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.

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.

Gold, the metal of wealth and status. It has been seen as these two symbols for millennia and has been used to adorn everything under the sun. Gold is extremely malleable making it perfect to use for numerous creations from jewelry to statues and leafing onto walls and objects. It is tarnish resistant and doesn't react to most chemicals.
Gold is a pure metal most commonly found in dendrite growths. Crystals 1" across have been found in California and masses over 200 lbs have been found in Australia. Ancient sources were Southern Egypt and Nubia. Major sources in Europe in the middle ages were in Saxony and Austria. The largest single ore body known in modern times is in South Africa's Witwatersrand. Today half of the planets gold resources are from Africa with smaller contributions from Russia, Brazil, Canada, Australia and the United States.
 Gold is golden yellow in hue, but because it is so soft it needs to be combined with other metals to make it usable. It is made into an allow using silver, platinum, nickle, and zinc making it a whiter or lighter shade. Copper for a rose gold and iron gives it a blueish tint. 
Gold has been used in modern times for medical and technology uses. It is a wonderful and versatile metal.

Gold is the astrological sign of Leo.  The symbolic of Spirituality and the development of understanding. Allows beauty to come forth from the inner being as you travel through your world experiences. Helps to improve ones character through learning, and lessening trauma while gaining knowledge. Assists in activating, motivating and actualizing your potential. Helps to balance energy and eliminate ego conflicts as well as feelings of futility. Called the master healer, purifies the physical body. Opens the third eye and crown chakra. 
Gold is said to bring honors, wealth, and happiness. To alleviate tension and stress and amplify positive feelings.

Gold is a beautiful mineral all around. It is a happy metal. I hope you enjoyed this information. Wishing you a positive, happy week!
Dawn Rosell

Information gathered from Love is the earth book , Smithsonian Rock and Gem book.

Stone of pure Love. Rose quartz is part of the quartz family, made of silicon dioxide. It's color is it's name, Rose and it comes in soft shades which are from trace amounts of titanium, iron, or manganese. It has a hardness of 7 and is found in Brazil, Madagascar and South Dakota in the United States.  Beads have been found that date back to 7000bc in Mesopotamia.  

Element for Rose quartz is water and it represents the heart charka. The rose quartz is a soothing stone emotionally and physically. It brings calm release of stress and aids in matters of the heart. It helps one be loving to oneself and others. It is hope and, faith and joy. Rose quartz is a stone that harmonizes perfectly with other stones, complimenting them. An all around great stone of the divine, health and spirituality. 

​Information compiled from Book of Stones, wikipedia

Malachite is a copper carbonate mineral. It's name comes from the Greek work Malache (mallow) which is the name of a leaf that represents the same colors. It is found in Russia and Africa and has a hardness of 3.5 - 4. The first culture to use malachite for adornment was ancient Egypt around 4,000 BC. The Egyptians used malachite as an ornamental stone in jewelry and art.  The natural banding is incredible ranging from light green to incredibly dark green. 

Represents the Solar plexus and heart chakras and element is fire. Important stone for protection against negative energy. Helps increase vitality and tissue repair. Malachite helps build self confidence and emotional clarity. Enhances will power. 

I hope you enjoyed learning about Malachite and have a positive day!
Dawn Rosell

Information compiled from Firemountain gems, The pocket book of Stones. 

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.
​

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.

Labradorite stone was first found in Labrador, Canada on the Isle of Paul in 1770.  Similarly to the Eskimo Inuit people, the Native American Innu referred to Labradorite as the 'fire stone' because of its inner beauty and resemblance to the greatest light show on earth, the Northern Lights.

Labradorite is a feldspar stone.  It is the cleavage formation of crystalline masses that create the shimmer or flash of colors. Labradorite is a gemstone that is transparent. The colors range from yellow, orange, red, green, blue, grey and purple. Basically a rainbow of possibilities. Labradorite now comes from Madagascar, Finland, Russia, Southern India, Mexico, Canada and the US.  Spectrolite is a very high quality Labradorite is from Finland. Labradorite hardness is 6-6.5

​This stone covers every Chakra and is represented by the wind element. Considered the magic stone. Aid's in doing inner work. Awakens mental and intuitive abilities. amplifies healing in prayer and affirmations. The adventure stone refers to the inner journey this stone encourages. 

Labradorite is truly a divine stone whether it be for it's beauty or it's healing capabilities. I personally am very drawn to it for the incredible flash and sparkle in the stone. It feels incredibly deep like the ocean and draws you in to it's magic.

I hope you enjoyed learning about Labradorite. May you have a magic and peaceful day.

Dawn

Informational sources include Smithsonian Rock and Gem book and the Book of Stones by Robert Simmons, monicavinader.com, Wikipedia