Hobbies And Interests
Opal
Ninety percent of the world's opal comes from Australia. According to Aborigine legend, the precious gem was created when God came to Earth on a rainbow to bring humans his message of peace. When he touched the ground, the stones began to glitter with the rainbow colors characteristic of the opal.
Aquamarine
One ancient story says the aquamarine was born in the treasure chest of mermaids to become the sailor's lucky stone. Perhaps, this tale has to do with the aquamarine's sea-blue color. Some also believe if you put the aquamarine in water where the sun is shining, you magnify this precious stone's power.
Emerald
The Incas and Aztecs considered the emerald a holy stone. The Vedas (Indian holy scriptures) also refer to the emerald as having healing powers. Maybe this belief comes from this precious gemstone's green color, seen as a symbol of new life and fertility.
Diamond
Because of its high market value, diamonds have been at the center of conflicts everywhere it is mined. But since 2000, some governments have worked to use the financial power of the diamond to improve people's lives. Some of the benefits diamond revenues have produced are access to health care for 5 million people and funding to stop the AIDS/HIV pandemic.
Ruby
Considered the king of gemstones, the ruby appears in the Bible and Sanskrit writings as the most precious stone. People often see the ruby as a symbol of love and passion because of its deep red color.
Sapphire
Most sapphires are blue. In different colors, they're called "fancies." The Kashmir sapphire has a velvety blue color and is regarded as the most beautiful of these precious stones. It was discovered accidentally at 16,000 feet after a landslide.
Semi-Precious Agate
In ancient times, people used the agate, a striped semi precious stone of varied color, as a talisman, believing the stone could sate thirst, stop fever and change the course of storms.
Carnelian
Found in volcanic rock, the carnelian was used by ancient Egyptians in many of its ornaments and jewelry. The semi precious gem is porous and a good option if you're looking for a stone you could dye.
Tiger's Eye
Legend has it that this striped semi precious gemstone promotes health and spiritual well-being. You should wear it if you're looking for clarity in your life or business success.
Jade
Many objects from the Chinese Empire are jade, which the ancient Chinese believed carried the Confucian virtues of wisdom, justice, compassion, modesty and courage. Ancient Egyptians saw semi precious jade as the symbol of love, inner peace, harmony and balance.
Onyx
"Onyx" is Greek for "nail" or "claw" and refers to the legend of Eros cutting Aphrodite's nails. He scattered the clippings on the sand. The fates turned them to semi precious stone: the onyx.
Moonstone
In India, this shimmering semi precious stone represents holiness, while Arabic women sew them to their garments to promote fertility. The moonstone is mostly used as adornment in jewelry pieces.