Heart of Stone Studio Blog

All About Pyrite

by Con Slobodchikoff

   Pyrite is a yellow-gold or silver-gold mineral that is found world-wide in igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks. Particularly good specimens come from Spain, Mexico, Peru, Italy, France, and Colorado in the United States. It is an iron sulfide, with a hardness of 6-6.5, a density of 5-5.2, and a crystal structure that is either cubic or pyritohedral (12 faces each with 5 edges). 

   The name comes from the Greek, Pyr, meaning fire. This is because pyrite will produce sparks when struck against a hard surface, particularly against steel. Legends and myths suggest that Pyrite was considered to be a magical firestone in the Stone Age, when it was used to help produce fire.

   Pyrite is also sometimes called “Fool’s Gold” because it often has a yellow-gold color, and stories abound of people salting mines with pyrite and then claiming that they had struck a vein of gold. Naïve investors are said to have sunk money into such supposed gold mines, making fools out of themselves and enriching unscrupulous prospectors.

   In the jewelry trade, Pyrite is sometimes called Marcasite, which is a mineral that has the same chemical composition but a different crystalline structure. However, true Marcasite is not as stable as Pyrite, and often decomposes in air, becoming covered with a white iron sulfate powder. True Pyrite on the other hand is quite stable in air and does not decompose. Almost all of the jewelry labeled as Marcasite is actually Pyrite.

    In ancient cultures, Pyrite was used by the Greeks, the Romans and the Incas for jewelry. The Incas made reflective mirrors out of Pyrite, using these for divination.
Pyrite is said to have a number of beneficial properties. It is said that it improves memory, and is good for intellectual and nervous fatigue resulting from overwork. Holding a piece of Pyrite in each hand during meditation is said to produce a burst of vitality and physical energy, and enhances creativity and mental clarity.

  On a physical level, Pyrite is said to have some healing properties. It is said that it helps repair DNA and RNA, helps stimulate endocrine function, and when worn as a pendant, is said to help fight infections of the respiratory tract.
In a metaphysical sense, the stone is said to be associated with the third chakra, and is said to bring balance and harmony to the aura, protecting a person from negative energies in the environment.  It is said to be associated with masculine energy, bringing balance to those who need to develop more willpower, confidence, and vitality.

 The pyrite cabochons that we sell at Heart of Stone Studio are really pyrite in quartz. In these cabs, gleaming silvery pyrite particles float serenely in a quartz matrix that is colored a dark charcoal due to the presence of another mineral. Some of these pieces are partially translucent. All of them combine the metaphysical properties of pyrite with those of its more famous healing cousin, quartz, the same material that composes healing crystals.  These cabs are particularly well-adapted for either jewelry or metaphysical uses. Because one side is flat, they can easily be laid down on the chakras. They can be crafted into jewelry, and can also be conveniently put into a pocket or a purse. They can easily be held in the hand during meditation.

Sources:
Hall, C: Gemstones;  Harding: Crystals;  Megemont: The Metaphysical Book of Gems and Crystals; Melody: Love Is In The Earth; O’Donoghue: Rocks and Minerals; Peschek-Bohmer and Schreiber: Healing Crystals and Gemstones; Schumann, Gemstones of the World; Simmons and Ahsian: The Book of Stones; Walker: The Book of Sacred Stones

All About Sugilite

By Con Slobodchikoff

Sugilite is a lovely violet-blue stone that is quite rare. It was named after a Japanese geologist, Ken-ichi Sugi, who discovered it in 1944. The stone is composed of potassium lithium iron manganese aluminum silicate, with a hardness of 6 to 6.5, a density of 2.76 to 2.80, and hexagonal crystals. Although it is found in Japan and Canada, much of the world’s supply comes from South Africa. Visit our Heart of Stone Studio website to see examples of the Sugilites that we have available.

This is a stone that is said to have strong metaphysical properties. It is a very spiritual stone, and has many metaphysical uses. Sugilite is one of the principal stones of the Age of Aquarius.

 

One major use is as a healing stone. It is said to help physical healing by sending energy to any place in the body where there are blockages. Some people recommend using this stone during catastrophic illnesses such as cancer, because of the peace and calmness that it can bring to the physical body. Sugilite is believed to regulate the output of the pineal and pituitary glands to optimal levels, leading to harmony within the physical body.  It also helps bring conscious control to the mind and helps direct the mind toward aiding in the healing process. It is said that this stone is good for pain relief, particularly of headaches.

On the emotional side, Sugilite is said to have a number of healing properties. Through the peace and understanding that it brings, it is said that it brings compromise and heals jealousy, encouraging forgiveness and loving communication. For people who have been traumatized, it is said to bring peace and balance to their lives. Sugilite helps bring compassion for all living beings.

This is a stone that seems to be particularly good for dreams. Those people who meditate or sleep with the stone are said to experience vivid dream imagery or lucid dreams containing symbols that are meaningful for spiritual development. It also helps those who have trouble remembering their dreams, and those who suffer from insomnia or nightmares.

On the psychic side, the stone is said to help open the third eye and crown chakras, and balance the heart, third eye, and crown chakras. The stone can be placed on the third eye chakra of the forehead or on the crown of the head to stimulate these chakras to open. Sugilite can build up the strength of the aura and can help repair damaged auras.

Spiritually, the stone is said to remove negative attachments and bad karmic influences, and protect people from harmful energies. Meditating with Sugilite is said to provide insights into the spiritual reasons for a person’s existence.

The cabochons that we sell at Heart of Stone Studio are particularly well-adapted for metaphysical uses. Because one side is flat, they can easily be laid down on the chakras. They can be crafted into jewelry, and can also be conveniently put into a pocket or a purse. They can easily be held in the hand during meditation.

Sources:

Eason: Healing Crystals; Hall: The Encyclopedia of Crystals: Harding: Crystals; Lambert: Crystal Energy; Melody: Love Is In The Earth; Moorey: Crystal Code; Schumann, Gemstones of the World; Simmons and Ahsian: The Book of Stones; Stuber: Gems of the 7 Color Rays.