Stones Infused With Legend, Color

Adding to colored stones’ allure is the mystery and legend surrounding their therapeutic properties.

“It takes the Earth a tremendous amount of energy to create a stone, and a lot of people feel the stone retains that energy,” says Ron Cohan, owner of Zia Jewelry Company in San Juan Capistrano.

“When you think about the millions of years and tons of pressure needed to make these stones, and that all the right elements and chemicals had to be in the right place at the right time to create them, then it makes it easier to think that that energy gets locked in. A lot of people feel these stones release that energy forever.”

Amethyst, for example, is said to sharpen intuition, cure headaches and deaden the appetite.

“Some people even keep amethyst in the fridge,” Cohan says. “You’d be surprised how many people choose stones that will enhance their lives.”

Since ancient times, stones were said to symbolize different powers based on their color, energy and vibration.

The legends passed down have been collected by Cohan. Here is a sampling:

Amber

Color: yellow, orange, brown

Symbolizes: knowledge, wisdom and optimism

Amethyst

Color: purple

Symbolizes: spirituality, dependability, safety and deep love

Ametrine

Color: purple and yellow combination

Symbolizes: balance and flexibility

Aquamarine

Color: bluish green or blue

Symbolizes: Health, youth, grace and elegance. Aquamarine promotes clear communication

Blue topaz

Color: bright blue

Symbolizes: luck, success and clear communication

Citrine

Color: golden yellow

Symbolizes: wisdom, cheerfulness and energy

Garnet

Color: every color except blue

Symbolizes: success, power, loyalty and faithfulness. Garnet is said to give its owner long life, good health and fortune.

Kunzite

Color: light pink to purple

Symbolizes: healing, love and tranquillity. Kunzite is said to remove pain and soothe difficulties in relationships.

Malachite

Color: green, often with beautiful patterns running through it

Symbolizes: healing, contentment, nature and Mother Earth

Opal

Color: translucent white with fiery flashes of all colors

Symbolizes: virtue, love, self-confidence and hope

Pearl

Color: shades of whites, pinks and grays

Symbolizes: purity, goodness and wisdom

Peridot

Color: yellowish green

Symbolizes: happiness, emotional tranquillity and protection from danger

Sugalite

Color: opaque deep purple with tints of red. Some very fine sugalite has lines like petrified wood.

Symbolizes: spiritual wisdom, peace and tranquillity, safety and protection.

Tanzanite

Color: blue-purple

Symbolizes: creativity, royalty and spirituality

Tourmaline (Rubellite)

Color: pink or green

Symbolizes: tranquillity, love and generosity