Working with Crystals ... Tourmaline ... Turquoise ... Zircon
by Hari Das CRYSTALS AND THEIR PROPERTIES

TOPAZ
http://mineral.galleries.com/minerals/silicate/topaz/topaz.htm
Chemical Composition:  A12,SiO4 (OH,F)2

Crystal System:  Orthorhombic      Hardness:  8

Habit:  Crystals usually prismatic, often two or more vertical prism forms, or with striated prism faces. 
Also massive, granular

Colour:  Colourless; golden yellow, pale yellow; pale blue; greenish; and rarely pink

KEYWORD:  SANCTUARY

Topaz is a magnificent gemstone that has been used for centuries in jewellery. 
Topaz is the hardest silicate mineral and one of the hardest minerals in nature. 
The crystals can reach the incredible size of several hundred pounds. 

The Ancient Egyptians said that topaz was coloured with the golden glow of the all-powerful sun god Ra. 
This made topaz a very potent amulet that protected the faithful against harm. 
The Romans associated topaz with Jupiter; so did the Indians in ancient Vedic astrology. 
Topaz sometimes has the amber gold of fine cognac or the blush of a peach and all the beautiful warm browns and oranges in-between. 
Some rare and exceptional topaz crystals are pale pink to a sherry red.
Legend has it that topaz dispels all enchantment and helps to improve eyesight. 
The ancient Greeks believed that it had the power to increase strength and make its wearer invisible in times of emergency. 
Topaz was also said to change colour in the presence of poisoned food or drink. 
Its mystical curative powers waxed and waned with the phases of the moon: it was said to cure insomnia, asthma and haemorrhages. 

In Mexico it was used as a truth stone. 

The most colourful gem, yellow topaz, is the birthstone for those born in November.
Topaz facilitates the deep understanding and acceptance of Universal Laws. 
These are not man’s laws, but cosmic laws.  This crystalline energy works through the laws of attraction and manifestation: it’s electric! 
It can plug’ you into the cosmic web of Divine light. 
It allows for these cosmic realisations to become manifest in your everyday waking reality. 
It gives a good perception of the underlying reality behind the truth of personal integrity, ritual, cause and effect and making sure at all times you are energetically pristine. 
It does not ask for blind devotion though, but it does ask you to open your eyes, to go beyond your self-limiting belief system into the full understanding of personal power, choices and freedom. 
It does improve your eyesight, inner and outer. 

A sanctuary of healing awaits you with the topaz vibration.

Yellow Topaz
Is revitalizing; it has the energy of the ancient Egyptian Sun God Ra. 
It brings a feeling of energy, power and vitality to the user. 
It is used for liver, gall-bladder, spleen, pancreas, stomach disorders, anger, emotional upsets, the skin and nervous system;
also any problem that is associated with the mental body, toxins and elimination,
including negative mental attitudes that have stopped emotional or spiritual growth. 
It can help with eating disorders, both anorexia and overweight problems;
the solar plexus chakra that it governs is responsible for both extremes. 
It is a powerful stone and, when worn, carried or used in meditation, will bring personal power and self-mastery.

Golden Yellow Topaz
Can activate contact with your higher self, your Divine aspect that dwells within each and every one of us. 
It brings immortality - you are already immortal, but you may have forgotten that you are! 
You are an eternal being of infinite light, love, compassion, wisdom, truth and joy. 
This crystal just reminds you of this fact; it then encourages you to behave in the enlightened way.
It manifests healing on all levels.  It makes a wonderful gemstone essence, as do all colours of topaz. 
This gemstone’s energy is attraction; it can attract into your life favourable ‘happy coincidences’
that will advance healing and spiritual growth. 
It is very beneficial to the meridians and can clear blockages or under-activity very quickly.

Pale Green Topaz
Is tender, its heart is gentle, it is the fresh start, new beginnings, a learning time; filled with childlike (but not childish) wonder and freshness. 
It is good for the soul weary, the torchbearers who have carried the energy for so long against overwhelming odds, against ridicule, scorn and negativity. 
It reminds you that you can refresh and renew yourself moment by moment, as you recreate yourself anew each day.
Pale green topaz gently taps you on the shoulder and reminds you it is not food that keeps you alive, it is the Pranic life force, or have you forgotten to breathe correctly; Pranic breathing is very enlivening. 
It also works with past life problems and past life regression. 
It gently cleanses the heart chakra of pain and painful memories, so it is helpful for degraded lung and heart conditions. 
It also aids assimilation of food and nutrients.

Pale Blue Topaz
Inspires and uplifts. 
It also assists your soul in its search for truth. 
It contains purity and innocence and it is very soothing and calming to the emotional body.
It is a witness stone.  Whenever you feel outrage at an injustice, or feel on the receiving end of a perceived’ wrong, be it on any level,
just ask the Angel of the pale blue topaz to act as your witness. 
The only rule is that you must then in no way, thought or deed behave in a negative manner towards the ‘cause’ of the injustice. 
You must be beyond karmic energy and just allow the situation to ‘play’ itself out, allow the full ‘drama’ to manifest, as you are merely a silent pristine witness ‘viewing’ the situation.  Using this stone is very useful; it will allow you see what ‘movies’ you have got caught up in, in the ‘theatre’ of life.
Natural pale blue topaz is a wonderful ‘channelling’ gemstone. 
It can connect you to the Angels of truth and ancient wisdom. 
It is used physically for the throat chakra and related problems, as well as being calming and soothing to the whole body. 
The calming and soothing is of a very high vibration, it simply lifts you above the stressful energy by raising your vibratory rate;
what was once perceived as stressful, you now rise above.

Pink Topaz
Works with the energy of hope; it is kind and affectionate; its love is deep, high and wide. 
Its warmth melts and dissolves resistance, it comforts and mollifies. 
It is the peace offering. 
It shows you the face of God/Goddess. 
When we truly love another person unconditionally we look into the face of God. 
It is serenity, the peace that passes all understanding, a safe haven. 
Pink topaz helps old dis-ease patterns simply fall away. 
Use it on an area of the body that feels congestion or pain. 
As with all the topaz colours it is a master healer.

London Blue Topaz
Has the energy of selfless love; it is a universal healer, it reminds you that you can overcome all obstacles. 
It helps you to remain calm and composed. 
It teaches you to speak your truth in a dignified manner. 
It is a very dignified crystal. 
If you can remain calm and focused in any situation, you will have learned the lesson this crystal is here to teach: detachment. 
This crystal is good for all problems related to speech, including sore throats, thyroid problems, stiff necks and talking without engaging the mental body.

Clear Topaz
Teaches you to be aware of every thought, word and deed, to purify and refine your vibration, until your whole system on every level is full of pristine light and glory and you become a conscious channel for the light, a force for good. 
It encourages wisdom, understanding, truth, dispassion, discrimination, serenity, self-restraint, one-pointedness of mind, purity, forbearance,
fortitude, patience, forgiveness, the spirit of service, sacrifice and love for all.
Clear topaz also teaches you to avoid fear, anger, hatred, greed, desire, ego manipulation, pride, boastfulness and laziness. 
It will activate higher states of cosmic consciousness, where you realise that ‘powers’ such as clairvoyance and clairaudience are not worth striving for because far greater illumination and peace are possible beyond them. 
If one regularly practises concentration and meditation, psychic powers are bound to come; but they must not be used for selfish gain,
otherwise you become a victim of your own ignorance.

Physically, each gland in the body has a specific colour and vibration of its own. 
Clear topaz works on all of them by working on the collective functioning of the endocrine system, so it is ideal to use in gemstone
layouts over any area that needs clearing of stagnant or stuck energy.

Affirmation:  I allow myself a sanctuary of peace - a special time every day for personal contemplation and meditation.


TOURMALINE - Dravite - Indocolite - Elbaite - Rubellite - Verdetite - Schorl - Paraiba - Watermelon

Chemical Composition:  Na(Mg,Fe,Li,Al,Mn)3Al6(BO3)3Si6O18

Crystal system:  Trigonal     Hardness:  7

Habit:  Crystals usually prismatic, often of curved triangular cross-section. 
The prism faces are often strongly striated parallel to their length and the two ends of the crystal are often differently terminated. 
Parallel or radiating crystal groups are common; also massive

Colour:  Dravite is brown; indocolite is blue; rubellite is pink to red; verdelite is green; schorl is black; paraiba is vivid blues and greens;
uvite is light to dark brown; elbaite, the gem variety of tourmaline, comes in all colours; watermelon is pink in the centre with a green rind

KEYWORD:  HEALING

Tourmaline
http://mineral.galleries.com/minerals/silicate/tourmali.htm
’s name comes from the Sinhalese word ‘turmali’, which means ‘mixed’. 
Bright rainbow collections of gemstone varieties were called ‘turmali’ parcels. 
Tourmaline, occurring in more colours and combinations of colours than any other gemstone variety, lives up to its name. 
There is a tourmaline that looks like almost any other gemstone! 
Many stones in the Russian Crown Jewels from the 17th century, once thought to be rubies, are actually tourmalines. 
Perhaps this is why this gemstone is said to encourage artistic intuition: it has many faces and expresses every mood. 

The Empress Dowager Tz’u Hsi, the last Empress of China, loved pink tourmaline and bought almost a ton of it. 
The Dowager went to rest eternally on a carved tourmaline pillow. 
Tourmaline occurs in every colour of the rainbow and combinations of two or three colours. 
Bicolour and tricolour tourmalines, with bands of colours, are very popular. 
Sometimes the colours are at different ends of the crystal and sometimes there is one
colour in the heart of the crystal and another around the outside. 

In 1989, miners discovered tourmaline unlike any that had ever been seen before. 
The new type of tourmaline, which soon became known as Paraiba tourmaline, came in incredibly vivid blues and greens.
There are many unique properties of tourmaline.  First, they are piezoelectric, which means that when a crystal
is heated or compressed (or vibrated) a different electrical charge will form at opposite ends of the crystal (an electrical potential). 
Conversely, if an electrical potential is applied to the crystal, it will vibrate. 
It becomes a polarized crystalline magnet and can attract light objects. 
This property was noticed long ago, before science could explain it: in the Netherlands, tourmalines were called ‘aschentrekkers’
because they attracted ashes and could be used to clean pipes! 
Secondly they are pleochroic, which means that the crystal will look darker in colour when viewed down the long axis of the crystal than when viewed from the side. 
This property goes beyond the idea that the crystal is just thicker in that direction. 

Even equally dimensioned crystals will demonstrate this trait.
Tourmaline is a favourite among crystal therapists. 
Their rich and varied colours can captivate the eye and enhance the senses. 
Even the black opaque tourmaline can produce sharp crystal forms. 
Tourmalines are cut as precious gems, carved into figurines, cut as cabochons or sliced into cross-sections, and natural specimens are
enthusiastically added to crystal therapists’ healing collections. 
The tourmaline family as a whole gives off a very focused directional energy; this can be very useful when one wishes to ‘work’ within a particular chakra that may be too open, blocked, distorted, or split. 
They can still be used for body layouts to direct the energy flow; they are also good for moving energy between the chakras. 
For working on the meridian system you need to point the termination in the direction you wish the energy to flow. 
They also make exceptionally good meditation stones and are used to make wonderful healing gemstone essences.

Red Tourmaline
Is a powerful healer of the base chakra.  It can activate and clear an unbalanced base chakra, bringing inner and outer personal strength, stamina and endurance. 
Red tourmaline is a good detoxifier; it cleans the blood of impurities, which is vital to the health of the whole organism. 
It can control muscle spasms and chills, as well as bringing high physical energy and self- mastery. 
Red tourmaline has a burning desire to probe deeply into any issues you have around the activation of your Kundalini energy and the full mobilisation of your Divine life force that is yours to command. 
It teaches you the positive form of the ego and its value to the self and others.

Orange Tourmaline
Is good for the sacral chakra, especially where it has split into more than one wheel, due to operations or personality disorders. 
A distorted sacral chakra will stop the balance of the whole system, especially the chakras immediately below and above; these three
chakras combined are the most magnetic and any dysfunction will result in a greatly depleted life force, where everything is a struggle and life does not seem to move forward. 
Other indications of distortion are that the person is dreamy, etherial, or lives in a fantasy world of illusion; they can also have nightmares and problems with reality.

Green Tourmaline
Is deeply nurturing: it quiets the mind and will bring emotional wisdom and balance. 
It dispels fears, calms nerves, aids sleep; regenerates the heart, thymus and immune system. 
Green tourmaline is an excellent diagnostic tool - its energy really gets to the root of a problem. 
It has been helpful when used to combat deep-seated phobias, especially claustrophobia and panic attacks. 
Green tourmaline makes a good spring tonic, at any time of the year. 
It is also good for hyperactive children.

Pink Tourmaline
Is a powerful heart stone that strengthens your wisdom, empathy, compassion and will power. 
Your creativity is enhanced as you open yourself to the beauty that surrounds you. 
You will become aware of the many etheric levels of consciousness and Divine joy. 
Pink tourmaline will help heart and lung conditions, It is also helpful to those who have a problem with their femininity.
It brings spiritual beauty: it is also a good crystal to give your client before a therapy session, as this crystal really makes you feel relaxed, receptive and open to the experience of healing.

Pink/Green or Watermelon Tourmaline
Is one of the foremost heart chakra healers and helps one release old emotional pains, with love. 
It treats all stress and nervous conditions.  It is especially helpful during stormy periods in a relationship;
it will cool, balance and calm the emotions, so it is also good when you are trying to make up your mind; it will bring you back to the centre of yourself. 
It also melts any resistance or fears you may have to fully healing yourself on every level.

Blue Tourmaline
Is an emphatic heart healer; it is used on the heart chakra to dispel old fears and hurts. 
It may even show up fears and hurts that have been suppressed, that were so traumatic you lost them. 
It has helped those who feel emotionally shattered. 
Use on any chakra that needs the soothing healing blue ray of this calming stone. 
The blue ray of this stone is a must for anyone who uses crystals on others, as it protects them from any negativity they may encounter. 

It is used to stop insomnia and night sweats. 
Blue tourmaline is helpful for sinus pain and congestion (unshed tears from childhood);
its soothing ray is one of nature’s painkillers. 
It can be used directionally to remove pain and aid healing, as it is also an antibacterial. 
It is traditionally used on the lungs, throat, thyroid, thymus, larynx, oesophagus and the eyes, although it can be applied
to any area of the body that is holding dis-ease patterns, miasms, pain and congestion.

Black Tourmaline
Gives protection from negativity and heavy energies. 
It has been used to deflect the negative energy from all electrical equipment and especially computers. 
It also grounds heavy, stagnant or negative energy; as with all tourmalines it is very directional. 
It has been used as an energy deflector, as it is an excellent stone for those with potential for exposure to excessive amounts of radiation. 
It will protect against the negative thought forms and even the evil ‘eye’ of another. 
It has been used to help people after operations and chemotherapy. 
It is used for problems of the spine, feet, legs and for nervous disorders. 
It is also good for kidney and adrenal problems.

Violet Tourmaline
Awakens the development of psychic abilities and promotes the desire to act on intuitive information. 
It is a beneficial stone for stimulating a blocked or under-utilized third eye. 
It facilitates the opening of an infinite range of mental avenues, increases the ability to concentrate and strips away false illusion. 
Violet tourmaline also increases the desire for stillness and quiet contemplation. 
It has been used for past life regression and to clear karmic debris. 
It also helps with depression, obsessional thinking and confusion. 
Physically, it eases sensitivity to pollution, eases chronic exhaustion, epilepsy and Alzheimer’s disease. 
It can stimulate the pineal gland and also works on the upper skull, cerebral cortex and skin.

Tourmaline in quartz

This combination brings the forces of light and darkness into harmony, thereby ending the illusion of duality. 
It has been used for those who need to heal their shadow side. 
Also it can be carried or worn by those who have a tendency towards self-sabotage. 
It can be used to transform negative energy or negative thoughts into positive energy, or deflect negative energies.

Affirmation: I now choose to heal myself on every level and become free of all dis-ease.


TURQUOISE

Chemical Composition:  CuAl6(PO4)4(OH)85(H2O)

Crystal System:  Triclinic     Hardness:  5 - 6

Habit:  Includes crystals rarely large enough to see, usually massive, cryptocrystalline forms as nodules and veinlets

Colour:  http://mineral.galleries.com:/minerals/PHOSPHAT/TURQUOIS/turquois.htm
Turquoise, but varies from greenish-blue to sky blue shades

KEYWORDS:  GREAT SPIRIT

Some say that in the thirteenth century turquoise was named in the mistaken belief that it came from Turkey. 
That may be true or it may be that the name comes from the Persian word for turquoise, firouze, since Persia has been a major source of this gemstone for thousands of years. 
In any case, the blue of this gemstone is so vivid and distinct that it has given its name to the colour.
Turquoise is one of the oldest known gem materials. 
The Egyptians were mining turquoise in 3,200 BC in the Sinai. 
The blue of turquoise was thought to have powerful metaphysical properties by many ancient cultures.
Montezuma’s treasure, now displayed in the British Museum, includes a fantastic carved serpent covered by a mosaic of turquoise. 

In ancient Mexico, turquoise was reserved for the gods; it could not be worn by mere mortals. 
The Apache believed that turquoise helped warriors and hunters to aim accurately. 
The Zuni believed that it protected them from demons.
In Asia it was considered protection against the evil eye. 
Tibetans carved turquoise into ritual objects, as well as wearing it in traditional jewellery. 
Ancient manuscripts from Persia, India, Afghanistan and Arabia report that the health of a person wearing
turquoise can be assessed by variations in the colour of the stone. 
Turquoise was also thought to promote prosperity.

Turquoise is a mineral usually found in association with copper deposits,
so it is sometimes mined as a by-product of copper mining. 

The colour can change with exposure to skin oils.
Turquoise is a healer for the emotions of the heart.  It teaches you to talk from the heart. 
It loves the sharing of emotional wisdom, heartfelt communication; it loves togetherness, and family. 
It brings people together and gets them communicating. 

It is also a good crystal to wear if you have to speak in public. 

It calms the nerves and ‘feeds’ the central nervous system. 

Thus it is helpful in healing situations of nervous stress or breakdown. 
It helps panic attacks and emotional shock. 

 

Turquoise subdues fevers and cools inflammation of the nerves; it is particularly good for the pain of neuralgia.
Turquoise is a good crystal to wear when you have to make decisions, as it encourages self-questioning. 
It is also a good stone to wear when you wish to overcome self-sabotage; use it to centre yourself.
Turquoise helps you strengthen your voice: a person’s voice is a good indication of overall health and vitality. 
It gently purifies the throat chakra; you can tell if someone’s throat is blocked, they have to keep clearing it every few minutes. 
Turquoise teaches true communication, not idle chatter, but purposeful thought-out communication. 
It is about personal expression combined with personal responsibility.

Above all, turquoise helps you find your true path in life, your path with heart, so you can walk your talk with truth and dignity.
Turquoise is good for ‘channelling’ and communication with spirit guides and Angels.  Its beautiful blue colour is very expansive. 
It contains the essence of shunyata, the vast blue emptiness, stretching in all directions, absolutely clear, pristine and radiant. 
By this blue sky stretching into infinity we can gain an understanding, a feeling for the expansiveness and freedom which could be
ours if we did not allow our horizons to become narrow, clouded and limited, if we did not permit our minds to become fixated and
hypnotized by cravings and worries centred on what really are empty passing phenomena.

Turquoise is an excellent meditation stone.  It has also been worn and carried as a talisman against demons and evil entities.
Turquoise can be carried, worn, used in body layouts or made into a gemstone essence or aura spray. 
It aids focused meditation. 
Physically it has been used for stomach ulcers, fatigue, weight problems, allergies, diabetes, the digestive system, muscles and muscle cramps, heart disease, high blood pressure, cancer, shallow breathing problems, sore throats, neck-ache, thyroid problems, hearing problems, tinnitus, asthma, headaches, nervous complaints, nightmares, dizziness and panic attacks.

Affirmation:  Great Spirit, teach me to speak from an enlightened heart.


ZIRCON - Hyacinth - Jacinth

Chemical Composition:  ZrSiO4

Crystal System:  Tetragonal     Hardness:  7.5

Habit:  Crystals usually prismatic with hi-pyramidal terminations

Colour:  Light brown to reddish-brown; yellow, green, blue and colourless

Keywords:  Earth Star
http://mineral.galleries.com:/minerals/SILICATE/ZIRCON/zircon.htm
Zircon is sometimes confused with the artificial diamond-type simulant cubic zirconia (or CZ).
Zircon can make a very attractive gemstone.  It is found in reddish-browns and greens,
but can be heat- treated to beautiful blue and golden colours. 

Colourless material is produced in this way as well.
As a mineral specimen, zircon is uncommon in most crystal shops because attractive specimens are rare. 
However, fine specimens of well-shaped zircons are available and are in demand. 
The typical simple crystal of zircon is a tetragonal prism terminated with four-sided pyramids at each end. 
The prism may be lacking and the crystal can look octahedral. 
More complex crystals have faces of a less steeply inclined prism that taper towards the terminations. 
Also, a secondary prism may truncate the primary prism by cutting off its edges and producing an octagonal cross-section through the crystal. 
There is even an eight-sided pyramid (actually a ditetragonal bi-pyramid) that may modify the four-sided pyramids. 
Hyacinth or jacinth only refers to the reddish-brown varieties of zircon.
The reddish-brown zircon is very grounding, helping you to cope with your physical needs and basic human survival mechanism.
It can connect you to ancient knowledge and wisdom. 
It is used in body layouts and meditation to fully activate not only the base chakra,
but also the feet chakras and the earth star chakra beneath the feet. 
Its fiery force bums away blocks and negative energies that may have lodged in the base chakra.
It has also activated Kundalini movement, where this has been appropriate and desirable. 

Zircon has been used on the knees, ankles and feet to promote flexibility and movement. 
It loosens rigid patterns of dis-ease that may have lodged in these energy centres. 
It is very warming to the hands and feet.
Zircon’s energy is solid, reliable and caring. 
It is down to earth; it helps you to understand the positive force of gravity,
of being grounded, aware and energetically focused in the moment. 
It also stops mental lethargy, ‘spaciness’ and an unfocused mind. 
It is helpful for those who are incapable of stillness, or who have difficulty achieving their goals. 
It stops neediness and fearful or self-destructive behaviour patterns. 
It has also been used to relieve the symptoms of osteoarthritis and other skeletal disorders. 
It can activate and stimulate the adrenals.

Because zircon’s energy is so earthing it can give a beautiful cloak of security a
nd it teaches you the way of healing with the earth’s energy field. 
It also may be used to link into the past - your earliest experiences, including the extent to which your basic needs were met, or not, when you were an infant, are recorded and stored in the root chakra. 
Psychologists say that babies fed “on demand” learn to trust their needs will be met. 
These individuals go through life expecting the same and are rarely disappointed. 
Babies left to cry “till feeding time” learn to distrust and expect and accept disappointments, believing they do not deserve their needs to be met. 
This can affect them for the rest of their lives. 

This psychological theory ties in completely with the ‘Universal Law of Resonance’. 
So if you have a lack or disappointment energy field you will attract even more of the same! 
Zircon can, with conscious attunement, release these hidden blockages from the root chakra.

Affirmation:  I now energize my earth star chakra; this activates my Divine matrix within the Earth’s planetary grid. 

      This will anchor my Divine presence on Earth.

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