Gemstones

I love gemstones.  Working with them to create healing jewellery is something I have enjoyed for many years and I am always learning new things about them.

When you browse the Charms Of Light website, you will see that I write about the Healing Properties of Gemstones.  I tend to stick to the gemstones that are used in my healing jewellery, although sometimes, when asked, I do try to include others too.  Of course, writing about the stones that I use also means having to know what stones I am using.  Over time I have learnt which ones are which, but there can sometimes be a little confusion.  Recently I discovered that Rainbow Moonstone is not Moonstone at all, but Labradorite in a white matrix.

Depending on where you purchase your gemstones from, you will find different names given to them.  For example, when I lived in Asia and purchased "Indian Bloodstone", it was in fact "Fancy Jasper".  This wasn't because they were trying to trick me, it was just that they called it a different name.

Larvikite and Crystal
Bracelet

There are many gemstones on the market with a variety of different trade names.  Some of these are genuine mistakes, but unfortunately some names have been changed to make the stones seem something they are not, so you do need to be very careful.  I found two different suppliers in the UK who are selling Larvikite as Labradorite.  Luckily I received some lovely quality stones that I was able to use as Larvikite Jewellery, but even though I subsequently told the suppliers that they made a mistake, they haven’t changed the name and are still selling their Larvikite to unsuspecting customers as Labradorite.  This very often happens with Sodalite being sold as Lapis Lazuli, Smokey Quartz being sold as Topaz, and many others.

Many will say that as long as you like the look of your gemstones, get pleasure from wearing or using them, and haven't paid a premium price for something that they are not, then it doesn't really matter what type of gemstones they are.  I agree with this up to a point, especially as there are healing properties in all stones.  However, if you are looking for a specific gemstone for a specific meaning, please make sure you purchase from somewhere or someone you trust.

Blessings,
Caryl
♥