Just Witchy's Blog

All that glitters is not gold... but that doesn't mean it isn’t pretty!    Such is the case with Copper Goldstone. A man-made glass, this gem has been used to create beautiful jewelry since the 12th or 13th century. Although the earliest evidence of its existence is an ancient amulet from Iran dating back to that time, the modern production of this gem is credited to the Miotti family in the 17th century when they were granted an exclusive license to manufacture it in Venice.    It is easy to see why they sought the license. Although it is not...

OOOHHH, what are these pretty, shiny objects? Are they from outer space? Or do they come from the deepest recesses of the Earth? The correct answer is-neither!    This beautiful stone is actually a man-made material, not a naturally occurring gemstone. A combination of silica, cobalt, and other metal oxides, it is created in a low-oxygen oven. The mixture is heated to over 2000°, then slowly cooled to form tiny glittering crystals. With a hardness of 5.5 - 6 on the Mohs scale, it's relatively durable and can withstand everyday wear and tear, making it the perfect stone to use...

Howl-i-ta describe this stone? Let me count the ways... 🤣Yep, I crack myself up!  Admit it, you're laughing too.    Which is a great way to begin a discussion about Howlite. After all it is considered a stone of emotional healing, and what better way to heal (especially from emotional stress) than through laughter?     Once laughter settles down, a person is generally left with a peaceful sense of calm, perhaps the strongest of the spiritual properties attributed to this stone. The calming effect of Howlite is thought to provide a person with self awareness through which they can better...

   What translucent crystal often associated with healing properties is made of calcium sulfate dihydrate with the chemical formula of CaSO₄ 2H₂O?   Not sure?       How about this clue... This crystal has a Mohs hardness of 2, making it a very soft stone.   Still drawing a blank?      Okay, how about another hint... This gemstone is also associated with the Greek Goddess of the Moon, Selene...   That's right, Selenite! (I knew you'd get the last one!)    Found in various parts of the world like Mexico, the United States, Brazil and Poland, this beautiful gemstone...

   What has more than one color, is named for a place it isn't produced, and is hard, yet known for being loving and warm?  Just in case you hadn't guessed by the picture - the gemstone in question is Topaz!    Found in many places around the world, including Brazil, Russia, Australia, India, Mexico and the United States, the name Topaz comes from the old Greek name of a small island in the Red Sea - Topazios (now called Zabargad), a place in which the stone isn't actually produced. Wait, what?    Back before the development of modern minerology,...