Exploring Precious Gems and their Semiprecious Healing Crystal Substitutes

This short video is perfect for anyone getting started with crystals, as well as those who have used crystals for a while, but want to understand the science behind crystal healing.

Get ready to dive into the captivating world of gemstones and crystals. In this blog post, we'll take a closer look at precious gemstones and their crystal cousins. From the sparkle of diamonds to the allure of rubies, sapphires, and emeralds, we'll explore their unique properties. So, grab a cup of your favorite crystal-infused tea and join us on this exciting journey into the realm of crystals and jewelry!

If you remember from my Crystals 101 video “Crystals vs. Gemstones” the difference between the two is that gemstones have a perceived value because of their beauty and suitability for jewelry making.

Need a refresher on the difference between Crystals and Gemstones?

Watch this short video on the basics of crystals and the science behind crystal healing!

What falls under the category of precious gemstones?

• Diamonds

• Rubies

• Sapphire

• Emeralds

All other gemstones are considered “semi-precious”, For example Rose Quartz, Onyx, Jade, etc. The “semi”ness just means that they are less rare and less expensive. They are all equally viable as healing crystals.

Let’s look at the properties of what I consider “Fancy” crystals, and then let’s see who are their closest crystal cousins

DIAMOND:

Diamonds symbolize clarity, purity, and illumination, harmonizing the body with divine light and energy at the crown chakra and encouraging a state of divine consciousness and enlightenment. Diamond facets reflect and refract all 7 color-spectrum rays, creating both their beauty and their respect as a healing entity. The Buddha described reaching a state of illumination as 'diamond mind' because of diamond’s representation of the highest expression of white light and universal light.

Diamond Healing Properties:

• Symbolizes wholeness, purity and clarity

• Thought to strengthen the bonds of matrimony

• Amplifies all energy within its vicinity (both positive and negative)

• Brings strength and fortitude

DIAMOND SUBSTITUTES

In jewelry applications, Diamonds are often substituted with Danburite, although a closer healing properties substitute might be Clear Quartz.

DANBURITE:

Danburite is a lesser-known crystal that shares some of diamond's spiritual properties. It is a clear or white crystal that enhances the third eye and crown chakras, helping to align the heart with higher vibrations. Danburite is also thought to facilitate communication with higher realms, making it a great crystal for meditation and spiritual guidance.

Danburite Healing Properties:

• Stimulates the third eye and crown chakras and aligns the heart to these higher vibrations

• Its creates a smooth path in life

• Increases meditative state and inner guidance

CLEAR QUARTZ:

Quartz resonates with the frequencies of the silica in our body. This helps to energize, harmonize and balance human energies, restoring and sustaining wellness on all levels.

Quartz is one of the best examples of crystal application in modern science. For centuries Clear Quartz has been used in watches, because its piezo-electric effect creates incredibly accurate timekeeping. It is also used in computers and other electronics because it absorbs, stores and sends out energy, acting as a natural memory vault.

Clear Quartz Healing Properties:

• Filters distractions and aids concentration, memory, and mental clarity

• Powerful cleanser of organs and subtle bodies, stimulates the immune system

• Mirrors and enhances emotions

• Absorbs, stores, releases, and clarifies energy

• Used in acupuncture and other energy healing

• Used in meditation to heighten intuition and attune to spiritual purpose

RUBY:

Ruby inherited its name from the Latin word ruber, meaning red. This July birthstone has been known as one of the most beautiful and valuable gemstones on the planet, at times valued even more highly than Diamonds. These beautiful gems are used for empowerment and confidence, to embrace your uniqueness, and to live up to your full potential.

Ruby Healing Properties:

• Increases energy and passion for life

• Transmutes suffering into wisdom and compassion

• Brings up negative energy for release and transmutation

• Protects from psychic attack

• Heals the heart chakra

RUBY SUBSTITUTE

Garnet:

Garnet is a crystal cousin of ruby that shares some of its spiritual properties. Garnet is often associated with cherry red to deep merlot tones, but it also occurs in several other colors. Garnet is believed to enhance self-confidence and faithfulness in love, helping to release old negative energy and behaviors. It is also thought to heal the heart and sacral chakras, promoting emotional balance and stability.

Garnet Healing Properties:

• Enhances Faithfulness in Love

• Increases Self-Confidence and Hope in all situations

• Allows you to release old negative energy and behaviors

• Heals the Heart and Sacral Chakras

SAPPHIRE

For centuries, Sapphire has been prized not only for their healing value, but also for their rarity and beauty. Stunning blue Sapphire, not surprisingly, is aligned with Water-Energy which soothes, cools, and calms the throat chakra. You will also feel its balancing and clarifying effect on your emotions, thoughts and communication.

Sapphire Healing Properties:

• Helps you gain Wisdom

• Calms the mind

• Brings energies into balance

• Facilitates self-expression

SAPPHIRE SUBSTITUTES

Iolite provides a close color and texture match to both raw and faceted Sapphire. Amethyst, while not as close a match for Sapphire’s hue, is more easily available and an equally close match for healing benefits.

Iolite:

Iolite most commonly occurs in varying shades of purple. In fact this is how it got its name, which comes from the Greek word ios, meaning violet. Iolite is sometimes used as a less expensive substitute for Sapphire because of their similar coloring. Iolite is traditionally used for spiritual growth and development of spiritual gifts, such as scrying and astral projection.

Iolite Healing Properties:

• Activates the third eye chakra

• Recharges the Aura

• Helps you express your true self

Amethyst:

Amethyst is widely considered the most popular Quartz gemstone. As it shares the same structure as clear quartz, it is also a great healer. Amethyst’s name is derived from a Greek myth involving Bacchus, the god of wine. This same tale also explains the use of Amethyst for preventing drunkenness, unbalanced emotions, or overly-impassioned decisions.

The purple hue resonates with the crown and third eye chakras, providing psychic protection and increasing clarity and intuition. Amethyst also provides relief from physical symptoms relating to the head, eyes, nose, and ears, as well as overall relief from pain and inflammation.

Amethyst Healing Properties:

• Brings clarity and enhances focus

• Encourages rest, and overall healing

• Helps to calm and soothe emotions, bringing balance and steadiness of mood

• Increases Spiritual connection and insight

EMERALD

Emerald is a vibrant green form of Beryl, which means it is related to both Aquamarine and Morganite. This May Birthstone has been prized for centuries, from Ancient Egypt, to South America, where they became the envy of the Spanish conquistadors upon discovering the beautiful jewelry worn by the the leaders of native communities.

The vibrant green hue aligns Emerald with the heart chakra, romance, honesty, loyalty and fertility. It pairs well with other heart chakra and love crystals, as well as those for increasing abundance and communicating clearly and honestly.

Emerald Healing Properties:

• Inspires mental clarity and a deep inner knowing

• Promotes, wisdom, truth, honesty, and eloquence

• Stone of Loyal Love and Friendship

• Healing for the Heart and Throat Chakras

EMERALD SUBSTITUTES

Green Tourmaline:

Tourmaline is often used as a stone of protection and grounding, but it can also stimulate creativity. Beyond this, you will also feel your energy lighten as you release any negativity and stale energy that's been dragging you down. Also a great heart healing gemstone, with your Tourmaline crystal near your heart, you can step out into the world, knowing that you are cared for and knowing that the Universe has your back.

Green Tourmaline Properties:

• Promotes Patience and Compassion

• Relieves anxiety and promotes pleasant sleep

• Heals the heart and opens receptivity to love

• Attracts Abundance and Prosperity

Peridot:

Another great substitute for Emerald is Peridot. This August birthstone is one of the rare occurrences of gemstones developing below the Earth’s crust, in molten rock of the upper mantle. It is actually a high-quality and rarely rare form of Olivine, a common mineral often found within lava flows of the mantle. Another fact that makes Peridot unique - it can also be found in meteorites. This extraterrestrial Peridot is the rarest of all.

Peridot Healing Properties:

• Enhances confidence and promotes self acceptance and forgiveness

• Promotes psychological clarity and well-being

• Helps you release resentment and jealousy

• Gain access to new, higher vibrations and welcome them into your life

THERE’S A CRYSTAL FOR THAT!

Precious gemstones and their crystal cousins offer a wealth of spiritual and healing properties.

Whether you are drawn to the fiery energy of ruby, the calming properties of sapphire, the clarity of diamond or the wisdom of emerald, there is a crystal out there for everyone.

By incorporating these beautiful gems into your daily life, you can tap into their unique energies and enhance your spiritual and emotional wellbeing. So go ahead and explore the wonderful world of precious gemstones and discover your new favorite crystal today!

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Which of these crystals has captured your attention? Share your new crystal crush in the comments!

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