Gemstones E-I : facts & lore

As a qualified gemmologist, I love sharing the science, history and stories behind the stones I use. This page covers gemstones beginning with E–I, including:

• Physical properties (hardness, composition, crystal system)
• Origins and historical uses
• Metaphysical folklore and lore*

EMERALD

What is emerald?
Emerald derives its name from the Greek “smaragdos” meaning “green stone” — a term that may originally have referred to several different green stones, not just this variety of beryl.

Ancient mines in upper Egypt, known as the “Cleopatra Mines,” are believed to have been worked for emerald as early as 2000 BC, making it one of the oldest mined gemstones in history.

Emeralds are frequently clouded by inclusions and are brittle and sensitive to pressure — they require a little more care than many other gemstones. High-quality natural emeralds are increasingly difficult to source, which means synthetic emeralds are now commonly found on the market.

Where is emerald found?
Colombia (historically the most prized source), Brazil, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Russia, Afghanistan, Australia, Austria, Ghana, India, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Zambia,
Tanzania and the USA.

Similar stones: Can be confused with aventurine, demantoid garnet, diopside, dioptase, fluorite, garnet, hiddenite, peridot and verdelite.

Metaphysical lore: Emerald is considered a stone of inspiration, patience and successful love — believed to promote unity, partnership and friendship. It is associated with equilibrium on physical, emotional and mental planes, and with wisdom, truth and psychic awareness. In ancient traditions, emerald was believed to protect against enchantment, act as an antidote to poison, ward off epilepsy and assist in foretelling the future. Crystal healers associate it with recovery from infection, improved vision and liver detoxification.

FLUORITE/FLUORSPAR

What is fluorite?
Fluorite takes its name from the Latin word meaning “to flow,” referring to its use as a flux in metalworking. Its colour is frequently found in zones and multiple hues within a single stone —
making each piece visually unique.

Ancient Egyptians carved statues and scarabs from fluorite. Romans used it for decorative carvings and believed that drinking from a cup carved of fluorite would prevent intoxication.

Fluorite can be treated with gamma radiation to alter its colour.

Where is fluorite found?
Germany, Argentina, Burma, England, France, Namibia, Austria, Canada, South Africa, Thailand, Peru, Mexico, China, Poland, Hungary, Norway, Switzerland and the USA.

Similar stones: Due to its wide colour range, fluorite can be confused with many different gemstones.

Metaphysical lore: Fluorite is considered a highly protective stone, particularly on a psychic level. It is believed to clear negative energies, improve focus, enhance intuition and assist with learning and concentration. Crystal healers associate it with infections, viruses, ulcers, arthritis, rheumatism and pain relief.

GARNET

What is garnet?
The name garnet derives from the Latin word for “grain,” as the rounded crystals resemble the red kernels of a pomegranate. While “garnet” commonly refers to red varieties, it is actually a group of related minerals sharing similar crystal structure and chemical composition.

Garnet has been used since the Bronze Age and was prized in ancient Egypt. According to legend, Noah used a garnet lantern to navigate the Ark during the great flood.

Garnet varieties:

Pyrope Garnet — red to red-brown. Magnesium aluminium silicate. From the Greek “pyropos” meaning “fiery.” Popular in the 1700–1800s. Found in Burma, China, Madagascar, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Tanzania
and the USA.

Almandine Garnet — red to red-violet. Iron aluminium silicate. Named after Alabanda, an ancient town in Asia Minor. Found in Brazil, India, Madagascar, Sri Lanka, USA, Czech Republic, Austria and Australia.

Rhodolite Garnet — purplish-red to rose-red. A combination of pyrope and almandine. From the Greek “rhodon lithos” meaning “rose stone.” Found in Kenya, Mozambique, Sri Lanka, USA and Zimbabwe.

Spessartite Garnet — orange to red-brown. Manganese aluminium silicate. Named after the Spessart mountains in Bavaria, Germany. Mandarin Garnet is a vivid orange variety of spessartite,
identified in 1991. Found in Australia, Burma, Brazil, China, Kenya, Madagascar, Namibia, Sri Lanka, Tanzania and the USA.

Grossularite (Grossular) Garnet — colourless, yellow, brown, green. Calcium aluminium silicate. From the Latin word for “gooseberry.” Found in Canada, Kenya, Mali, Pakistan, Russia, Sri Lanka, South
Africa and Tanzania.

• Hessonite Garnet — a brown-red variety of grossularite.
• Tsavorite Garnet — a vivid grass-green variety discovered in the
  1970s in Kenya’s Tsavo National Park. Tsavorite rivals emerald
  for colour but is often inclusion-free.

Andradite Garnet — black, brown, yellow-brown. Calcium iron silicate. Named after a Portuguese mineralogist. Includes the varieties demantoid, melanite and topazolite.

Uvarovite Garnet — bright green. Calcium chromium silicate. Named after a Russian statesman.

Where is garnet found?
Worldwide — see individual varieties above for specific locations.

Metaphysical lore: Garnet is believed to revitalise, balance and bring serenity or passion as appropriate. It is associated with love, devotion, commitment, courage and hope. In ancient traditions, garnet was carried as a protective talisman and used to warn of approaching danger. Crystal healers associate it with
stimulating the metabolism and aiding mineral and vitamin assimilation.

Specific garnet varieties are believed to carry additional metaphysical properties:

• Almandine — healing, strength and stamina
• Andradite — stimulates creativity and attracts what is needed in relationships
• Grossularite — teaches relaxation and inspires cooperation
• Hessonite — eliminates feelings of guilt and inferiority
• Melanite — promotes honesty and strengthens resistance
• Pyrope — promotes quality of life
• Rhodolite — stimulates contemplation, intuition and inspiration
• Spessartite — enhances analytical thinking and suppresses nightmares
• Uvarovite — helps experience solitude without loneliness

HAWK’S EYE / TIGER’S EYE

What is hawk’s eye / tiger’s eye?
Both hawk’s eye and tiger’s eye are fibrous aggregates of quartz and crocidolite. In hawk’s eye, the colour remains blue-grey to blue-green. In tiger’s eye, the iron from the crocidolite has oxidised to produce the characteristic gold-brown colour.

Both stones frequently display chatoyancy — a shimmering ray of light across the surface caused by light reflecting off the fibrous structure, reminiscent of the eye of a bird of prey or a cat.

Tiger Iron is a combination stone of tiger’s eye, hematite and red jasper.

Where is hawk’s eye / tiger’s eye found?
South Africa, Australia, Burma, Brazil, Canada, China, India, Namibia and the USA.

Metaphysical lore: Tiger’s eye is considered an earth-and-sun stone, traditionally carried as a talisman against ill wishes and curses. It is believed to bring integrity, assist in accomplishing goals and help secure commitment. Crystal healers associate it with eye health and improved night vision.

Specific colour varieties:

• Hawk’s Eye — believed to be stimulating and invigorating
• Tiger’s Eye — believed to sharpen attention to detail
• Red Tiger’s Eye (treated) — believed to provide motivation and support a slow metabolism

HEMATITE

What is hematite?
Hematite takes its name from the Greek word for “blood” — when cut into very thin plates, it is red and transparent. When polished, however, it becomes metallic and highly reflective. It can be powdered for use as an artist’s pigment or for polishing.

Fascinatingly, NASA’s Thermal Emission Spectrometer aboard the Mars Global Surveyor identified iron ore — likely hematite — across the surface of Mars, possibly responsible for the planet’s distinctive red appearance.

An ancient origin myth holds that hematite formed on battlegrounds where soldiers bled from their wounds.

Imitation hematite is available and is slightly magnetic — a useful way to distinguish it from the real thing.

Where is hematite found?
England, Canada, Venezuela, Switzerland, Germany, Bangladesh, Brazil, China, New Zealand, Czech Republic, Italy and the USA.

Metaphysical lore: Hematite is considered a grounding and protective stone, believed to harmonise the mind, body and spirit and stimulate concentration and focus. Crystal healers associate it with blood health and tissue regeneration due to its strong connection to iron.

HEMIMORPHITE

What is hemimorphite?
The name hemimorphite comes from the Greek for “half shape,” referring to its distinctive crystal form. Massive forms can display banding with white and/or a dark matrix, making each piece visually interesting.

Where is hemimorphite found?
Algeria, Australia, Italy, Mexico, Namibia, Austria and the USA.

Similar stones: Can be confused with chrysocolla and turquoise.

HOWLITE

What is howlite?
Howlite is named after Henry How of Nova Scotia, who first described it in 1868. Highly porous and easily dyed, it is frequently used as an imitation for turquoise — so if you’re buying turquoise, it’s worth checking with your jeweller.

Where is howlite found?
Primarily the USA.

Metaphysical lore: Howlite is considered a calming stone, believed to act as an antidote to insomnia and facilitate wisdom and insight. It is associated with patience, and thought to help manage anger and reinforce positive character traits.

HYPERSTHENE

What is hypersthene?
Hypersthene is an iron-rich stone distinguished by a reddish sheen caused by inclusions of goethite and hematite. When dark, it is typically cut en cabochon to showcase the sparkle of these inclusions.

Bronzite is a greenish-brown variety of hypersthene with a distinctive bronze sheen.

Where is hypersthene found?
India, Norway, Greenland, Germany, Austria and the USA.

IOLITE

What is iolite?
The name iolite comes from the Greek word for “violet,” though the stone is most commonly blue in appearance. Iolite can contain inclusions of hematite and goethite that produce a reddish sheen — similar to sunstone, but set against a blue background.

Viking navigators are believed to have used thin slices of iolite as a polarising filter to locate the sun on overcast days, earning it the nickname “Viking’s compass.”

Where is iolite found?
Burma, Brazil, India, Madagascar, Sri Lanka and the USA.

Similar stones: Can be confused with benitoite, kyanite, sapphire and tanzanite.

Metaphysical lore: Iolite is considered a vision stone, believed to aid understanding, assist in overcoming addictions and encourage self-expression and personal responsibility. Crystal healers associate it with reducing fatty deposits, liver detoxification and regeneration.

*Disclaimer – Metaphysical & Healing Claims

In keeping with Australian Fair Trading guidelines, no therapeutic claims are made and no medical advice is offered.

The information on metaphysical properties and folklore provided on annettepiper.com is for educational and cultural purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical diagnosis or treatment.

We assume no responsibility for the treatment or cure of any illness or disease. If you have a health concern, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.

This content is intended as general information and should not be used for self-diagnosis or as a replacement for medical care.