Engraved gemstones

Much as I love working with gemstones and crystals I don't think I could go as far as to create some of the beautiful artworks that they crafted in ancient times. If you are not aware of what these people were capable of, take a look at the Wikipedia page here and be amazed!

There is something so delicate about an image carved into a semi-precious crystal and it makes me think of how you could enhance the energies, from a personal point of view, by carving something that's meaningful to you if one had the ability. Sadly I don't, but I really am in awe of anyone who could do this.

(Image from Wikipedia - portrait of Caracalla in amethyst)

Summer gemstone - amethyst

I don't know about you but I am very affected by the seasons and like to try to accomodate them in my use of crystals and gemstones. Seeing as it is the first day of summer tomorrow, then what should we be bringing out and placing at the centre of our gemstones work?

For me, the summer crystal is amethyst. It's so calm and peaceful that it perfectly reflects the stillness of warmer days. It also has that beautiful depth of colour that seems to fill our hearts will joy when we have become used to grey and gloom all winter.


So for a breath of fresh, summer air, I recommend amethyst to you. It doesn't matter whether you go for a massive piece that takes over the room, a few scattered tumblestones around the house or even some pretty amethyst jewellry. Just be sure to embrace the change of the season :)

Aries Birthstone/Gemstone

Ok, if you are Aries and wanting to carry your personal birthstone around with you then you're in luck - it's the diamond!! Well done, you did well there ;)

But what if you can't quite reach to that? There are some other alternative Aries gemstones and you needn't worry, they're beautiful too.

Bloodstone: The bloodstone is one of bonds and friendships and so this should come as no surprise to someone who is close to someone who's Aries. They are fiercely loyal and protect their own at all costs. You can show them how much you value this by presenting them with this little gift.

Jasper: The Aries is adventurous and likes to constantly try new things. So a great representation of this is yellow jasper to aid them travel with ease!

And if it's your birthday this coming astrological cycle, hope you have a good one :)

Nephrite Jade

I have a friend who's a tarot reader and I've been trying to explore my psychic side a lot more recently so that I can try to tap into my inner wisdom. I may be a bit optimistic that I actually have any! But she told me that there were links between tarot cards and crystals and gemstones. Needless to say I was very excited by this!

So I though I would look at nephrite jade first as this is tied in with one of my favourite major arcana card, the Empress. It's such a lovely card of affection, bonds, protection and love. So I can totally understand why nephrite jade is associated with this card as it basically seems to personify the gemstone perfectly!

Whenever I feel I need a bit of a pick me up in the emotional sense, actually nephrite jade is one of the crystals that I will turn to. It has the comforting feeling and makes me feel comfortable in my own skin somehow. So for a bit of gentle love, I recommend it!

Now THAT'S what I call a piece of Tanzanite!!!

Wow! That's all I can say to this - the discovery of the 3rd largest tanzanite gemstone in the world! I think that would look lovely in my living room ;)