Product Description

Heal yourself with power of crystals and gemstones. Hundreds of vivid color photographs make it easy to identify and distinguish between different varieties. Listing for over 140 stones tell you which stones to use for particular illnesses, how to use them most effectively and how stones relate to the chakra system and the signs of the zodiac.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #65668 in Books
• Published on: 2004-11-01
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 302 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9781568524429
• Condition: USED - GOOD
• Notes:
• Click here to view our Condition Guide and Shipping Prices

Customer Reviews

Stunning Book, Stunning Pictures, In Depth and Extensive Information and Ideas!
What a happy and lucky find this book was!! I had the luck of stumbling across it at Barnes and Noble, and I was hooked from the moment I picked it up.

The first 53 pages contain valuable information on using gemstones and crystals to compliment and repair the Chakras, basic information on how color affects gemstone properties (an awesome guide for those of us who own stones of a non-traditional coloring), the effects of color healing on the body with gemstones, energy fields and their influence on and by gemstones, a complete and in depth listing of gemstones with regards to astrological sign including what stones work best for what sign and astrological pitfalls that may be created by an individual sign (like Virgo's unending desire for perfection, Leo's ego, or Scorpio's trouble with criticism) and how to overcome it by gem therapy (this is something I've *never* seen in any other book), various forms of gemstones (as in rough, polished, jewelry) and how to get the most of their individual energies, information on Mohs Hardness Scale, light refraction, cuts, and luster of stones, geometry of gemstone crystalline structure, how stones are created... And several other topics. This introductory reference section is enough to wet your appetite and give you direction for further research if you want it, but it is also enough so that if that's all you want to learn, you still walk away knowing more than the average bear. I found all if this information very useful, and much of the information is not at all like what I have seen in any other book.

The next couple hundred pages are 2 page layouts that contain information on various gemstones, common and uncommon. Including the stand-by regulars like Amethyst, Quartz, Ruby, etc, there are also several uncommonly addressed stones, such as Magnesite, Dolomite, Bronzite, Actinolite, and many others. This book is a good mix between the tried and true stones, and some more uncommon stones that you may or may not have heard of, but provide valuable information in healing.

The two page layouts of each stone contains a plethora of information, including general healing properties and how to utilize them, general magical properties, Chakra classification, Star sign, application and care of the stone, where it is found/mined, colors it is found in, the chemical composition of the stone, the hardness of the stone on Mohs scale, available forms of the stone (polished, rough, jewelry, etc), and crystalline structure. Each stone is represented by beautiful photos that show the stone in forms that you will commonly see it. I love that these pictures are very representative of the stone making identification light-years easier than in books were the best, most photographic specimen is pictured. These listings are so complete and thorough, I'd actually say that for some it'd be too much information, as I doubt most will use the chemical composition information. However, it's delightful to FINALLY own a gemstone book that lists the hardness of the stone, something that is absent in both Judy Hall's "Crystal Bible," and Melody's "Love is in the Earth" series.

Perhaps my favorite feature of the book (other than the fact that it's a hard back book, making it very rugged and very reminiscent of an actual Physician's Reference) can be found in the very back and final 5 or so pages of the book. The section called "A Home Pharmacy of Crystals and Gemstones" is something completely unique to this book, and turns it from a great book on gemstone healing to an awesome book on gemstone healing. The Pharmacy section lists various maladies, afflictions, conditions, and illnesses, along with a description of what stones to use in treatment and how to use them. This quick reference makes healing that much easier. Instead of flipping the book frantically trying to remember what stone used how treats someone with hyperactive thyroid (a common condition, but not that you may not see often, or at least I don't), you can simply flip to the Pharmacy section and read up on the condition and its treatment. This section is a blessing.

The only thing I think could be done to make this book better is to add an index. Despite the fact that this book is well laid out and the information contained within it is easy to find due to the user friendly nature of the book, I still like all of my reference books to have an index. I will say though that a lack of one in this book isn't a great loss, especially considering the Pharmacy section, but it would have been handy.

I think this book is a delightful, even invaluable tool to anybody who is involved in holistic healing, people interested in gemstone healing, Reiki healers, or just those with a curious mind to gemstone powers and abilities. This book is expertly written so that it is not overwhelming to the beginner, but not condescending to the experienced healer. It is such a shame this book is somewhat obscure, because I think that this book is a must have.

An excellent "Gem" of a book
I found this book while browsing the B&N discount racks. I told myself that I really didn't NEED another metaphysical gemstone book, but once I started flipping through the pages and saw the spectacular photography and detailed information which includes Moh's hardness*, I had to buy it.

One of the other reviewers that said that some of the photos do not accurately represent all of the variations of a stone. I would agree with this. Looking up Apatite, you will see a gray variety instead of the more common teal blue. Quite honestly, I have yet to find any book on gemstones that does show every variation of a particular stone, and I don't really see a problem with recommending this book to someone new to working with gemstones.

I believe that this book was originally published in Germany, and it seems as though they have listed some fairly interesting specimens that were not immediately known to me such as Orpiment, Heliodor, and Biotite.

It's a great book, so go on and add it to your library - I don't think you will regret it. I find it a great companion to Judy Hall's Crystal Bible.

* Moh's hardness is a scale rating the hardness of a particular gemstone. As a jewelry artisan, this information is helpful in determining how to best utilize a particular stone. A stone with a low Moh's hardness could be easily damaged if made into a bracelet or ring. Stones such as Diamond, Ruby & Sapphire have the highest hardness ratings and are more suited to be worn on the hand/wrist than say, Serpentine or Chrysocolla.

Love this book
It covers almost every crystal imaginable, includes info on where mined, crystal structure, hardness, chakra, magical and astrological correcpondences, legend and lore, use in healing and absolutely STUNNING photos. Also a short piece on chakras, beneficial crystals for each astrological sign and at the end index of maladies + healing crystals to use for each. Complementary with Cassandra Eason's book.