By Tobi Schwartz-Cassell
Jewelry is like chicken soup. It can cure all ills. But even if it doesn’t, it still couldn’t hoit to have some.
When we wear jewelry adorned with genuine gemstones, we can get more than just the superficial mood boost of a new pair of earrings. Gemstones are known to promote restorative properties for our physical, emotional and spiritual well-being.
Full disclosure: I’m writing about this topic because of all the questions I’ve been getting about our March 18 event where we’ll be creating our own, one-of-a-kind gemstone bracelets. And because the Empress of Gemstones Josie Domanchich will be teaching us, the bracelets will double as essential oil diffusers.
“Energy is all around us, as well as inside of us,” says Josie, the owner of Breathe by Josie. “The body has 7 energy centers, called chakras. Picture little spinning wheels of light. When one of these is out of balance, your whole body feels it. Gemstones work with these energy centers to help restore balance to the body.
“Each chakra is associated with a specific color, so wearing or carrying gemstones in the color of the chakra you’d like to work on is said to be helpful.”
Here are the gemstones and crystals that Josie finds are the most popular among her clients, and how they can help you:
Rose Quartz: By far, says Josie, these are the most popular stones. They vary in color from nearly white to light pink to very pale pink. Known as “a stone of the heart,” rose quartz’ properties include: compassion, peace, healing and comfort. It also can promote love in all its forms: self, family, platonic and romantic love. It can also lower stress levels, and clear out anger, jealousy and resentment, while promoting empathy and forgiveness.
Agate: Agate is the gemstone of the businessperson because it helps hone decision-making, clarity, stability, concentration, perception and analytical abilities. For these reasons, it can also be helpful to anyone about to begin a big project. It also cleanses the aura of negativity and creates a sense of security and safety.
Purple Agate: This gemstone offers the same properties as agate in any other color. But since purple is associated with the Crown Chakra, our connection to the Universe, it can disperse Universal energy—or life force—into the six other chakras located below it.
Jade: Call on jade for heart, harmony, love, nurturing and serenity. It is known for keeping the wearer safe and for balancing your energy and others. It helps attract good luck and friendship and can stabilize the personality and promote self-sufficiency.
Picture Jasper: This gemstone offers a message or “picture” from the past. It is a stone of proportion and harmony and stimulates creative visualization. It also helps bring hidden thoughts and feelings—like grief, fears, guilt and envy—to the surface, and helps release them. It also can help alleviate fear, stimulate the immune system, and help treat kidney and skin disorders.
Hematite: This stone helps absorb negative energy. It is protective, calming and grounding. It works with your root chakra, helping to change negative vibrations into positive ones.
Magnesite: Magnesite is also known for its calming properties. It helps improve creative visualization and imagination, while encouraging revolutionary ideas. It can also open the crown and heart chakras and stimulate heartfelt love.
Some say gemstones, others say crystals. Are they different from each other? The same?
“They are the same,” says Josie. “But a lot of people think crystals means glass, like Swarovski crystals. That’s why I’ve started to say crystal/gemstone.”
Do you have questions for Josie about crystals/gemstones? Which are your favorites? Please comment below.
Hugs,
