Gemstones S-Z : 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 S–Z, including:

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

SAPPHIRE

What is sapphire?
The name sapphire comes from the Greek word for “blue.” In ancient times, “sapphire” referred to what we now call lapis lazuli. In modern gemmology, sapphire refers to any variety of corundum that is not red — red corundum being ruby. The most prized colour is a rich cornflower blue. Heat treatment is common.

Most sapphire is mined from alluvial deposits. It is found in quantity in Australia, Burma and Thailand, and also in India, USA, Brazil, Cambodia, China, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Nigeria, Pakistan, Rwanda, Tanzania, Vietnam, Zimbabwe and Finland.

Among the most celebrated sources is Sri Lanka — known to history as Ceylon and to fable as Serendib. Here, gemstones are found in vast plains of alluvial soil near Ratnapura, mined by families in small foxholes and sorted using wicker baskets. This traditional method is protected for the income it provides to whole families of artisanal miners.

One of the most famous sapphires in the world is the Star of India — a 536-carat star sapphire.

Similar stones: Can be confused with benitoite, indicolite, iolite, kyanite, spinel, tanzanite, topaz and zircon. Many imitations and synthetics are available.

Metaphysical lore: Sapphire is called the “wisdom stone,” with each colour believed to carry specific properties. It is thought to focus the mind, bring serenity and restore balance within the body. Crystal healers believe it calms overactive body systems, regulates the glands, heals the eyes, strengthens veins and alleviates excessive bleeding.

Specific colour properties:

• Black — protects and centres, imparts confidence
• Blue — seeker of spiritual truth; associated with love and purity
• Green — improves vision and dream recall; brings loyalty, fidelity and integrity
• Pink — a fast-acting stone that teaches emotional mastery and acts as a magnet to draw what you need to evolve
• Star — opens intuition
• White — a protective stone that removes obstacles to the spiritual path
• Yellow — attracts wealth to the home, stimulates the intellect and improves focus

SERPENTINE

What is serpentine?
Serpentine takes its name from the Latin word for “snake,” and refers to a group of predominantly green minerals including bowenite and williamsite. It has a long history of use for carving and is often sold under misleading names such as “new jade” or “olive jade.” It frequently has a slightly spotty appearance.

Where is serpentine found?
Afghanistan, China, South Africa, Italy, England, New Zealand and the USA.

Similar stones: Can be confused with jade, verdite and turquoise.

SHATTUCKITE

What is shattuckite?
Shattuckite is a relatively rare copper silicate mineral, first discovered in 1915 at the Shattuck copper mine in southern Arizona, USA. As a secondary mineral, it has replaced malachite atom for atom, creating striking blue and green patterns.

Its relatively low hardness makes it best suited to earrings or necklaces rather than rings.

Metaphysical lore: Shattuckite is considered a stone of truth and is used as a protective stone.

SHELL

What is shell?
Shells come in many shapes, sizes and colours and have been used since ancient times for jewellery and decorative items. Conch and helmet shells may be carved into cameos. Pearl oysters, abalones and topshelIs are prized for their lustrous mother-of-pearl linings.

SODALITE

What is sodalite?
Sodalite is named for its high sodium content. It is a major constituent of lapis lazuli. The blue variety is most commonly seen in jewellery and typically displays white veins of calcite throughout.

Where is sodalite found?
Brazil, Greenland, India, Canada, Namibia, Russia and the USA.

Metaphysical lore: Sodalite is believed to unite logic and intuition, encourage objectivity, truth and rational thought, and deepen meditation. Crystal healers associate it with balancing the metabolism, rectifying calcium deficiencies and boosting the immune system.

SUNSTONE

What is sunstone?
Sunstone is a plagioclase feldspar, also known as aventurine feldspar. It is identifiable by its characteristic metallic glitter — caused by golden-red platelets of hematite or goethite within the stone.

Where is sunstone found?
India, Canada, Madagascar, Norway, Russia and the USA. Oregon sunstone is the official State Gemstone of Oregon, where it occurs in Lake and Harney Counties, dug from soil and underlying lava flows.

Similar stones: Can be confused with aventurine quartz. It is imitated by the man-made glass “goldstone.”

Metaphysical lore: Sunstone is believed to instil a joy for life, good nature and optimism, and to enhance connection to the regenerative power of the sun. Crystal healers believe it helps those who find it difficult to say “no,” and that it facilitates self-empowerment, independence and vitality.

TANZANITE

What is tanzanite?
Tanzanite is a gem-quality variety of zoisite, first discovered in 1967 by Portuguese prospector Manuel d’Souza in the Merelani hills of Tanzania — near the majestic Mount Kilimanjaro. It was introduced to the jewellery world by Tiffany & Co of New York, who named it after its country of origin.

Tanzanite is strongly pleochroic — it can appear different colours depending on the direction of viewing and the quality of light. It is often heated to reduce yellow or brown tints and enhance the blue colour.

With the status of mines uncertain due to flooding, and the export of rough material to the West halted as of 2006, tanzanite has become increasingly difficult to source.

Similar stones: Can be confused with amethyst, iolite, sapphire and spinel.

Metaphysical lore: Although a relatively recent discovery, tanzanite is believed to aid meditation and the communication of insights.

TIGER EYE

See entry under Hawk’s Eye.

TOPAZ

What is topaz?
The name topaz is thought to derive from the island formerly called Topazos (now Zabargad) in the Red Sea — an ancient source of peridot. In ancient times, “topaz” generally referred to yellow, golden and sometimes green gemstones. Ancient Greeks prized topaz, believing it could make the wearer invisible in
times of emergency.

In nature, topaz tends to be soft in hue. The most common colour is yellow with a red tint. Pink topaz is highly sought after, as is blue. Natural blue topaz is typically quite light — most blue topaz on the market today has been treated by irradiation followed by heating, which produces the deeper, brighter blue
tones. Both heating and irradiation are considered permanent treatments.

Blue topaz is often described by trade names according to depth of hue:

• Sky blue — light blue
• Swiss blue — medium to dark blue
• London blue — deep blue-green
• Maxi-blue — deep, intense sky blue

Mystic topaz has been coated with a thin layer of titanium oxide vapour — a treatment that is not completely permanent.

Emerald green topaz is colourless topaz treated by diffusion, said to be a more durable treatment.

Where is topaz found?
Brazil, Afghanistan, Australia, Burma, China, Japan, Madagascar, Mexico, Namibia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Russia, Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka, USA and the UK.

Notable stones: The world’s largest cut topaz is the “American Topaz,” weighing 22,892.50 carats (5,785 kg). Originating in Brazil and cut in Germany, it resides at the Smithsonian Institution in the USA. The “Braganza Diamond” set in the Portuguese Crown Jewels is, in fact, a 1,680-carat colourless topaz.

Similar stones: Can be confused with apatite, aquamarine, brazilianite, chrysoberyl, citrine, danburite, diamond, beryl, fluorite, kunzite, orthoclase, phenakite, ruby, sapphire, spinel, tourmaline and zircon. Synthetic stones are available.

Metaphysical lore: Topaz is considered an empathetic and vibrant stone, believed to direct energy where it is most needed. It is described as soothing, healing and stimulating — recharging, motivating and cutting through doubt and uncertainty. Traditionally known as a stone of good fortune and love, it was believed to aid problem-solving, particularly for creative people. Crystal healers associate it with aiding digestion, fortifying the nerves and stimulating the metabolism.

Specific colour properties:

• Blue — attuned to truth and wisdom
• Clear — helps you become aware of the impact of your thoughts and deeds
• Golden — recharges spiritually and physically
• Pink — a stone of hope

TOURMALINE

What is tourmaline?
The name tourmaline derives from the Sinhalese (Sri Lankan) word tura mali, meaning “stone of mixed colours.” An ancient Egyptian legend explained tourmaline’s extraordinary range of colours: “On its long journey from the middle of the earth up toward the sun, the tourmaline travelled along a rainbow, collecting all of its colours.”

Tourmaline owes its rainbow of colours to trace impurities such as chromium, iron, lithium, manganese and vanadium. The most commonly named varieties include:

• Indicolite — blue
• Rubellite — pink to red
• Schorl — black
• Verdelite and uvite — green
• Watermelon — a transition of green to pink

Tourmaline can become electrically charged and will therefore attract dust, requiring regular cleaning.

Where is tourmaline found?
Brazil, Afghanistan, Australia, Burma, India, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Russia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, USA, Zaire, Italy and Switzerland. Tourmalines from the Pala district of San Diego, USA, have been famed since the early 1900s — vast quantities were
sent to the Empress of China, who doted on them. Some tourmaline is heat treated.

Similar stones: Due to its wide colour range, tourmaline can be confused with many other gems — particularly amethyst, andalusite, chrysoberyl, citrine, demantoid, emerald, hiddenite, idocrase, kunzite, morganite, peridot, prasiolite, topaz and zircon. Synthetics are uncommon.

Metaphysical lore: Tourmaline is believed to promote self- confidence, attract inspiration, compassion, tolerance and prosperity. Crystal healers believe it releases tension, enhances energy and removes blockages.

Specific colour properties:

• Schorl (black) — protects against negative energies
• Indicolite (blue) — encourages ethics and tolerance, dissolves sadness and blocked feelings
• Dravite (brown) — encourages community spirit and social commitment
• Verdelite (green) — nurtures, brings balance and joy in life
• Pink — attracts love
• Watermelon — instils patience and tact, encourages regeneration
• Rubellite (red-pink) — offers stamina and endurance
• Yellow — enhances personal power

Traditionally, tourmaline was a shamanic stone used for protection during rituals, scrying, identifying culprits or causes, and indicating the best direction to take.

TURQUOISE

What is turquoise?
The name “turquoise” reflects its history — the stone was brought to Europe via Turkey, hence its name meaning “Turkish stone.” It was highly prized in ancient Egypt, where its mines were already worked out by 2000 BC.

Pure blue turquoise is rare — it is usually found with brown, dark grey or black veins of other minerals or the host rock. It is sometimes found alongside malachite or chrysocolla.

Turquoise is somewhat porous and can discolour when exposed to light, oils, cosmetics, detergents and even some water. It is often treated with resin to improve colour and harden the surface. Some stones are also dyed. “Chalk turquoise” refers to lower-grade material treated with both colour and resin to mimic high-grade turquoise at a lower cost.

Where is turquoise found?
Iran, Afghanistan, Argentina, Tibet, Russia, Chile, England, Turkestan, Australia, Brazil, China, Israel, Mexico, Tanzania and the USA.

Similar stones: Often imitated by dyed howlite, glass and enamel.

Metaphysical lore: In ancient times, turquoise was believed to warn the wearer of danger, illness or infidelity by changing colour. It is thought to unite earth and sky, bringing together male and female energies. Metaphysical healers believe it can heal, purify and protect.

UNAKITE

What is unakite?
Unakite is named after its place of discovery in South Carolina, USA. It is a rock that combines quartz, feldspar and epidote. It is also found in South Africa.

Metaphysical lore: Unakite is considered a stone of vision, believed to bring calm to environments and assist in recovery from major illnesses.

VARISCITE

What is variscite?
Variscite is named after the Latin word Variscia, the old name for Vogtland in Germany. It is often interspersed with brown matrix and is also found in the USA.

Similar stones: Can be confused with chrysocolla, chrysoprase, jade and turquoise.

Metaphysical lore: Variscite is believed to be a stone of encouragement and hope — helping you shed façades and show your true self. It is thought to bring calm and peace, assist sleep and improve clear perception. Crystal healers associate it with benefiting the nervous system, veins and skin.

*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.