agate, chiastolite, honey calcite, opal, yellow turquoise

Channeling: apophyllite, blue calcite, copper, moldavite, meteorites, kyanite, quartz, yellow calcite

Charity: dolomite

Childbirth & pregnancy: amazonite, amethyst (preventmiscarriage), ammonite, chrysocolla (especially for preventing miscarriage), geodes, hematite, lepidolite, malachite, rose quartz

Childhood issues & abuse: bridge (inner child) crystal, black diopside, dioptase, lithio-laser crystal, petalite, rose quartz, watermelon tourmaline

Choices/alternatives: rhodonite

Crohn's disease: carnelian, diopside, thulite

Chronic fatigue: amethyst, aquamarine, aragonite, boji stones (kansas pop rocks), orange calcite, quartz, rhodocrosite, ruby, zincite

Clairaudience: diamond, herkimer diamond, fire opal

Clairvoyance: ametrine, azurite-malachite, charoite, diamond, emerald, green jasper, halite (salt), hematite, herkimer diamond, kyanite

Clarity: amber, danburite, diamond, dumortierite (blue quartz), halite (salt crystal), tiger eye

Claustrophobia: chrysoprase

Cleansing: amber, emerald, kyanite, tigers eye

Clearing (energetically): black tourmaline, lodestone, kyanite, meteorites, quartz, tektites

Cold sores / fever blisters: fluorite

Colds, common: bloodstone, carnelian, sodalite

Colic: amazonite, blue lace agate

Comfort: agate, botswana agate, jasper, morrisonite jasper

Commitment: garnet

Communication: amazonite, apatite, blue lace agate, blue onyx, blue tigers eye, blue topaz, copper, emerald, euclase, kunzite, labradorite, quartz, turquoise, yellow turquoise, ulexite

Compassion: green jasper, green tourmaline, jade, kunzite, moonstone, kunzite, rose quartz, red jasper

Compatibility: green moss agate

Completion of tasks: mugglestone, red jasper

Concentration: carnelian, eisenkiesel quartz, flourite, jade, lapis, obsidian, quartz crystals, malachite, flourite, hematite, ruby

Confidence: chrysocolla, grossular garnet, jade, moonstone, rhodonite jade, moonstone,

Confusion: bloodstone, lodestone, fluorite

Confusion (mental, disorders): amethyst, azurite, carnelian, (orange/red),  lapis lazuli, opal, rhodochrosite, sapphire, selenite

Connective tissue: tanzan aura

Contentment: red jasper

Counselors & therapists stone: king cobra jasper

Courage/ inner strength: agate, amethyst, aquamarine, aventurine, bloodstone, blue tigers eye, carnelian, charoite, chevron amethyst, chrysoprase, fire agate, garnet, hematite, herkimer diamond, katanganite, jade, plancheite, prasiolite, red calcite, richterite, ruby, rutile, sodalite, smoky quartz, tigers eye, tiger iron (mugglestone), variscite

Courteously: bronzite

Creativity: agate, aventurine, botswana agate, calcite, carnelian, citrine, cobaltite, dolomite, double terminated crystals, euclase, garnet, herkimer diamonds, obsidian, orange moss agate (creative thining), peach aventurine, picasso stone, pyrite

Cross stone: chiastolite

Death or transition (assisting the process): amazonite, apache tears, aqua aura, jet, black quartz, botswana agate, fossils , hematite, malachite, obsidian, rose quartz, rainbow moonstone, tiger iron

Decision making: bronzite, charoite, crazy lace agate, diamond, emerald, falcon's eye (blue tiger eye), fluorite, jade, lepidolite, nephrite, tiger's eye, verdelite tourmaline

Dehydration: brecciated jasper

Denial / avoidance: rhodochrosite

depression: Botswana agate, carnelian, chrysoprase, citrine, eilat stone, kunzite, lapis lazuli, lepidolite, lapis, jet, moonstone, orange moss agate, peridot, platinum, quartz (blue, clear, rose and smoky), schorl (black tourmaline), spinel, topaz

Destiny (finding): charoite, labradorite, moonstone

Dexterity: thulite

Diabetes: amethyst, atlantisite, bloodstone, citrine, emerald, girasol, psilomelane (crown of silver), quartz, red jasper, serpentine (new jade), shattuckite, silver, sodalite

Diarrhea: brecciated jasper, salt

Digestion: blue lace agate, chrysacolla, citrine, epidote, peridot, obsidian, tigers eye, topaz

Diplomacy: lepidolite

Disillusionment: dalmatian jasper

Disorientation: black tourmaline, hematite

Divination: charoite, hematite, moonstone, tiger's eye

DNA/rna corrections: ametrine, garnet

Domestic bliss: emerald

Down's syndrome: ametrine, garnet, fluorite, needle crystals, rose quartz

dowsing: brecciated jasper

Dreams (recall or dream work): amethyst, Herkimer "diamond" quartz, citrine, clear quartz, jade, kyanite, labradorite, lapis lazuli, lepidolite, nebula stone, opal, prehnite, red jasper, marble, pyrite, rose quartz, smokey quartz, ruby, sugilite, tektites

Ears/hearing: amber, celestite, rhodonite

Eating disorders (anorexia, bulemia, others): picasso marble (jasper), thulite

Eczema: amazonite, aventurine, blue lace agate

Electrolytes: mother of pearl, sea shells

Emotional disturbances/trauma: amazonite, aqua aura, bloodstone, chrysocolla, citrine, crocoite, diamond, dioptase, emerald, chrysoprase, jasper, labradorite, larimar, lepidolite, moonstone, peridot, rhodochrosite, rose quartz, smithsonite, thulite

Employment/job/work (find, stabilize): aventurine (green), citrine, garnet (green), jade, malachite, mookaite, moonstone, ocho geodes, peridot, sapphire (black), ruby, siderite, tourmaline (yellow)

Endocrine system: alexandrite, amber, amethyst, aquamarine, bloodstone, green calcite, chrysoberyl, citrine, howlite, magnetite, green obsidian, rhodochrosite, sodalite

Endurance: brecciated jasper

energy (increase, high energy): amber, agate, apophyllite, aragonite (magick & charms particularly), bloodstone, blue calcite, blue goldstone, boji stones (Kansas pop rocks), carnelian, clear quartz, danburite, eisenkiesel quartz, garnet, green jasper, honey calcite, katanganite, plancheite, prehnite, red calcite, red coral, rhodochrosite, ruby, rutilated quartz, septarian nodule, spinel, sulphur, yellow calcite

Energy leaks: dolomite

Enhance emotions: garnet, ruby

Enhance energy of other crystals: apatite, chrysoberyl, dolomite (by balancing mineral energies), danburite, diamond, herkimer diamonds, quartz, selenite

Envy: agate

Epilepsy (and seizures): amethyst, black onyx, coral, emerald, jade, jasper, lapis lazuli, malachite, moldavite, sapphire, selenite, sugilite, topaz, tourmaline

ESP: peridot

Exploring the unknown: botswana agate

Eyes/eyesight: aquamarine, celestite, charoite, holey stones (eyesight in particular), labradorite, opal, rutilated quartz

Facing the cause of disorders: picture jasper

Faith: emerald

Family issues: citrine, family clusters of crystals

Fear (dispel): ammonite, aquamarine, carnelian, chrysacolla, chrysoprase, citrine, orange calcite, red calcite, saginite, smoky quartz, sodalite

Feet: onyx

Feminine reproductive-related issues: chrysoprase (endometriosis), lapis, rose quartz

Fertility: carnelian, garnet, rose quartz

Fevers: aventurine, diopside, peridot, pyrite, tree agate, sapphire, sodalite

Fibromyalgia: amber, amethyst, citrine, clear quartz, emerald, hematite, lapis, labradorite, morganite, obsidian, rose quartz, tiger eye

Fidelity: jade, opal

Finances, stabalizing: jet, ruby

Finding lost objects, people: Peridot, Snakeskin Agate, Golden Topaz, Green Moss Agate (lost treasure or money)

Flu: bloodstone

Fluid retention: aquamarine

Focus: apatite, fluorite

Fortune, good: bloodstone, lodestone (magnetite), moonstone, tree agate

Friendship: aventurine, green moss agate

Gallbladder: amber, carnelian, chalcedony, citrine, danburite, gaspeite, jade, jasper, and red jasper

Gambling luck: aventurine

Gardening & agriculture: herkimer diamond, green moss agate, jasper, orange moss agate, lepidolite

Generosity: citrine, dolomite

Grace: blue lace agate, rhodonite

grief: amethyst, apache tear, aqua aura, bloodstone, botswana agate, chrysocolla, carnelian, citrine, chrysoprase, galena, isis crystals, jasper, jet, lapis lazuli, onyx, pyrite, rainbow crystals, rose quartz, smoky quartz, watermelon tourmaline, and pink stones in general

Gossip: ammonite, beryl, fire agate, garnet

grounding: agate, apache tears, bloodstone, boji stones (Kansas pop rocks), brecciated jasper, candle quartz, carnelian, cuprite, dalmatian jasper, fluorite, garnet, hematite, obsidian, salt, smoky quartz, sulphur, tiger iron (mugglestone), topaz, unakite, root chakra stones

Growth: blue lace agate

Guilt: copper, rose quartz, ruby, sodalite

Hair loss: aragonite, chalcopyrite, franklinite, galena

Hallucinations: green jasper, jet, jasper, leopardskin jasper, picture jasper, rhodochrosite, coral

Happiness: amethyst, amazonite, aventurine, blue lace agate, blue quartz, carnelian, chrysoprase, euclase ("the happiness stone"), herkimer diamond, moonstone, pyrite, rainbow crystals, rose quartz, smokey quartz

Harmonious environment: amber, amethyst, eliat stone, petrified wood, rose quartz, tigers eye

Harmony: agate, amethyst, apatite, carnelian, chiastolite, clear quartz, eisenkiesel quartz, emerald, jade, peridot, rhodochrosite, rhodonite, selenite, spirit quartz, multi-colored tourmaline, tree agate

Headache, general: amber, amethyst, angelite, Arizona lizard stone jasper, aquamarine, black jade, blende, bloodstone, blue agate, blue aventurine, blue lace agate, optical calcite, cavansite, celestite, charoite, cherry opal, chevron amethyst, chrysacolla, common opal, diamond, dioptase, emerald, fire agate, green aventurine, green tourmaline, holly blue chalcedony, iolite, jade, jet, lapis lazuli, malachite, moss agate, blue obsidian, pearl, phenacite (phenakite), purple fluorite, rhodochrosite, rose quartz, silicon, sodalite, sugilite, sulphur, stilbite, tiger eye, trilobite, turquoise Also see migraine headache and tension headache.

Healing and health (general): agate, amber, amethyst, amazonite, aventurine, azurite, celestite, calcite, citrine, charoite, chlorite, chrysacolla, chrysoprase, coral, danburite, epidote, garnet, green calcite, green moss agate, green tourmaline, holey stones, infinite, jet, labradorite, lepidolite, moonstone, peridot, petrified wood, phantom quartz, pink tourmaline, quartz crystals, jasper, malachite, rhodochrosite, rutilated quartz, self-healed quartz, smoky quartz, spectrolite, spinel (whole body), watermelon tourmaline

Heart (physical): amazonite, amber, beryl, garnet, hematite, lapis lazuli, green obsidian, onyx, peach aventurine, rhodonite, ruby, salt, heart chakra stones

Honesty: amazonite, celestite, chrysocolla, citrine, emerald, flourite (purple), garnet,  jet, kyanite, lapis lazuli, pearl, ruby, selenite, sodalite, tiger's eye

Housekeeping: ammonite, mother of pearl

Hunger (control): apatite, muscovite

Imagination: aventurine

Immortality: gold, spinel

Immune system: aegerine, amethyst, aqua aura, black tourmaline, blue lace agate, botswana agate, chrysoprase, citrine, dravite, emerald, epidote, fulgurites, garnet, green millennium, jade, lapis lazuli, lepidolite, lithium quartz, lodestone, malachite, moki marbles, moldavite, mookaite, moss agate, obsidian, pearl, picture jasper, quantum-quattro silica, quartz, rhodocrosite, rhodonite, rubellite, rutilated quartz, smithsonite, snow quartz, sulphur, topaz

Incest recovery: thulite

Incontinence: petrified wood

Individuality: carnelian

Infection: pearl, pyrite, quartz

Inferiority complex: chrysoprase

Infertility: carnelian, garnet, grossular garnet, quartz scepter, realgar, rose quartz, shiva lingam

Inflammation: pyrite

Inhibitions: opal

Inner awareness: apache tears, rose quartz, shattuckite

Inner child: amber, bridge crystals, cobalticalcite, imperial topaz, morganite, rainbow boji stone (Kansas pop rocks), rainbow quartz, quartz crystal with another crystal inside

Inner growth: rhodonite

Inner peace: amethyst, apatite, aquamarine, aventurine, blue topaz, blue tourmaline, calcite, celestite, chrysocolla, blue fluorite, hawk's eye (blue tigers eye), herkimer diamond, jade, jasper, kunzite, lepidolite, malachite, opal, rose quartz, selenite, sugilite

Insect bites: moonstone

Insomnia: amethyst, aventurine, celestite, cerrusite, danburite, emerald, fluorite, hematite, labradorite, lapis lazuli, lepidolite, peridot, pink dolomite, sapphire, smoky quartz, sodalite, tiger iron, zircon

Intellect: aquamarine, agate, amazonite, amber, ametrine, apatite, aquamarine, aventurine, azurite, bloodstone, celestite, chalcedony, coral, chrysocolla, crocoite, diopside, emerald, galena, honey calcite, malachite, obsidian, pyrite, rose quartz, sodalite, spinel, tektite, topaz, turquoise

Intestinal / digestive: amber, aquamarine, barite, celestine, chrysocolla, citrine, clear quartz, pyrite, jasper, labradorite, laguna agate, moss agate, obsidian, onyx, peridot, smokey quartz, thulite

Interaction / participation: epidote

Irritable bowel syndrome: orange calcite

Intuitive awareness: amazonite, amethyst, azurite, chrysolite, emerald, euclase, lapis, onyx, sodalite, tanzan aura, yellow calcite, yellow turquoise (See also: Psychic/Intuition)

Jealousy: peridot

Joy: emerald

Karma (bring in good): morganite, quartz crystals

Karma (release bad, protect from bad): charoite, dravite (brown tourmaline), garnet, hessonite (hessionite) garnet

Kidney / bladder: anhydrite (angelite), amber, bloodstone, green calcite, carnelian, chrysoberyl, coral, cuprite, jade, jasper, orange calcite, rhodochrosite, smokey quartz

Kindness: azurite, celestite, chalcedony, chrysoberyl, chrysocolla, jasper, kunzite, morganite, rhodochrosite, rhodonite, rose quartz, sugilite, pink tourmaline, turquoise

Kundalini: garnet, jet, kundalini quartz, spinel (especially red spinel)

Laughter: crazy lace agate

Law enforcement: fuchsite

Leadership/management: fossils, trilobite

Learning: cowrie shell, sugilite

Legal issues: amethyst, bloodstone, garnet (lawsuits), hematite, lodestone (magnetite)

Life purpose (discover/live destiny): charoite, garnet, glendonite

Liver: carnelian, jasper

Logic: fluorite, sodalite

Loneliness: dolomite

Longevity: diamond, fossils, jasper, tree agate

Love : Bamber, coral, emerald, kunzite, jade, pink calcite, pink tourmaline, rose quartz, rhodocrosite, ruby, selenite, heart chakra stones

Loyalty: dalmatian jasper

Luck (good): agate, aquamarine, aventurine, copper, jade, malachite, obsidian, orange moss agate, pyrite, snow quartz, smoky quartz, tigers eye, tiger iron (mugglestone), tree agate

Lungs: peach aventurine, pyrite, rutilated quartz

Lupus: bloodstone

Magic: labradorite

manifestation: carnelian, emerald green calcite, citrine, dolomite, euclase, garden quartz, grossular garnet, labradorite, lapis, moldavite, obsidian, oregon opal, quartz crystals, topaz, tsavorite, volcanic black salt (lava salt)

Marriage: pearl, peridot

Mastery: onyx

Mathematics/analytical pursuits: angelite, diopside, hematite, sodalite

meditation: amethyst, ametrine, apatite, aqua aura, aquamarine, azurite, celestite, chrysoprase, clear quartz, chrysocolla, dumortierite (blue quartz), flourite, iolite, kunzite, kyanite, labradorite, lapis, prehnite, sea shells, selenite, snow quartz, sugilite, topaz, tsavorite, yellow calcite

Memory: blue calcite, carnelian, emerald, honey calcite, onyx, pyrite, quartz crystals, rhodochrosite, spinel

Menopause: amethyst, moonstone, pietersite

Menstrual cramps: jet

Mental clarity: amber, aquamarine, aventurine, blue quartz, citrine, clear quartz, herkimer diamond, sodalite, tiger eye, topaz

Merchants stone: citrine

Migraine headache: amethyst, green aventurine, jet (natural), phenacite (phenakite), purple fluorite, rose quartz Also see Headache, General.

Miracles: blue lace agate, ammolite, chalcedony, infinite stone, rainbow moonstone

Mood swings: citrine, lepidolite

Muscles / muscular: abalone, amazonite, apatite, chrysocolla, emerald

Muscle cramps (including premenstrual cramps): amazonite, bloodstone, orange moss agate

Nail problems: apatite

Narrow-mindedness: epidote

Negative energy (dispel, transmute): black tourmaline, black obsidian, quartz

Negativity: carnelian, citrine, jade, malachite, obsidian, rutilated quartz, salt, selenite

Nervous system: alexandrite, amazonite, aquamarine, apatite, botswana agate, fire agate, emerald, galena, lapis lazuli, morganite, peridot, sugilite, tourmaline

New beginnings: chrysoprase, moonstone

Nightmares: agate, amethyst, chrysoprase, citrine, dalmatian jasper, danburite, hematite, holey stones, lepidolite, pink manganocalcite, rhodocrosite, rhodonite, smoky quartz

Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD): amethyst, chrysoprase

Old hurts: rhodonite

Order out of chaos: fluorite (especially cleavage fluorite), garnet, king cobra jasper, lepidolite

Organization: bloodstone, brecciated jasper, dumortierite (blue quartz), fluorite, king cobra jasper, lepidolite, mugglestone, red jasper

Osteoporosis: amazonite, howlite

Pain relief: amber, amethyst, dolomite, fuchsite (esp musculoskeletal pain), green calcite, hematite, howlite, infinite stone, kyanite, lapis, mugglestone (tiger iron)

Pancreas: carnelian, moonstone, tigers eye

Panic attacks: epidote, lepidolite

Paralysis: petrified wood

Parkinson’s disease: opal

Passion: emerald, garnet, ruby

Past life: amber, amethyst, aquamarine, carnelian, obsidian, phantom crystals, petrified wood

Patience: amber, amethyst, azurite, chrysoprase, tsavorite,

Peace: amethyst, apatite, aquamarine, blue quartz, chevron amethyst, chrysocolla, flourite, malachite, rose quartz, spirit quartz, sugilite

Perception: danburite, epidote

Personal power: amber, andalusite, aragonite, yellow calcite, carnelian, chrysoberyl, citrine, golden tiger eye, honey calcite, rutilated quartz, yellow sapphire, yellow-brown scapolite, sphalerite, sphene, golden-yellow spinel, sulphur, sunstone, topaz, yellow jasper, yellow turquoise, yellow zincite, solar plexus chakra crystals and colors

Phobias: aquamarine, carnelian, chrysoprase, spirit quartz

Physical energy: calcite, carnelian, herkimer diamond, garnet,  quartz, spinel, tigers eye

Physical strength: bloodstone, garnet, herkimer diamond, quartz

Physical trauma: bloodstone, grossular garnet

Pilot’s stone: malachite

Pituitary gland: moonstone, rhodonite

Plant growth: boji stones (Kansas pop rocks), brecciated jasper, quartz

PMS (Pre-Menstrual Syndrome): amethyst, dolomite, lapis, magnesite, rose quartz, pietersite

Poet’s stone: emerald, sodalite, tourmaline

Positive attitude: aventurine, hematite, obsidian

Post-surgical: bloodstone, coal, jet

Power: aquamarine, charoite, epidote (personal), katanginite, plancheite, red jasper, rutilated quartz, quartz, tiger eye

Prophesy: prehnite, Nebula Stone, prasiolite

Positive energy: citrine, yellow turquoise

Prosperity / abundance / money (attract): aventurine, amethyst, aqua aura, bloodstone, calcite, citrine, green moss agate, grossular garnet, herkimer diamond, jade, jasper, malachite, orange moss agate, peridot, salt, spinel, tiger's eye, tsavorite, turquoise

Protection from negativity (negative energies): black kyanite, black obsidian, black onyx, black tourmaline (transmutes to positive energy), bornite, celestite, citrine, elestial crystals, jet (aborbs and purifies), katanganite, kunzite, peacock ore, plancheite, quartz, smoky quartz (especially in healing)

Protection (children): agate (especially blue lace agate and green moss agate), jade, malachite (especially from evil eye and evil spirits), mother of pearl (newborn infants in particular), ruby (all family, including children)

Protection (general): agate, alum, amber (used extensively by Ancient Romans), apache tears, aventurine, banded agate, beryl, black agate, black kyanite, black obsidian, black tourmaline, calcite, carnelian, cat's eye, chalcedony, chrysoprase, citrine, chiastolite, coral, dravite, eisenkiesel quartz, emerald, fire agate, flint, fluorite, fossils, gold, golden topaz, halite (rock salt crystal), heliodor (golden beryl), hematite, herkimer diamond, holey stones, honey calcite, imperial topaz, jade, jasper, jet, labradorite, lapis (lapis lazuli), lava, lepidolite, magnesite (lodestone), mahogany obsidian, malachite, marble, mookaite, moonstone, nuumite, ocean jasper, olivine, pearl, peridot, petrified wood, prehnite, pumice, pyrite, quartz, quartz crystal clusters, red jasper, ruby, rutilated quartz, salt, sapphire, sard, sardonyx, selenite, serpentine, shark teeth, shungite, snowflake obsidian, staurolite, sulphur, sunstone, tigers eye, topaz, tourmaline (red and black especially), tree agate, turitella agate, turquoise, yellow agate, yellow jasper, zircon (clear and red), root chakra stones

Protection (angelic): angelite, selenite, seraphanite

Protection (astral travel): brecciated jasper, kyanite, red jasper, yellow jasper

Protection (aura, personal energy field): fire agate, black tourmaline, labradorite, sunstone, tiger eye

Protection (from crime and/or violence): jet, sardonyx

Protection (disease/illness): chalcopyrite, jade, jet, cavansite, zircon

Protection (from evil): agate (especially Eye Agate), beryl, black tourmaline, blue chalcedony (especially evil magick), coral, garnet, herkimer diamond, jet, malachite, pyrite, quartz, salt, sapphire, snowflake obsidian, tiger iron / mugglestone (mirrors evil & evil spells back to the sender), turquoise

Protection (evil eye): agate (especially eye agate), cat's eye, carnelian (envious eye, evil eye), jet, malachite, topaz

Protection (home, other buildings): dravite, halite, holey stones, salt, riverstone, quartz, ruby, witches fingers

Protection (possessions): ruby, sardonyx, zircon (robbery)

Protection (pregnancy and childbirth): ammonite, chrysocolla (especially for preventing miscarriage), geodes, hematite, lepidolite, malachite, moonstone, picture jasper (during childbirth especially), rose quartz

Protection (physical): carnelian, agate, fluorite, peridot, sard, smoky quartz, zircon, turquoise (injury)

Protection (poison): diamond, serpentine (particularly snake venom)

Protection (psychic): amber (psychic shielding), amethyst (from negative psychic energy of all kinds), angelite (channeling), black obsidian, DT crystals, elestial crystals (esp psychic attacks), fluorite, jade (especially vs psychic attack), jet (especially vs psychic attacks), labradorite, lapis lazuli, Lemurian seed crystal, moqui marbles / moki balls (esp during shamanic work), nuumite, petalite (channeling), prehnite, pyrite, ruby, seraphinite (serafina, chlinochlore), sugilite, tiger iron / mugglestone (especialy during shamanic work)

Protection (radiation): amber, rutilated quartz, star sapphire

Protection (spiritual): black sapphire (esp. undead), chalcedony (esp. undead), silkstone (esp. spirits), silver (esp. undead, from spirits)

Protection (travel): amethyst, aquamarine (travel upon water), chalcedony, garnet, herkimer diamond, jet, malachite (esp when flying), moonstone (travel at sea), mother of pearl (on water), pearl (on water) rainbow moonstone, tigers eye, petalite, yellow jasper

Psychic awareness/ abilities / intuition: amazonite, amethyst, apatite, azurite, botswana agate, cavansite, celestite, emerald, fire agate, garnet, green calcite, herkimer diamonds, holey stones, kyanite, labradorite, lapis, meteorites, moonstone, opal, orange calcite, quartz, selenite, super seven, tanzanite, tanzan aura, tektite, turquoise

Psychic shield / protection: see protection (psychic)

PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder): lepidolite, richterite

Public speaking: celestite, azurite , blue lace agate

Purification: calcite, fluorite, chrysocolla, halite, salt

Radiation exposure, EMF: black tourmaline

Rape recovery: calcite (orange), chrysocolla, lapis, schorl (black tourmaline)

Reconciliation: calcite, herkimer diamond, kunzite, rose quartz, rhodocrosite

Relationships: dalmatian jasper (long term), diamond (esp. long term), flourite, scolecite

Relaxation: bronzite, chevron amethyst, dalmatian jasper, jasper, king cobra jasper, red jasper, richterite

Releasing blockages: ametrine, bloodstone, flourite, malachite, obisdian

Reliability: garnet, hematite

Relieving burdens: lodestone

Removing obstacles: kunzite

Repressed issues: botswana agate, epidote, unakite

Reproductive system: garnet, orange calcite, red calcite, garnet, ruby

Responsibility: leopardskin jasper

Restless leg syndrome (RLS): chrysoprase, lapis lazuli

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA): bloodstone, garnet, halite, quartz

Romance: almandine garnets, amber, bixbyite, diamonds, emerald, pyrope garnets, red coral, red garnet, red tourmaline, rose quartz, ruby, sardonyx

Schizophrenia: elestial quartz, kunzite, larimar, lepidolite

scrying: obsidian, quartz, seer quartz, window quartz

Self s awareness/self s discovery: chevron amethyst

Self-confidence: agate, aragonite, citrine, dolomite, garnet, labradorite, malachite, moss agate, rhodonite, ruby, sodalite, tigers eye, tiger iron, tourmaline, torquoise, , solar plexus chakra crystals

Self-discipline (self-control): black obsidian, dumortierite (blue quartz), onyx, sardonyx, sodalite, tiger iron, topaz, , solar plexus chakra colors and crystals

Self-esteem: amazonite, carnelian, copper, kunzite, rhodochrosite, green moss agate

Self-expression: chysoprase, howlite

Self-love: aquamarine, danburite, feldspar, kunzite, lepidolite, rhodochrosite, rhodonite, rose quartz, ruby, sodalite

Self-realization: aventurine

Self-reliance: dumortierite, jade, jet, prasiolite, rutilated quartz, striped flint, variscite

Selfishness: howlite

Sensuality/sexuality: amber, botswana agate, carnelian, citrine, jade, mexican fire opal, red calcite, ruby, rutilated quartz

Serenity: aquamarine, blue quartz (dumortierite), blue tourmaline (indicolite), bronzite, chrysocolla, emerald, hawk's eye (blue tigers eye), jade, jasper, kunzite, kyanite, smoky quartz, tsavorite, turquoise,

Service activities: grossular garnet, leopardskin jasper, tsavorite

Sexual issues: orange moss agate (also sensuality/sexuality stones)

Shamanic work: iolite, moqui marbles/moki balls, obsidian, yellow calcite

Shielding: amber, black tourmaline, boji stones, hematite, labradorite, pietersite, smoky quartz

Sinusitis: aventurine, lapis lazuli, rhodochrosite, smithsonite

skin / skin disorders: apophyllite, amethyst, aventurine, azurite / malachite, blue lace agate, Botswana agate, carnelian, chrysotile, corumdum (sapphire, ruby), crazy lace agate, dumortierite, fancy jasper, garnet (skin protection vs disease, especially), green jasper, moonstone, moss agate, epidote, mother of pearl, picture jasper, rainforest jasper (rhyolite), spinel, turquenite, turquoise

Sleep disorders (also see "insomnia" above): amethyst, aventurine, hematite, peridot, moonstone

Sorrow: apache tears, dolomite

Spirit contact: jade, prehnite, tsavorite

Spiritual development: amethyst, citrine, epidote, quartz, selenite, topaz

Spirituality: amethyst, calcite, citrine, clear quartz, hematite, heliodor, herkimer diamond, iolite, lepidolite, meteorites, pearl, rhodocrosite, selnite, silver topaz, sugilite, turquoise

Spleen: fluorite, hematite, lapis, tigers eye

Spirit guides (contacting, working with): amethyst, angelite, apophyllite, celestite, herkimer diamonds, moldavite, purpurite, prehnite (green), quartz, selenite, tanzan aura

Stability: celestite, chrysoprase, citrine, garnet, hematite, obsidian, petrified wood, smoky quartz, tiger iron (mugglestone), root chakra stones

Stamina: crazy lace agate, dolomite (for dealing with hyperactive people), sodalite, spinel, tiger iron

Static electricity: amber, quartz

Stomach problems: botswana agate, citrine, peridot, jasper, obsidian, prasiolite

Strength: agate, carnelian, citrine, hematite, herkimer diamonds, katanginite, plancheite, prasiolite, richterite, tigers eye, tiger iron (mugglestone), rutilated quartz

Stress: aragonite, azurite-malachite, bloodstone, brecciated jasper, calcite, chevron amethyst, dioptase, dolomite, fluorite, gold, hematite, howlite, kunzite, labradorite, lepidolite, moonstone, peridot, picasso marble, richterite, rose quartz, smoky quartz, spinel, staurolite, sunstone, turquoise

Success (general): aventurine, aqua aura, brecciated jasper, citrine, green moss agate, gaspeite, green tourmaline, kundalini quartz, orange moss agate, scapolite, scolecite, tanzanite

Success (business/career): aventurine, bloodstone, brecciated jasper, citrine, chrysoprase, garnet, lepidolite, leopard skin jasper, malachite, petrified wood

Teaching: glendonite, lapis, kyanite, sodalite

Teeth/gums: agate, amazonite, aquamarine, calcite, dolomite, fluorite, howlite, malachite, spinel

Tension headache: amethyst, blue lace agate, cat's eye (natural, chrysoberyl), chrysacolla, lapis nevada Also see Headache, General.

Thinking: dolomite, fluorite, hematite

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Throat / bronchial / lung: amber, ammonite, angelite, beryl, bloodstone (throat infections), blue calcite, blue topaz, chalcopyrite, chrysocolla, galena, larimar, malachite, morganite, opal, tigers eye, throat chakra stones

Tissue regeneration: carnelian, citrine, garnet, malachite, turquoise

Thyroid: blue calcite, orange moss agate, rhodonite

Tolerance: dravite

Toxins: amber, amethyst, botswana agate, citrine, coal, heliodor (golden beryl), leopard skin jasper, prasiolite, tree agate, rutilated quartz

Tranquility: blue lace agate

Transformation: bronzite, charoite, lepidolite, malachite, obsidian, moqui marbles

Trauma (healing): diopside, garnet

Travel by water: aquamarine

Travel: amethyst, aquamarine, chalcedony, garnet, herkimer diamond, jet, malachite, tigers eye

Truth: amazonite, apophyllite, celestite, citrine, emerald, flourite, garnet, kyanite, lapis, selenite, sodalite, tiger's eye

Tumors: prasiolite

Ulcers: chrysocolla , peridot, prasiolite

Unconditional love: kunzite, rhodocrosite, rhodonite, rose quartz

Vertigo: cuprite, chrysacolla, malachite, sapphire, herkimer diamond, rose quartz, candle quartz (pine apple quartz), angel aura (opal aura), aqua aura, lapis lazuli, morganite, obsidian (clear), quartz (clear), red jasper

Victimization: calcite, Orange, charoite, chrysoprase, garnet, green calcite, hematite, jade, leopard skin jasper, malachite, orange millennium™, rose quartz, rutilated quartz, schorl (black tourmaline), self-healed quartz crystals, thulite

Vigor / virility: tiger iron (mugglestone)

Visualization: iolite, green tourmaline, holey stones

Weight loss: apatite, blue Peruvian opal, green tourmaline, heulandite, moonstone, picasso marble (jasper), rose quartz, spinel (healthy weight), sulphur, unakite (ideal weight)

Weight gain: unakite (ideal weight)

Will power: alexandrite, blue tigers eye (hawk's eye), garnet, hematite, red jasper, prasiolite, sapphire, tigers eye, tiger iron (mugglestone)

Wisdom: amber,apatite, calcite, clear quartz, labradorite, lapis lazuli, malachite, moonstone, petrified wood, smoky quartz, snowflake obsidian, sodalite, tree agate

Wishes: moonstone, smoky quartz, unakite

Worries: petrified wood

Writing: agate, amazonite, barite, blue topaz, diopside, fire agate, graphite, kyanite, lapis lazuli, sodalite, variscite, zincite

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Natural Oyster Pearl

In ancient Oriental and European histories we know that the "Pearl" they referred to was 100% natural pearl, because cultured-pearls were not known until recently. But at the present time practically everyone (except a learned gemologist) now thinks that the hollow "cultured pearl" pearl-imitations are the real thing. This is mass ignorance, and should be addressed by all cultured persons who care about the true nature of things.

Natural pearls are 100% 'pearl' or nacre. It is thought that natural pearls form under  a set of accidental conditions when a microscopic intruder or grain of sand enters an oyster (mollusk) and settles inside the shell. The oyster, being irritated by the intruder, secretes the pearl substance called nacre to cover the irritant. This process is repeated for many years, thus producing a real pearl which may (or may not) be found by man. For a natural pearl to form with a nice round or oval shape, and be free of any flaws, is actually a real-life "miracle."  The odds of a perfect natural pearl are 1 in a million.

Deity: Sri Chandra • mounted in gold - Origin: Bahrain - Value: RARE - Vidhi: Monday evening - Mantra japa - Om som somaya namah (11 times)

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Naga Mani

Pictured above is a very rare sight, an 'Ichadhari' Naga Mani or Cobra Pearl.

PLEASE NOTE: The author, Richard Shaw Brown, has seen and held this above pictured Sri Naga Mani, and, YES, it does glow in the dark. It belongs to a wealthy Sri Lankan Family.
"Pearls from the cobra's hood are perfectly round, like fish pearls, and they radiate a natural effulgence. By repeated washing, a snake pearl becomes as lustrous as a polished sword blade. Anyone possessing such a naga-mani attains piety, rare good fortune, and eventually becomes illustrious as a leader of men, complete with a great collection of all precious gems."
"Upon acquiring such a snake pearl, the owner should have the rite of installation performed by a priest who is learned in religious formalities. After hearing from the owner how the pearl was obtained and conducting the benedictory ritual, the priest should formally install the jewel inside the owner's house. On such an auspicious occasion, the sky becomes filled with dark and heavy rain clouds, thunder, and flashing lightning, such as exhibited at the time of universal dissolution. A man in possession of such a snake pearl will never be troubled by snakes, demonic beings, diseases, or disturbances in any form."---Sri Suta Goswami - Sri Garuda Puranam: 69

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Nava Moti - The 9 Pearls

Chandra Mani
Natural Oyster Pearl

Naga Mani
Snake Head Pearl

Gaja Mani
Elephant Head Pearl

Matsya Mani
Fish Head Pearl

Varaha Mani
Wild Boar Head Pearl

Vriksha Mani
Tree Trunk Pearl

Akash Mani
Sky Pearl

Shanka Mani
Conch Shell Pearl

Venu Mani
Bamboo Stem Pearl

Snake and other pearls and fossils are acquired mostly in the Indonesian-Malaysian areas. They are discovered in caves, jungles, sacred places, and construction sites where the natives dig and find fossilized remains of snakes, animals, plants, trees, etc., that contain the PEARLS. Chemistry testing on some samples which we conducted with the head of the GIA Research Lab in Bangkok, showed them to be mostly silica, just like petrified wood. But they were not able to be proved scientifically because there is no existing standard.
Reference to these special pearls is given in Sri Garuda Puranam.

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SACRED VEDIC SHELLS

RARE LAKSHMI CONCH SHELL (sinistral turbinella pyrum)

Conch Shells which spiral to the right are very rare and considered especially sacred, the right spiral mirroring the motion of the sun, moon, planets and stars across the sky. Also, for Buddhists, the hair whorls on Buddha's head spiral to the right, as do his fine bodily hairs, the long white curl between his eyebrows and the conch like swirl of his navel. The Lakshmi Conch shell is a sacred manifestation of Supreme Goddess Lakshmi, and is most effectively used to bath a genuine Gandaki Vajra-kita Shalagram Shila (ammonite from Gandaki River in Nepal having chakra cut by Vajra-kita worms 140 million years ago). The TOP picture showing a genuine Lakshmi Conch with a genuine Shalagram Shila is one of a kind. VERY RARE PHOTO.

Normal Shank (left) and sacred 'Valampuri' Dakshin Conch

Over the last 30 Years we have been looking for the truth about the fabled Lakshmi Conch Shell (sinistral turbinella pyrum). They are so rare that only a few temples in India have them. We only found several, one in Pashupati Nath Temple Museum, and one in the London Museum of Natural History. In fact they are the same kind of Shank or Conch shell that we bath the Sri Murti with but they open on the right side (opposite of normal).
When shell collectors refer to the reversed Shank as “left-handed” or "sinistral turbinella pyrum," the Indians call the “valampuri” right-handed, because they orient it with the apical spire downwards and the aperture or siphon (mouth) uppermost and, consequently, on the right side of the shell.
Note: there are many species in Conch family, but in India "Shank" always refers to the normal smooth white conch shells. They alone are called "Shankh" --- and it is only such a shell, if it opens on the right side, that is a real Lakshmi Shank. No other right-sided shell is ever Lakshmi Shank (sinistral turbinella pyrum).

QUESTION: In Kali Age many Hindu temples have Lightning Whelks on the altar. I have heard from some that this is an accepted exception but I have very serious doubts. Any information about other kinds of sea shells besides conch shells. Maybe you could write a detailed article on the subject and I could circulate it to Hindu temples who want know the truth.

REPLY: Shastra says bone is impure, BUT, Conch Shell (Indian Turbinella Pyrum) is super-pure, even to bathe the Deities. Even Lakshmi Devi and Her Lord Narayana carry one in Their hand. Shastra doesn't say any shell or every shell is pure, it's only Indian Shank (Turbinella Pyrum) that is pure. And these come in two types, normal left side opening AND special right side opening (Valampuri Dakshin-varti Turbinella Pyrum). Both are ruled by Goddess Lakshmi. It is not required to have right-side opening. Left side (normal) opening Shank is perfect for puja. And Lakshmi Shank is even better than perfect. It is said by Conchologists that only one Lakshmi Shank is found among 1,000 normal Indian Shanks. And ALL Indian shanks are pure and auspicious.
BUT common Lightning Whelk (busycon contrarium), with no internal formation and no ridges in the conch cavity - is a bogus non-pure shell. And as you mention so many temples use this non-conch shell, and they're doing puja with an impure non-conch shell simply because they have been hoodwinked by con men. It is embarrassing that temples use the wrong shell. And in many temples they openly display the fact that they have been cheated on a bogus Conch. And worse, they tell the public that they have a REAL Sri Lakshmi Conch, even though that is untrue.
Fact: The left side opening OR the right side opening Turbinella Pyrum Indian Conch - with 3 to 7 ridges in the conch cavity, and special internal structure is the ONLY Shank that is Vedic. The normal left-side opening Conch is very low price, even less than the bogus ones (Lightning Whelk), and only the Indian Shank is correct for puja.
Genuine Valampuri Lakshmi Shank Turbinella Pyrum Conch shells sell by the gram. Normal size is about 60-120 grams. Depending on quality and number of ridges in the conch cavity they sell for between Rs. 1,000 up to Rs. 3,000 per gram. This means that a genuine Lakshmi Shank can be had for a few thousand dollars ONLY. So no one has any excuse to use a non-conch shell. Everyone can use either a $2 normal Shank OR a $2,000 Lakshmi Shank.

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Gomati Chakra (Cow's Eye)

Also known as "Cow's Eye" this rare shell features a perfect chakra spiral that denotes good health, gives an attractive persona, and attracts wealth. Origin: Thailand.

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Known Effects of Different Rudraksha

1. Eka-mukhi (One face-round) - Genuine one-face round Rudraksha is rarely available at any price. And obtaining a clear identification is quite difficult. AGT has never supplied one. 10-faced or 12-faced Rudraksha are the best alternative seed for Surya, the Sun. Although nothing can be a substitute for a round Eka Mukhi Rudraksha. The picture shown is genuine and owned by a private collector.

Ruling Deity: Lord Mahadeva. Planetary: numerical & colloquial=Sun / Start day: Sunday

Shakti: Pleasing to Sun, increase confidence, victory, energy, fame, leadership, spiritual knowledge, and success in Sun related business such as politics & leadership

Mantra: Om Rudra Eka Vaktrasya Om Hrim Namah Shivaya

2. Dvi Mukhi (Two faces) - VERY RARE

Ruling Deity: Lord Mahadeva. Planetary: numerical & colloquial=Moon / Start day: Monday

Shakti: Pleasing to Moon, calm emotions, create unity, peace of mind, success in partnership & marriage, and success in Moon related business such as mental health & trade in liquids

Mantra: Om Kham Dvi Vaktrasya Om Namah Shivaya

3. Tri Mukhi (Three faces) - RARE

Ruling Deity: Lord Mahadeva. Planetary: numerical=Jupiter, colloquial=Mars / Start day: Tuesday

Shakti: Pleasing to Mars, increase stamina, power, energy, nonviolence, nonaggression, and success in Mars related business such as military & construction

Mantra: Om Tri Vaktrasya Om Klim Namah Shivaya

4. Chatur Mukhi (Four faces) - RARE

Ruling Deity: Lord Mahadeva. Planetary: numerical=Rahu, colloquial=Mercury / Start day: Wednesday

Shakti: Pleasing to Mercury, steady nerves, comprehension, intelligence, foresight, communication, and success in Mercury related business such as communication (PR) & travel

Mantra: Om Chatur Vaktrasya Om Hrim Namah Shivaya

5. Pancha Mukhi (Five faces) Note: 95% of all Rudraksha seeds are 5 faced.

Ruling Deity: Lord Mahadeva. Planetary: numerical=Mercury, colloquial=Jupiter / Start day: Thursday

Shakti: Pleasing to Jupiter, blessings of Guru & teachers, wisdom, good fortune, good wealth, good health, humanitarian, and success in Jupiter related business such as religion and teaching

Mantra: Om Panca Vaktrasya Om Hrim Namah Shivaya

6. Shhat Mukhi (Six faces)

Ruling Deity: Lord Mahadeva. Planetary: numerical & colloquial=Venus / Start day: Friday

Shakti: Pleasing to Venus, comfort, health, pleasure, art, music, entertainment, sex, good food, fine cloths, love, and success in Venus related business such as arts and entertainment

Mantra: Om Shhat Vaktrasya Om Hrim Hum Namah Shivaya

7. Sapta Mukhi (Seven faces) - RARE

Ruling Deity: Lord Mahadeva. Planetary: numerical=Ketu, colloquial=Saturn / Start day: Saturday

Shakti: Pleasing to mighty Saturn, tolerance, humility, steadfastness, patience, counteracts the harmful influence of Saturn, and grants success in Saturn related business such as iron & manual labor

Mantra: Om Sapta Vaktrasya Om Hum Namah Shivaya

8. Asta Mukhi (Eight faces) - RARE

Ruling Deity: Lord Mahadeva. Planetary: numerical=Saturn, colloquial=Rahu / Start day: Saturday night

Shakti: Pleasing to Rahu, good luck, mysticism, deflects disaster, protects from and grants influence in underworld, safety, and success in Rahu related business such as stock trading & electronics

Mantra: Om Asta Vaktrasya Om Hum Namah Shivaya

9. Nava Mukhi (Nine faces) - RARE

Ruling Deity: Lord Mahadeva. Planetary: numerical=Mars, colloquial=Ketu / Start day: Thursday night

Shakti: Pleasing to Ketu, remove obstacle's, safety from hidden enemies & mysterious disease's like cancer, and success in Ketu related business such as being a spy or double-agent, or a private detective

Mantra: Om Nava Vaktrasya Om Hrim Hum Namah Shivaya

10. Dos Mukhi (Ten faces) - RARE

Ruling Deity: Lord Mahadeva and Lord Maha Vishnu as Dos Avatar (10 incarnations). Planets: numerical=Sun, colloquial=Sun. Also associated with Navagraha - all 9 Ruling Planets. Sri Navaratna: 10 mukhi is the most ideal seed to set with the nine jyotish gems to achieve Nava Graha shanta or pacification of all the 9 planets.

Shakti: To acquire the mercy and protection of Lord Vishnu in all His Ten Incarnations. Also known to pacify Nava-graha or the Nine Jyotish Planets (Nava-graha shanta). Good fortune in all respects.

Mantra: Om Dos Vaktrasya Om Hrim Namah Shivaya

11. Ekaadasha Mukhi (Eleven faces) - RARE

Ruling Deity: Lord Mahadeva and Hanuman. Planetary: numerical=Moon, colloquial=Moon / Start day: Monday

Shakti: Hanuman personifies knowledge, virtues, dexterity, speed, bhakti (devotion), dedication (Sri Hanuman once rejected mukti or voidism in favor of Lord Rama's eternal service), and extraordinary abilities - these virtues are attained by one who wears an eleven faced Rudraksha.

Mantra: Om Ekaadasha Vaktrasya Om Hrim Hum Namah Shivaya

12. Dvaadasha Mukhi (Twelve faces) - RARE

Ruling Deity: Lord Mahadeva. Planetary: numerical=Jupiter, colloquial=Sun / Start day: Sunday

Shakti: Pleasing to Sun, increase confidence, victory, energy, fame, leadership, spiritual knowledge, and success in Sun related business such as politics & leadership

Mantra: Om Dvaadasha Vaktrasya Om Krom Srom Rom Namah Shivaya

13. Trayodasha Mukhi (Thirteen faces) - VERY RARE

Ruling Deity: Lord Shiva. Planetary: numerical=Rahu, colloquial=Venus / Start day: Friday

Shakti: Pleasing to Venus, comfort, health, pleasure, art, music, entertainment, sex, good food, fine cloths, love, and success in Venus related business such as arts and entertainment

Mantra: Om Trayodasha Vaktrasya Om Hrim Namah Shivaya

14. Chaturdasha Mukhi (Fourteen faces) - VERY RARE

Ruling Deity: Lord Shiva. Planetary: numerical=Mercury, colloquial=Saturn. Start day: Saturday

Shakti: Pleasing to mighty Saturn who is a great devotee of Lord Shiva, improves tolerance, humility, steadfastness, patience, counteracts the harmful influence of Saturn, and grants success in Saturn related business. Especially useful to counteract the harmful influence of Sade Sati (Saturn Natal Moon transit). Fourteen face Rudraksha is considered to be Deva-Mani or most divine Rudraksha. Grants success, especially in business.

Mantra: Om Chaturdasha Vaktrasya Om Namah Shivaya

15. Panchadasha Mukhi (Fifteen faces) - VERY RARE

Ruling Deity: Lord Mahadeva. Planetary: numerical=Venus, colloquial=Venus, Start day: Friday

Shakti: Fifteen face Rudraksha is the seed of Lord Shiva (Auspicious One) and is very helpful in economic success. It keeps one free of disease and poverty. It can grant great wealth (if one's karma permits), and even without because the 15 mukhi is a "symbol" of God's mercy. It is all auspicious (Shiva)

Mantra: Om Rudra Panchadasha Vaktrasya Om Namah Shivaya

Sri Gauri-Shankar (Double-seeds) - RARE

Ruling Deity: Pra Shiva & Parvati. Planet: numerical=Moon, colloquial=Moon, Start day: Monday

Shakti: Invoking the mercy of both Lord Shiva & Goddess Parvati (Gauridevi) it grants all around well-being and prosperity. Pleasing to Moon, calm emotions, create unity, peace of mind, success in partnership & marriage, and success in Moon related business such as mental health & trade in liquids. Grants family harmony & unity

Mantra: Om Sri Gauri-Shankarabhyam Namah

Sri Ganesha (Lord Sri Ganesha) - RARE

Ruling Deity: Pra Sri Ganesha. Planetary=Eight or Nine faced.

Shakti: Remover or obstacle's in all fields of virtue and economics. Also known as "Vigna-vinash" or destroyer of all obstacles, the Vedas dictate that no puja or ceremony may be started with out FIRST worship of Lord Ganesha

Mantra: Om Gum Ganapataye Namah

Note: At AGT we provide various faced Rudraksha seeds set in our numbered and dated Talismans, such as the Sri Nava-mukhi pictured on the right.

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