Yes I know that is a very bold statement and many of you are probably freaking out and hating me at the moment, but hear me out.
   Crystals are tools used in metaphysical healing. They are said to be helpful for every manner of ailments possible and they have a long history in ancient and modern healing practices. I have an enormous book dedicated to the study of crystal healing that I love and refer to often. I even have a  blog series about many gemstones and their metaphysical and scientific properties. So I am no stranger to both.
   So what the heck do I mean when I say they do not heal you? Well here it is, science has done many, many studies and they have found that although all gems and all natural materials do vibrate, the frequency is far to low to create healing within our bodies on their own.   
    What science has also found however, is that they are marvelous tools, conduits for the body to heal itself. You see we have energy too and we have the proven ability to heal ourselves in many ways. If we believe or have faith that something will work and that we will get better, we often do. We call this the placebo effect. It might be because we see a clear path on how to do all the right things to make our bodies heal. It might be because we seek out the right methods and medicines to help us. It may even be because we change our level of stress by focusing with intent, allowing our bodies to regenerate and heal.
   Gemstones help us to create all of these fields of energy, which in the end can heal us. They are a beautiful tool in our tool box to help us on a path  to a happy and healthy place. They do this by creating focused energy in the right direction.  
     In conclusion it is my hope that you know it is possible to use crystals to help you heal along with modern medicine and even to have faith in both without contradiction. It is also possible to simply enjoy the beauty of gemstones without the weight or need of metaphysical reasons. For is it not true that enjoying beauty and feeling beautiful can in and of itself be healing.
     May you have a healthy beautiful day!
​Dawn Rosell

Mook Jasper, or Moukaite Jasper is a variety of Quartz, silicon dioxide mineral with a hexagonal system.  Jasper is derived from the Greek work meaning "spotted stone" and can include up to 20% foreign materials, which accounts for the wide variety in colors and patterns. Mook jasper is found in Australia. The color of Mook jasper ranges from creamy white, mustard yellow and deep red to pink with black inclusions. It is a stunning display of color. This jasper hits the MOHS scale at 6.5-7 making it a harder stone. 
Mook jasper covers all Chakra and represents the element of Earth like most jasper. Said to support liver health and detoxification. Encourages renewed hope, invigoration and  energy. Helps overcome grief or depression. Facilitates deep connection to earth and nature. Reawakens ability to "know" which direction to go or travel in the physical and spiritual realm. Helps align the third and solar plexus to the root Chakra., allowing for intuitive perception. 
Honestly I fell in love  with this stone for it's truly unique colors and how they almost seem to make me feel soft and relaxed, but has a very dramatic appearance. It's bold and yet calming and inviting.  

Wishing you a reawakening this week,
Dawn Rosell

Information gathered from Book of Stones, Wikipedia, Smithsonian Rock and Gem book.

Sun stone called the sacred stone of the sun because of it's inner glow. The sun stone is actually an orange Labradorite. It is found in Oregon, United States, as well as India, Canada, Norway and Russia. The tiny plate like inclusion of hematite give it the shimmer making it look like a fire trapped inside.It comes in at a hardness of 6-6.5 on the MOHS scale. 
Sun stone represents the 2nd Sexual/Creative and 3rd Solar plexus Chakra. Element is Fire of course. Said to warm the body increasing the metabolism,digestion and vitality and supporting the endocrine and reproductive systems. Encourages positive attitude and overcomes self doubt. Inspires responsibility, conviction and aids in prosperity. Sun stone is also great for those in leadership roles to feel confident and have mental clarity. It melts away feelings of unworthiness and helps manifest prosperity.

Wishing you a positive week,
​Dawn Rosell 

Information gathered from Wikipedia, Rock and gem Smithsonian book, Book of stones
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Named after Nicholas Covelli who discovered it in 1832. Covellite is a Copper Sulfide stone. This stone occurs in massive sizes but it is extremely rare. It occurs in thin plates which can be flexible It's color is indigo blue often tinged with purple iridescence. It often has gold flex mixed into it as well. Covellite has been found in Germany, Italy, Australia, and the United States. 
Covellite is quite soft coming in at a 1.5-2 on the MOHS scale. It represents all Chakra and the element Storm. Considered to heighten psychic ability and inner vision, transformation, bridging the higher and lower worlds. Although it vibrates in higher planes it is called a grounding stone for it's ability to connect strongly with the physical reality and earth energies., creating a bridge between the two. Facilitates the deep journey into self and bringing out the unconscious shadow side. Allows for a true awakening for a frozen traumas and helps to facilitate healing. 
Covellite is such a dramatic looking stone and draws you into it's deep blue. I love the natural shine and the overall presence of the stone. 
Wishing you a healing and grounded week,
​Dawn Rosell

​Information gathered from Book of stones,  wikipedia 

Dendritic agate is part of the Quartz family and is recognizable by it's plant like branch style inclusions of iron and magnesium. Moss agate is also form of dendritic agate. This stones hardness is a 7 on the MOHS scale making it a durable stone.  The color can vary from bright white to a lavender color into dark black. I love the drama of the variation in this stone and how it often has a landscape like design. It often feels like nature paintings inside the stone.
 Dendritic agate covers all chakra, is represented as an earth element and known for inner growth and wisdom. Aids in keeping a positive attitude while going through a needed transformation. Brings one out of tier inner thoughts to keep one grounded in the physical world, allowing for reduced stress and quieting harsh inner voices. Purple variations are exceptional at purifying the energy field and working towards spiritual transformation. 
Truly a stone worth having in your collection for the beauty as well as for it's grounding qualities. 
Wishing you a week of inner peace,
Dawn Rosell

Information gathered from the Book of stone and Wikipedia, Photo of raw stone by Angeleyeshop , Jewelry by Dawn Rosell Designs

Pietersite also known as Riebeckite or Brecciatted Tiger's eye is absolutely gorgeous and also very dangerous in it's raw form. This gorgeous stone like Tiger's eye and Hawks eye(the blue version) is made from a mineral called Blue crocidolite asbestos and is consider to be toxic to humans in it's raw form. However once it has been cut, polished and made for jewelry it is no longer a threat and is actually quite beneficial. This is actually true of many shells and gemstones in our world. Hope I didn't scare you,lol
Pietersite is basically a naturally occuring mix of both tiger's eye and hawks eye and it can look like a layer like in the raw stone above or in a manner which is more mixed ad swirled together like in the pendant example. It is a part of the quartz family and comes in at a 7 on the MOHS scale. A silicon dioxide mineral, it is mainly found in South Africa and China.  Both the deep navy blue/grey and the golden brown have flash and it makes this stone just gorgeous. 
Pietersite represent the Solar plexis and the third eye chakra as well as the element of storm. Helps with insight, increases will power, precognition and self transformation. Also increases mental and physical energies. Brings about confidence and fearlessness. A highly spiritual stone that expands ones vision and awareness. Enhances clarity of thought and enlightenment.  Seriously this is a very powerful stone, perhaps it can be a bit dangerous after all :) . 

I love the boldness of this stone in color and I am so drawn to the darkness and light that happen within it's variations. It feels like a push and pull of the two sides of each and everyone of us. The dark and light dancing into a beautiful being. 

I hope you enjoyed learning more about Pietersite and that you have a beautiful week.
DawnRosell

Information sources: Book of Stones, Smithsonian Rock and Gem Book, Raw Stone photo from Amazon.com

Blue lace agate is an agate that is layers of blue chalcedony and white or clear agate with some inclusions of brown sometime occurring within the layers. It has a hardness of 7 on the MOHS scale. The banding can create stripes and or swirling within the stone. It is a soft blue color and is reminiscent of the blue sky and clouds. It can have a light lavender appearance in some lighting. The best quality of Blue lace agate comes from South Africa.
Blue lace agate represents the throat chakra, the element of water and helps with communication, clarity and confidence. Not a protection stone but a healing stone or helper stone. Calms the emotions and helps support confidence. Releases negative habits and helps one communicate one's deepest truth. Helps one to be heard by others, by adding in finding the right words to communicate clearly. 
I love how much it takes me to a time when I would look up at the sky as a child, or with my own child and relaxing in the grass Trying to find the shapes in the clouds and watching them float by. This stone reminds me of calmer days of daydreaming and just simply being.  Blue lace agate is not a bold or brightly colored stone, but that is what gives it it's charm. It is quiet and calm and beautiful.

I hope you enjoyed learning about Blue lace agate. Wishing you a place of calm and confidence.
Dawn Rosell

Information sources: Book of stones and The Rock and Gem book from the Smithsonian.

Beautiful warm golden brown and black Tiger eye stone. Tiger eye is a quartz that contain a shimer or flash known as chatoyancy or luminescence in bands like a cat's eye stone. The shimmery bands are created when blue asbestos is altered by iron oxide and replaced by silica. This also gives it the amber color and can seem a bit transparent in some places of the stone. It has a hardness of 7 on the MOHS scale making it a harder stone.  Tiger eye is found in South Africa, India, Australia and the US. Tiger eye also comes in other forms such as blue tiger eye or Hawk's eye and Tiger iron which is a red variations.
Represents Chakra 1 through 3.  Said to be a stone of luck in some cultures. Balances between extremes. Element is earth and fire. Creates emotional balance and harmony with others. Supports hormonal balance and vitality.  Instills spiritual balance, stamina, creativity and clarity. Claims to sharpen clarity keeping one grounded and calm. Tiger eye is said to take away the blues and create optimism.  
Tiger eye stone is a very calming stone to me because it reminds me of a warm fire in the fall. I love it for it's versatility to go perfectly with almost any outfit you wear as well. 

May we all have the luck and balance of Tiger eye. I wish you a balanced and beautiful week,
Dawn Rosell

Information sources include: Smithsonian rock and gem book, Book of Stones, and Love is the Earth.
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Ah the pearl. A true classic in jewelry for millennia, but what is a pearl exactly? A pearl is created by a mollusk and consists of the same mineral and material as the shell. It is a natural secretion that  coats perhaps a piece of sand or some other foreign object trapped within the home of the mollusks shell and is to protect the animal. The coating is present on the inside of the shell as well. It is principally made of the mineral argonite and small amount of conchiolin. Together these minerals make Mother of Pearl. The color of a pearl depends on the creature creating it and it's surrounding. Colors range from white and yellow to soft pink, lavender, champagne, blue, green and black. Pearls come from all over the world and there are pearl farms where cultured pearls are made. Cultured means that humans have placed a tiny mother of pearl bead into the shell and allowed the process to continue naturally. 

The pearl represents Cancer and Gemini astrological signs. The pearl is often seen in wedding jewelry as the symbol of purity and loyalty. Named "The shell of sincerity" bringing truth to situations. Signifies faith, charity, integrity and innocents. Helps to focus attention.  

The pearl has never lost it's place in the world of jewelry and is considered to be a classic.  It can be dressed up or down and there is most likely one pair of simple pearl earrings in every woman's jewelry box. I think that is what I love best about the pearl, it is not reserved for one type of woman or one age group. It is clean, classic and yet can be over the top elegant, or even rock and roll. The pearl is truly versatile and ageless.

I hope you enjoyed the pearl and I hope you have a peaceful week.
Dawn Rosell

Information sources: Smithsonian rock and gem book and Love is the earth by Melody

Lepidolite, I know, I know, I'm drooling too, This luscious purple stone is just gorgeous. Lepidolite comes in pinks and purple shades, as well as colorless, yellow, white and grey. Made of Potassium lithium aluminum silicate and coming in at a 2.5-3 on the hardness scale, it is a softer stone. This mica type stone is often found with quartz and tourmaline like in this gemstone pendant pictured above. It is Earth's most common lithium bearing mineral. Often found in Russia, Africa, Brazil, Greenland and the United States.

Element Lepidolite represents is water and it activates the throat, heart and third eye Chakra as well as the crown. Called the Grandmother stone because of it's opening of wisdom to inner peace. Lepidolite inspires serenity, helping to release stress and worry. Provides energy of enlightened awareness. Gently induces change to allow a smooth passage during the change. Calms frayed nerves and sets one on the path of willing acceptance. Claims to help insomnia and stress related issues.

Lepidolite does take special care because it is a softer stone. Care is similar to an opal for cleaning with a soft cloth and storing separately from other pieces to protect it from scratching. And just like opal it is unique and worth owning. Beautiful and healing.

I hope you enjoyed learning about Lepidolite.

Wishing you a peaceful week
Dawn Rosell

Information sources: Book of Stones, Love is the earth, Smithsonian Rock and Gem book, Wikipedia.