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People often say that cool gem tones — blues, greens, violets — feel calming. That instinct has some basis in biology, culture and design. But the effects are neither magical nor universal. In this article I explain how and why cool colors can dampen arousal, what traits of gems and settings matter most, and how […]

Buyers often talk about a stone’s “karma” when they mean something practical: the knowledge that their purchase didn’t cause harm and that it may even have helped people or places. Ethical sourcing promises that kind of reassurance. The question is whether those promises change how people value a gemstone or piece of jewelry in real

Amethyst is beloved for its clear purple color. But leave it in strong sunlight and the color can weaken. How fast that happens depends on several factors: how strong the light is, how long the stone is exposed, the gem’s chemistry, and whether the amethyst has been treated. Below I explain the reasons for fading,

People who sell, wear, or gift quartz often say the stones are “charged” — exposed to moonlight, sunlight, intention, or sound to make them more powerful. The claim is common in crystal shops and social media. I ran through how you would test that claim properly. Below I explain a workable blind test, the physics

Opal is a stone that sparks strong reactions. Some people call it lucky and carry it as a talisman. Others avoid it, convinced it brings misfortune. The split response isn’t random. It comes from a mix of the gem’s physical fragility, the way its colors change, and centuries of stories that attach moral meaning to

Pearls are alive in a way that gemstones are not. They are layers of nacre — microscopic calcium carbonate platelets and protein — built by an oyster or mollusk. That makes them beautiful, but also sensitive. Many people like to “cleanse” jewelry with moonlight on the new or full moon. The question is practical: will

People often ask whether swapping a stone from a silver setting to a gold one actually changes the gem’s “vibe.” I tested that question by wearing and photographing the same gems set in sterling silver (925) and common gold alloys (14k yellow, 14k rose, and rhodium-plated 14k white). The results aren’t mystical. They come down

Mercury retrograde gets a lot of blame for dropped calls, lost emails, and mysterious computer crashes. Jewelers and crystal sellers often market “communication stones” — aquamarine, blue lace agate, sodalite and similar gems — as a way to blunt that chaos. This article looks at what those stones are, why people feel they help, and

Birthstone lists seem simple at first. But many different lists exist, and they don’t all match. That happens for clear reasons. Some lists are old, rooted in culture or religion. Some were changed by the gem trade for clarity, supply, or marketing. Knowing why the lists differ helps you pick the one that matters for

When you bring a new gemstone into daily life, the first week matters. “Breaking in a stone” isn’t about altering the gem. It’s a small, intentional routine to confirm the setting, adapt to how the piece wears on your hand, and build safe habits that protect the gem long term. This modern, minimal seven-day ritual