Gemstones...they do a body good.

Please welcome aspiring author Rae Aviani to Killer Hobbies today.  I know Rae from an awesome organization that supports both published crime writers and future writing stars in the making, Sisters in Crime. Rae writes about a protagonist who is also a jewelry designer.  Rae--I've always loved gemstones.  Can you tell us more about their properties?

 

 

Many of us feel good when we wear a pretty piece of jewelry, but have you ever thought that the jewelry could actually be good for you?

Gemstones, born in the tumultuous Earth, have long been believed to possess metaphysical properties and were prized for those as much as for the stone’s beauty.

Ancient Egyptians prized lapis lazuli, turquoise and carnelian. They weren’t the only ones to revere these stones.

Lapis, a combination of several minerals, has traditionally been used by royalty, as evidenced by the personal possessions of various Pharoahs. Lapis is believed to allow a connection between the physical and spiritual. In the Middle Ages, people thought lapis would keep the body healthy and the spirit free of negative emotions.

Turquoise has been called the friendship stone and is lovingly crafted into jewelry as well as used in sacred medicine wheel rituals by some Native American tribes.

Carnelian, a form of chalcedony, has been associated with courage and creativity. The elite members of Ancient Rome had the stone made into jewelry to adorn themselves and seals to signify their power. Like lapis, carnelian is considered to be a stone of protection, making it popular in various cultures in the form of amulets. Goethe attributed the stone with the power to protect against evil and to promote hope, comfort and good luck.

These aren’t the only stones believed to contain metaphysical properties. Amethyst was long believed to prevent drunkenness. Diamonds were believed to protect a person from poisons. Emeralds were also used throughout history as an antidote for poison and Aristotle wrote of the power of emeralds for physical and spiritual protection.

Sapphires are associated with romantic love, seen to represent fidelity and devotion. Aquamarine, a member of the beryl family like emerald, has long been believed to increase courage and happiness as well as boost intelligence and prolong youth. What about rubies? According to an ancient Burmese legend, if one placed a ruby under a self-inflicted wound, it would make him invincible. Hmm…not sure I’d want to try that one.

Topaz, appearing in a variety of colors, has been prized for centuries. During the Renaissance in Europe, it was widely believed that topaz could break magic spells and deflect anger.

Sometimes a gem falls out of favor. Opals, prized in Plato’s time, became feared during the 1800s, when they were associated with tragic events of European royalty.

So, looking to increase your courage, calm or creativity? Drop by your local public library for books to learn more about gemstones and crystals. And don’t worry. There’s a gem for that.

Rae Aviani has spent the last 18 years putting books in the hands of eager readers in a public library in Washington state. In addition to a passion for literature, Rae surrounds herself with baubles and bright shiny beads as she crafts handmade jewelry.

Deciding to combine these two loves, Rae has written the Gemstone Mystery series featuring Cat Maren, a jewelry artist. The mysteries surround a piece of jewelry and include fabulous facts about jewelry and gemstone lore. Rae hopes that soon her first book, Facets of Murder, will grace the shelves of her beloved library.