Gems and Superstitions This webpage was created to fulfill an assignment for a gemstone and gemology course from Emporia State University.   Navigation Articles      » How Gem Superstitions Get Started      » Gems as Living Things      » The Myth and Lore of the Diamond      » The Mixed History of the Opal      » The Red Stones      » The Green Stones      » The Blue Stones      » Miscellaneous Stones Other Links      » Works Cited Newest Pics Pic Title: Emerald Crystal Posted: Fri Feb 22, 2008 9:31 pm Dimensions: 129 x 97 Size: 1.82 Kb Pic Title: Turquoise Posted: Fri Feb 22, 2008 4:10 pm Dimensions: 131 x 125 Size: 2.51 Kb Pic Title: Sapphire Posted: Fri Feb 22, 2008 4:10 pm Dimensions: 126 x 94 Size: 2.17 Kb Pic Title: Ruby Posted: Fri Feb 22, 2008 4:09 pm Dimensions: 99 x 124 Size: 2.19 Kb Pic Title: Red Jasper Posted: Fri Feb 22, 2008 4:09 pm Dimensions: 116 x 86 Size: 1.83 Kb Pic Title: Pearl Posted: Fri Feb 22, 2008 4:09 pm Dimensions: 118 x 109 Size: 1.59 Kb Pic Title: Opal Posted: Fri Feb 22, 2008 4:09 pm Dimensions: 137 x 103 Size: 2.76 Kb Pic Title: Onyx Posted: Fri Feb 22, 2008 3:53 pm Dimensions: 104 x 79 Size: 1.41 Kb Pic Title: Moonstone Posted: Fri Feb 22, 2008 3:53 pm Dimensions: 116 x 116 Size: 1.91 Kb Pic Title: Malachite Posted: Fri Feb 22, 2008 3:52 pm Dimensions: 94 x 123 Size: 2.21 Kb Pic Title: Lapis Lazuli Posted: Fri Feb 22, 2008 3:51 pm Dimensions: 116 x 116 Size: 2.33 Kb Pic Title: Jet Posted: Fri Feb 22, 2008 3:51 pm Dimensions: 116 x 91 Size: 2.38 Kb Pic Title: Jade Posted: Fri Feb 22, 2008 3:49 pm Dimensions: 116 x 116 Size: 2.73 Kb Pic Title: Jacinth Posted: Fri Feb 22, 2008 3:47 pm Dimensions: 104 x 104 Size: 2.96 Kb Pic Title: Green Jasper Posted: Fri Feb 22, 2008 3:47 pm Dimensions: 120 x 121 Size: 2.98 Kb Pic Title: Garnet Posted: Fri Feb 22, 2008 3:47 pm Dimensions: 113 x 84 Size: 3.06 Kb Pic Title: Emerald Posted: Fri Feb 22, 2008 3:47 pm Dimensions: 124 x 124 Size: 2.17 Kb Pic Title: Diamond Posted: Fri Feb 22, 2008 3:46 pm Dimensions: 124 x 101 Size: 3.45 Kb Pic Title: Coral Posted: Fri Feb 22, 2008 3:46 pm Dimensions: 116 x 116 Size: 3 Kb Pic Title: Carnelian-Sard Posted: Fri Feb 22, 2008 3:46 pm Dimensions: 115 x 104 Size: 2.19 Kb Pic Title: Carbuncle Posted: Fri Feb 22, 2008 3:44 pm Dimensions: 90 x 68 Size: 1.9 Kb Pic Title: Aquamarine Posted: Fri Feb 22, 2008 3:44 pm Dimensions: 116 x 102 Size: 3.46 Kb Pic Title: Amethyst Posted: Fri Feb 22, 2008 3:42 pm Dimensions: 111 x 103 Size: 3.08 Kb Introduction The purpose of this site is to review the various superstitions surrounding many gemstones. This subject is a broad one and encompasses many different stones and the beliefs of many different cultures ranging from the ancient up into the modern day. Because so many stones are covered, I found it necessary to break up the information into different articles. The articles first cover some of the causes of superstitions in this area, then goes into the general superstitions that gemstones were living things. After that there are articles about two specific gemstones (the diamond and opal respectively) since they had somewhat unique superstitions and prominence in various cultures of different times. Beyond that the rest of the stones are arranged by color (since many stones of the same color were given the same attributes, it is much easier to see how superstitions involving one stone jump from one stone to another stone of the same color). The final section (miscellaneous stones) covers all of those stones that did not have enough of their color to put into their own category or where there was a superstition associated with a gem but the color was not indicated. For example: beryl is referenced in many superstitions, but since it comes in different colors, and the color is not mentioned in the superstition, it could be any kind of beryl (though it is likely they are referring to emeralds) and I refuse to further muddle the history of gemological superstition by making assumptions. Because of the revived interest in gemstones and superstitions and since many of the more modern sources that discuss this subject are trying to sell something (leading to a greater likelihood of overstating the supertstitions involving their specific gems) I rely heavily on older sources that are not trying to sell anything and only use reputable modern sources only when they are expanding on something briefly mentioned in an older source. In this way, I am hoping to share less corrupted information than many modern sources out there. Please Enjoy your Stay, and Feel free to email me at jsmith@emporia.edu or leave a message in the shoutbox. -Joseph   ShoutBox Copyright © 2008 Joseph Smith Site Last Updated 4-3-2008 This page and other student created pages for this class can be found here Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2005 phpBB Group SwiftBlue Theme created by BitByBit MetaBB © 2004 - 2006 MetaBB Group