Jewelry Glossary I-M

Labradorite
                                                                                                           Labradorite
Labradorite--Pronounced (LAB rah door ITE) is a natural stone.

Labradorite is a grayish blue green and brown stone laced with brilliant vibrant blues and greens that flash with color through out the stone.

Labradorite is found in Italy, Greenland, Finland, Russia, Labrador on the coast of Canada, Scandinavia and Mexico.


Healing Properties

Labradorite raises consciousness and grounds spiritual energies into the physical body. Labradorite stimulates intuition and psychic gifts. Psychologically, Labradorite banishes fears and insecurities and the psychic debris from previous disappointments, including those experienced in the past. Labradorite treats disorders of the eyes and brain, relieves stress, and regulates metabolism. It also treats colds, gout, and rheumatism, and balances hormones and relieves menstrual tension, and lowers blood pressure.

Proper Care

Labradorite is sensitive to pressure and can easily crack or chip. It should be stored separately so that it does not come in contact with other gems or jewelry. Clean with warm water and a mild soap. Dry with a soft cloth and air dry before storing.  Do Not use ultrasonic or steam cleaners.

Scientific Notes

Labradorite is composed of Calcium sodium feldspar. It has a Moh's rating of 6 to 6-1/2, making it a moderately hard stone. It is often used in fine quality jewelry.


Lapis Lazuli
                                                                                                           Lapis Luzili
Lapis Lazuli Pronounced (lap is la zoo lee) is a natural stone.

Lapis Lazuli is a beautiful royal blue with veined shimmering gold which is iron pyrite and calcite.

Lapis Lazuli is found in United States, Canada, Argentina, Russia, Afghanistan, Chile, Italy and Egypt.


Healing Properties

Lapis Lazuli is a protective stone that contacts spirit guardians. This stone harmonizes the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual levels. Lapis Lazuli encourages taking charge of life. It reveals inner truth. Lapis Lazuli is a powerful thought amplifier. It stimulates the higher faculties of the mind. Lapis Lazuli bonds relationships in love and friendship and aids expressing feeling and emotions. Lapis Lazuli Alleviates pain, especially that from migraine headaches. It overcomes depression, benefits the respiratory and nevvous system and throat, larynx and thyroid, cleaning organs, bone marrow, thymus, and the immune system.

Proper Care

To clean, briefly place under warm running water. Use a soft cloth or brush and mild soap. Dry with a soft cloth. Polish ocassionally with a small amount of jewelry wax to the surface and buff with a soft cloth. Store in a box lined with soft fabric. Avoid prolonged exposure to the sun and do not allow contact with steam or solvents.

Scientific Notes

Lapis Lazuli is composed of sulfur containing sodium aluminum silicate. It has a Moh's rating of 5 to 6, making it a stone of moderate hardness. It is used in fine quality jewelry.

                                                                                                          
Leopardskin Jasper                                                                                                                                                                  Leopardskin Jasper              

Leopardskin Jasper is a natural stone.

Leopardskin Jasper is said to look like patterns of a leopards coat, colors range from lovely hues of brown, and grey, and other earth tones on a bronze based stone.

Jasper is found world-wide.


Healing Properties

Jasper helps us release our tendencies to over think or over analyze things. When you wear it, your mood lifts immediately. Jasper supports the circulatory, digestive, and sexual organs. Psychologically, jasper imparts determination to all pursuits. Mentally, jasper aids quick thinking, and promotes organizational abilities and seeing projects through.

Proper Care

Jaspers are often sealed and should not be cleaned with water because it can remove the polish / seal. Clean your Jasper jewelry with a soft dry cloth. Jasper should be kept away from prolonged exposure to extremes of heat and household chemicals that can damage the stone. Keep your Jasper jewelry in a fabric-lined box away from other jewelry items in order to avoid damage or scratching.

Scientific Notes

Leopardskin Jasper is composed of Silicate, chalcedony, quartz group.

It has a Moh's rating of 6-1/2 to 7, making it a moderately hard stone used in fine quality jewelry.


Mahogany Obsidian                                              Mahogany Obsidian


Mahogany Obsidian is a natural stone.

Mahogany Obsidian is a volcanic glass stone with a black base and reds brown streaks resembling mahogany wood grain running though it.

Mahogany Obsidian is found in United States, Mexico, and worldwide.

Healing Properties

Mahogany Obsidian has a gentler energy than black obsidian. Resonating with the earth, it grounds and protects, gives strength in times of need, vitalizes purpose, eliminates energy blockages, and stimulates growth on all levels. Obsidian is a strongly protective stone, forming a shield against negativity. Obsidian’s greatest gift is insight into the cause of disease. It detoxifies, dissolving blockages and tension in the physical digestion. It reduces the pain of arthritis, joint problems, cramps, and injuries.


Scientific Notes

Mahogany Obsidian is a volcanic, amorphous, siliceour glass. It has a Moh's rating of 5 to 5-1/2.


Malachite
                                                                                                 Malachite
Malachite is a natural stone.

Malachite has vibrant swirling patters of light and dark green marbling running through out the stone. Natural color variation occurs within each stone making very stone unique. This is a very luxurious stone that is very beautiful.

Malachite is found in Zaire, Zambia, Africa, Republic of the Congo, Romania, Russiaand the Middle East.

Healing Properties

Malachite amplifies both positive and negative energies. It grounds spiritual energies onto the planet. Malachite soaks up plutonium pollution, and guards against radiation of all kinds. Psychologically, Malachite is a stone of transformation. Mentally Malachite goes to the core of the problem, enhancing intuition and insight. Malachite is an extremely versatile healing stone. It is particularly useful for cramps, including menstrual cramps, and facilitates childbirth, it has been called the midwife stone.

Proper Care

Malachite is especially fragile, easily scratched and can become dull. So protect it from scratches, sharp blows or large temperature changes that will fracture, shatter or chip it. The surface of malachite is usually fortified with artificial resin. Do not clean malachite in a home ultrasonic cleaner because the protective resin surface can be damaged or removed. Malachite is sensitive to heat, acids, ammonia, and hot waters. Rinsing malachite in clean water is safe. Let it air dry and store away from other metals or gemstones that might damage the surface. Remove malachite jewelry when doing heavy work that might scratch it such as gardening or mechanics.

Scientific Notes

Malachiate is composed of Basic Copper Carbonate, Argonite Group. It has a Moh's rating of 3-1/2 to 4, making it a moderately soft stone.


Moss Agate                                            Moss Agate
 

Moss Agate is a natural stone.

Moss Agate is a clear agate stone with what looks like hues of green moss floating within them.

Moss Agate is found in Untitled States, Australia, India, Madagascar, and Brazil.

Healing Properties

Moss Agate is a stone of wealth, Moss Agate attracts abundance. Psychologically, Moss Agate improves self esteem and strengthens positive personality traits. It releases fear and deep-seated stress. Mentally, Moss Agate promotes self expression and communication. Moss Agate speeds up recovery. It is used to counteract long term illness. It is anti inflammatory, cleanses the circulatory and elimination systems, encouraging the flow of lymph, and boost the immune system.

Proper Care

Moss Agate should be stored in cotton bags after wearing. Do not expose to water and do not leave in chemical cleaners for long periods of time. Apply makeup and perfume before putting on jewelry. Clean dirt and dust with a soft brush. Wipe dry with a soft cloth and allow to air dry for five minutes before storing.

Scientific Notes

Moss Agate belongs to the Chalcedony, quartz group.  It has a Moh's rating of 6-1/2 to7, making it a moderately hard stone.

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