Stone Properties
Below are some of the properties associated with many of the stones that I use in my work! Please note that I do not make any claims as to the healing or medicinal qualities of crystals or stones. This is purely for educational purposes.
LABRADORITE
Labradorite is part of the feldspar group of minerals and ranks as a 6-6.5 on the Mohs scale of hardness. The stone displays a beautiful array of iridescent that shows at different angles and whether the stone is in the sun or shade. This gives each piece made with labradorite a unique characteristic that makes wearing it a fun and surprising experience. Labradorite is thought to calm and heal an overthinking mind; protect the aura; balance chakras; and bring intellectual clarity forward, among other qualities.
MOONSTONE
A stone thought at one time to be formed from moonbeams, this coveted feldspar mineral comes in a range of colors and opacities. Most commonly used in my jewelry is rainbow moonstone, named for the variety of colors it displays. Other types of moonstone are named for their colors, such as “peach,” “gray,” or “blue ghost” (a relatively clear stone with a “ghostly” sheen of blue inside). Moonstone ranks on the Mohs hardness scale at a 6 and is the birthstone for the month of June. Healing properties of moonstone are thought to include calming energy and promotion of inner peace; an easy to anxiety; and increased intuition, among other attributes.
MALACHITE
Malachite has been desired for centuries for not only its stunning color and unique patterns, but because it is believed to attract wealth and prosperity to its owner. Merchants were often found to carry malachite as they traveled the world. It is also thought to dispel negative energies and help open the heart to receive love. Ground malachite was used in antiquity in makeup (like lapis lazuli), although that is certainly not recommended now! Malachite is a 3.5 to 4 on the Mohs hardness scale, and should be handled with care as it is a softer material.
FOSSILIZED CORAL
Fossilized coral (or “agatized” coral) is a beautiful stone that forms when ancient coral is slowly replaced by agate over time, hence “fossilizing” it and making the patterns of the natural coral permanent in the stone. The colors of the agate vary, from light to dark to orange browns. Sailors wore fossilized coral as it was an ocean talisman for good luck, and the stone also symbolizes eternal life. Some stones have natural “pits” in them where the stone did not completely cover the coral fossil–this is natural and not a flaw in the stone! It is a 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs hardness scale.
FOSSILIZED PALM ROOT
Much like fossilized coral, fossilized palm root forms in a similar way. As pressure built around the ancient palm roots, solid silica replaces the organic matter and “petrifies” the wood. This results in stunning formations in the often black stone, sometimes looking like flickering flames. This stone is a powerful symbol of transformation and wisdom, and is thought to help the wearer release the anxieties of the past and embrace the future.
LARIMAR
Larimar is only found in one part of the world–the Dominican Republic, making it a fairly rare stone and highly desirable. Known for its vivid blues which resemble the oceans where it is mined, larimar also includes whites and a darker, sometimes red, material that is the stone’s original “matrix” (or stone it grew around). Larimar is thought to bring peace and tranquility to its wearer, which allows them to raise their consciousness and become more empowered. It is a 4.5 to 5 on the Mohs hardness scale and should be worn with special care.
TURQUOISE
Turquoise is one of the most diverse and beautiful stones the Earth produces. It can be found on many continents, but it is perhaps best known for its use in Native American jewelry. Much of the desirability of turquoise can be found in its mine location, as once these mines are closed the unique color it produces will not be seen again. Some stones listed as “turquoise” are actually variscite, a very similar stone that is usually of a more green shade. For my own listings, I will always do my best to specify what mine the stone comes from if I know it. Most turquoise is “stabilized and backed,” a process needed to create a workable cabochon of the soft material. The backing does not affect the stone or its desirability, only makes it more wearable for a longer period of time. It also sometimes comes with a visible “matrix” (its mother stone) and can display natural pitting. Turquoise is very soft and should not get wet, and it ranks as a 5 to 6 on the Mohs hardness scale. Turquoise is thought to balance the chakras and enhance stillness, bringing calm to the mind and body.
RUBY / RUBY WITH ZOISITE
Ruby is one of the most desirable stones throughout history. It is a type of corundum (which also includes sapphire). It has represented nobility, purity, health, wealth, and love and can vary in its depth of red or pink coloring. It can also sometimes come with a “star” (or “asterism”), which is created by minute growths of “rutile” within the stone that catch the light to resemble a star or flash of silver. Ruby is the birthstone for the month of July. Ruby with zoisite includes the green mineral that is found growing with the red stone when it is mined in some locations, giving a beautiful contrast between the two colored materials. It is thought to help with bringing about ideas and can transform negative energy into positive.