| Many of us are familiar of the modern-day | | | | crystals and gemstones. There are many |
| amulets of the Christian cross, Catholic rosary | | | | gorgeous designs, such as key chains, zipper pulls, |
| beads, and the lucky rabbit's foot to name just a | | | | necklaces, wands, and pendants. Crystals and |
| few. However, amulets have been used since | | | | gemstones are especially favored because they |
| ancient times, by both primitive and civilized | | | | have symbolism via their colors, astrological |
| people to ward off evil, attract love, to heal, and | | | | correspondences, planetary influences, and chakra |
| enhance spirituality. | | | | representations. |
| The word "amulet" originates from the old Latin | | | | Amethyst is said to protect its wearer against |
| amoletum, meaning 'means of defense'. Amulets | | | | seduction. For thousands of years, amethyst, of |
| are believed to be endowed with special powers | | | | the quartz family, has been coveted by princes |
| of protection from such evils as ghosts, evil | | | | both ecclesiastical and secular. Moses described it |
| spirits, witchcraft, the evil eye, illness, misfortune, | | | | as a symbol of the "Spirit of God in the official |
| calamities, and any kind of disaster. Amulets that | | | | robes of the High Priest of the Jews", and the |
| bring good fortune are typically referred to as | | | | Russian Empress Catherine the Great sent |
| talismans. | | | | thousands of miners into the Urals to look for it. It |
| Many societies believe amulets derive power from | | | | is a popular belief that amethyst offers protection |
| their connection with natural forces, from religious | | | | against drunkenness. The Greek word |
| associations, or from being made in a ritual | | | | amethystos means 'not intoxicated'. |
| manner at the time of a favorable planetary | | | | Metaphysically, amethyst is said to raise ones |
| influence. Traditionally, amulets are carried or | | | | state of consciousness and aids in meditation. |
| worn, kept in the place which is the desired | | | | Quartz, malachite, jade, emerald, garnet, ruby, |
| sphere of influence, or painted on buildings, ships, | | | | agate, tourmaline, rose quartz, opal, pearl, lapis, |
| and landscapes. | | | | sodalite, peridot, goldstone, turquoise, and tiger's |
| Small models of animals or objects, medallions | | | | eye are just some of the other popular crystals |
| bearing religious pictures or inscriptions, or lockets | | | | and gemstones used to create beautiful |
| containing inscriptions or pictures on paper or | | | | metaphysical jewelry and amulets. Each are said |
| metal are examples of man-made amulets. The | | | | to embody unique healing and spiritual properties, |
| most common amulets are made of natural | | | | and all have been highly prized throughout the |
| materials, such as precious stones, crystals, | | | | ages by all civilizations for one reason or another. |
| gemstones, metal, teeth, claws of animals, and | | | | No matter if you personally believe in the power |
| plants. | | | | of an amulet or not, one can not help but admire |
| In recent years, as the various metaphysical | | | | the natural timeless beauty and mystery of |
| genres became more accepted, the most popular | | | | crystals and gemstones amulets, and wear them |
| forms of amulets are those made of various | | | | proudly with any outfit or on any occasion. |