Name derived from the river Achates in Sicily. Agate is the stone that was used to make the ancient egyptian scarrabs. It is one of the oldest good luck and healing stones.

Mined from: Black Forest, Saxony Germany, Brazil, Uruguay, Mexico, USA, Indian Peninsula
Hardness: 6.5 - 7
Chemical Composition: SiO2+Al, Ca, Fe, Mn
Colors: Usually arranged in layers in multiple stripes going from reddish to brown or gray/blue to beige

Healing properties:

• Alleviates discomfort during pregnancy
• Treat headaches, dizziness, skin problems
• Combat feverish infections if placed on the throat or heart
• Treats tired or inflamed eyes when applied on them

Agates are said to:

• Avert storms and lightning
• Protect children from danger
• Bring prosperity
• Prevents miscarriages

Named after the Russian Tsar, Alexander II, it is one of the rarest gemstones. It's color changing property makes it a gem that well sought after.

Mined from: Former Soviet-Unions, Parts of Brazil and Sri Lanka
Hardness: 8.5
Chemical Composition: BeAl2O4 (part the chrysoberyl family)
Colors: green/red, gray, greenish. Depending on the light, the gemstone changes colors

Healing properties:

• Good for the nervous system
• Harmonize internal organ functions (particularly for the stomach, spleen and pancreas
• Protects against hyperpepsia of the stomach and acidemia of the blood

Alexandrites are said to:

• Has a positive influence on the psyche
• Promotes inner harmony, joy and cheerfulness
• Harmonizes relationships

Name derived from the society of women hunting and living without men, it is believed that amazonite was worn by people from the land of the amazons.

Mined from: USA, Madagascar, former Soviet-Union, South-West Africa, Brazil
Hardness: 6-6.5
Chemical Composition: KAlSi3O8
Colors: green, blue-green

Healing properties:

• Treats heart troubles and metabolic disorders
• Reduces anxiety and depression
• Relieves headaches and migraines
• Regulates mood swings
• Promotes sleeps when placed under the pillow

Amazonite are said to:

• Promote confidence, vitality and joie de vivre
• Considered as a holy stone in Egypt
• Used in fortune telling

Legend has it that Beryl was believed to possess magical powers and strengthen the belief in god.

Mined from: Madagascar, Pakistan, Afganistan and Brazil
Hardness: 7.5-8
Chemical Composition: Be3Al2(Si6O18) + Fe, K, Li, Mn, Na
Colors: colourless, golden yellow, yellow-green, white

Healing properties:

• Treats eye problems when placed on the eyelids in the evening
• Helpful with angina
• Detoxify the body
• Calms stress due to traveling and homesickness
• Enhance erotic feelings

Beryl are said to:

• Be a gentle healer
• Symbolizes protection
• Protective properties when worn while traveling

calcite is one of the most common minerals.

Mined from: Everywhere in the world
Hardness: 3
Chemical Composition: CaCo3 + Fe, Mn + (Co, Pb)
Colors: Colours in the spectrum of yellow, orange, red, brown

Healing properties:

• Good for the formation of bones and bone disorders
• Pink calcites are good for body fluids
• Green calcites are good for th heart
• Brown calcites are good for the metabolism

Carnelians are said to:

• Symbolize inner enlightenment
• Promotes development

Named derived from the Latin corneolus meaning cherry, carnelian is the oldest gemstone in history. The carnelian was used by egyptians as a source of energy and renewal of vitality.

Mined from: Brazil, Uruguay, India, USA, South Africa, Australia
Hardness: 6.5-7
Chemical Composition: SiO2 + (Fe, O, OH)
Colors: green/red, gray, greenish. Depending on the light, the gemstone changes colors

Healing properties:

• Promotes good digestion
• Encourages formation of new red blood cells
• Treats bleeding gums by rinsing regularly with carmelian water
• Firms skin when drunken

Carnelian are said to:

• Symbolize activity
• Promotes idealism and encourages community spirit
• Enhances stability and zest for life

Name derived from the Latin word citrus, meaning lemon, citrines are commonly used in jewelry for almost 6,000 years.

Mined from: USA, Madagascar, former Soviet-Union, South-West Africa, Brazil, Spain, France
Hardness: 7
Chemical Composition: SiO2 + (Al, Ca, Fe, Li, Mg, Na)
Colors: Lemon yellow to golden brown

Healing properties:

• Combats stress and depression
• Stimulates themetabolic processes of the live, stomach, duodenum and pancreas
• Detoxify the metabolism

Citrine are said to:

• Promote confidence, individualtiy and renewed determination

Diamond is known as the hardest gemstone in the world. It is also the most sought after. Especially with DeBeers marketing "Diamonds areForever". Diamonds have long been used in engagment and wedding rings. More information is available on how to choose and engagment ring here.

Mined from: Kimberley (Africa), Brazil, Australia and Siberia
Hardness: 10
Chemical Composition: C + (Al, Ca, Fe)
Colors: The most popular colour is white, but diamonds can be found in different colours such as pink, yellow and brown. Recently, black diamonds have gained in popularity.

Healing properties:

• Combats stress
• Removes blockage and impurities
• Combats mental illnesses when placed as a third eye between the eyebrows

Diamonds are said to:

• Symbolize wisdom and enlightenment, purity and clarity
• Encourages self-confidence and desire for independance
• Counteracts jealousy
• Provides protection
• Preserves peace
• Gives power

Emeralds was associted with mercury, the messenger of the gods and god of travel. Cleopatra was said to use the reflection of gemstone to achieve eternal youth and beauty.

Mined from: Columbia, Ural,s Rhodesia, Australia, Brazil, India, Pakistan
Hardness: 7-8
Chemical Composition: Al2Be3 (Si6O18) + K, Li, Na + (Cr)
Colors: Various shades of green

Healing properties:

• Stabilizes vision
• Effective against headaches

Emeralds are said to:

• Promotes mental growth, farsightedness, perceptiveness
• Symbolizes hope and development
• Symbolizes maturity and divine intuition

According to folklore, fluorite is the home of rainbows. It is believe to contain elements of all the other gemstones due to its wide range of colors.

Mined from: Spain, England, USA, Mexico, China Hardness: 4 Chemical Composition: CaF2 + (C, CI, Ce, Fe, Y) Colors: Yellow, violet, green and multicolor Healing properties: Gradually removes pain when placed directly to the affected area Good for energy blockage, respiratory problems, suppurating wounds and skin diseases as well as arthritis Eases joint problems and stiffness

Fluortie are said to:

• Awaken suppressed feelings and combats narrow-mindeness
• Symbolize responsibility and obedience

Garnets are called "kundalini fire" (fire of eternal metamorphosis). In Hinduism and Buddhism, it is said the garnet enlightens the souls and give wisdom. The most famous garnet is know as the "Wise One" which decorates the crown of the German Emperor Otto.

Mined from: Bohemia, Madagascar, India, Canada, South Africa, Australia, USA
Hardness: 7-7.5
Chemical Composition: (SiO4)3 + other metal
Colors: Red to dark red, rust red, green, black, yellow

Healing properties:

• Improves blood circulation and strengthens the heart
• Helps memory
• Helps against depression
• Diminishes tiredness

Garnets are said to:

• Symbolize constructiveness
• Bring hope and brightens the soul
• Encourage feelings of joy, willpower and hope
• Stimulates the imagination

Hematite is also called "blood stone" as the water used to polish it becomes red. In ancient Egypt, the stone is used to staunch blood and to promote the formation of blood cells.

Hematite are said to:

• Encourage Sponteneity and zest for life
• Symbolizes courage