Derivation Of Common Crystal Names & Terms By S. Nathan Stein, EFT –ADV, CH, TCHT/NLP January 18, 2007   Agate – A type of the mineral chalcedony and therefore a quartz. Agate's name was derived from the site of its initial discovery, the River Achates (now Dirillo), in Southwest Sicily. Believe it or not, in 1709 a Brazilian priest planned to use Agates as antigravity devices on an air ship he had designed. Aventurine - Interestingly, Aventurine's name is derived from an accident. During the 18th Century Venetian glass workers were preparing molten glass when copper filings accidentally fell into the batch, producing glass with sparkles. The name Aventurine comes from the Italian "A Ventura" which means "By Chance". The Greek work "amethystos" basically can be translated as "not drunken." Amethyst was considered to be a strong antidote against drunkenness, which is why wine goblets were often carved from it! The gemstone still symbolizes sobriety. The legend of the origin of amethyst comes from Greek myths. Dionysius, the god of intoxication, was angered one day by an insult from a mere mortal and swore revenge on the next mortal that crossed his path, creating fierce tigers to carry out his wish. Along came unsuspecting Amethyst, a beautiful young maiden on her way to pay tribute to the goddess Diana. Diana turned Amethyst into a statue of pure crystalline quartz to protect her from the brutal claws. Dionysus wept tears of wine in remorse for his action at the sight of the beautiful statue. The god's tears stained the quartz purple, creating the gem we know today. Chalcedony (also spelled Calcedony), is a catch all term that includes many well known varieties of cryptocrystalline quartz gemstones. Chalcedony's name is derived from Chalcedon or Calchedon, an ancient port of Bithynia, near present day Istanbul, Turkey. Many of the varieties of Chalcedony, including Agate (see above), Carnelian (red to reddish brown), Sard (light to dark brown), Chrysoprase (apple green), Bloodstone (green with red spots), Jasper (generally red but sometimes yellow, brown, green and grey blue), Flint (dull grey to black), are useful and important as ornamental gems. Fluorescence in minerals is the result of bombarding the mineral with invisible ultra-violet light waves. This releases visible light waves (photons) of different wave lengths (colors) from the mineral. Fluorescence was first observed in England when the mineral Fluorite was exposed to ultra-violet light. That is why the process is called Fluorescence. Fluorite fluoresces best under the long wave U. V. light. This usually produces a blue light. In the case of green fluorite, it fluoresces blue. Kyanite - Also called Disthene, the name Kyanite is derived from the Greek "Kyanos" meaning, "Blue". The most popular varieties display intense cornflower blues similar to sapphire, and sparkling greenish-blues reminiscent of aquamarine. Onyx -. Commonly known as "Black Magic", the name comes from the Greek word "Onyx", which means finger nail or claw. Legend says that one day while Venus was sleeping Eros (Cupid) cut her fingernails and left the clippings scattered on the ground. Because no part of a heavenly body can die, the gods turned them into a gem. These stones became the chalcedony stones that the Greeks called Onyx. Centuries later, the Romans applied the term to black and dark brown chalcedony.   Tourmaline – Derived from the Singhalese (Sri Lankan) word "turamali" meaning gemstone.   Turritella Agate - 40-60 Million years ago, a salt water sea covered what is now Wyoming in the Western United States. A snail of the Turritella specie lived in its shallow waters. The shell of this snail had a small, long, tapering spire with many whorls. The shell material has been completely replaced by agate and chalcedony while retaining the dramatic whorl pattern.   Carnelian - Among Crystal healers, Carnelian is frequently known as a stone of great spirituality. It has been said to be a healing gem with a wondrous capacity for mental and physical healing properties.  Carnelian as a Birthstone As mentioned above, in Western society, Astrologers name this crystal as a primary birthstone of Virgo (Aug. 22 to Sept. 22). Hindu astrologers name it as a secondary stone for Aries (Mar. 21 to April 20) and Scorpio (Oct. 24 to Nov. 22). Carnelian is associated with Thursday and Friday. The Arabs associated it with the month of July. It is a sun stone and associated with the Fire Elemental.  Carnelian and Vibrations Carnelian is connected with the #1 and #3 vibrations.   The greatest myths surrounding the stone Carnelian, come from the Egyptian Culture. The Egyptian goddess Isis protected the dead with a Carnelian Amulet named Thet. After being soaked in Ankhami flower water, on a Sycamore plinth (a type of tile) and placed on the body of the deceased, Isis would grant the person protection from harm while moving through the afterlife. The stone also appears In Hebrew Mythology; Aaron’s breastplate included a Carnelian stone. Buddhists in China and India created amulets inlaid with Carnelian and other semi-precious stones, ascribing to them powers of protection and utilizing them for many rituals.   Among Crystal healers, Carnelian is frequently known as a stone of great spirituality. It has been said to be a healing gem with a wondrous capacity for mental and physical healing properties.  Carnelian and Peace Known in the New Age movement for its ability to soothe and calm, Carnelian has the power to ease fears about rebirth and death. It initiates transition and brings peace in matters of change. Spiritualists also credit Carnelian with magnifying and bringing to light personal talents.   Carnelian and Motivation Crystal healers prescribe Carnelian for individuals who are timid and assign great powers of spurring motivation, increasing self confidence and infusing eloquence. Carnelian and Magic Since the times of ancient Egypt, when Carnelian was believed to protect the dead in the afterlife, Carnelian has represented great magical powers among spiritualists. Some have said it has the power to protect against telepathic invasion or the evil of envious people. Others have said that it has the power to see into past lives and resurrect the dead. Carnelian, Luck and Wishes As a wish stone, the New Age Community attributes Carnelian with the power to grant all the wearer’s wishes when worn near the heart. For those born on the Virgo sign, some say wearing this crystal guarantees success in any task. To many Carnelian is a powerful motivation stone and some have called it the "Self-Esteem Stone." Mental Healing Among the New Age community, believers revere Carnelian’s mental grounding power and believe this is the source of its greatest mental effects. They say it teaches one to focus on the present for the moments in life when all one’s mental powers are necessary for success at a single, important task and is a source of confidence, eloquence and inspiration. For instances when you need a boost to creativity for problem-solving, Carnelian can assist in getting the mind out of mental ruts and back on track for success. In the long-term, it bolsters ambition and drive and reminds the wearer of the future’s goals, hence becoming a powerful tool in major decision-making. Overall, many hold Carnelian dear as a stone with the ability to protect the individual, bolster confidence and generally enhance and expand the experiences of life. Carnelian and the Chakras Chakra healers regard Carnelian for its connection to the 2nd Chakra or the Spleen Chakra. This area is the body’s center for creative and sexual, pure emotional energies, but healers also associate it with the five physical senses. The six petaled Lotus, deep orange colors and Aries are all connected to this region. When these energies are unblocked by Carnelian and the energy flows freely, one feels a deeper appreciation of his or her body, a greater connection with friends and lovers and a reduction of guilty feelings. These effects result in a more spontaneous, energetic and giving individual. Physical Healing Because of its connection to the 2nd Chakra, New Age healers believe Carnelian to be instrumental in maintaining health in the lower abdomen. They use it to treat impotence, menstrual cramps, infertility associated with this region. However, they have also turned to its power for healing neuralgia, rheumatism, asthma, skin and blood conditions and insomnia. It is considered so effective in healing dermatological ailments such as acne and psoriasis, that some even recommend Carnelian for the treatment of skin disorders of pets. Carnelian has long held a presence in world history and the beliefs and customs of ancient civilizations. From Europe, to Asia, to the Middle East, Archaeologists have found examples of Carnelian use. Carnelian in the Middle East Some of the oldest examples of human jewelry contained Carnelian. At an excavation site in Ur, archaeologists uncovered the tomb of Pu-Abi, a Sumerian Queen from the third millennium, B.C. She wore a robe that contained Carnelian, along with other precious and semi-precious materials. Ancient Egyptian tombs are full of examples of Carnelian jewels, because of their belief in the stone’s power in the afterlife. According to their system, amulets of Carnelian could prove helpful in ensuring the Ka’s (the soul’s) passage into the next world. The Egyptians so revered the power of the stone that it was one of three used most often in their jewelry, along with turquoise and lapis lazuli. Elsewhere in the middle East, Carnelian represents the Hebrew tribe of Reuben and the Apostle Phillip and some Muslims call it the Mecca stone. Muslim tenets hold that engraving the name of Allah on Carnelian stones boosts courage and some even believed that Allah would grant all the desires of wearers of the stone. In Hebrew literature, Carnelian appears as a stone in Aaron’s breastplate.  European Carnelian  In Europe, Carnelian has also been an important symbol in history. Ancient Greeks and Romans called it Sardius and used the stone for signet rings, cameos and intaglios. In more modern times, Goethe attributed the powers of protection against evil, of continuation of hope and comfort, and of good luck.  Asian Carnelian In Asia, Tibetans created amulets of silver with generous applications, much as the Egyptians used these same stones, of Carnelian, Turquoise and Lapis Lazuli. In India, Hindu astrology names Carnelian as the secondary stone of Scorpios. Hematite - The ancient Egyptians used Hematite in the creation of their magical amulets such as the carpenter stone and head rest amulets and several heart amulets. Some of these amulets were treatments for madness and inflammation. The Greek word haima, which means blood, is the root of Hematite’s name and originates from the stone’s dark red streak. Hematite relates to the Mars, the Roman God of War. The Romans glorified Mars more than the Greeks did, who loathed him and knew him as Ares. Warriors in Roman times used Hematite as protection during battle. So strong was their belief in the power of Hematite to protect them that they thought it could even make them invincible. Some cultures even believed Hematite formed from blood that had fallen on the ground of a battlefield. Red Ochre is a paint that originated in Native American cultures, who used it as a face paint.  In Western Astrology, Hematite is associated with Capricorn, Aries and Aquarius, all signs whose supposed personalities are in need of a good, calming and grounding stone. Saturn rules the stone in astrology, but in Roman Myth, Hematite is a symbol of Mars, their incarnation of the God of War. It also symbolizes the hour of 2 a.m.