OPAL:  Traditional October birthstone and the accepted gem for the 13th wedding anniversary.

Gemstone Qualities:  Opal ranges between 5.5 and 6 on the mohs scale.  Idaho opal is estimated to be about 4 million years old.  Opal formed as silica from nearby geysers mixed with ground water which formed a silica gel that has collected and hardened in underground cavities and fissures.

Healing Powers:  Opal is said to aid the kidneys and blood diseases.  It is used for subduing an over-active 7th Chakra (Crown Chakra) and has been associated with the sacral chakra, imbalances of which can cause problems with addictions.  Natural Healers use opal to promote visions, enhance prophetic dreams and intuition as well as help moderate and harmonize sexual desires.  Opal helps you see possibilities and helps you discover a broader perspective.  Opal frees you when you feel blocked in a situation.   

     With it's fiery display, opal has been said to spark creativity.  The "dance" of it's fire can help people enjoy their lives.  Gazing into the depths of your opal has been said to improve eyesight and reduce stress.  Tales also say that wearing opal is thought to keep blonde hair from fading with age, it has also been said that the power of opal can be misused and that it may be used to cast beauty spells.  Some may find opal very hard to wear.

SAPPHIRE:  Traditional September Birthstone and gem designated for the 5th, 23rd and 45th wedding anniversary.

Gemstone Qualities:  Of all precious gems, the sapphire is the hardest stone next to diamonds, with a hardness factor of 9.0 on the Mohs Scale.  Making Sapphire the second hardest natural mineral-and a gem that can give you years of enjoyment.  Sapphires are a variety of the mineral species corundum and occur in all colors of the rainbow with the exception of red, which is the ruby.

Traditional Metaphysical Properties of Sapphire:  Said to bring joy, peace, beauty, intuition, prosperity and fulfillment of dreams.

Folklore, Legend and Healing Properties:  Ancient civilization believed that the power of wisdom is contained within sapphire.  They believed that when the wearer of a sapphire faces challenging obstacles, the stone's power enables them to find the correct solution.  Sapphire improves mental clarity and clear thinking. It helps clear mental garbage.

     Sapphires are also considered an anti-depressant and an aid to psychokineses, telepathy, clairvoyance and astral projection.  They hold healing properties for rheumatism, colic and mental illness.  In Medieval times sapphire was thought to be an excellent antidote for poison.  Because of its blue color, sapphire is associated with the throat and brow chakras-where energy imbalances are said to cause sore throats, headaches and nightmares.  Gem therapists use sapphire to help rid unwanted thoughts, bring joy, peace and wealth.  Also thought to help heal blood problems.

     Sapphire powers include spiritial enlightenment and inner peace.  It's said to enhance creativitiy and to focus purity of thought.  Known as the stone of new love and commitment and claimed to be useful in encouraging faithfulness and loyalty.  It dispels evil thoughts and brings peace and amiability to its wearer. The blue color is often associated with the heavens and believed to bring devine favor and repel envy.

GARNET:  Traditional January birthstone and accepted gift for the 18th wedding anniversary.

Gemstone Properties:  Hardenss ranges between 7.0 and 7.5 on the Mohs Scale.  Idaho garnets are a variety known as almondite that vary in color from orange-red to blood-red to grape juice-purple.  The Idaho 4 and 6 ray star garnet is produced when silky rutile inclusions are present causing an asterism.

History of Garnet:  It is considered good luck to receive a Garnet as a gift.  Native American Indians used red garnets as bullets, believing that they would seek blood and inflict a deadlier wound.  In the Middle Ages, Garnet was used to ward off harm and increase chivalry, loyalty and honesty.  Garnet has always been considered insurance for travelers against misfortune.  It was worn by the crusaders as an aid to safely find thier way home.

Traditional Healing Properties:  Health, awareness, commitment, removing negativity, regeneration, order and insight.  The red stones are used to stop bleeding.  Also used to cure inflammatory diseases and smooth discord.  Many early cultures believed that garnets were helpful in preventing and curing blood disorders and infections.

Additional Healing applications associated with Garnet:  The red varieties of garnet are believed to increase passion in all areas of life.  Garnet is thought to attract love and soul mates and to enhance creativity.  Some believe that it is useful in warding off bad dreams and can be used as protection from theft.  It is thought to help heal oneself and friends but bring harm onto enemies.

     Garnet is the associated stone for the Red Chakra named Muladhara.  Location of this chakra is the base of the spine and it is responsible for sensuality, action, vitality and touch.  Imbalances of this Chakra are said to be responsible for anxiety, irritable bowel and lack of energy.  

Visit:  Gemologyonline.com/chakra for more in formation on Chakras