GEMSTONE GUIDE

It all started with magma and took thousands of years to form.

 

AFRICAN BLOODSTONE

For the factuals: A dark green variety of chalcedony (microcrystalline quartz), with red iron oxide inclusions—typically hematite—giving it the appearance of blood splatters. Formed in Africa.

For the mysticals: Courage — it steadies the spirit in difficult times and helps move with purpose. Also energising, provides vitality and endurance.

 

AGATE - BLACK

For the factuals: A polished chalcedony (microcrystalline quartz) with a deep black tone, formed in the cavity of mainly volcanic igneous rocks.

For the mysticals: Protection — a mirror and a shield, reflecting what’s yours and repelling what’s not.

 

AGATE - BLACK MATTE

For the factuals: A form of chalcedony with a smooth, almost velvety matte surface obtained with an oil treatment.

For the mysticals: Stability — encourages calm endurance, balance and subtle power. Acts as a quiet protector as polished black agate.

 

AGATE - FIRE LACE

For the factuals: A banded type of chalcedony (microcrystalline quartz) with layered red, orange, cream tones — resembling flames or lace. Formed by the deposition of thin layers of silica over time.

For the mysticals: Creativity — sparks imagination, energises and encourages bold artistic expression with flow and play. A bit like untangling something knotted inside.

 

AGATE - GREY

For the factuals: A banded variety of chalcedony (microcrystalline quartz), formed over millennia, layer by layer in volcanic cavities or sedimentary rocks. Its natural tones range from soft grey to warm taupe, often with cloudy patterns, stripes or translucence.

For the mysticals: Emotional balance — helps steady the mind and soften rigid thinking. Gentle and mature, this stone supports self-trust and quiet resilience. Said to absorb emotional noise and restore a clear internal rhythm.

 

AGATE - INDIAN

For the factuals: A type of chalcedony (microcrystalline quartz) characterised by mossy, muted tones — often green, brown, and red, formed by the layering of silica over thousands of years. Found in certain regions of India.

For the mysticals: Earth wisdom — slow-moving and rooted, reminds that transformation isn’t rushed and that meaningful processes do take time. Said to promote emotional stability that's felt in the body.

 

AGATE - RED STRIPED

For the factuals: A banded microcrystalline quartz called chalcedony, presenting layers of deep black, brown and red, formed over millennia in volcanic rocks.

For the mysticals: Resilience — a layered stone for layered times. Helps process emotional upheaval and stay centred and calm when life isn’t clean-cut.

 

AGATE - WHITE

For the factuals: A milky, fine-grained type of quartz, known as chalcedony, formed in the cavities of igneous or volcanic rocks.

For the mysticals: Calm, harmony — cools the heat of the moment, and supports clear-headed decision making without the emotional fog. Think: restoration, quiet reassurance, deep breath.

 

AMAZONITE

For the factuals: A green-blue variety of feldspar — a silicate mineral rich in potassium and aluminium — formed in all three layers of the earth (crust, mantle and core).

For the mysticals: Expression — think of a clear flowing current, this stone helps the energy flow. Ideal for speaking your truth gently but firmly. It's soothing and restorative, helping ease nervous tension and support self-trust and aligned action.

 

AQUAMARINE

For the factuals: A blue variety of beryl, coloured by iron and sibling to the emerald.

For the mysticals: Knowledge, renewal — helps dissolve fear and tension. Supports clarity through surrender, not force. Mythically tied to mermaids, historically carried by sailors. Deeply connected to the sea, intuition, dream states, emotional healing and the subconscious. All in all, a very Neptunian stone.

 

CARNELIAN

For the factuals: A reddish-orange chalcedony (a form of microcrystalline quartz), coloured by iron oxide.

For the mysticals: Vitality — an ignition switch; motivates action, boosts confidence, and reawakens joy. Sparks an internal yes within your gut.

 

HEMATITE

For the factuals: An iron oxide settled over time. In raw form it resembles rust; when polished or electroplated, it becomes heavy and mirror-like. Its root literally means blood.

For the mysticals: Inner strength — empowering and vitalising, enhances determination and leadership. Historically used to support all blood-related disorders.

 

JASPER - DALMATIAN

For the factuals: A light beige igneous rock with black spots, made mostly of granite and other minerals such as quartz.

For the mysticals: Playfulness — lightens and reminds you not to take things too seriously. Balances heavy moods and overthinking.

 

MOTHER OF PEARL

For the factuals: The smooth, iridescent inner layer of certain mollusk shells, mainly oysters and abalones. Its shimmer comes from nacre — layers of calcium carbonate crystals bound by organic material, built up over the animal’s lifetime.

For the mysticals: Protection through softness — tied to calming the emotions and encouraging a receptive, nurturing energy. A reminder of the ocean: cyclical, soothing, quietly powerful. Said to hold the qualities of patience and maternal care, helping one move gently through change.

 

OBSIDIAN

For the factuals: Literally a volcanic glass, formed when hot lava cools too fast to crystallize. Jet-black with a sharp break.

For the mysticals: Protection — not by shielding, but by revealing and cutting through illusion. Draws you back to your power, your shadow and ancestral wisdom. An honest, magnetic, dark and powerful stone connected to the underworld. All in all, a very Plutonian one.

 

ONYX

For the factuals: A dense form of chalcedony (microcrystalline quartz) — smooth, glossy and jet black.

For the mysticals: Boundaries — helps separate your energy from others’ and builds inner resolve.

 

QUARTZ - CRYSTAL

For the factuals: A silicon dioxide crystal — the most abundant mineral on Earth. Known for its clarity and ability to form large, structured points.

For the mysticals: Amplification — it expands what’s present. Useful for focus, clarity, and elevating intentions. It doesn’t decide for you; it strengthens what you bring.

 

QUARTZ - ROSE

For the factuals: A variety of quartz with its pink colour due to trace amounts of titanium, iron or manganese. Forms under very high pressure and temperature deep within the earth.

For the mysticals: Gentleness — it doesn’t push; it softens, opens, nurtures. Known as the stone of love in all forms.

 

QUARTZ - SMOKY

For the factuals: A translucent brown-grey variety of quartz, its smoky tone comes from natural radiation and exposure to underground minerals.

For the mysticals: Grounding master — helps anchor scattered thoughts and transmute nervous energy into calm presence.