Diamond is the hardest substance found in nature, ‘unconquered and indestructible,’ as this extraordinary stone is usually described. Its value for cutting is almost 140 times greater than that of ruby or sapphire (the next hardest stones). Diamonds occur in many colors
– the colorless diamond is the most valued
– yellow occurs most frequently, but they also come in colors such as brown, green, blue, red, or black.
Due to its hardness, as well as its rarity, diamond is considered the king of gemstones.
A cut diamond is a brilliant is classified according to color, clarity, cut, and carat weight.
Marilyn Monroe said, “Diamonds are a girl’s best friend.”
It is assigned to the zodiac sign – Aries
Sapphire
The name sapphire comes from Latin and means the color blue, the color in which sapphires most commonly occur. The color of sapphires is deep and very beautiful. This stone is a highly valued exceptional gemstone. For Buddhists, sapphire symbolizes peace, friendship, and constancy. It is considered a talisman of marital happiness. In the past, sapphire was a jewel cherished by the clergy, who wore rings with sapphires on their right hand. The largest deposits of sapphires are found in Sri Lanka, Australia, Thailand, Madagascar, Burma, and also in the United States. The most expensive are Kashmir sapphires.
Associated with the zodiac signs – Gemini and Virgo
Emerald
The name comes from the Greek language and means “green stone,” it is an exceptional collectible and jewelry stone. Used since ancient times, particularly valued in Egypt, but also in Persia, among the Mayans, Aztecs, and Incas. Nowadays, emeralds are also produced synthetically, differing from natural ones in the shapes of inclusions.
Sapphires are considered stones that can reflect changing moods. They are also attributed with healing properties.
Emeralds are found in Austria, Australia, Brazil, Colombia, Libya, Madagascar, Russia, and South Africa.
It is said that emeralds have extraordinary power; anyone who looks at the stone is filled with peace, balance, and self-control.
Assigned to the zodiac sign – Taurus
Ruby
The name comes from Latin and means red.
Rubies occur in colors ranging from pink to blood red. It is a gemstone prized in jewelry, with the most valued stone being deep red with a bluish tint (the so-called ‘pigeon blood’ color).
Ruby is a stone that strongly affects many areas of life simultaneously. For people who are feeling low and in need of energy, it restores passion, the desire to act, and the joy of life. For those with a pessimistic outlook on life, it rebuilds faith and hope. The energy of ruby influences abundance of emotions in personal relationships as well as a respectable social position and prestige in professional work.
Rubies are found in Sri Lanka, Thailand, Pakistan, Tanzania, Kenya, Australia, Burma, and Afghanistan.
Assigned to the zodiac sign – Sagittarius
Opal
It is a stone highly valued among jewelers. It stands out: precious opals, fire opals, and common opals. A special feature of precious opals is the rainbow-like shimmer that changes depending on the viewing angle. Opal always contains 3-30% water, and due to its loss over time, it may crack and show less opalescence.Among precious opals, we distinguish white (milky) opals, black (dark blue or dark green) opals, matrix opals (striped aggregates with the host rock), boulder opals (dark background, high durability), harlequin opals (transparent), jelly opals (bluish-gray), crystal opals (red reflections), girasol opals (almost transparent with a bluish glow).
Fire opals are usually milky cloudy with a yellow-red color.
Common opal (ordinary) is opaque, rarely translucent, and does not display play-of-color.
Opal is a symbol of faith and trust; it was once believed to be a gift from the heavens that fell to the earth in luminous flashes. Opal develops imagination, brings good and happy dreams, facilitates the process of change, balances emotions, brings out inner beauty, and also promotes love, friendship, and loyalty. It attracts good fortune and promotes prosperity. It occurs in Australia (80-90% of the world’s production), India, Mongolia, Indonesia, Iraq, Mexico, Argentina, Ireland, Poland, France, and Bulgaria.
Assigned to the zodiac sign – Libra.
Amethyst
This is a beautiful stone that usually occurs in purple. The name means as much as sober. In ancient times, this stone was used as an amulet against drunkenness. It is believed that amethyst has healing abilities, giving effects in people, animals, and plants.
Amethyst occurs in Brazil, Uruguay, Iran, the USA, and Russia.
Amethyst is assigned to the zodiac sign Pisces.
Olivine – Peridot
It usually occurs in green shades, but also brown, and very rarely we can find white or colorless olivines. Olivine can be found in Pakistan, Hawaii, and Burma. It is also a cosmic stone. Peridot crystals were found in a meteorite that fell in 1749 in Siberia.
Associated zodiac signs – Cancer, Libra, Capricorn
Aquamarine
A beautiful gemstone ranges in color from greenish-blue to intense blue. A valuable jewelry material.
Aquamarine is called the ‘stone of courage.’ It gives courage to shy people or those who have difficulties in honestly expressing emotions, feelings, thoughts, and assertiveness. It affects the center of communication and interpersonal relationships. Being assertive, that is, the ability to politely refuse or express an opinion according to one’s own beliefs, is a considerable challenge for some people. These people will finally be able to say what they think without feeling guilty and without hurting anyone in the process.
The energy of Aquamarine also helps in the smooth expression of thoughts and feelings, which has a significant impact on positive contacts with others and lasting relationships with other people. In some people, Aquamarine can increase self-reflection and the ability to recognize that all events have their meaning or lead to some purpose. Spontaneity, openness to others, and a sense of freedom will influence the achievement of the desired state of ordinary happiness.
Aquamarine is an excellent stone for people overloaded with duties, overwhelmed by responsibility and stress. Particularly helpful for people working in positions where constant new knowledge and the assimilation of a large amount of information is required (scientists, IT specialists, managers). Invaluable for people who frequently give public presentations, speeches, or conduct training sessions. The energy of Aquamarine helps in bringing all unfinished matters, tasks, and projects to completion.
Occurrence: Brazil (the most famous aquamarine mine is Santa Maria de Itabira), USA (Colorado, Maine, California), Madagascar (very beautiful dark blue and emerald green aquamarines come from here), Australia, Russia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Kenya, South Africa, Sri Lanka, India, Burma, Pakistan, Afghanistan, China, Ireland, Norway, Poland (Karkonosze).
Topaz
It is a stone with a varied coloration, ranging from yellowish through reddish-brown, light blue, pink-red, to light green. Topaz is a rare stone because its formation requires fluorine, which occurs only exceptionally in the Earth’s crust. Topaz can be found in Brazil, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Nigeria, Mozambique, Madagascar, India, Japan, Germany, the Czech Republic, and Norway, and it also occurs in Poland.
It is associated with the zodiac sign Leo
Garnet
The name comes from the Latin “granatus” – pomegranate, the fruit of the pomegranate, indicating the resemblance of the stones to the seeds of the pomegranate fruit
Garnet is considered a stone that protects against evil but also as a talisman of love and passion. Garnet reflects all negative emotions and vibrations, sending them back to the sender. Its healing properties are known; it helps with circulatory system diseases and strengthens the lungs. Garnet occurs in India, South Africa, Brazil, Pakistan, and also in Poland.
Assigned to zodiac signs – Aries, Scorpio
Lapis Lazuli
A stone of wisdom, truth, and inspiration. In ancient times, it was highly valued, more than gold. The stone influences self-awareness, improves intuition, helps to think positively, combats depressive states, adds courage, and allows better self-expression. Its healing properties are known, it helps with throat illnesses, and strengthens the immune system of the whole body.
It is found in Russia, Afghanistan, the USA, in Burma, Angola, and South Africa.
Assigned zodiac sign – Libra
Tanzanite
Immediately after its discovery, it was hailed as the gemstone of the 20th century. Tanzanite stones are mostly blue but also occur in purple, brown, or yellow colors.
Almost all tanzanites undergo heat treatment to bring out their purple-blue shade. Tanzanites are mined in only one place in the world – in southern Tanzania. People wearing jewelry with tanzanite find that this stone opens them to higher states of consciousness, creating an aura of beauty around them that outside observers find irresistible. It brings luck and frees one from constant worrying. It helps overcome fear and crises. It restores broken trust.