Crystal Encyclopedia

GABBRO, FLOWERING: See Chrysanthemum Stone

GABBRO, INDIGO: (Also known as Mystic Merlinite) Use to enhance your magical abilities, to connect you with the wisdom of your ancestors and guides, for balance, to stimulate your intuition and your innate psychic abilities, to help work through past life issues, to promote personal peace, and to encourage self-forgiveness.

GAIA STONE: Click here to read the full article.

GARNET:

• GARNET, ANDRADITE BLACK: (Also known as Melanite) Use to aid in grounding, foster protection of your energy body from psychic attack, stimulate your clairvoyant abilities (psychic sight), promote wellness, facilitate trance states (especially for channeling), and provide a window into the Akashic Records to learn about past, present, and future. Garnet refers to a whole family of stones that usually range in color from red to burgundy to black. There are even some with more of a cinnamon color, and other variations besides. Since it’s a very imprecise term, we’ve described and pictured a number of minerals that go by the name “garnet” below. The word “garnet” comes from the same root as the word “pomegranate”: granum, which is Latin for seed. But if you look at a handful of these small, regularly-shaped gems, they do look a bit like pomegranate seeds. The red of garnet is so intense that this stone has often been associated with drops of blood, and this is reflected in various stories from all over the world. For example, a myth from India says that when the demon Vala was slain, his finger- and toenails were scattered all over the world as garnets. There are also legends about its brightness, claiming that garnet’s internal light glows bright enough to light up a room. In fact, the Koran says that the fourth heaven is filled with garnets that bathe it in warm light. About the word “carbuncle,” which often refers to garnet: Geology may be slow, but the names of crystals change a lot — so much so that it’s confusing to read older texts about crystals, because it’s hard to know what stone they actually refer to. For example, “carbuncles” might actually mean rubies, sapphires, or even diamonds — though most often, a carbuncle is a garnet. But those old references turn up some pretty weird stories, too. A German botanist investigating plant life in New Guinea turned up this one: The queen of the Island of Amboin had left her baby in a hammock while she worked. (Amboin’s pretty small, so being queen there didn’t have many perks.) When she came back to check on her child, she was horrified to see a big snake dangling over his hammock, and a bright spot on the boy’s body exactly the color of blood. She ran to the hammock, hoping to kill the terrible stake that she believed had killed her baby. But instead of blood, she found that the shining red she’d seen was actually a carbuncle the snake had dropped on the little boy. The grateful queen kept the lucky snake nearby for the rest of its life, feeding and caring for it. As for the little prince, his stone shone so bright, he used it as a nightlight. And when he grew up, he presented his treasure to the King of Siam and became a favorite of that powerful ruler. Care and safety: Since many forms of garnet contain aluminum, it should not be used in crystal elixirs.
• GARNET, DEMANTOID GREEN: Use to connect with beings from the fairy realm, aid you in seeing the beauty and magic of trees, assist you in developing a great appreciation of nature, enhance your knowledge and understanding of the plant kingdom (especially herbalism), shield and protect yourself from outside energies, support the emotional body, and foster protection from envy or jealousy (either from having these feelings toward others or vice versa). Garnet refers to a whole family of stones that usually range in color from red to burgundy to black. There are even some with more of a cinnamon color, and other variations besides. Since it’s a very imprecise term, we’ve described and pictured a number of minerals that go by the name “garnet” below. The word “garnet” comes from the same root as the word “pomegranate”: granum, which is Latin for seed. But if you look at a handful of these small, regularly-shaped gems, they do look a bit like pomegranate seeds. The red of garnet is so intense that this stone has often been associated with drops of blood, and this is reflected in various stories from all over the world. For example, a myth from India says that when the demon Vala was slain, his finger- and toenails were scattered all over the world as garnets. There are also legends about its brightness, claiming that garnet’s internal light glows bright enough to light up a room. In fact, the Koran says that the fourth heaven is filled with garnets that bathe it in warm light. About the word “carbuncle,” which often refers to garnet: Geology may be slow, but the names of crystals change a lot — so much so that it’s confusing to read older texts about crystals, because it’s hard to know what stone they actually refer to. For example, “carbuncles” might actually mean rubies, sapphires, or even diamonds — though most often, a carbuncle is a garnet. But those old references turn up some pretty weird stories, too. A German botanist investigating plant life in New Guinea turned up this one: The queen of the Island of Amboin had left her baby in a hammock while she worked. (Amboin’s pretty small, so being queen there didn’t have many perks.) When she came back to check on her child, she was horrified to see a big snake dangling over his hammock, and a bright spot on the boy’s body exactly the color of blood. She ran to the hammock, hoping to kill the terrible stake that she believed had killed her baby. But instead of blood, she found that the shining red she’d seen was actually a carbuncle the snake had dropped on the little boy. The grateful queen kept the lucky snake nearby for the rest of its life, feeding and caring for it. As for the little prince, his stone shone so bright, he used it as a nightlight. And when he grew up, he presented his treasure to the King of Siam and became a favorite of that powerful ruler. Care and safety: Since many forms of garnet contain aluminum, it should not be used in crystal elixirs.
• GARNET, GROSSULAR GREEN: (Also known as Green Grossularite) Use to shield the aura from negativity, enhance prosperity, promote wellness, overcome major life obstacles, and bring wealth and prosperity. Garnet refers to a whole family of stones that usually range in color from red to burgundy to black. There are even some with more of a cinnamon color, and other variations besides. Since it’s a very imprecise term, we’ve described and pictured a number of minerals that go by the name “garnet” below. The word “garnet” comes from the same root as the word “pomegranate”: granum, which is Latin for seed. But if you look at a handful of these small, regularly-shaped gems, they do look a bit like pomegranate seeds. The red of garnet is so intense that this stone has often been associated with drops of blood, and this is reflected in various stories from all over the world. For example, a myth from India says that when the demon Vala was slain, his finger- and toenails were scattered all over the world as garnets. There are also legends about its brightness, claiming that garnet’s internal light glows bright enough to light up a room. In fact, the Koran says that the fourth heaven is filled with garnets that bathe it in warm light. About the word “carbuncle,” which often refers to garnet: Geology may be slow, but the names of crystals change a lot — so much so that it’s confusing to read older texts about crystals, because it’s hard to know what stone they actually refer to. For example, “carbuncles” might actually mean rubies, sapphires, or even diamonds — though most often, a carbuncle is a garnet. But those old references turn up some pretty weird stories, too. A German botanist investigating plant life in New Guinea turned up this one: The queen of the Island of Amboin had left her baby in a hammock while she worked. (Amboin’s pretty small, so being queen there didn’t have many perks.) When she came back to check on her child, she was horrified to see a big snake dangling over his hammock, and a bright spot on the boy’s body exactly the color of blood. She ran to the hammock, hoping to kill the terrible stake that she believed had killed her baby. But instead of blood, she found that the shining red she’d seen was actually a carbuncle the snake had dropped on the little boy. The grateful queen kept the lucky snake nearby for the rest of its life, feeding and caring for it. As for the little prince, his stone shone so bright, he used it as a nightlight. And when he grew up, he presented his treasure to the King of Siam and became a favorite of that powerful ruler. Care and safety: Since many forms of garnet contain aluminum, it should not be used in crystal elixirs.
• GARNET, GROSSULAR PINK: (Also known as Pink Grossularite) Use to shield the aura from negativity by transmuting negative energy into loving energy; balance the emotions, promote wellness, and enhance feelings of compassion and empathy. Garnet refers to a whole family of stones that usually range in color from red to burgundy to black. There are even some with more of a cinnamon color, and other variations besides. Since it’s a very imprecise term, we’ve described and pictured a number of minerals that go by the name “garnet” below. The word “garnet” comes from the same root as the word “pomegranate”: granum, which is Latin for seed. But if you look at a handful of these small, regularly-shaped gems, they do look a bit like pomegranate seeds. The red of garnet is so intense that this stone has often been associated with drops of blood, and this is reflected in various stories from all over the world. For example, a myth from India says that when the demon Vala was slain, his finger- and toenails were scattered all over the world as garnets. There are also legends about its brightness, claiming that garnet’s internal light glows bright enough to light up a room. In fact, the Koran says that the fourth heaven is filled with garnets that bathe it in warm light. About the word “carbuncle,” which often refers to garnet: Geology may be slow, but the names of crystals change a lot — so much so that it’s confusing to read older texts about crystals, because it’s hard to know what stone they actually refer to. For example, “carbuncles” might actually mean rubies, sapphires, or even diamonds — though most often, a carbuncle is a garnet. But those old references turn up some pretty weird stories, too. A German botanist investigating plant life in New Guinea turned up this one: The queen of the Island of Amboin had left her baby in a hammock while she worked. (Amboin’s pretty small, so being queen there didn’t have many perks.) When she came back to check on her child, she was horrified to see a big snake dangling over his hammock, and a bright spot on the boy’s body exactly the color of blood. She ran to the hammock, hoping to kill the terrible stake that she believed had killed her baby. But instead of blood, she found that the shining red she’d seen was actually a carbuncle the snake had dropped on the little boy. The grateful queen kept the lucky snake nearby for the rest of its life, feeding and caring for it. As for the little prince, his stone shone so bright, he used it as a nightlight. And when he grew up, he presented his treasure to the King of Siam and became a favorite of that powerful ruler. Care and safety: Since many forms of garnet contain aluminum, it should not be used in crystal elixirs.
• GARNET, HESSIONITE: (Also known as Cinnamon Stone or as Peach Garnet) Use to balance the emotional body, increase the positive and balance the negative aspects of your astrological sign, bring out your masculine energies, and aid you in connecting with yourself. Garnet refers to a whole family of stones that usually range in color from red to burgundy to black. There are even some with more of a cinnamon color, and other variations besides. Since it’s a very imprecise term, we’ve described and pictured a number of minerals that go by the name “garnet” below. The word “garnet” comes from the same root as the word “pomegranate”: granum, which is Latin for seed. But if you look at a handful of these small, regularly-shaped gems, they do look a bit like pomegranate seeds. The red of garnet is so intense that this stone has often been associated with drops of blood, and this is reflected in various stories from all over the world. For example, a myth from India says that when the demon Vala was slain, his finger- and toenails were scattered all over the world as garnets. There are also legends about its brightness, claiming that garnet’s internal light glows bright enough to light up a room. In fact, the Koran says that the fourth heaven is filled with garnets that bathe it in warm light. About the word “carbuncle,” which often refers to garnet: Geology may be slow, but the names of crystals change a lot — so much so that it’s confusing to read older texts about crystals, because it’s hard to know what stone they actually refer to. For example, “carbuncles” might actually mean rubies, sapphires, or even diamonds — though most often, a carbuncle is a garnet. But those old references turn up some pretty weird stories, too. A German botanist investigating plant life in New Guinea turned up this one: The queen of the Island of Amboin had left her baby in a hammock while she worked. (Amboin’s pretty small, so being queen there didn’t have many perks.) When she came back to check on her child, she was horrified to see a big snake dangling over his hammock, and a bright spot on the boy’s body exactly the color of blood. She ran to the hammock, hoping to kill the terrible stake that she believed had killed her baby. But instead of blood, she found that the shining red she’d seen was actually a carbuncle the snake had dropped on the little boy. The grateful queen kept the lucky snake nearby for the rest of its life, feeding and caring for it. As for the little prince, his stone shone so bright, he used it as a nightlight. And when he grew up, he presented his treasure to the King of Siam and became a favorite of that powerful ruler. Care and safety: Since many forms of garnet contain aluminum, it should not be used in crystal elixirs.
• GARNET, ORANGE: See Spessartine Garnet
• GARNET, PEACH: See Hessionite Garnet
• GARNET, PYROPE RED: Click here to read the full article.
• GARNET, RHODOLITE RED VIOLET: Use to cleanse and purify, enhance prosperity & abundance, stimulate vitality, amplify your life force energy, bring clarity of mind, encourage spiritual exploration, deepen meditation, and to bring your spiritual consciousness into the physical realm. Garnet refers to a whole family of stones that usually range in color from red to burgundy to black. There are even some with more of a cinnamon color, and other variations besides. The word “garnet” comes from the same root as the word “pomegranate”: granum, which is Latin for seed. But if you look at a handful of these small, regularly-shaped gems, they do look a bit like pomegranate seeds. The red of garnet is so intense that this stone has often been associated with drops of blood, and this is reflected in various stories from all over the world. For example, a myth from India says that when the demon Vala was slain, his finger- and toenails were scattered all over the world as garnets. There are also legends about its brightness, claiming that garnet’s internal light glows bright enough to light up a room. In fact, the Koran says that the fourth heaven is filled with garnets that bathe it in warm light. About the word “carbuncle,” which often refers to garnet: Geology may be slow, but the names of crystals change a lot — so much so that it’s confusing to read older texts about crystals, because it’s hard to know what stone they actually refer to. For example, “carbuncles” might actually mean rubies, sapphires, or even diamonds — though most often, a carbuncle is a garnet. But those old references turn up some pretty weird stories, too. A German botanist investigating plant life in New Guinea turned up this one: The queen of the Island of Amboin had left her baby in a hammock while she worked. (Amboin’s pretty small, so being queen there didn’t have many perks.) When she came back to check on her child, she was horrified to see a big snake dangling over his hammock, and a bright spot on the boy’s body exactly the color of blood. She ran to the hammock, hoping to kill the terrible stake that she believed had killed her baby. But instead of blood, she found that the shining red she’d seen was actually a carbuncle the snake had dropped on the little boy. The grateful queen kept the lucky snake nearby for the rest of its life, feeding and caring for it. As for the little prince, his stone shone so bright, he used it as a nightlight. And when he grew up, he presented his treasure to the King of Siam and became a favorite of that powerful ruler. Since many forms of garnet contain aluminum, it should not be used in crystal elixirs.
• GARNET, SPESSARTINE: (Also known as Spessartite or as Garnet, Orange) Use to stimulate vitality, enhance sexual energy and desire, aid in animal communication and connect yourself with animal archetypes. Garnet refers to a whole family of stones that usually range in color from red to burgundy to black. There are even some with more of a cinnamon color, and other variations besides. Since many forms of garnet contain aluminum, it should not be used in crystal elixirs.
• GARNET, UVAROVITE: (Also known as Garnet, Green Uvarovite) Use to connect with nature (the elements, nature spirits, and Mother Earth herself), instill a sense of compassion for all beings, promote earth healing, re-open your heart after hurt or heartbreak, and shield your aura from negativity. Garnet refers to a whole family of stones that usually range in color from red to burgundy to black. There are even some with more of a cinnamon color, and other variations besides. The word “garnet” comes from the same root as the word “pomegranate”: granum, which is Latin for seed. But if you look at a handful of these small, regularly-shaped gems, they do look a bit like pomegranate seeds. The red of garnet is so intense that this stone has often been associated with drops of blood, and this is reflected in various stories from all over the world. For example, a myth from India says that when the demon Vala was slain, his finger- and toenails were scattered all over the world as garnets. There are also legends about its brightness, claiming that garnet’s internal light glows bright enough to light up a room. In fact, the Koran says that the fourth heaven is filled with garnets that bathe it in warm light. About the word “carbuncle,” which often refers to garnet: Geology may be slow, but the names of crystals change a lot — so much so that it’s confusing to read older texts about crystals, because it’s hard to know what stone they actually refer to. For example, “carbuncles” might actually mean rubies, sapphires, or even diamonds — though most often, a carbuncle is a garnet. But those old references turn up some pretty weird stories, too. A German botanist investigating plant life in New Guinea turned up this one: The queen of the Island of Amboin had left her baby in a hammock while she worked. (Amboin’s pretty small, so being queen there didn’t have many perks.) When she came back to check on her child, she was horrified to see a big snake dangling over his hammock, and a bright spot on the boy’s body exactly the color of blood. She ran to the hammock, hoping to kill the terrible stake that she believed had killed her baby. But instead of blood, she found that the shining red she’d seen was actually a carbuncle the snake had dropped on the little boy. The grateful queen kept the lucky snake nearby for the rest of its life, feeding and caring for it. As for the little prince, his stone shone so bright, he used it as a nightlight. And when he grew up, he presented his treasure to the King of Siam and became a favorite of that powerful ruler. Since many forms of garnet contain aluminum, it should not be used in crystal elixirs.

GASPEITE: Use to promote wellness, facilitate a connection with and project love onto your inner child, enhance communication with plants and animals as well as nature spirits and fairies, rid you of toxic energies and negative traits.

GIRASOL: See Girasol Quartz

GOLD: Use to balance your masculine and feminine energies, embrace the energy and warmth of the sun, promote a willingness to change (to be malleable), assist in regulating your emotions, and aid you in overcoming dependencies.

GOLDEN ANGEL HAIR: See Golden Rutile

GOLDEN VENUS HAIR: See Golden Rutile

GOLDSTONE: (Also known as Monk’s Gold, Monkstone, Stelleria, Avventurina, and Aventurine Glass) Use to promote self-love and replace unnecessary complications with simplicity. Goldstone is a type of synthetic, or man-made, glass which is made with copper. The copper forms tiny crystalline clusters within the glass. The most common form of Goldstone is reddish-brown, although, in fact, the color is produced by the copper crystals and the glass itself is actually colorless. Some goldstone varieties use colored glass, usually blue or violet, and more rarely green. Goldstone’s alternate name, “Stelleria”, is based on Goldstone’s starry, night-sky-like appearance. Because of its copper content, Goldstone can be used for energetic support, although its energy is not nearly as strong as that of natural Copper. Please see Copper for additional properties. PLEASE NOTE: This is a man-made stone. Another name for goldstone is avventurina, which comes from the Italian word for “by chance.” Hence, another alternate name for Goldstone is “aventurine glass.” This derives from the story about goldstone’s beginnings: that it was developed by chance by alchemists trying to transform copper into gold. Another story goes that a monk working with both molten copper and glass accidentally mixed the two together, and in a classic “You-got-chocolate-in-my-peanut-butter” moment, goldstone was born. Either way, goldstone reminds us that accidents can have happy results. Nowadays, red goldstone is made by suspending copper particles in glass, which results in a reddish sparkling mineral. It’s good for balancing physical and etheric bodies, grounding, and motivation. Blue goldstone uses the same process, but substitutes cobalt or manganese for copper, and is good for overcoming negative thoughts and vision work. Green goldstone, glass colored with chromium, is great for amplification of energy and all-around good luck. The three types of Goldstone have a lot of properties in common, but each has its own individual character: Blue Goldstone: Manmade glass colored with cobalt or manganese. Use to promote self-love, increase motivation, overcome negative thought patterns, stimulate telepathy, aid in grounding, assist in the amplification of energy, bring good luck and encourage vitality. Green Goldstone: Manmade glass colored with chromium. Use to promote self-love, increase motivation, overcome negative thought patterns, balance between physical & etheric bodies, stimulate telepathy, aid in grounding, assist in the amplification of energy and bring good luck. Red Goldstone: Manmade glass infused with copper. Use to promote self-love, increase motivation, overcome negative thought patterns, balance between physical & etheric bodies, stimulate telepathy, aid in grounding, assist in the amplification of energy and bring good luck.

GROSSULARITE, GREEN: See Green Grossular Garnet

GROSSULARITE, PINK: See Pink Grossular Garnet

GYPSUM, DESERT ROSE: (Also known as Desert Rose Selenite) Use to facilitate a connection with the earth element, open your conscious awareness into a state of divine bliss and Christ-like consciousness, promote regeneration, and facilitate the blossoming of your lotus mind into enlightenment.

GYPSUM, GOLDEN: See Golden Selenite