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Healing Stones
Stones are beautiful gifts from the earth. In ancient times and even today, stones have been thought to bring healing and understanding. From the time of the Druids, to the Native Americans, and to the present people have been drawn to stones. Each stone was thought to posses a certain power. This power was thought to transform energy to help protect or bring wisdom to the wearer. Stones have been displayed in various ways. Some placed the stones in small pouches and wore them around their neck. Others made them into beads and decorated their outfits or made jewelry. People also placed stones in various places around their homes for protection or good luck. Today, many people practice these very acts. To preserve the power of a stone, Stones were placed in the sun or moonlight Enjoy these precious gifts of the Earth |
| Agate - acceptance, security and energy | Onyx - objective thinking, spiritual inspiration |
| Amethyst - inner peace, heals and protects | Quartz - good for hyperactivity, self acceptance |
| Citrine - eliminates negative feelings | Opal - brings love and joy |
| Emerald - increases psychic abilities, insight | Turquoise - mater healer, stimulates understanding |
| Hematite - heals headaches and hysteria | Tiger Eye - enhances emotional balance |
| Jasper - eases emotional stress | Aquamarine - calming and soothing |
| Malachite - guards against the evil eye | Carnelian - increases energy |
| Garnet - calms anger, helps concentration | Tourmaline - enhances emotional balance |
| Jade - symbolizes purity and serenity | |
| Lapis Lazul - aids strength |
The Art Of Lapidary
Lapidary is the art of forming, cutting,, carving, drilling
and polishing gem stones.
Stone or rock dug from the ground is "slabbed" (sliced into
different thickness depending on design).
The slabs are drawn on and shaped into a form, then are cut into three basic
cuts: faceted, plain or mixed cut.
Forms of cuts, or the shape of the cut is increasingly
changing due to new creations by designers.
Basic form types consist of: round, oval, cone-shaped, "carre'"(square),
"baguette" (rectangular), triangular and multi-cornered.
Faceted gems consist of cuts of a variety of small planes,
the facets and is used mostly for transparent gems.
Plain cuts are arched or "cabochon" or may appear as
a sphere. This is used for cutting agate and other opaque gemstones.
Mixed cuts is a combination of the faceted and plain cut. Half of the
gemstone carries facets; the other is smooth, roundish or plain.
Tools used in the lapidary process are a circular saw with edges containing diamond powder instead of teeth, used to rough cut gem stones to the required size. The rough cut gem then is ground and shaped on a vertical, "carborundum" wheel which is cooled with water. For polishing a wheel is used with different grades, of sanding or polishing belts (typically 100, 220, 400, 600 working from coarse to finest) made of carborundum, diamond or titanium carbide also cooled with water. Stones that are faceted or small to work with are cemented with a special wax on putty sticks or "dops" (stick holders) these help to guide the angle of the stone.
