Crystal Lotus Jewelry

Gemstone Meanings :: The Meaning of Stones

(This is the 2nd page of the meaning of stones. Click here for Meaning of Stones, A through L.)

Gemstone meanings enrich our connection to stones and the jewelry made with them. They are a way of linking ourselves to the past -- discovering their history and remembering that beautiful gems and jewelry have been prized for thousands of years. They amplify our appreciation in the present, as we give and wear jewelry.

Gemstone meanings and their symbolism have been passed down throughout the years. Different cultures attached different meanings to the stones. Much of their significance has been lost to time.

However, many stories and special meanings still remain. The infomation on this site provides a compilation of gemstone meanings from various sources.

Once you learn what each gemstone signifies, the jewelry you wear will become even more special to you.

Moonstone Meanings

Moonstone has long been associated with the moon due to its iridescence. It looks like it shines from the moon. The most valuable stones also have a property, called adularescence, that makes the moonlike sheen appear to move across the surface when the stone is observed from different angles.

Romans believed the stone formed from moonlight. Ancient Hindu beliefs said that moonstone formed from tiny parts of moonbeams. Arabian women, in tune with the feminine and fertile aspects of moonstone, would sew moonstone into their robes to be blessed with many children.

Like the moon, moonstone is a symbol of feminine energy. The meaning of moonstone is for the balance of emotions: balancing, calming, and healing. It helps the wearer bring their emotions under control. It helps balance the yin and yang.

Another meaning of moonstone is for men to become more comfortable with their feminine side.

Like the moon, the meaning of moonstone is about cycles. For example, moonstone jewelry is helpful during a woman's menstrual cycle. As with the moon, moonstone symbolizes rebirth and new beginnings.

Moonstone is one of the gemstones for the thirteenth wedding anniversary.

The Meaning of Obsidian

Obsidian is made from volcanic rock. It has been used by shamanic people as a seer stone. Native Americans used this gemstone for arrowheads.

The meaning of obsidian is for protection and invigoration. It can be used to find the essence of joy and to reduce tension. It is said to absorb negative energy and is a grounding stone.

Obsidian has also be used as a tool for inner focus. It may act as a mirror to show you negative aspects about yourself, which can then be cleansed and changed.

Another meaning of obsidian is to absorb anger, fear, and stress. By doing so, obsidian helps transmute negative energy into positive energy.

Obsidian has also been used for clear vision and to see into the future.

The Heart Stone :: Meanings of Rose Quartz

Rose quartz is a type of quartz which is a pink translucent color to opaque. It is usually mined in chunks of deposits and is rare to find in a true crystal formation. (The rose quartz crystal pendants so prevalent on the market are carved, not naturally formed.)

When you buy rose quartz jewelry, it is essential to know who and trust who you're buying from. Most rose quartz beads on the market are dyed. And sometimes beads sold as rose quartz are actually clear quartz that has been dyed pink.

The universal meaning of rose quartz is as a stone of love. This meaning of rose quartz includes love of the self (and self-forgiveness) as well as love of others. People have used rose quartz to bring forgiveness to a relationship and to replace love that might be lost in life.

Rose quartz symbolizes the ability to open one's heart to love, the gentle aspect of love as opposed to the passionate.

Another meaning of rose quartz is to promote healing to the wearer. It provides gentle energy for mental and emotional balance.

With so many intriguing stones on the market, rose quartz jewelry goes through periods of being under-appreciated. This is unfortunate, as rose quartz is a wonderful stone to experience. I don't think there's anyone on the planet who couldn't benefit from it's gently loving energy.

Tiger's Eye Myth and Meaning

Tiger's Eye (frequently written as tiger eye) is one of the chatoyant gemstones. This means it has a changeable silky luster when you look at it. This is caused as light is reflected from the inside of the stone. Tiger eye gets it's name due to the traditional brown-orange and black coloring of the rock, like a tiger's eye.

There is also a natural blue tiger eye, which is sometimes called Hawk's Eye.

Roman soldiers wore tiger eye because they believed it was an "all seeing" eye. Even today, one meaning of tiger eye is as psychic protection.

Tiger eye has a very subtle vibration. For this reason, it is frequently used in conjunction with other stones during healing work. It is a good stone for jewelry that you wear all the time, so that it's steady energy can work deeply. It's grounding and enduring qualities make it an excellent stone for meditation. You will frequently see prayerbeads (malas) made of tiger's eye.

Tiger eye helps is to release anxiety, fear, and obsessiveness and to make emotions more logical. It is frequently listed as a good stone for business and achieving clarity.

Tiger eye symbolizes willpower, confidence, and assurance. It is said to clear visual disturbances and provide protection during travel.

The Meaning of Topaz

Topaz was named for the island Topazios off the shore of Egypt. (The island is now called Zabargad.)

Egyptians believed Topaz provided protection from harm. This was due to the yellow color which, to them, symbolized the sun god Ra. Romans associated the stone with their Roman sun god, Jupiter. Greeks believed it had the power to increase strength.

One meaning of topaz was that it would dispel all enchantment and make a wearer invisible.

Some symbolic meanings of topaz include chastity, happiness, and faithful friends.

Another symbolic meaning of topaz is a stone for hope. Healing energies associated with topaz include expansiveness, rejuvenation, dispelling anger, and balancing your emotions.

Topaz is one of the traditional gemstone jewelry gifts for the fourth, nineteenth, or twentieth wedding anniversary.

Symbolic Meaning of Turquoise

In my experience there are two kinds of people. People who adore turquoise in every form and color. And people who yawn and go on to the next stone. I have to admit until I started doing healing work, I was in the second category. Then I fell in love with the total healing energy of the stone. So, for all you turquoise lovers, here's legend and lore and the symbolic meaning of turquoise...

Turquoise comes from the word pierre Turquoise in the Old French, meaning "stone of Turkey." This is because it first arrived in Europe via the trade routes through Turkey.

Jewelry is often given for specific meanings. In the Orient, turquoise it was given to protect riders and steeds. In Russia giving the bride a turquoise and silver ring was intended to give peace of mind to the woman and to grant the man strength for labor, prosperity, and health. Arabians frequently wore turquoise between two pearls and were said to pray or wish on it at certain hours.

Some Native Americans carved turquoise into animal shapes placed and placed it in tombs to guard the dead. It was believed to attract beneficial spirits as it embodied the blue of the heavens and the green of the earth. Warriors fixed turquoise to the end of their bows to ensure accurate shots. It was (and is) a common stone for Zuni fetish carvings. Native American jewelry continues to feature turquoise in traditional and contemporary jewelry.

Turquoise is a very beloved stone among the Tibetan people. It is traditional in their jewelry. Over a long period of time, untreated turquoise can change color from bright and lively green and blue to dark brown and black. To the Tibetans, the symbolic meaning of this turquoise color change represents the life cycle of birth, old age and death.

In some traditions, turquoise was intended to be given not bought. When given as a gift, the meaning of turquoise was a pledge of affection.

One meaning of turquoise is innocence. It is said to defend virtue. Another meaning of turquoise is to attract money, love, and happiness.

Turquoise stones and jewelry have been popular in many cultures around the world. It has been used for protection, courage, friendship, and luck. Many healers are attracted to turquoise because it brings blessings and healing to their work.

Turquoise seems to go through cycles of popularity, and it is a popular stone at this time. While it is not graded as other gemstones are, please be aware that there are vast differences in the quality of turquoise. Be sure you're getting a good value when you buy turquoise jewelry.