Gemstones and their Meaning 

Amazonite
 
The Meaning of Amazonite
Amazonite soothes all chakras and is particularly rejuvenating to the heart centre and throat chakra. It enhances communications concerning love. It can be used in the treatment in disorders of the nervous system and to dissipate energy blockages which could propagate the improper flow of neural impulses

Amethyst
 
Birth Month: February
The Meaning of Amethyst:

Amethyst is the stone of spirituality and contentment.  Its colour ranges from pale lilac to deep purple.  Amethyst bestows stability, strength, invigoration, and peace, the peace being the perfect peace which was present prior to birth.  It is "warm and cuddly" as well as regal and ruling.  It has been used to encourage and support sobriety. It is an excellent stone for one who is attempting to find freedom from addictive personalities (oneself or another).  Calming, strong, protective qualities, healing, divine love and inspiration.  Enhances one's psychic and creative abilities.  Also believed to give courage, bring victories to soldiers in battle, and attract favours from those in high places. Other attributes that have been associated with the stone are it's ability to soothe the nerves in times of stress, make the wear become calm and gentle, repress evil and make people successful in business. Good for Spiritual Upliftment. 

Amethyst has historically been a favourite stone for royalty and has been seen as a symbol for peace and tranquillity. The stone is mined in Africa and South America and is available in an array of sizes and shapes

BLUE the giver of Love, devotion and harmony. Its stone is the Amethyst, the super-sacred of the seven jewels. Pale blue in the aura represents devotion, while dark blue shows fanaticism. One can either be "true blue or have a fit of the "blues", according to one's outlook.  Blue is the colour of the element of Water. It symbolizes the ocean, sleep, the sky, and twilight. Pacifying, refreshing and calming. Healing, peace, psychism, patience, happiness.

Wear Amethyst Jewellery for tranquillity.

 
Aventurine (Green)
 
The Meaning of Green Aventurine:
Green Aventurine reinforces ones decisiveness, amplifies ones leadership qualities, and is a willing participant in instinctive action. Emotional tranquillity, positive attitudes towards life, brings one into alignment with their centre. Independence, health and well being , heals the heart chakra. You should never buy a lottery ticket without an aventurine in your left pocket. Lady Luck will be in your left pocket. This is the stone of opportunity. Aventurine is known as the stone of chance or luck. If you gamble or play the lotto, keep this stone in your left pocket.    It is used to aid nearsightedness. It is said to increase perception and creative insight.

GREEN It is the meeting ground between the thermal or heating and expanding colours of red, orange and yellow and the electrical contracting colours of blue, indigo and violet.  Green gives stability, endurance and quietude. We are allowed much of it to look at in nature and to partake of as nourishment. Its action is to cool the blood and animate the nerves If the green is dark and crude it tells that its owner , so concerned with the affairs of others , has become "green with envy."  Green gives us a serene feeling.

Green is the color that represents money, prosperity, employment, fertility, healing, growth. It is the color of the element of the earth and symbolic of the planet's fertility and life. Green is pacifying, refreshing and calming. Pale and medium greens connect with nature.

Wear Green Aventurine Jewellery for Luck

Matching Stones: Green Aventurine, New Jade

 Apatite

 It can help to integrate , co-ordinate , and balance the emotional intellectual , physical , and etheric bodies. It can further the connection with UFOs and can provide access to past - life insight and telepathy. Apatite enhances creativity. It is a stone of the future and will bring knowledge to those attuned to it by clearing mental confusion. It truly awakens the finer, inner - self. Wearing or carrying apatite has successfully produced hunger suppression: an elixir made of the material has also produced the same results.

Amber

A fossilized tree resin - allows the body to heal itself by absorbing and transmuting negative energy into positive energy. It stimulates the intellect and opens the crown chakra. It also transmutes the energy of physical vitality toward the activation of unconditional love. It aligns the ethereal energies to the physical, mental, and emotional bodies, providing for an even flow of perfect order to the requirements of the Earth plane while balancing the electro-magnetics of the physical body.

 Aventurine (green)

 It reinforces ones decisiveness, amplifies ones leadership qualities, and is a willing participant in instinctive action. Emotional tranquillity, positive attitudes towards life, brings one into alignment with their centre. Independence, health and well being , heals the heart chakra.

 Aventurine (red/orange)

This material provides reflective qualities so that one can recognize the flaws of humanity and can remain in the heart space to continue to love this same humanity. It can help one look at a situation incomplete detail, magnifying those aspects of importance. It provides for self reflection, and allows one to recognize that In each person you see but the reflection of that which you choose to have that person be. It can be used when fasting, to reduce hunger.

 Bloodstone

Strengthens and oxygenates blood stream. Enhances physical/mental vitality. Strengthens heart, spleen, bone marrow. Aids in balancing vitamin deficiencies. Reduces emotional and mental stress. The Stone of Courage - also for renewal of the physical mental and emotional bodies. Another powerful healer. It helps one toward the direct union with the divine through contemplation, prayer or mediation and love. It has been used to stabilize, as necessary, the flow of blood. Also a very good gem for those in business - self employed.

 Blue Lace Agate - The energy of this mineral is most useful at the throat chakra, the heart chakra, the third eye, and crown chakra. Activating these chakras, it helps one to enter in to high frequency states of awareness. It can be used in the treatment of arthritic conditions and in cases of hereditary bone deformity: it can also be used to strengthen the skeletal structure. It is useful to enhance the mending of breaks and fractures. It can help to remove blockages from the nervous system and from the capillaries of the body.

 Carnelian

 It protects against fear, envy, and rage, and helps to banish sorrow from the emotional structure. The message of carnelian is that since one is love, there is nothing to do but to offer the love - each offering of love bringing an exponential increase in the quantity of love returned. Carnelian stimulates inquisitiveness and subsequent initiative. It can assist one in drama and pursuits related to theatrical presentations.

Citrine

It is one of the few minerals on the planet which does not hold and accumulate negative energy, but dissipates and transmutes it, working out problems on both physical and subtle levels. Citrine is one of the stones to be called merchants stone - placing citrine in ones cash box has produced more income for the merchant. Diminishes self destructive tendencies. Raises self esteem light heartedness cheerfulness hope. Warming, energizing and attracts abundance, affects naval and crown chakras.

Crystal (Rock)
 
The Meaning of Rock Crystal:

Rock crystal was once believed to be able to foretell the future.  When squeezed this stone becomes electrically charged.  Synthetic quartz crystals are used to regulate watch movements and the electronic frequency of radios because they vibrate at a single constant frequency when an electric current is run through them.

Fluorite

Excellent for advancement of mind, greater concentration, meditation. Helps one to grasp higher, more abstract concepts. Facilitates inter dimensional communication.

Garnet
 
Birth Month: January

The Meaning of Garnet: 
Known as the "stone of health" - ridding the body of negative energies and transmuting them to a beneficial state. Also know in the past as a "stone of commitment" - to purpose, to others, to oneself. The loving power of garnet tends to reflect the attributes of devotion, bringing the love of others to expressions of warmth and understanding. It both monitors and adjusts the flow of energy, providing for a balanced energy field around the physical body and aligning the emotional and intellectual bodies with the perfection of "All that is". Garnet represents friendship. According to legend, if you wear garnets they will improve your personal relationships and protect you from harm. This benefit supposedly doubles if your birthday is in January. They were often used as good luck charms by the bourgeoisie in the 18th and 19th centuries in Europe. Also thought to assure the wearer of love, devotion from loved ones, health, faithfulness, energy, and to keep a person from having bad dreams during sleep. When worn on the body, it is thought to prevent skin diseases and protect against infection of wounds. 

Garnet is found in abundance and in a variety of colors such as dark brown-red, rosy-red, orange-red and green. In fact the garnet actually represents seven different stone species. Both versatile and affordable, garnet is the gem of faith.

There is folklore that if a garnet is put under a pillow it will cure depression.

Garnets can be used to make a person popular and have self-esteem when worn as jewelry. It helps protect one on trips. Garnets bring constancy to friendships.

Garnets are also known for stimulating success in business.

Wear Garnet Jewelry for Health

   Green Jade - Jade facilitates peace within the physical, emotional, and intellectual structures, as well as within the materialistic world. It was said to bring accord the environment, to transmute negativity and to instil resourcefulness. Very Lucky Stone.

 
Hematite

The Meaning of Hematite:
Slightly grounding, reduces stress, enhances personal magnetism, optimism, will, courage.  "Stone for the mind"  it helps one to realize that the only limitations which exist are self-limiting concepts  within the mind.  Stimulates attainment of peace, self-control, and inner happiness. Balances yin-yang energies.  Assists in the focusing of energy and emotions for balance between the body, mind, and spirit.  Helps transform negativity to the  purity of the universal light of love.

If you need your personal relationship to be better, have a hematite with you always. Hematite is known as the blood stone. It helps improve relationships.

Hematite is a metallic grey colour. It is a heavy stone. The name comes from the Greek word for blood. Hematite is found in United States, Canada Venezuela and Brazil.

It has been used as an amulet against bleeding, therefore, known as the "blood stone". Hematite is used to improve relations. It has been used in mourning jewellery

BLACK absorbs them all and is warm, although neutralized

Matching Stone: black Onyx, Hematite

Wear Hematite Jewellery for help in Love and Relationships.

Honey Jade

Powerful emotional balance, radiates divine unconditional love. Dispels negativity from the third chakra (solar plexus). It has been used by the ancients {and some current} primitive tribes as a sacred stone, assisting one in access to the spiritual worlds.

Howlite

This mineral can be used to calm communication, to facilitate awareness, and to encourage emotional expression. It builds an innate decency within ones character, encouraging those attributes which are the building blocks to spirituality.

Iolite
 
The Meaning of Iolite:
Also known as Cordierite and "water sapphire" is usually a blue to violet coloured gemstone.  Metaphysical properties include: stimulation of the third eye, enhancement of your inner knowing; helps one to eliminate debt by accepting responsibility which leads to successful management of money; has been a stone worn by Shamans in the past to insure accuracy of visions; also can aid the elimination of disharmony in relationships.

INDIGO: It is, like green, a meeting-ground for all the colours. It In the aura it shows dignity and high aspirations.

Wear Iolite Jewellery to aid financial situations.

Jade
 
The Meaning of Jade:
Jade facilitates peace within the physical, emotional, and intellectual structures, as well as within the materialistic world. It was said to bring accord the environment, to transmute negativity and to instil resourcefulness.  A very lucky stone, Jade has been used as early as 3000 BC for ornaments. It is said jade will help keep one young and also help to stimulate occult wisdom and universal attunement. In business it is said that if you hold a jade in the right hand, the correct decision will be made.

Jade amulets have been found in tombs in Egypt, China and Mexico.

Wear New Jade Jewellery for Luck.

 Jasper (Leopard skin variety)

Known as the 'supreme nurturer'. It is often worn by shaman to provide protection. It balances the yin yang energy and balances the physical, emotional, and intellectual bodies with the etheric energies. It stabilizes the aura, providing for a cleansing effect to smooth dysfunctional energies and eliminate negativity.

Jasper (Picture jasper variety)

It can be used to further both the development and continuance of business pursuits - to provide for coordination of activities leading to increase. It has been known as the stone of Global Awareness - It promotes brotherhood to work together to save the planet. It emits an energy which promotes the spiritual affinity to achieve perfect accord between humanity and nature; It is one of the earth Stones for the age of redemption & cleansing of the earth. It can be used to stimulate the proper functioning of the immune system, and can be helpful in the treatment of disorder associated with skin and kidneys.

Jasper - Red
 
The 'protection' stone.  Can clear negativity and assists in grounding. Represents the elemental nature of humanity and our connection with the components of physical reality.  Clears toxins, soothes the nerves and balances the mineral ratio for the body. Helps the body to stabilize itself during dietary changes and improves the assimilations of trace minerals.   Helps one to stabilize emotions, eliminate contradiction and create a sense of connection between all worlds during travel out of body.
 
Laboradite
 
Possibly treats disorders of the brain, aids in digestion, reduces anxiety and stress, stimulates mental sharpness.  Helps to advance without constraint. Provides clarity of purpose and insight into ones direction according to the preconceived plans of your higher self.
 
 Lapis Lazuli

 Energizes the throat chakra. Augments strength, vitality, virility, mental clarity, illumination. Enhances psychic abilities and communication with higher self and spirit guides. Creative expression. It has also been used as a protective stone, sheltering the wearer/carrier from physical danger and psychic attacks. Lapis Lazuli is a stone of total awareness, helping to expand awareness and intellectual capacity, and allowing for conscious attunement to the intuitive and psychic aspects of ones nature. The stone of Royalty.

 Malachite

 Sometimes called the stone of transformation assisting one in changing situations, and providing for the transfer of sacred information to spiritual evolution; clears and activates all chakras balancing and equalizing it can create an unobstructed path leading to a desired goal. Facilitates the rise of spirituality and the enhancement of psychic abilities. Protects against radiation and can be used in the treatment of asthma, swollen joints, tumours, growths, broken bones and torn muscles.
 
Moonstone
 
The meaning of Moonstone: 
The energy of moonstone is balancing, introspective, reflective, and lunar. It is capable of helping one with the changing structures of ones life on the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual levels. Once called the "travellers stone" it is used for protection against the perils of travel. Moonstone is also a talisman of GOOD FORTUNE. It is also said to both arouse tenderness within the self and to bring happiness to the environment in which it resides.

In India a very long time ago, people once thought moonstone was actually moonlight that had solidified. Supposedly, it could bring you good fortune and help you foretell the events of the future. It has also been reported by some to attract good luck, protect a person on land and/or while at sea, be able to give you mental inspiration, bring success in love and good fortune in business. People believe that if you want moonstone to bring you good luck, you should keep it wrapped up in a yellow cloth and carry it in your pocket. Moonstone has also been taunted by some as a talisman against cancer, kidney disease, and dropsy. 

The moonstone is the stone of the goddess Diana. The most powerful time to use the moonstone is in a full moon. It has been worn as an amulet to bring good emotions to the wearer, while protecting those of a sensitive nature. It can reunite lovers who have quarrelled. Moonstone is considered a good luck stone.

Wear Moonstone Jewellery if you travel.

GRAY is neutral and used as a partner to other colours.

Matching Stone: Grey Moonstone

Mother of Pearl
 
The Meaning of Mother of Pearl:
It signifies faith, charity, and innocence, enhances personal integrity, and helps to provide focus to ones attention. The pearl has been known as a "stone of sincerity", bring truth to situations and loyalty to a "cause". It has been used to inhibit boisterous behaviour, and to provide a reflection of the self such that one may see the manner in which one appears to others.

Protection; Know mother's love. This stone is a great protective stone.

WHITE absorbs all the rays and is therefore cooling and restful.

Matching Stones, Fresh Water Pearl, Crystal and Rock Quartz

Wear Mother of Pearl for Protection

Obsidian

Called the Mirror Stone it reflects ones personal shortcomings such that they can come to the conscious to be dealt with, then let go of. The most well know of the different colours is Apache Tears a black obsidian. Obsidian can help protect against the negativity of others and has a grounding influence helping one to stay focused in the moment. It can also help to stimulate analytical capabilities and precision, and can help promote a forgiving attitude and release of grievances.

Onyx

The Meaning of Onyx:
For initiating the modes of centering and alignment of the total person with the higher powers.  Can be used to banish grief, to enhance self-control, to stimulate the power of wise decision making, and to encourage happiness and good fortune". It is grounding and can be used to deflect or absorb the negativity of others. 

BLACK absorbs them all and is warm, although neutralized

Matching Stone: Hematite

Wear Black Onyx Jewellery for Self Control.

Opalescent Quartz
 
Synthetic - A clear milky colour when looked at from direct light, Opalescent Quartz has an iridescence that give it its namesake. When placed on black or dark material, it really shines, especially on a necklace with darker colour dbeads and pendants.  These extraordinary pieces are specially made to possess the lovely, pale white opalescence one sees in the natural gemstone known as the opal. Each glass bead is transparent, with slight overtones of creamy white that shift to a startling shade of translucent cyan as the eye moves from one angle to another. Truly magnificent, eye-catching pieces 

Paua Shell
 
The Meaning Of Paua Shell

The Paua Shell used at KiwiJewels.com is in completely natural condition.  The pieces have been polished in water without chemicals to highlight the beauty of this unique sea shell.

Paua (pronounced PAH-WAH), a mollusc found exclusively in New Zealand waters has a shell of brilliant rainbow hues.  Paua, which belongs to the same family as abalone was a prize food of the pre-European Maori (the native people of New Zealand) and today is still actively sought after as a delicacy for both local consumption and for export.

Paua is harvested by skin divers from its habitat below low tide level off rocky exposed coasts around southern New Zealand.  The shells were crushed and tumbled to remove the outer layers of lime and marine growth.

Colours of Paua: green, blue, purple

 
 
Pearl - Fresh Water
 
Birth Month: June
The Meaning of Fresh Water Pearls:

Enables one to accept love. See the good parts of oneself so you can love yourself and others.

WHITE absorbs all the rays and is therefore cooling and restful.

Matching Stones, Mother of Pearl, Fresh Water Pearl, Crystal and Rock Quartz

Pearl is  a favourite gem for weddings. It has been a favourite for people of many cultures. An old Arab legend tells that pearls were created when dew drops filled with moonlight fell into the ocean and were swallowed by oysters. When Spanish explorers reached the New World, they found rich pearl fisheries run by Native Americans. They used the pearls, along with their shells, which were found in the Tennessee, Ohio and Mississippi River Basins, as well as in the Atlantic Ocean. At one point so many pearls made it to Europe from the New World that it was called the "Land of Pearls."

Wear Pearl Jewellery for Love.

 
Peridot
 
Birth Month: August  
The Meaning of Peridot:

This gemstone emits a warm friendly energy; works on both the heart and solar plexus chakras; acts to provide a shield of protection around the body; to help prevent outside influences from affecting alignment and balance. Helps one to find happiness within and over come anger and jealousy.

Peridot was the legendary favourite of Cleopatra. The Romans called peridot "evening emerald" since its green colour did not darken at night but was still visible by lamplight. Large peridots, more than 200 carats in size adorn the shrine of the three magi at the Cologne Cathedral. Gem quality peridot comes from the Red Sea, Burma and Arizona.

Wear Peridot Jewellery for Happiness.

 
Quartz - Crystal
 
The Meaning of Crystal Quartz
Quartz Crystal can bring the energy of the stars into the soul. Traditionally, the natural quartz crystal was said to both harmonize and align human energies, thoughts, consciousness, emotions - with the energies of the universe and to make these greater energies available to humanity. The natural tendency of quartz is for harmony, and is recognized as a "Stone of Power". Stimulates brain function & power,  aids clarity of mind. Dispels negativity in ones energy field and environment, aligns all chakras, a very powerful healer.

Quartz is the symbol or patience, perseverance and the infinity of space.

Quartz crystal is considered the "healing stone" of all spiritual matters.

WHITE absorbs all the rays and is therefore cooling and restful.

Matching Stones, Mother of Pearl, Fresh Water Pearl, Crystal and Rock Quartz

Wear Quartz Crystal Jewellery for Clarity.

Quartz- Rose
 
The Meaning of Rose Quartz:
Emits a calming, cooling energy which can work on all chakras to gently remove negativity and to reinstate the loving, gentle forces of self love. Good to wear in a chaotic or crisis situation. It is "the stone of gentle love" bringing peace and calm to relationships. It can be used for spiritual attunement to the energy of love. It is a rejuvenating agent for both physical body and the emotions. It is an excellent energy for healing emotional "wounds". An excellent stone to give to express friendship.

Your marriage can have more sparkle and fire when you keep a rose quartz under your pillow.

Rose quartz is known as the love stone. It helps the user feel a strong sense of self-worth, therefore being worth love. Rose quartz is the stone of universal love. It is also the stone of love in marriage. When worn in jewelry the wearer feels a sense of self-worth.

Wear Rose Quartz Jewellery for Love.

 
Quartz - Smoky
 The Meaning of Smoky Quartz:
It can be used to gently dissolve negative energies and emotional blockages. It can be used to initiate a powerful force field which will absorb many forms of negativity, both from within ones self and from other forces. It promotes personal pride and joy in living. Smoky quartz has been used to regulate creativity in business, and to encourage astute-ness in purchasing. It works to diffuse communication deficiencies and to dissolve mental and emotional blockages which limit perception and learning. 

BROWN is the colour of the soil and fertility.

Wear Brown Quartz Jewellery to absorb Negativity.

Rainbow Obsidian
 Mesmerizing rainbow obsidian beads are sparkling smooth with a rich, polished finish. The dark black colour of Rainbow Obsidian is mixed with hues of greens and greys that enhance the overall image.
 
Rhodochrosite
 Cleanses the subconscious and allows access to higher thoughts.  This stone is also known to be useful in treating the thyroid gland. Helps the body to cleanse and remove toxins.  Creates emotional balance and assists one in increasing feelings of self-worth and self-esteem. Useful in situations of emotional and physical abuse, it allows the victim to get in touch with feeling deserving of honour and respect.
 
Rhodonite

Has been called the stone of love and helps one to achieve to his/her greatest potential. It activates and energizes the heart chakra, and conveys the resonance of unconditional love to the physical plane. It dispels anxiety and promotes coherence, bringing the user and observant nature and facilitating attention to details and interrelationships.

Rutilated Quartz

Enhances life - force, strengthens immune systems, and brain function. Eases depression. Facilitates communication, increases clairvoyance. Highly electrical, more intensity than clear quartz, transmutes negativity, enhances communication with spirit guides. A great physical healer.

Snowflake Obsidian

 It allows one to recognize the unnecessary pattern which remain in ones life and to re-design ones thought patters to provide relief from undesired conditions. It is the stone of purity and balance to the body, mind , and spirit.

Sodalite
Sometimes referred to as the stone of endurance, this stone helps you to be grounded and focused before beginning any task. It assists one in following through to completion of tasks and goals with ease.
Known to sometimes strengthen the thyroid glands and assists the body in efficient metabolism. It has been used to treat a nervous stomach.  Can also assist in allowing clear communication. It opens one to support and self-esteem building situations while promoting a sense of openness and self confidence in one’s choices.

Tigereye

It is helpful for individuals seeking clarity and for those who must deal intelligently with the scattered details which must be brought together in some pattern. It can be used to enhance the psychic abilities and can assist in the gentle attunement of third eye activity. This stone is best suited to earthy people. It has been used to stimulate wealth and to enhance the stability required to maintain wealth. Produces soothing vibrations, generating calmness to unsettled turmoil, and allowing one to enjoy the actions of being unfenced and uninhibited. Can be used to enhance self empowerment.

 Tourmalated Quartz

 You get the energy of black tourmaline which deflects the negative energy of others plus the alignment and harmonizing energy of quartz. Black tourmaline also has a grounding effect helping one to stay protected and focused in the present. Quartz tends to raise the vibration of any other crystal or mineral in the area. Balances male - female energies within one's self.

Turquoise

 Tones, strengthens entire body, aids tissue regeneration, circulation, lungs, respiratory system. Creative expression, peace of mind, emotional balance, communication, friendship, and loyalty.

How do we identify a mineral, a crystal or a gem?

Firstly, it is necessary to test its properties. Minerals have fixed or well defined compositions and recognisable crystal structures. Colour, habit and surface features can be seen but hardness, specific gravity, optical properties, atomic structure and chemical composition also help us to positively identify a specimen.

Moh's Scale Of Hardness

Hardness is dependent upon the forces holding the atoms of the mineral together. In 1812, a scientist, F. Moh devised a scale of hardness into which all minerals can be placed. He selected ten minerals and arranged them in order so that any one mineral could be used to scratch only minerals which are less hard.

The intervals between these standard minerals is roughly equal, except that between Corundum 9 and Diamond 10. Diamond is the hardest natural material, 140 times harder than corundum.

SMOKY QUARTZ

Crystals are solid material in which the atoms are arranged in regular geometrical patterns. The crystal shape is the external expression of the mineral's regular internal atomic structure. Temperature, pressure, chemical conditions and the amount of space available are some of the things that affect their growth. Many crystallise from watery solutions, some from molten rock as during volcanic eruptions when lava cools rapidly.

Each mineral will always form in a range of crystal shapes. Although there are literally thousands of minerals, their crystal shape can be grouped on the basis of their symmetry into seven systems of three dimensional patterns.

CUBIC

Four 3-Fold Axes

TETRAGONAL

HEXAGONAL

TRIGONAL

One 4-Fold Axis

One 6-Fold Axis

One 3-Fold Axis

ORTHORHOMBIC

MONOCLINIC

TRICLINIC

Three 2-Fold Axes

One 2-Fold Axis

No Axes

The most striking feature of any mineral is it's colour. This can be varied and many minerals are a mixture of different colours. What we see as colour is a reaction between our brain and eyes. When white light (daylight) falls on a crystal, some of the wave lengths are reflected and some are absorbed.

When some of the waves are absorbed, those that remain make up colour that is not white. However, some minerals such as the clear variety of quartz (rock crystal) will take in and reflect out light without changing it, hence they are colourless.

Other minerals are nearly always the same colour because certain light absorbing atoms are an essential element of the mineral's atomic structure as in Olivine (Peridot), or Sulphur. These minerals are described as Idiochromatic .

SULPHUR

SULPHUR Left is an Idiochromatic Mineral

Light-absorbing defects in the atomic structure or impurities in the crystal can produce minerals with a wide variety of colours. These give us red, green, yellow or blue variations of Quartz, Diamond, Beryl, Corundum etc. and are designated as Allochromatic Minerals .

CITRINE Right is an Allochromatic variation of Quartz.

CITRINE

Isaac Newton (1642-1727) was the scientist who worked out that white light can be separated into seven different colours and explained the principal of light dispersion in a prism. Some minerals and crystals radiate colours similar to those seen in a film of oil or a soap bubble. This is called Iridescence and is caused by the interference of white light in the thin surface layers of the mineral.

The brilliant colours displayed by Opal and Labradorite and the sparkle of Diamond are optical effects caused when white light is split into its constituent colours. In Diamond especially, and in many other transparent gems, the 'Fire' and sparkle is caused by dispersion as the gemstone acts like a prism.

DISPERSION

In Opal, this is caused by the light being scattered as it passes through planes of regularly spaced voids between the transparent silica spheres. Light is scattered by uniform spaced planes of voids between silica spheres. The colours are the result of interference and the range of colours depends on the distance between the planes.