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Skutterudite Mineralogy

NB This mineral contains arsenic - Do Not Ingest.

Photo shows silver-grey granular Skutterudite on matrix.

Skutterudite has the chemistry CoAs3, Cobalt Arsenide and is a member of the Sulphides mineral class. It is the cobalt-rich end member of a series (Smaltite, Chloanthite, or Ferro-Arsenite) in which Nickel or Iron replaces part of the Cobalt. It is named after its locality; Skutterud, Norway.
Skutterudite crystal habits include octahedron and pyritohedron, which are often in a massive form, or granular, usually as anhedral or subhedral in matrix. The crystals are opaque, lustre is metallic and the crystal system is isometric. The colour of Skutterudite is white to steel grey.
Minerals associated with Skutterudite are Erythrite and Annabergite and other Cobalt and Nickel Sulphides and Arsenides, for example Cobaltite. Significant sources for Skutterudite are Norway, Ontario and New Jersey, as well as other Cobalt mines.

Silver Healing Energies

Silver is a natural de-stressor; bringing spiritual and emotional harmony. It removes unhelpful, stuck thought and behaviour patterns. Silver helps and supports those learning new tasks, expands comprehension and aids fluent speech. It is beneficial for all the fluid systems and organs of the body.

Photo shows a Silver pendant.

Smaragdite Healing Energies and Mineralogy

Smaragdite expands, balances and develops the subtle bodies. It offers a high degree of protection on all levels. It strengthens wanted traits and frees unwanted ones. It encourages releasing beliefs and behaviours that are no longer helpful and allowing fresher helpful ones to take their place. It promotes well-being and general good health, particularly aiding the immune & skeletal systems.

Photo shows a Smaragdite crystal with darker Actinolite inclusions.

Smaragdite is an emerald green variety of Actinolite, which owes its colour to a faint chromium content. The Actinolite group of Magnesium-Iron gems includes Tremolite and Smaragdite. Tremolite is Actinolite that contains more magnesium. Smaragdite is the variety of Tremolite containing Chromium. It is a green foliated kind of amphibole, observed in eclogite (a rock consisting of granular red garnet, light green smaragdite, and common hornblende) and some varieties of gabbro.
It is named from the word smaragdos, which means emerald, a reference to its colour.

Smithsonite Healing Energies

Smithsonite facilitates development of all the main chakras and the heart, throat and brow (third eye) chakras in particular. This aids insight, intuition, (especially through dreams) empathy and expression. It supports positive leadership and new beginnings of all kinds. It is beneficial for the immune & digestive systems and the sinuses. Pink Smithsonite's soft energy helps heal all stress related conditions and can help with recovery from a nervous 'breakdown'. Its gentle presence is good for convalescence and for providing a buffer against life's problems. Blue Smithsonite eases the birthing process and brings comfort to the new born.

Blue Smithsonite Healing Energies

Blue Smithsonite eases the birthing process and comforts to the new born.

Photo show a super blue botroydial Smithsonite specimen.

Pink Smithsonite Healing Energies

Pink Smithsonite's gentle, energy helps heal all stress related conditions and can help with recovery from a nervous breakdown. Its gentle presence is good for convalescence and for providing a buffer against life's problems.

Photo shows botroydial pink Smithsonite on matrix.

Smithsonite Mineralogy

Photo shows gemmy blue-green Smithsonite crystals on matrix.

Smithsonite has the chemistry (ZnCO3) Zinc Carbonate and is in the mineral class of Carbonates and the group of Calcite. Smithsonite's silky to pearly lustre sets it apart from other minerals as it is very unusual. Colours vary from the well-known apple green to blue-green colour through purple, lavender, yellow, white, tan, brown, blue, orange, peach, colourless, pink and red, and all of them look good. Smithsonite forms in dry climates as a weathering product of primary Sulphide Zinc ores such as Sphalerite, and it is still and important, if minor, ore of Zinc.
Often, Smithsonite is botryoidal in habit (similar to in appearance to a bunch of grapes). In addition, it may have habits more typical of the Calcite group including rounded rhombohedrons and scalenohedrons, many of which come from the famous mines of Tsumeb, Namibia and the Broken Hill Mine in Zambia. The Tsumeb specimens are coloured by trace amounts of Cobalt and can have some exotic colours. Smithsonite is named after James Smithson, the founder of the Smithsonian Institution.

Snake Dragon Jade Healing Energies

Snake Dragon Jade connects us to nature's rhythms and aids communication to the elemental & faery world. It cleanses the heart chakra, releasing long held restrictions and removing unhelpful thoughts & behaviours that have accumulated over years. Snake Dragon Jade helps us reach our potential, enabling us to surmount obstacles. It is beneficial to those with skin dis-ease.

Green Snakeskin Healing Energies

Green Snakeskin pushes us to find our true Self. It cleanses the heart chakra, releasing long held restrictions and removing unhelpful thoughts & behaviours that have accumulated our years, especially those originating in past lives. It pushes us to leave our comfort zone & make changes, even when it seems impossible. It is beneficial to those with skin dis-ease.

Sodalite Healing Energies

Sodalite enhances meditation and offers psychic protection. It promotes idealism and the search for internal and external truth. It encourages staying true to your convictions and frees from restrictive ideas. Sodalite is beneficial for the throat, larynx and vocal cords, lowers blood pressure and stimulates the absorption of fluids.

Photo shows a Sodalite heart.

Spectrolite Healing Energies

Spectrolite strengthens the auric field. It is a potent aid to meditation and dream work, gently allowing in new information & understanding in manageable pieces. It promotes working & living for the highest good. It aids relationships of all kinds. It brings inspiration, especially when feeling stuck. Spectrolite reduces tension and brings a sense of hope and optimism. It aids restful sleeping and is beneficial for the autonomic nervous system.

Photo shows a fabulous part-polished Finnish Spectrolite rough rock.

Spinel Healing Energies

Spinel is a potent healing crystal for all levels and layers. It cleanses the aura and subtle body pathways. It facilitates the removal of physical, mental & emotional blockages. It activates the new positive energies and renews tired or worn out cells. Spinel helps us to face challenges and to see the positive in people and situations. It draws abundance and success. It In addition, Red Spinel increases willpower, motivation, competitiveness and the will to survive.

Photo shows a Clear Spinel gem.

Black Spinel Healing Energies

Black Spinel absorbs negative energies and grounds.

Blue Spinel Healing Energies

Blue Spinel aids expression and creativity in any way. It is an excellent detoxifier and can reduce tumours & growths.

Photo shows blue Spinel crystals on a Calcite matrix.

Red (Pink) Spinel Healing Energies

Red Spinel increases willpower, motivation, competitiveness and the will to survive.

Photo shows pink Spinel rough rock.

Spinel Mineralogy

Spinel has the chemistry: MgAl2O4 Magnesium Aluminium Oxide and belongs to the mineral class Oxides, Spinel group. Often, Spinel is mistaken for, or replaces, Ruby. The two minerals are chemically similar, Ruby being aluminium oxide, whilst Spinel has magnesium in addition, and both obtain their red colouring from Chromium.
Typically, Spinel forms in octahedrons, however it is known for a rarer, complex type of twinning to which it lends its name, the Spinel Twin Law. Crystals are transparent to translucent and sometimes nearly opaque. Spinel is commonly red and more rarely green, blue, purple, brown or black. Associated minerals include Calcite, Dolomite, Corundum and Garnets.

Staurolite Healing Energies

Staurolite promotes connection to the ancient wisdom of the Middle East. It shows us the next stage on our contractual path. It unites and connects all the levels of the body. It shows us which direction to take when we feel that we are at one of life's crossroads. Staurolite reduces symptoms of stress, depression and grief. It is very helpful in releasing the body from addictions, particularly smoking. It reduces growths & fevers, and aids healing the cell structure.

Photo shows classic Staurolite on matrix.

Stibnite Healing Energies and Mineralogy

Stibnite aids meditation and connecting to higher realms & beings and to other dimensions. It quickly clears & repairs the aura, which can be uncomfortable & unsettling initially. In addition it offers psychic protection and grounds. It attracts abundance and success. Stibnite strengthens the hips & legs, easing the ability to move, both physically and metaphorically. It benefits all parts of the digestive system. N.B. Do not place in drinking water or ingest in any way due to Antimony content.

Photo shows Stibnite crystal clusters.

Stibnite has the chemistry Sb2S3, Antimony Sulphide and belongs to the mineral class Sulphides. Stibnite is named after the Greek stimmi or stibi meaning antimony and the Latin stibium.
Stibnite crystal habits include prismatic (similar to slender prisms), striated with parallel lines on the crystals surface, bladed or acicular that may be bent or curved due to twinning, and granular as anhedral or subhedral crystals in matrix. The crystals are opaque, lustre is metallic and the crystal system is orthorhombic. Stibnite ranges in colour through lead-grey, steel-grey to black.
Minerals associated with Stibnite include Quartz, Calcite, Gold and Arsenopyrite. Well-known locations where the mineral is found include China, Japan, Germany, Brazil, Peru and South Africa.

Stichtite Healing Energies

Stichtite brings a sense of peace and calm, both to the Self and the environment. It supports you in being true to your self and living your life in accordance to your 'contract'. It eases the transition of the heart chakra from the lower vibrations of the colour of green to the higher ones of pink, which is pivotal in developing the Self. Stichtite benefits teeth and gums and repairs the elastic function of the skin after it has been stretched e.g. childbirth, weight loss. It is helpful for children said to have ADHD or similar conditions.

Photo shows lovely lavendar Stichtite rough rock.

Stilbite Healing Energies and Mineralogy

Stilbite increases psychic ability and intuition, giving focus and meaning to these gifts. It enables communication with spirit guides, angels and totem animals. It enhances astral traveling and protects the astral body during its journey. Stilbite helps us to let go of 'baggage' that is holding us back. It strengthens ligaments, eliminates toxins from the body and rejuvenates the senses.

Photo shows a Stilbite cluster.

Stilbite has the chemical formula NaCa2Al5Si13O36 -14H2O, Hydrated Sodium Calcium Aluminum. It is a member of the mineral class Silicates, sub-class Tektosilicates and the group Zeolites. Stilbite's structure is typical of a Zeolite that allows large ions and molecules to reside and to travel into and out of the crystal structure. This structure contains rings of Alumino-Silicate tetrahedrons oriented in one direction and this is what produces Stilbite's prominent pinacoid faces with their unique lustre and its perfect cleavage.
Stilbite commonly forms crystals inside the petrified bubbles (vesicles) of volcanic rocks that have undergone some metamorphism. Occasionally Stilbite may display a rare formation of crystals that aggregate together to form a structure resembling a wheatsheaf with several crystals stacked parallel to each other and fanning out at the top and bottom whilst the middle remains thin. Sometimes cruciform twinning occurs. Typically, its crystals have a pearly lustre and a hint of pink.
Other minerals associated with Stilbite are Apophyllite, Babingtonite, Calcite, Heulandite, Natrolite, Quartz and other Zeolites. Stilbite occurs in several locations including India, Scotland, Iceland, and Canada.

Stromatolite Healing Energies and Mineralogy

Stromatolite has an ancient and earthy energy that facilitates communication with ancient civilisations and deities, as well as those from the Otherworlds. For some people, it can become a gateway to accessing the Akashic records. It aids past life recall and accessing the root beginnings of current beliefs and behaviours. It breathes life into new endeavours and increases motivation and determination. Stromatolite helps recovery from chronic illness and encourages cellular regeneration. It is beneficial to the circulatory system, lungs, blood flow, and the functioning of the pineal gland.

Photo shows a natural Stromatolite tile.

Stromatolites are named from the Greek words stroma meaning mattress, bed or stratum and lithos meaning rock. They were built by living microorganisms, especially cyannobacteria, (primitive organisms lacking a cellular nucleus know as prokaryotes) that thrived in warm aquatic environments and built reefs, similar to today's coral. Cyannobacteria were the dominant life form on Earth for over 2 billion years and it is thought that their photosynthetic activity began to produce and supply oxygen into the atmosphere 3,500 to 2,500 million years ago! They released mucus from their cell and caught fine granules of minerals suspended in seawater. The granules with calcium carbonate dissolved in seawater and produced a thin layer of sediment or calcium carbonate deposition, resulting in the Stromatalite formation. Fossil Stromatolites constitute the earliest record of life on Earth and can be traced back 3.5 billion years to the early Archean eon. Although now nearly extinct, Stromatolites are still forming today in a few places, including Antartica, Australia and England.

Strombolite Healing Energies

Strombolite connects the chakras from the earth star to the soul star, thus linking the Earth energies to the Universal ones. It facilitates connecting to the Higher Self and deepens understanding of our purpose in this life. It encourages making positive changes in all aspects of life to fulfil this purpose. It brings a sense of renewal, energy and focus. Strombolite lifts the mood; filling the mind and the emotions with positive energies. It reduces the symptoms of all forms of neurosis and is beneficially for the functioning of the lungs, brain, muscles and cardiovascular system.

Photo shows a Strombolite pendant.

Sturmanite Healing Energies and Mineralogy

Sturmanite aids communication at all levels. It reduces feelings of anxiety and stress by providing a sense of 'go with the flow'. It increases confidence and self-belief and is grounding. Sturmanite is beneficial for the skeletal and circulatory systems.

Photo shows a super yellow Sturmanite cluster.

Sturmanite has the chemistry Ca6(Fe, Al, Mn)2(SO4)2(B(OH)4)(OH)12 - 26H2O, Hydrated Calcium Iron Aluminium Manganese Sulphate Tetrahydroxoborate Hydroxide, is in the mineral class Sulphates and group Ettringite. It forms as a precipitate from hydrothermal solutions. In fact, four out of every five atoms in this mineral is either a part of a water molecule or a hydroxide, making this mineral nearly all water!
Sturmanite is a rare and attractive mineral, having bright, well-shaped yellow-orange crystals with a vitreous lustre. Crystal habits include hexagonal prisms terminated by a hexagonal pyramid or a pinacoid, more commonly by both, which may be rounded or flat, acicular, platy and fibrous. It is rare to see crystals more than 0.25 of an inch long. Crystals are transparent to translucent, cleavage is poor and fracture uneven. The crystal system is trigonal, hardness is 2.5 and specific gravity is is very low at 1.8. The streak is pale yellow. Sturmanite is difficult to distinguish from its cousin, Ettringite. Notable Occurrences include the Kuruman District, South Africa.

Sugilite Healing Energies

Sugilite expands all psychic endeavour including astral travel, channelling, divination, healing etc., leading to deeper knowledge & understanding and much enhanced skills. It encourages living your own truth and facing the challenges that this brings. It offers protection for those who take on the problems of others. Sugilite facilitates connecting to your inner child, aids the grieving process and dissolves unhelpful fears. It reduces pain, harmonises the nerves and brain and helps with motor disturbances e.g. dyslexia. It reduces nightmares. When used with Moldavite their energies are increased tenfold!

Photo shows a Sugilite palmstone.

Sulphur Healing Energies

Sulphur encourages happiness, vitality and a love of life. It helps us to respond positively and assertively in previously challenging situations and relationships. Sulphur encourages a constructive view of the Self. N.B. Do not place in drinking water. Do not cleanse in water or salt.

Photo shows bright yellow Sulphur.

Sunstone Healing Energies

Sunstone aids communication with guardian angels, spirit guides & totem animals. Although largely focused on the sacral chakra, it connects all of them and clears the pathways between them. It encourages a belief in good fortune & happiness by bringing out the best of the Self. Sunstone has an anti-depressive effect, lifting the mood and increasing self-esteem & confidence along with optimism & motivation. It kick starts the healing of long standing illnesses. It stimulates the autonomous nervous system and harmonises the functioning between all organs. Sunstone aids communication with guardian angels, spirit guides & totem animals. Although largely focused on the sacral chakra, it connects all of them and clears the pathways between them. It encourages a belief in good fortune & happiness by bringing out the best of the Self. Sunstone has an anti-depressive effect, lifting the mood and increasing self-esteem & confidence along with optimism & motivation. It kick starts the healing of long standing illnesses. It stimulates the autonomous nervous system and harmonises the functioning between all organs.

Photo shows a Sunstone tumblestone.

Blue Sunstone Healing Energies

Blue Sunstone ([Starstone) aids meditation, psychic ability, intuition and insight. It encourages the third eye (brow chakra) to open. It raises the vibrations of the chakras, especially the higher ones. It assists with communication of all kinds. Blue Sunstone helps lift the mood and bring a sense of optimism & hope. It is beneficial to the respiratory system, liver and kidneys.

Super Seven Healing Energies

Super Seven activates, purifies, balances and energies all the chakras. When used in meditation it facilitates a connection to Home and travelling to it by activating your Merkabah. (Always have a grounding stone to hand). It provides a strong link to your higher self and your inner knowing, which aids making the best decisions and finding the most appropriate solutions. The Super Seven fortifies the immune system, harmonises all the systems of the body, benefits skin & bones and reduces internal healing.

Photo shows a superb and rare Super Seven sphere.

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