A gemstone is a chunk of mineral crystal that has been cut and polished and is used to make jewellery or other adornments. Certain rocks, such as lapis lazuli and opal, as well as biological compounds that aren’t minerals, such as amber, jet, and pearl, are commonly used in jewellery and are hence referred to as gemstones. In this article, we will explore stones that begin with the letters K and L like Kunzite, Kynite and Labradorite
Kunzite
Kunzite is a semi-precious gemstone that may be found in a variety of hues, including white, pink, yellow, blue, and green. Sometimes referred to as “Spodumene”. It sometimes changes color with exposure to light, usually settling on a pinkish tone.
Mystical Properties: Kunzite is a very important gemstone to natural healers, as it is said to align all chakras, removing energy blockages. The yellow variety, Triphane is especially noted for this property.
These special healing properties attributed to Kunzite may originate from its property of “triboluminescence”, or the stone’s ability to “absorb” light and display a brief flash of light in the dark.
Pink Kunzite is considered a major gemstone of love: improving self-love, unconditional love of others, gentleness and improved communication in love relationships.
Considered a repellant of possession or harassment by elementals (impish and/or ill-intentioned spirits).
A pendulum of Kunzite is said to help pinpoint energy blockages.
Sometimes mentioned as the American Birthstone for September birthdays.
Considered a gemstone of Pisces.
Healing Properties: Most commonly said to help bone and spinal cord problems. Mentioned as helping with hearing loss and ear canal disorders. Mentioned as increasing fertility.
Scientific Properties: Composed of Lithium, aluminum silicate, Spodumene (Kunzite) is almost exclusively found in pegmatites (slow cooling plugs that allow large crystals to form).
The colorless, lilac or pink is called Kunzite, while the yellow is sometimes referred to as Triphane, pale green as Brazilite, and a deep emerald green variety found only in North Carolina, Hiddenite.
Notable locations include California, North Carolina, Brazil, Madagascar, Namibia, Pakistan and Afghanistan. Hardness: 6.5 – 7 on the Moh’s Hardness Scale.
Kyanite
Kyanite is a fibrous gemstone that until recently, could not be fashioned into beads. Blue Kyanite is one of the most beautiful semi-precious gemstones we know–a silvery, shimmery blue (which unfortunately, doesn’t scan in well). We think this relatively unknown gemstone is going to catch on very, very quickly!
Mystical Properties: Thought to dispel confusion, improve communication and intuition and especially important for facilitating meditation.
Mentioned in relationship to the Chakras, as it thought to effortlessly align all Chakras. Also mentioned as a gemstone that never needs cleansing–i.e., a gemstone that will never accumulate negative energy.
Black Kyanite is said to help manifest thoughts into action. Mentioned for use with hypnosis and subliminal audios.
The Blue variety is thought to open the mind to higher ideas, improve optimism and open the negatively focused mind to lighter and brighter opportunities and ways of thinking.
Green Kyanite is thought to help with depression and be a feminine enhancing stone.
Healing Properties: Thought important to the glands, brain and muscular systems.
Scientific Properties: Composed of Aluminum Silicate with iron hydroxide impurities.
Found in metamorphic schists and gneisses.
Found in Virginia, North Carolina and George, Kenya and Sao Paulo, Brazil. Hardness varies. On one axis 5, on the other axis, 7 on the Moh’s Hardness Scale
Labradorite Jewelry
Labradorite is a shimmery gem, usually khaki green, though sometimes gray, with characteristic flashes of Blue Fire, called “Labradorescence“. Discovered in 1770 on the Labrador Peninsula, from whence it gets its name. The Finnish variety is called “Spectrolite“.
| Mystical Properties: An important mystical gemstone, Labradorite is said to bridge the scientific/intellectual with the mystic/psychic worlds. Strongly associated with enhancing all psychic abilities. It is thought to protect the aura from energy leakage, enhance intuition, improve rational thought and help use power wisely. Because it enhances psychic ability, protects, improves the intellect and teaches the responsible use of power, it is referred to as the Wizard’s Stone in mystic circles.
Labradorite was sometimes used in Luck Charms in the 18th century. It is said to subdue an overactive 6th Chakra, or “3rd Eye” which facilitates intuition, psychic awareness, ESP and insight. Thought helpful in becoming more “self-aware”. Often mentioned as enhancing mental abilities, improving memory, reducing mental stress and helping with problems associated with the brain. Frequently associated with the eyes. Thought to assist the blind, improve night vision and remote sensing. A pendulum made of Labradorite is sometimes used by Natural Healers to locate or pinpoint problems. Often associated with the planet Uranus and Aquarius. Healing Properties: Thought an excellent gemstone for eyesight, especially helping with night vision. Brain problems. Stress. Mental agitation. Scientific Properties: Labradorite is one of a series in the family of Plagioclase Feldspars (complex Silicates with varying amounts of Na (Sodium) and Calcium (Ca)). This family also includes Moonstone (Albite series), Oligoclase includes Sunstone. The mineral property “labradorescence” gets its name from this mineral and refers to the luminous blue/green/gold/red sheen given off when turned in the light. Important localities include Madagascar, Finland (Spectrolite), Oregon and Mexico. 6.5- 7.5 on the Moh’s Hardness Scale. |
Lapis Lazuli Jewelry
The most prized Lapis Lazuli is royal blue, though it ranges in color from green to sky blue, with characteristic glittering golden specks. Sometimes called “sapphire” in ancient Egyptian references. The name comes from the Latin “lapis” which means “stone” and Persian “lajuward” also meaning “stone“. It is also known as “Lazurite“.
| Mystical Properties: A very important gemstone in ancient Babylonia and Egypt, the deep blue color was often associated with royalty and deity.
Interestingly enough, Christians, Egyptians and ancient Sumerians all associated this stone with motherhood. To Christians, the stone is associated with the Virgin Mary and Jesus. In Egypt, with Isis and her child Horus. Hindus believe Lapis strung on gold wire and worn by children will protect them from all manners of evils, even night frights. Christian legend says God’s throne is composed of Lapis, that the 5th stone of Aaron’s breastplate was Lapis. Egyptians called the stone “chesbet” commonly fashioning scarabs from Lapis. The Chief Justice of ancient Egypt wore a Lapis amulet carved with the Goddess Mat (Goddess of Truth). Thought to give wisdom and fairness to its wearer and increase spiritual love. Lapis is associated with the 6th Chakra, or 3rd Eye. It is considered an important gemstone in subduing an overactive 6th Chakra. Thought to stimulate creativity. Catherine The Great of Russia, had all the walls in a ballroom decorated in solid Lapis. Ancient Sumerians are said to believe that carrying a piece of Lapis, meant carrying a piece of the Gods. Crushed lapis used to comprise the ancient and very valuable pigment “ultramarine”. Healing Properties: Most commonly thought to bring peace and soothe depression. Scientific Properties: Composed of Lazurite (Sodium Calcium Aluminum Sulfate Silicate) with various other minerals, such as pyrite. Distinguished from Sodalite by its richer navy color and its invariable association with Pyrite, whereas Lazulite and Sodalite (often would-be imitators) are not associated with pyrite. The most famous locale is in Badakshan, Afghanistan, which has been mined for over 6000 years. Other locales include Russia and Colorado, U.S. Hardness: 5.0 – 5.5 on the Moh’s Hardness Scale Buyer Beware! True Lapis Lazuli is relatively rare. “Fake” lapis is often created using “howlite”, a white stone that takes dye well. Cheaper varieties are dyed chalcedony. Sodalite or Lazulite is often billed as Lapis, however, it is usually lighter in color and missing the sparkling golden flecks that identify true lapis. A major source of Lapis has been Afghanistan. |
Leopardskin Jasper Jewelry
Leopardskin Jasper is an opaque tan, brown and ochre form of jasper that gets it’s name from its leopard-like spots. Sometimes called “Jaguar Stone”.
| Mystical Properties: There is an ancient Indian legend about Leopardskin Agate. They believed that before man, dark beings lived alone on the earth. They didn’t like the darkness, so they sent a messenger to the Leopard, Numi. Numi was a black leopard, whose eyes provided the only light in the darkness. The messenger asked Numi to intercede with the Great Spirit to bring light into the world. He answered that the dark beings had great importance in the manner of things and without them, there would not be the heavens. If the Light Beings were allowed to enter the earth, they would push aside the Dark Beings and they would then be of lesser importance and treated poorly. He asked the messenger if his people could accept this. The messenger didn’t know, but he said yes anyway. It is said thus began the war between Light and Dark. Numi asked the Earth to create a stone to help beings see the Dark Ones. Thusly the legend says, Leopardskin Agate was created as a bridge to the deepest essences and mysteries–to help reveal that which is NOT known.
It is said to be important to the 1st, 4th and 7th Chakras. Natural Healers use Jaspers for Protection, to nurture and protect against negativity. Healing Properties: Tissue regeneration, promotes healing. Scientific Properties: Composed of an opaque, fine-grained crypto crystalline quartz with iron oxide impurities. Found in South America. 6.5- 7.5 on the Moh’s Hard |
Lepidolite Jewelry
Lepidolite is beautiful lilac to pale pink colored stone, usually with some black inclusions. Soft and somewhat rare and expensive.
| Mystical Properties: A gemstone of self-love, trust, openness and honesty.
An ore of Lithium, Lepidolite is most commonly thought to soothe, relax and de-stress. It is thought to be a bringer of peace. Mentioned frequently as a “relaxer”, helping with muscle spasms, fitful rest, wrinkles caused by contracted muscles, tight muscles, and even constipation. Mentioned as a gemstone to help negotiations in business endeavors as it brings about an open atmosphere of trust and ease. Psychically, the gemstone is considered a facilitator to astral projection, easing the way into different dimensions. Often mentioned as a gemstone to help in transitions of all sorts, soothing and easing the way. Thought helpful to the Upper Chakras. Natural Healers use Lepidiolite to reduce wrinkles, release tension and help persons with difficult life transitions. Associated with the sign of Libra. Healing Properties: Reduce stress. Muscles spasms of all kinds. Insomnia. Nightmares. Wrinkles Scientific Properties: Composed of a Lithium rich mica associated with high lithium pegmatite’s (magmatic intrusions with plenty of time to grow large crystals). Because of the high lithium content, Lepidiolite is an ore of Lithium. Important localities include: Maine, Connecticut, California and New Mexico. Foreign locales include Afghanistan, Pakistan, Brazil and Western Australia. The very rare lemon-yellow variety is found only in the Black Hills of South Dakota. Lepidiolite has directional hardness: 2.5 in one direction and 4 in other with respect to the Moh’s Hardness Scale Owner Warning! Jewelry fashioned from Lepidiolite, while quite beautiful, is also very soft. Not recommended for every day wear. |
Lodestone Jewelry
Lodestone is a heavy, opaque, naturally magnetic rock, usually black in color. It’s also known as “Magnetite”, for its magnetic properties. This distinguishes it from Hematite, which is non-magnetic. Its name is probably derived from “lead stone”, because of its compass-like properties.
| Mystical Properties: Because of its ability to attract iron, it has often been associated with love and sex. The magnetism of the stone is akin to “drawing people to you”. In old time, prostitutes wore the stone to draw customers. Placed on a bed, it is said to draw a woman to love. If a man soaks lodestone in oil, then anoints himself with the oil, it is said to increase virility. In Mexico, the stone is worn in belt buckles and said to guarantee sexual performance, luck at gambling and prosperity.
Lodestone thrones were said to draw wealth and love to the person sitting upon it. To the Chinese, it is “t’su shi”, meaning “loving stone”, to the ancient Indians, “chumbaka”, meaning “kisser”. Said to favor men named Leo or Leonard. Said to govern the hour of 11 p.m. Healing Properties: Thought to “draw out” disease and pain. Set in silver, helps eyesight, set in gold, helps with heart conditions. Said to lessen the pain of childbirth by placing a lodestone on a woman’s thigh. Scientific Properties: Lodestone is composed of magnetized Iron Oxide (Magnetite), commonly massive, sometimes crystalline. It is thought iron bodies frequently struck by the lightning it attracts, creates magnetic iron ore, called Magnetite or Lodestone. Found commonly throughout the world. Hardness: 6.0 on the Moh’s Hardness Scale
クンツァイト石とは何ですか、 ¿Qué es la piedra kunzita? 什么是紫锂辉石， |
