Gems and Superstitions

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The Blue Stones

Turquoise

Turquoise was said to protect the wearer from falling, or at least prevent injuries from falling. It was also applied to horses in hot regions (most notably in Turkey) to negate the negative effects of an over-exerted horse drinking cold water.

It was believed by the Native Americans that if someone went to the end of a rainbow and searched the ground, they would find a turquoise (similar to the pot of gold superstition widely known in the United States today). It was also believed by various tribes that if turquoise it attached to a bow or a gun, the arrows or bullets fired would go straight for their intended target.

Aquamarine

Aquamarines were thought to have banished fear. The aquamarine was also said to give the wearer foresight, happiness, increased intelligence, happiness and youthfulness.

Lapis lazuli

Lapis lazuli was said to cure melancholy or persistent fever. It also was used by later Egyptians as an ingredient in eye balm, and thus was also believed for some time (until these properties were passed on to the sapphire) to cure maladies of the eye.

Blue Sapphires

Sapphires were believed to protect people from harm, and save the wearer from envy. It was said to banish dishonesty, and act as an antidote against poison. It was said to have the power to influence spirits. Just the sight of star sapphires was thought to bring about good luck.

For medicinal purposes it was thought to cure maladies of the eye if rubbed on the eye (sometimes in the stone form itself or part of an ingredient in an eye balm). "To drink of a potion made from the sapphire was said to be helpful for those who had been bitten by a scorpion, and for those suffering from intestinal ulcerations, or from growths in the eye; it also prevented boils and pustules, and healed ruptured membranes" (JJKent Inc).