Gemfanatics provides information about the metaphysical, magical, and healing properties of the most popular gems, crystals, and minerals.

Our writers are, in fact, gem fanatics, and will help you understand each stone's properties.

"As above, so below," said Plato and other ancient wise ones. Each Earthly stone is associated with one or more of the astrological Zodiac signs, and with one or more of the planets which influence our lives.

The colors of gems and crystals resonate with the chakras of the body. Each chakra is a focal point of life energy governing various organs and systems of the body. Wearing the proper stone can help to improve the flow of life energy through a blocked chakra, cleansing toxins from organs and invigorating entire metabolic systems of the body.

Birth stones are associated with each month of the year. The "modern" birth stones described here come from a list published by several American jewelry trade associations in the mid-20th Century.

The information presented here is for educational use only, and should not be used as a substitute for conventional medical care or common sense.

So far, we have covered the following concepts:

  • Amber
    A gem of life, amber opens the spirit to recollections of past lives and ancient, forgotten wisdom.

  • Amethyst
    Amethyst's rich, royal purple clarity makes it one of the best-loved gem stones. It is also a powerful mystical stone of many metaphysical and healing properties.

  • Aquamarine
    Ancient mystics believed that aquamarine is the Stone of the Seer, and that it brings the wearer calmness, a gentle nature, a placid and friendly personality.

  • Beryl
    Few people are aware of beryl; they are most familiar with the names of its color variations.

  • Coral
    All coral is rather dull when harvested but polishes up to a creamy luster. However, over time, coral tends to lose its luster.

  • Diamond
    "A diamond is forever" is not just a jeweler's slogan; human fascination with diamonds goes back to ancient times.

  • Emerald
    An emerald of the right shade of green is more valuable than diamond, carat for carat.

  • Garnet
    Garnet has been valued as a gem stone for thousands of years. Its metaphysical and healing properties make garnet one of the most powerful of crystals.

  • Hematite
    In the Middle Ages, hematite was called the "blood stone" because the water used to wash and polish it would turn blood-red.

  • Jade
    To the Chinese, jade symbolized the five virtues of wisdom, compassion, justice, modesty and courage.

  • Jasper
    Jasper is the Tibetan mystical birth stone for the month of October.

  • Marcasite (Pyrite)
    Marcasite and pyrite can be used for scrying; ancient Mayans searched for hidden knowledge in polished slabs of these stones.

  • Moonstone
    Moonstone has a peculiar shimmering property called "schiller" that resembles the light of the moon.

  • Obsidian
    Obsidian is a naturally formed glass, created when molten lava cools too quickly to crystallize and, instead, forms amorphous masses of silica.

  • Onyx
    Major sources of onyx and sardonyx include Brazil, California, and Uruguay.

  • Opal
    Opal has been known as a lucky stone since ancient times. Its lingering reputation as a stone ill fortune arose only the 19th century.

  • Pearl
    Pearl has been used as a cosmetic and beauty aid for thousands of years.

  • Peridot
    Olivine is one of the most abundant minerals on Earth. On the island of Hawaii, one can bask on a miles-long beach of startlingly grass-green olivine.

  • Quartz Crystal
    "Rock crystal" is glass-clear quartz, highly prized among healers for its metaphysical and healing properties.

  • Ruby
    Ruby has a long history as a stone of royalty.

  • Sapphire
    Sapphire is second only to diamond as the hardest natural material on Earth.

  • Serpentine
    Serpentine has been carved into intricate talismans, vessels, jewelry, boxes, and other ornamental and magical forms for thousands of years.

  • Tanzanite
    Tanzanite is an example of a gem "created" by the jewelry industry.

  • Topaz
    The name of topaz comes from a Sanskrit word that means "fire." It is a brilliant gem, associated with the Sun since ancient times.

  • Tourmaline
    Tourmaline is one of the most complex silicate mineral, with variations that result from the inclusion of many different elements.

  • Turquoise
    Turquoise has been valued more highly than gold and used as currency in some cultures.

We're still new, so Stay Tuned for more!