GLOSSARY OF CRYSTALS

Abalone: A seashell, generally found in warm tropical waters. The outside of the shell is gray or white with the inside pink, orange, yellow and white. Helps build and protect muscle tissue, including the muscles of the heart. Also said to aid digestion.
Agate: A member of the Chalcedony family and composed mostly of Quartz. Agate comes in many colors depending on where it was found. A good grounding stone, it helps you to obtain physical and emotional balance. Fire Agate- comes in shades of orange, green brown and blue. A good stone for meditating, it helps to calm. Moss Agate- generally comes in colors of black, blue or brown. Named for the quartz pattern on it's surface, which loks like moss. Beneficial to the circulatory system and can help relieve depression.
Albite: A white translucent stone looking much like a Moonstone, in fact a Moonstone is merely the cut and polished form of Albite. Helps relieve depression and boosts the immune system.
Alexandrite: A member of the chrysoberyl family, it was discovered in in Russia and subsequently named after Czar Alexander II. Alexandrite is dark green but turns red in artifical light. It is beneficial to the nervous system and soothes the emotions.
Amber: Made from the fossilised resin of tree sap, it sometimes contains the fossilised remains of insects or plant matter. It's color ranges from pale yellow to dark brown. Amber is mostly known for it's ability to detoxify and disburse negative energy.
 Aquamarine: A member of the beryl family it is a clear blue green stone. It is known for it's ability to stabilize chaotic surroundings, and can also help to alleviate fear or aid sore throats.
Bloodstone: This mineral is aptly named for it is green with flecks of red that resemble drops of blood. Bloodstone's help to purify toxins in the blood and increases courage.
Carnelian: Another member of the chalcedony family can come in a range of colors from red and orange to pink. Carnelians are often associated with the reproductive organs and is a symbol of fertility. They were also believed to protect the wearer from evil.
Diamond: Considered the hardest substance and also the purist diamonds are not just a girls best friend, they can also be used in healing and to amplify the abilities of other stones.
Emerald: Part of the beryl family emeralds can provide inspiration and are good stones for meditation. Another use is improving psychic abilities, in ancient times they were used as antidotes for poison.
Garnet: These stones can range in color from emerald green to yellow, brown or red but most familiar are the ones with a rich mauve wine color. They stimulate creativity and depending on the color can heal and develop patience.
Hematite: An iron oxide hematite looks a lot like mercury, only much darker in color. It's most popular use is to give the wearer strength and courage, but it can also be used to purify the kidneys.
Malachite: A dark green stone with varying colored styrations from light green to almost black, Malachite should be used with caution because it strongest trait is to amplify emotions, whether they are negative or positive. Malachite dust is highly toxic if ingested.
Peridot: A clear pale green stone, peridot can boost confidence and draws out toxins from the body. It's primary function though is that it is a visionary stone and makes for a fantastic pendulum.
Quartz: Above all it is quartz that is mostly used as a tool for Pagans. It has the ability to store, release and regulate energy. Clear quartz- heal and amplifys, also acts as purifier. Amethyst quartz- it promotes peace and tranquility and strengthens intuition. Citrine quartz- this golden stone looks a bit like Amber is known for its energizing vibes and generally invigorates. Purple quartz- much darker then Amethyst it s a good meditation stone. Rose quartz- helps soothe the emotions and is generally associated with love and affection.
Ruby: Mostly known for it's ability to amplify it's color is associated with passion and anger. It's color can sometimes range from red to pink.
Sapphire: Mostly found in shades of deep blue, it is associated with serenity and spirituality. Also makes a good stone for meditation.
Topaz: Generally seen in a warm yellow, Topaz is a stone of healing and stimulation, much like Citrine but more subtle. It's greatest gift is that it sends out positive energy to everyone around.
Turquoise: Ranging in color from sky blue to blue-green this stone elevates understanding and as such is used by many healers to help them empathize with their patients. Used widely by Native Americans turquoise was also thought to bring good luck.

CARING FOR CRYSTALS

Caring for your crystals should be an important part of your daily rituals. They are very sensitive and as such are easily influenced by the vibrations of another person or even their surroundings. Try to limit contact with your crystals to just yourself, if this is unavoidable make sure you clease them afterwards to get rid of any residual vibrations. Also try and use the same crystals for the same function each time, since repeated use more strongly attunes them to their purpose and actually increases their power. After purchasing a new crystal it is a good idea to cleanse it throughly so you remove any energies it may have aquired at the store. Plus chances are it was handled by a lot of different people which clouds it's energy. The best thing to use for cleansing is to soak it in a sea salt water solution for about 24 hours. If you don't have sea salt, leaving it out in the sun during peak hours (10am-2pm) for the afternoon is a good substitute. To store your crystals it is a good idea to keep them seperate from your other tools so their energy will remain pure. It's also a good thing to recharge your crystals every once in awhile, I usually cleanse them and then leave them in the sun for this. When you first purchase your crystal, after cleansing attune yourself to it's energies by meditating on it or sleep with it under your pillow. If you should ever lose your crystal don't panic. I believe it simply means that someone else needed it more then you and fate will ensure it passes on to that person. There's many uses for crystals around the home as well. You can bury them in your garden or plants, close to the root, to encourage healthy growth. You can sleep with them by your bed to assist in sleep or place them in a room to strengthen a certain type of atmosphere. They are especially good on windowsills where they can aborb the suns energy and filter it through the room. In short, crystals are exceptional tools but we must remember that they are also living creatures which must be cared for and maintained.