by Andrew Pacholyk MS L.Ac
Peacefulmind.com
Any gemstone makes a beautiful holiday gift! There are some obvious, as well as some not so obvious choices I would like to mention, that can make a great gift as well as have great significance.
Chiastolite: The “Cross Stone” :Â This powerful crystal balances one’s perspective in both creativity and practicality. It is used as a sign of devotion towards awareness and dispels negativity. It signifies both death and re-birth and helps one to understand the realization of immortality. It is used as a bridge for “crossing over”. It helps one to assimilate during times of change. It provides insight to answers when problem solving. This stone has a reputation for astral journeys and is used as a gateway into the mysterious. This stone allows for the overcoming of fear, the facing of reality and overcoming of the unknown. It exhibits the axis and angle in a different color from the rest of the crystal forming a natural cross.
Gold: An excellent all-purpose, high level gem amplifier and electrical conductor, especially on Solar plexus and Heart Chakra. Strengthens meridians, nerve system, digestion. Positively charged with warming sun energy. Often worn by teachers/healers, especially after much self-healing (addictions, childhood…) Attracts prosperity, stores, amplifies thoughts/emotions/energy (Greed too). Yang. Pink = Gold + copper. Lovingness, warmth, spirituality. Amplifies gem effects. White: Combines sun and moon’s energy, thus higher conductor and amplifier. A regenerator, helping one renew oneself. Works on the physical, mental, and spiritual planes. It benefits the nervous system and improves the ability of the nerves to transmit information in the most efficient manner. Gold settings: Gold is ruled by the Sun a masculine planet, and therefore imparts a more assertive energy to crystals & minerals that are mounted in it.
Goldstone:Â Medium brown, green, blue or red, these stones are accented with tiny coppery glitter. Goldstone is a man-made stone, a type of glass with glittery metallic material in it. It is a valid classification, as it has many properties of NATURAL glasses, such as obsidian which are modified by its being man-made and having been doped with additives. Originally created when alchemists were working towards creating gold. Gently uplifting, mildly helpful to Solar plexus Chakra to reduce stomach tension, protect center of body.
Clear Quartz: is thought to amplify both body energy and thoughts. It can assist in the creation of power, clarity of thinking, meditation, cleansing, clearing the aura, spiritual development and healing. Clear Quartz is considered the “stone of power”. A dedicated healer. Pure white light passes through it easily, leaving all the colors of the spectrum unaltered and giving substance to the argument that Clear Quartz crystals can help balance all the elements needed to make us whole and fulfilled. Amplify whatever influences are present in an individual or location. Acts as a purifier and tunes into the frequency of each individual.
Crackle Quartz: AKA Fairy Quartz: is classified under clear quartz. These stones are beautifully dyed clear quartz representing the metaphysical powers of clear quartz (the stone of power, clear insight and high vibrational energy) along with the power of their color! Each colored stone represents a particular “fairy realm” and coordinates with the color of each sacred place. They can be used by their coordinating color for Chakra work,aura cleansing and color therapy treatments.
Jade:Â The ancient Chinese culture has revered Jade for centuries. Jade is considered the health, wealth and longevity stone. used also for courage, wisdom, justice, mercy, emotional balance, stamina, love, fidelity, humility, generosity, peace, harmony. Jade is known as androgynous, therefore it is considered having a gentle, steady pulse of healing energy. Jade is found in different colors and can be used on the appropriate Chakra based on its color. Properties common to all colors of Jade include its ability to mellow one’s existence. Helps one rid themselves of negative thoughts and energy. Very beneficial to the heart in both physical and spiritual senses. It is a very protective stone and will keep its wearer out of harm’s way. Jade bounds us to our earth energies and physical instincts. Jade is a humbling stone.
Rainbow Opal: Â this silicate stone contains water, metaphysically, correlating with our emotions. Opals help by clarifying, amplifying and mirroring our feelings, can bring up buried emotions, or desires (including love and passion). With opals in your life, you can find less inhibition, more spontaneity. Their rainbow effect reflect back beautiful colors in the light. These stones have often been associated with the higher or Crown and Brow Chakra. They assist in visualization, imagination, dreams, and the power of healing. They are efficient as they can easily absorb and store our emotions and thoughts. Opal is a stone of inspiration which enhances the imagination and creativity as well.
 Rose Quartz represents love, beauty, peacefulness, forgiving, loving, self-love and emotional balance! Rose Quartz works with the Heart Chakra. It is a soft, gentle, soothing stone that warms the heart center. Its value as a nurturing friend cannot be overstated. Neither can it’s soothing influence. Helps diffuse negative stimuli and uncomfortable memories. Helps us discover the ability to love ourselves and makes us more open to other people. It is of particular value in helping us to forgive ourselves, hastening self-acceptance. Helps us realize that all change is important, even difficult change. Stimulates love and tender appreciation of all things.
Snow White Quartz: also known as Snow Quartz or Milky Quartz, it is a variety of Rock Quartz crystal with microscopic water bubbles and inclusions of carbon dioxide. This gives the stone its “snowy”, white, or “milky” appearance. Snow White Quartz is the Observation Stone. Like the introspective and contemplative time of winter, this unique stone allows us to notice more the actions around us, both good and bad, helping us to perhaps see ourselves a little better. It can help us to meditate on parts of our personality that we admire and those we need to change. Compelling us from thought to action. Snow White Quartz represents the wonder and innocence of pure snow. It gives us the hopefulness of a new bride on her wedding day and the child-like innocence we all should remember. It is also associated with the white-haired sage, filled with good advice and wisdom, who need not constantly express it, but to just “be” with it. Therefore, the stone represents a gentle calm and soothing stone useful for meditation and the seeking of wisdom or truth through our “inner journey”.
 Staurolite: “Fairy Cross”: This mineral is a talisman of good luck! Historically, this stone is said to be formed from the tears of fairies when they were brought the news of the death of Christ. Formed in the shape of a cross (often, St. Andrew’s Cross), this amazing stone is beautiful and powerful on your alter or meditation space, around your neck or in your pocket. Represents four elements and joining of spirit with earth/matter. Spirituality, compassion, allowing, dis-attachment. Focus centered on the here and now. This stone provides protection and grounding energy and therefore, is most often used at the Root Chakra.
