Gemstone Meanings: Power and Significance of the 25 Most Popular Gems
Jewels, birthstones, gemstones—so many names for the glitzy, glamorous stones so many of us love to wear each and every day. This got us thinking: Is there a difference between jewels and gems? To find out—and to uncover gemstone meanings—we chatted with jeweler Lisa Salzer, founder of Lulu Frost Jewelry and Charm’d by Lulu Frost (exclusively at Jared).
“The term ‘gemstone’ can be thought of as a catch-all term for the many natural mineral and crystalline formations found within and upon the earth,” she tells Woman’s Day. “In contrast, a ‘jewel’ implies that some human creative processes have been applied to the natural gemstone, thereby transforming the gemstone into a jewel. Tumbling, faceting, polishing, cutting, and/or drilling to make a bead all are jewelers’ processes that serve to alter a natural unworked gemstone into a beautiful jewel.” In short, all jewels are gemstones, but not all gemstones are jewels. Keep reading to learn more.
What is a Gemstone?
“Gemstones are naturally occurring mineral and/or crystalline deposits found within the earth,” Salzer says. “Often cut or polished to reveal more of the light-reflecting qualities of the mineral, gemstones are used to create beautiful jewelry to adorn and enhance our appearance.” Nowadays, lab-made gems exist, too. “Thanks to modern technology, gemstones can also be created in a laboratory with the same mineral composition as naturally occurring gemstones,” Salzer says. Generally speaking, lab gems are thought to be more eco-friendly and more ethical overall. They’re also typically more affordable, as they can be crafted with ease, as opposed to mined from the earth.
What do they symbolize?
The earth is abundant with gemstones. And, like Zodiac signs, each gem has its own meaning. Gemstone meanings are inspired by everything from royal traditions and chakras to ancient cultures and spiritual thoughts. “The myriad of colors of gemstones alone transmit energy via the wavelength they occupy on the color spectrum,” Salzer says. “For example, a ruby gemstone can represent the root chakra, found in our tailbone, which represents familial and ancestral connections, rootedness, and a sense of grounding. Emeralds and other green gemstones like tourmaline, peridot, and jade correlate to the green color wavelength and heart chakra, so wearing stones of such color can amplify one’s heartfelt intentions. At the far end of the color spectrum, we find purple gemstones like iolite and amethyst, which can represent our crown chakra, a symbol of connectedness to the ethereal realms and oneness with the collective.”
Why are gemstones important?
Genuine gemstones are special in that they’re a product of the earth—something that’s been forged over time. They’re a testament to grace under pressure and the beauty that can arise from weathering it all. “Because they are created over millions of years due to time and pressure within Mother Earth, they represent a naturally occurring resource of rarity and beauty,” Salzer adds. Due to their preciousness—whether in sentiment or monetary value—gemstones are often passed down from generation to generation. “As family heirlooms, gemstones create a lasting link between generations and often serve as highly important markers of life’s most important milestones, such as marriages, births, and other key occasions,” Salzer says.
Whether you’re shopping for yourself or looking for a gift for a loved one, Salzer says gemstones are worth considering. “From monetary to spiritual worth, the value of gemstones is vast, varied, and lasting,” she says. Before buying any old gem, though, keep reading to uncover the 25 most popular gemstones—and their meanings.
Agate
“Agate is earthy, warm and rich,” Salzer says, noting that it exists in many colors. “Look for antique Victorian banded Enlish and Scottish agates in deep orange, browns, cinnamon, and saffron tones or banded black and white agate.”
Amethyst
“Amethyst is a gemstone long associated with royalty and spiritualism and is said to bring tranquility and healing,” Salzer says. “In the same color spectrum wavelength as the third eye and crown chakras, amethysts can assist in connecting you to your higher spiritual self and the universal consciousness.” When shopping for amethyst, Salzer says to explore the wide range of amethyst that exists and choose the one that speaks most to you.
Ametrine
Ametrine is unique in that it's a naturally occurring mash-up of amethyst and citrine. As such, it symbolizes the intersection of royalty, spirituality, tranquility, and healing with stability and balance.
Aquamarine
“Aquamarine is a calming gemstone that symbolizes fluidity and flow, healing, allowance, and acceptance of what is,” Salzer says. “Look for clarity and luminosity in an aquamarine stone and interesting stone cuts that emphasize the light-enhancing properties of this clarifying clear blue stone.”
Citrine
“A powerful gemstone crystal in a range of deep yellows, oranges, and yellow-cream-white, the citrine gemstone is said to bring abundance and wealth into one’s life,” Salzer says. “Yellow is the color associated with the solar plexus chakra wavelength and the center of the human body, and therefore represents a central balancing property which enhances stability and balance in one’s life.” When it comes to citrine, the most translucent stones are worth the most, Salzer says.
Diamond
Who doesn’t love a diamond? “Perhaps the world’s most sought-after gemstone, the diamond symbolizes wealth, status, and familial connections,” Salzer says. “A lasting symbol of engagement and marriage, diamonds represent commitment and faithfulness. They also stand as a symbol of great strength and cutting through any impediments that may hold one back.”
Emeralds
“One of the precious gemstones, emeralds have long been prized for their otherworldly beauty, vivid green color, and cooling-to-the-eye properties,” Salzer says. “It is said that jewelers who spent long hours working in their bench would have a large emerald nearby their work stations, to give their eyes a place to rest, relax, and reset after long hours of detailed work.” Additionally, Salzer points out the emerald green is aligned with the heart chakra, representing our energetic love center. “It can amplify our self-love and wisdom,” she says.
Garnets
“Coming in a variety of colors, but most traditionally a deep blood red gemstone, garnets have been long prized for their association with love and good relationships, and are also thought to protect the wearer especially in times of travel,” Salzer says. “Thought to attract positive energy, business success, and people to oneself, these deep red stones are quite desirable.”
Iolite
“Iolite is a beautiful purple-blue gemstone that is often associated with the third eye chakra, the site of our pineal gland,” Salzer says. “Iolite is said to release addictions and enhance understanding and mental clarity. The stone can assist a wearer in knowing how to proceed during times of transition or through difficult choices.
Jade
“Long prized across many varied and ancient cultures from ancient China to the Incan and Aztec empires, Jade is a highly valuable gemstone that represents good fortune, luck, and abundance,” Salzer says, noting that it’s most popular in green and purple varieties. “It is cleansing and enhances one’s vitality and vigor.”
labradorite
“Such a magical and beautiful gemstone, labradorite has an unusual mix of holographic, color-reflecting tones ranging from grey to blue-green, and flashes of the entire spectrum within,” Salzer says, noting that high-quality labradorite has more inner luminosity and reflective colors. “Symbolically, labradorite is associated with spiritual growth and magic, and is known as the stone of transformation.”
Malachite
“An amazing banded green stone, malachite is said to help ease transitions during times of change,” Salzer says. “It’s a stone of the heart and can cleanse negative energy, leading to healing.”
Moonstone
“Often associated with the divine feminine and new beginnings, the light-reflecting qualities of this milky blue-white-silvery gemstone certainly embody the look and feel of the moon and her transformative energy,” Salzer says. “When selecting a moonstone, cabochon cuts are often preferred because they enhance the liquid-like dew drop look of each stone.”
Morganite
“A beautiful pink gemstone, morganite is associated with the heart chakra and promotes love, healing, and compassion,” Salzer says. “It is said to allow one’s ability to receive and give love to grow.”
Opal
“One of the most beautiful and magical gemstones, opals have a visual fire inside, often reflecting an entire rainbow of color within their milky-white, bluish-green matrix,” Salzer says. “The stone is said to represent purity, faith, and intuitiveness, and is associated with the third eye and crown chakras, connected to one’s spirituality.”
Pearl
“The only ‘gemstone’ of the sea besides coral, the natural pearl is one of the most sought-after and popular gemstones in the world,” Salzer says. “Pearls are said to cool and calm the wearer, and stand for wealth, royalty, and beauty. They are a potent symbol of strength presiding over adversity, as a pearl is formed around an initial irritant. The irritant (sand) is captured within the layers, and eventually a thing of beauty is created. Pearls reminds us to persist, no matter the obstacle.”
Ruby
“One of the most storied and sought after gemstones historically and in modern day, rubies represent both the root and the heart chakra and relate to ancestry, family, lineage, and gestures of love, passion, and prosperity,” Salzer says.
Sapphire
“Another of the world precious and most sought-after gemstones is the beautiful blue sapphire,” Salzer says. “Also available in a range of colors from pink to yellow, the sapphire is traditionally associated with speaking one’s truth and the throat chakra. The stone is associated with joy, truth, and wisdom.”
Tanzanite
“Another beautiful blue-purple stone, the tanzanite is associated with spiritual connection and expression, as well as discovering one’s own truth,” Salzer says.
Topaz
“Coming in a variety of colors, from blue to yellow to white, topaz is symbolically associated with peace, self-worth, and self-confidence,” Salzer says. “Brilliant high quality gem cuts enhance the stones tonality and luminosity.”
Tourmaline
“A favorite stone of gem collectors for its beautiful crystalline structure and tonal variety from pink to blue-green, tourmalines are a heart-centric stone that can enhance self-love and relationships with others,” Salzer says. “Pick a tourmaline color that speaks to you and enjoy it in many forms, from natural slices that reveal the stone's color variations to polished jewels of perfect clarity.”
Turquoise
“Long prized for its healing properties, turquoise occurs naturally in several areas of the world, including the American southwest and Tibetan Plateau,” Salzer says. “Highly prized by spiritual and earth-connected people, turquoise is said to assist healing in those who wear it.”
Peridot
“A vibrant and happy green gemstone, peridots are symbolically linked with the heart chakra and healing,” Salzer says. “They symbolize, good fortune, love, and playfulness.”
Lapis Lazuli
How stunning is that vivid blue hue? “This beautiful vibrant blue gemstone is long prized for its ability to enhance wisdom and assist in allowing truth to come forth,” Salzer says. “ Associated with the throat chakra, lapis lazuli allows one to speak one’s truth and flow from an authentic voice.”
Onyx
“Onyx is a smooth opaque black gemstone known to assist in grounding oneself and providing strength,” Salzer says. “The deep black color absorbs negative energy and keeps us steady.”
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