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 Home / Gem Library / Legend and Lore : Overview December 06, 2024  

Gem Library

December 06, 2024
Birthstones : Turquoise
Stars : Sagittarus

In time, the practice of wearing a variety of gemstones as protection against illness and misfortune changed. Certain stones were designated "lucky" for certain people. The custom of assigning a particular stone to a time, person, or group has a long history.


In ancient Judea, the High Priest wore a breastplate set with stones representing the 12 tribes of Israel. Later, this same idea was used to symbolize the 12 Apostles of Christ. Gemstones have been assigned to the days of the week, the hours of the day, and the planets (signs of the zodiac). The tradition associating each month with a different gemstone (natal gems or birthstones) became widespread in Poland during the 18th century.

In Burma, for instance, where all gemstones belonged to the monarch, the belief that anyone who took stone from a mine would be cursed may be deliberately cultivated to curb losses of a valuable national asset.

Mythical Powers of Various Gemstones: Gemstones Associated with Planets: Emblems of the Twelve Apostles:
  • Andrew – Blue Sapphire
  • Matthias – Chrysolite
  • Bartholomew – Red Carnelian
  • Peter – Jasper
  • James – White Chalcedony
  • Philip – Sardonyx
  • James-the-less – Topaz
  • Simeon – Pink hyacinth
  • John – Emerald
  • Thaddeus – Chrysoprase
  • Matthew – Amethyst
  • Thomas – Beryl (Emerald , Aquamarine)
Crystal Gazing:

Since Greek and Roman times, balls of polished rock crystal have been used to see into the future. The difficulty of finding a flawless piece large enough to be polished adds the mystique. The mystic gazes at the ball, lets the eyes go out of focus and then interprets the misty "image".

Crystal Healing:

Belief in the healing properties of gems has a very long history, as the rituals of medicine men in ancient tribes attest. Crystal healers today believe that each gem has the power to influence the health and well-being of a specific part of body. The light reflected off stones placed on vital nerve points is thought to be absorbed by the body, supplying it with healing energy.



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