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INDEX
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Gemstones Through the Ages
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For many thousands of years, humankind has been aware of the power and value of gemstones as healing aids, talismans, and general warders-off of evil things. As time went by, we began to appreciate gems and rocks in different ways, and they became
valuable items depending on their quality and rarity. Great historical figures such as Plato, the great Greek philosopher; Theophrastus, a pupil of Aristotle who later became known as a Greek philosopher; Pliny, a Roman commander and later, author and
historian, all documented the power and necessity of gemstones in the everyday lives of the peoples of their times.
We know that Egyptians used a multitude of gems such as amber, topaz, emerald, malachite, lapis lazuli, serpentine, ammonite (fossil molluscs) and amethyst. There is evidence also that the Romans and Greeks used sapphire, opal, moonstone, amber, agate,
coral and pearls.
Many of these gems were valuable because of the powers they were believed to have held. Amber, which came from the Baltic region had many powers. Because it becomes charged with electricity when rubbed briskly with cloth, and therefore attracts small
objects such as pieces of straw, it was believed by the Greeks to have been given power by the Sun God Apollo (Phoebus) and was revered by followers of this god. In the temples of Apollo serpents were also regarded as sacred and often amber was placed
with the serpents as a mark of respect. Amber then became associated with snakes, and both were said to have given powers to each other. The Greek scientist Thales of Miletis documented amber's electrical qualities and gave it its Greek name - Elektron.
In ancient Rome a popular belief was that amber was formed from the urine of the lynx: darker colors being the product of the male and lighter colored amber was from the female lynx.
Egyptians believed that the rays of the setting sun became solidified upon hitting the ocean and were cast ashore in the form of amber.
Another gem valued for its power was amethyst. The Greek name for amethyst was amethystos, meaning "non-intoxicating". People who drank wine from amethyst goblets were convinced that it was the only way to partake of the grape as amethyst had such an
effect on the wine that it's alcoholic content was completely neutralized. The more logical (albeit uncharitable) explanation for this is that the host served his wine in amethyst goblets to disguise the fact that he had diluted the wine considerably and
the goblets enhanced the color of the wine and made it look more genuine.
The Roman history of amethyst is somewhat different. Apparently a young virgin named Amethyst was on her way to the shrine of Diana the Huntress to worship when Bacchus, the God of wine (who was disgruntled because he felt that his position in the
universe was not well enough respected and had vowed to have his lions avenge this disrespect by devouring the next mortal to cross his path) spied Amethyst and set his lions about their task. Diana heard her screams and came to the rescue by turning
Amethyst into a pillar of crystal to ease her suffering. Bacchus, full of remorse for his foolish actions poured a liberal amount of wine over the pillar giving it the purple-violet color we know as amethyst.
Pliny tells us that Greek and Roman Magi (wise men) taught that amethyst was also good, when combined with swallows feathers and baboon hair, for protection against spells. Amethyst was also believed by the masses to repress evil thoughts and dreams; make
a man vigilant in business; render the barren fruitful; expel poison; bring victory to military men and prepare easy capture of wild birds and beasts. Amethyst was also dedicated to the Greek God of the Sea Poseidon (Neptune) and was carried by sailors to
guide them to a safe harbor.
Another stone believed to bring sailors and travelers good fortune is emerald. Emerald was dedicated to the Greek God Hermes (Mercury), the winged messenger. Hermes was the guardian of travelers and magicians and the guide of souls to the underworld so
emeralds were associated with all of these things. Travelers wore emeralds to ensure a safe journey and sailors wore them to guarantee calm seas and to bring good fortune to their ventures. It was also popular for warriors to wear emeralds (along with
what must have been a multitude of other gems) so that if they were killed in battle they were confident of safe passage to the underworld.
Emeralds have also been linked to the eyes in many ways. Doctors in ancient Greece, and later Rome, believed in the power of emerald to cure eye inflammation and infection by placing an emerald on the eye of the patient. Emeralds were also thought to
have enhanced sight. Nero was said to have used an eyeglass that was made from emerald to read his various documents and was also reported to have watched gladiators in action with his emerald monocle.
As a healing stone emerald was used for the treatment of leprosy when finely ground and applied as a poultice. It was also used to keep children safe from plague and leprosy and also an antidote to poisons from wasps, bees and scorpions. Emeralds were
also linked to the Greek Goddess Hecate-Artemis (Diana) considered the guardian of young women and the patron of childbirth and so, for this connection were believed to have held the power to protect pregnant women and ensure easy childbirth.
Emeralds were also believed very useful for repelling serpents and snakes. Early Egyptians believed that snakes were blinded when they gazed upon polished emeralds. This is still believed today in some parts of the middle east. Emerald has been known to
Egyptians since before 2000 BC. Emeralds were mined in Upper Egypt near the Red Sea. The most notable of these mines belonged to the Queen of Sheba. The miners believed that the gems were guarded by evil spirits and the quantity, size and color of the
stones was directly related to the phases of the moon.
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Copyright, 1997 by Leanne Ware
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Leanne Ware was born in Australia and has lived there all her life. Her formal education was in Canberra, A.C.T., then at the age of 20, she went to Lightning Ridge, N.S.W. and got involved in the opal business, mining underground and also operating
prospecting drilling rigs. Then she started cutting opals.
Leanne's interest in ancient Greece really took hold during travels in Europe and the US in '90 and again in '91. She has also spent a lot of time in Hong Kong and Japan selling opal in this area. She kept opal cutting until late 94 and also gave cutting
demonstrations, lessons and lectures on the subject.
Leanne told us, " I have done a little bit of opal cutting since then just to keep my hand in. I now live with my 2 daughters who are 3 and 4 in Red Rock, a very beautiful town on the beach on the east coast of Australia. I am going to University next
year to study ancient history and English and I hope at some time in the future to be a history teacher." Leanne Ware can be reached at hecate@tpgi.com.au.
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