Healing Stones
Dallas Weaver


www.emporia.edu/earthsci/amber/go336/weaver/healingstones.htm

This webpage project was created for a mineralogy course at Emporia State University. The assignment was to learn webpage creation and in my case, present a summary of the healing qualities of birthstone minerals.

Table of Contents

  • Introduction
  • January - Garnet
  • Febuary - Amethyst
  • March - Aquamarine
  • April - Diamond
  • May - Emerald
  • June - Pearl
    		•
  • July - Ruby
  • August - Peridot
  • September - Sapphire
  • October - Opal
  • November - Citrine
  • December - Blue Topaz
  • References and Related Links

    • Introduction

    For thousands of years, people before us have placed faith in the Earth and all its bounty. Great wisdom on nature has been passed down through generations from all over the world such as ancient Egyptian, Aztec, Inca, Tibetian, and American Indian tribes. These people did not have the technology and knowledge about diseases and other ailments that we have today. Yet, they were fully confident that people could be healed with the basic gifts that Mother Nature had given them. Thus, their healing wisdom was not based human-devised mechanical and electrical technology, but was something pure and in some cases quite spiritual. One important type of remedy was a belief and practice of mineral and crystal healing. With thousands of minerals in existance, it would seem that any ailment could be cured.
    This report will summarize some of the beliefs that match mineral to healing power. Since it would be unknowingly difficult to research thousands of minerals, I have selected a few that are well known and quite popular. These stones are commonly known as birthstones.

    A downloadable image courtesy of Gemological Institute of America (2000) is shown right, www.gia.edu/newsroom/4027/6091/download_image.cfm.

    Birthstones are special stones that are dedicated to or associated with a particular month. It is believed that these stones held particular virtue to people that were born in that month. The belief in these stones can be traced back thousands of years to the writings of both St. Josephus and St Jerome, who indicated a connection between these birthstones and the twelve stones found on the breasplate of the high priest and the twelve signs of the zodiac (Kuntz, 1941).
    Over the past centuries, there have been numerous changes in the designation of birthstones to particular months. While many ancient birthstone lists are still in existance today, acceptance of one definitive list is not the norm worldwide. Thus for this webpage, a list used is not based the American National Association of Jewelers in 1912 or the sanctioned list from the American Gem Society (www.americangemsociety.org/birthstones.htm), but an accepted and commonly acknowledged list used on several websites and jewelry stores (www.uniquejewelryguide.com/birthstone-list.html).
    It is important to note that there is no scientific evidence to support the physical healing properties of these stones. Crystal healing is suggested by Kamal Kapoor (2007), as a method that may be used along with conventional methods to help accelerate healing. This may be because crystal healing is only concerned with energy. The focus is to balance and stimulate bodily energy to allow the physical body to repair itself (Kapoor, 2007).


    January - Garnet

    It was believed by primitive cultures in the Middle Ages that red stones such as garnet would help stop bleeding, and to prevent and cure blood disorders and infections (Bernardine, 2007). It is a remedy for hemorrhages and other inflammatory diseases (Kuntz, 1941). It was also used by ancient cultures for exhaustion, low blood pressure, and to detox and strengthen the blood, muscles, and kidneys. Along with these, it helps to sharpen self perception and has a calming influence to remove anger, especially towards ones self (ProAcuMed, 2007).

    February - Amethyst
    According to legend, this purple stone has the power to prevent one from becoming drunk or poisoned (Bernardine, 2007). It is known as the "stone of sobriety" and was used to help people recover from addictions (Foundation, 2007). It is good for headache, eyes, scalp, hair, pituitary gland, pineal gland, and for balancing blood-sugar (Earth, 2005). Some believe that amethyst is good for reducing anger and stress. It is supposed to strengthen the cleansing organs, circulatory system, and immune system, as well as help those suffering from nightmares or insomnia (ProAcuMed, 2007).

    March - Aquamarine
    Attention is drawn to aquamarine because of its calming and soothing energy of the sea due to its blue color. It is used to strengthen the immune system and cleanse organs such as: kidneys, spleen, thyroid, and liver. Aquamarine helps with problems of the eyes, throat, stomach, teeth, jaw, mouth, neck, and can even help the breathing of those suffering from allergies (ProAcuMed, 2007). During the Middle Ages, it was used as a treatment for anxiety and to reduce the effect of poisons (Bernardine, 2007).
    An alternate stone for March is bloodstone. This red rock is useful to people with heart, blood, and circulation problems. It also helps to neutralize toxins and boost the immune system as well as helps with birthing and reproductive imbalances or other associated issues (ProAcuMed, 2007). According to the Foundation for Balance and Harmony (2007), aquamarine can be used to increase energy and strength and to combat irritability, fatigue, and confusion.

    April - Diamond
    Diamonds are used in combination with other minerals such as amethyst, aquamarine, quartz, and emerald. Diamond tends to amplify the effects assigned to these minerals. In ancient times, diamond was used to detoxify the body and in extreme cases, it can be used to treat different diseases of the bladder and benefit the brain (ProAcuMed, 2007).

    May - Emerald
    Emerald is a symbol of love and good fortune. It helps with depression and insomnia (ProAcuMed, 2007). In addition, it helps to decrease breathing problems, heart problems, swollen lymph nodes, and blood problems. Along with these, it is also beneficial to the thymus, pancreas, labor/delivery, and eyesight. It enhances the immune system, strengthens the backbone, and lessens problems caused by diabetes (ProAcuMed, 2007).

    June - Pearl
    Pearl has been used in traditional Chinese medicine since ancient times to relieve uneasiness of the heart and mind. It relieves high fevers, clears sputum, and improves eyesight. Pearl promotes muscle development, tissue regeneration, and improves circulation. Pearls contain many minerals which are great for the prevention of wrinkling. Some components of pearl even promote and accelerate cell renewal in the body by participitating in DNA and RNA metabolic processes (ProAcuMed, 2007). Pearl is used by many to treat stress, hypertension, exhaustion, headaches, and problems with the muscular and digestion systems (Beharry, 2005).

    July - Ruby
    Ruby is used to promote all levels of healing that include infection, cholesterol, blood clots, circulation, and blood detoxification. It strengthens the physical and emotional heart, as well as pituitar; ruby is suggested for the eyes (ProAcuMed, 2007).


    August - Peridot
    Peridot has been used by ancient Egyptians, Aztecs, and Incas to cleanse and heal the heart, lungs and lymph nodes. Others believe it benificial for stomach, liver, and adrenal problems. Peridot alleviates anger, depression, fear, jealousy, and anxiety, as well as stimulates tissue regeneration (ProAcuMed, 2007). If peridot is in a powdered form, it can be used to help treat asthma (Bernardine, 2007).

    September - Sapphire
    Sapphire is great in the aid of nosebleeds, hearing problems, and depression (Beharry, 2005). It helps to detoxify the skin and is an antidepressant. Sapphire is believed to help people with hearing problems, as well as people suffering from anxiety, procrastination, tuberculosis, and nervous disorders. Sapphire has a cooling, contracting, and soothing effect which is great for reducing fevers, inflammation, and to help burns as well (ProAcuMed, 2007).

    October - Opal
    Opal is beneficial to people going through a lot of changes, those who have eye problems, or those who are suffering from Parkinson's disease (Beharry, 2005). Black and dark blue opal are the most potent. White opal brings balance to the left and right sides of the brain (ProAcuMed, 2007).

    November - Citrine
    Citrine has the power to ease stomach tension, food disorders, and allergies. This yellow variety of quartz aids in digestion and is believed to be a great detoxifier for the spleen, kidneys, liver, urinary system, and intestines. It is used as a detox for the blood and reduces anxiety, fear and depression (ProAcuMed, 2007) Citrine helps with nightmares and to improve blood circulation (Earth, 2005).

    December - Blue Topaz
    Topaz is the stone of "true love and success in all endeavors." It releases tension while calming the nervous system (ProAcuMed, 2007). It is useful for relaxation during the treatment of gout, blood disorders, and tuberculosis (Beharry, 2005).
    An alternate stone for December is turquoise. It was used by Native Americans for its vast healing properties in association with anorexia, common cold, fear, throat, lungs, asthma, poison, headaches, depression, blocks of creativity, radiation and pollution, infections, high blood pressure, and hearing problems (Beharry, 2005). Topaz benefits the respiratory and immune systems as well. (ProAcuMed, 2007)

    Return to the table of contents.

    References

    Beharry, A.G., 2007. Crystal Healing Center. http://www.crystalhealingcenter.com. 9 Nov. 2007.
    Bernardine Fine Art Jewelry., 2007. http://www.bernardine.com. 15 Nov. 2007.
    Cavern Crystals., 1997. http://www.crystalcavern.com. 13 Nov. 2007.
    Earth Healing Crystals. 2005. http://www.earthhealingcrystals.com. 9 Nov. 2007.
    Foundation for Balance and Harmony. 2007. Healing Crystals.com http://www.healingcrystals.com. 9 Nov. 2007.
    Kapoor, K., 2007. Kamal Kapoor.com http://www.kamalkapoor.com. 3 Nov. 2007.
    Kuntz, G.F., 1941. The Curious Lore of Precious Stones. New York, pp. 3007.
    ProAcuMed Inc., 2007. Peaceful Mind http://www.peacefulmind.com. 9 Nov. 2007.
    WebRing Inc., 2007. Mama's Minerals Inc. http://www.mamasminerals.com. 9 Nov. 2007.

    NOTE: All images were taken from 1.) azgem.com 2.) gemstone.org or 3.) the American Gem Society's webpage. Each picture is linked to its rightful website.

    Related Links
    Unique Jewelry Guide
    www.uniquejewelryguide.com/
    birthstone-list.html         		Jewelry Mall Birthstones
    www.jewelrymall.com/
    birthstones.html
    Emporia State University
    www.emporia.edu     		Earth Science at ESU
    www.emporia.edu/earthsci
    Mineralogy Webpage Assignment
    www.emporia.edu/earthsci/amber/
    go336/assign.htm         		Past Student Projects
    www.emporia.edu/earthsci/amber/
    go336/webpages.htm


    Webpage created November 2007; latest update December 5, 2007. For more information email dweaver@emporia.edu.