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From the first time ancient man or woman found a colored rock on the beach or in the dirt, humans have been fascinated and intrigued by them. How did the first polished rocks happen? The gentle abrasion by the waves on a sandy beach, the wearing smooth of a stone tied around a neck or wrist, or perhaps the steady drip of water? No one knows for sure. When it was discovered that a crude colored rock could be transformed into something to catch the eye and the imagination is when gemstones came into being.

For it is the efforts of humans that turn raw stone into the faceted, glittering, gleaming, brilliant stones we know today. Most of these gemstones go back to ancient times. There were even powers designated to particular stones that would transfer to the wearer. Amber calmed stressed nerves. Amethyst promoted healing. Onyx helped to change bad habits. The ancients believed in the power of gemstones to heal, to cure sickness, to instill love. The list goes on and on. So gemstones were not only beautiful and valuable, they were essential for good health and well being.

Most people in modern times do not assign such powers to gemstones as curing disease or causing someone to fall in love. But look into the deep rich crimson of the ruby, the bold blue of the sapphire, or the serene green hue of the Emerald, and you can still be captured by what the ancients were captured by. The beauty, the mystique of the gemstone.

Below are descriptions and ancient properties attributed to a selection of gemstones.

Amber- Amber began as a sticky resin that oozed from ancient pine trees that sometimes entrapped insects, feathers or plant debris. Over time the resin was encased in dirt and debris and through heat and pressure it fossilized to become Amber. Amber can range in color from dark brown to an almost clear lemon yellow. Most Amber for jewelry comes from the Baltic Sea or the Dominican Republic. Amber was believed to provide magicians and sorcerers with special powers. Others wore it to promote physical and emotional healing and to provide protection from spirits.

Amethyst - Amethyst is the purple variety of quartz. It must be purple to be amethyst, but it can display a range of shades from deep purple to light lilac. Amethyst when worn helped guard the wearer against drunkenness, and to make the wearer calm and gentle.

Aquamarine - Can be an almost colorless pale blue to blue-green or teal. A legend says that ancient sailors used to wear the stone to keep them safe and prevent sea sickness.

Citrine - A variety of quartz ranging in colors of yellow, yellow-brown, orange, to reddish brown. Almost all citrine on the market today is heat treated amethyst. Natural citrine is pale yellow to pale orange, much lighter than the heat treated material. Citrine was believed to help internal organs, especially the heart. It also improved creativity for the wearer.

Emerald - Colors run from deep grass green to lighter greens with yellowish tones. Improved memory was one of the attributes given to Emerald, along with enhancing love and contentment.

Garnet - Occurs in every color but blue. Garnet was believed to help regulate the heart and blood flow, and in curing depression.

Jade - Colors are from emerald green to mottled green and white. The range of greens are light to dark, creamy, grayish and also white. There are also the rare colors of yellow, pink, purple and black. Jade was worn for strength and longevity, and it is an ancient symbol of love and fidelity.

Moonstone - An opalescent stone from colorless to blue, peach, green, pink, yellow, brown or gray with a silvery sheen. Among the powers attributed to moonstone was as a protection against leprosy, against sunstrokes, and as a cure for headaches.

Onyx - A type of quartz. Usually thought of as black in color but some onyx displays bands of white or ribbons against a black or brown background. Was worn to increase happiness and improve intuition.

Peridote - A very old gemstone known to the ancient Egyptians. Usually a vivid green color with a hint of gold. Wearing Peridote calmed anger, attracted love, and brought good luck.

Ruby - Ruby is one of the hardest materials there is. And of course, no one can think of ruby without thinking of the color red. Ruby was thought to grant spiritual enlightenment and tranquility to the wearer.

Sapphire - Sapphire is the non-red variety of corundum. The red variety of corundum is ruby. Blue is the most popular color, but it can be almost any other color besides red. Was thought to cure depression and was used in clairvoyance and predicting events.

Topaz - Topaz occurs in a large variety of colors including red, orange, peach, pink, gold, yellow, brown, blue and clear. Topaz was thought to be a general cure for mental and physical disorders, and to delay death.

Turquoise - This gem has been used as an ornament going back to the ancient Egyptians. Turquoise is sacred to many Native Americans, and was used by medicine men to promote healing.