Gemstones Beginning with "S"

Sapphire is a variety of the corundum species, referring to all colors of corundum except red. (The red variety of corundum is called ruby.) Trace amounts of elements create the variations in color. The most well known is blue, but sapphire colors can also include pink, orange, yellow, green, purple, black and colorless. The most desired color is a pure corn-flower blue. Deposits can be found in Australia, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, and Thailand, as well as Brazil, Cambodia, China, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Nigeria, Pakistan, Rwanda, Tanzania, Vietnam, Zimbabwe and Montana. Blue sapphire is said to enhance self-confidence and standing in the world; to enhance clear and truthful communication; to soothe inflammation and burns; and to ease headaches and migraines. Pink sapphire is said to encourage new love to appear in life and the ability to embrace new growth with joy and spontaneity; to ease depression and low spirits; and to encourage open and loving communication. Mohs' hardness: 9.

Sardonyx See Onyx

Serpentine is a semi-transparent to opaque mineral with a mottled golden-green color similar to the skin of a snake. Deposits can be found in Afghanistan, China, New Zealand and the United States. Serpentine is said to help connect with one's own life purpose; to clear away psychic debris from the past; and to calm and soothe states of emotional stress. Mohs' hardness: 2-1/2 to 5-1/2.

Schorl is the black variety of tourmaline. See Tourmaline for more information.

Siberite is the lilac to violet blue variety of tourmaline. See Tourmaline for more information.

Silver Leaf Jasper has fine-lined or banded leaf-like patterns in silvery shades of cream and black, bits of brown and, occasionally, hints of red. Silver leaf is said to provide protection and good luck. See Jasper for more information.

Smoky Quartz is rock crystal (clear quartz) that has turned brown after exposure to radiation, either natural or artificial. The resulting brown can range from light and transparent to dark and almost opaque. The stone can also take on a smoky gray cast. The quartz can also be found with needle-like inclusions called rutiles. Smoky quartz has been referred to as smoky topaz, but that is no longer acceptable in the trade. Deposits can be found in Brazil, Madagascar, Russia, Scotland, Switzerland and the Ukraine. Smoky quartz is said to neutralize negativity in the human energy field; to counteract the effects of radiation; and to protect the home from negative energies. Mohs' hardness: 7.

Snow Quartz, also called milky quartz, is an opaque icy-white quartz that gets its appearance from inclusions of tiny gas bubbles and/or water. See Quartz and Rock Crystal for more information.

Snowflake Obsidian is the trade name for an obsidian with gray-white, ball-shaped inclusions that look like tiny snowflakes. Deposits can be found in Mexico and the United States. Snowflake obsidian is said to act as a shield against geopathic or environmental stress and to help restore a positive outlook. See Obsidian for more information.

Sodalite gets its name from its sodium content. It is a transparent to opaque rich, royal blue stone interspersed with white veins. High quality pieces look similar to lapis lazuli, but don't contain the pyrite inclusions that are found in lapis. Deposits can be found in Brazil, Greenland, India, Canada, Namibia, Russia and Montana. Sodalite is said to calm the mind and help relaxation; to help support the immune system; to soothe the voice; and to help clear feelings of internal conflict or uncertainty, encouraging self-confidence in personal expression. Mohs' hardness: 5-1/2 to 6.

Spessartite is a garnet whose color ranges from pink to orange to red-brown. Its name is derived from its occurrence in the Spessart (forest), Germany. Deposits can be found in Burma, Brazil, China, Kenya, Madagascar, Sri Lanka, Tanzania and the United States. The best specimens, which come from Namibia, are known as Mandarin spessartite. See Garnet for more information.

Spinel is a species of mineral that occurs in red, orange, yellow, brown, blue, violet, purple, green and black. The most popular and widely recognized is a ruby-like red. Spinel was recognized as an individual mineral in the late 1800s. Before that it was classified as a ruby. As a result, many well-known "rubies," including some in the English Crown Jewels, are actually spinel. Deposits can be found in Burma, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Australia, Brazil, Madagascar, Nepal, Nigeria, Tadzhikistan, Tanzania, Thailand and New Jersey. Spinel is said to have an energizing effect on the body and mind, creating a positive outlook and a refreshed approach to the future. Mohs' hardness: 8.

Sponge Coral is a dark red coral with visible pores like a sponge. Although it is naturally red, it is most frequently dyed to enhance the color and often stabilized with resin. See Coral for more information.

Sugilite is an opaque, lustrous mineral with a deep, rich purple color. It is named for a Japanese gemologist, Ken-ichi Sugi, who discovered the stone in 1944. Deposits can be found in Japan, Canada and South Africa. Sugilite is said to enable deep perceptions of one's place on the earth and spiritual destiny; to clarify and intensify dreams; to ease insomnia, especially that caused by mental overload; and to bring positive feelings of optimism and hope for the future. Mohs' hardness: 6 to 6-1/2.

Sunstone, also known as aventurine feldspar, is a sparkling golden orange feldspar. Its glitter is caused by tiny particles of hematite within the structure. Top-quality stones are extremely light reflective while lower-quality stones are pale with few visible shining particles. Deposits can be found in India, Canada, Madagascar, Norway, Russia and the United States. Sunstone is said to help lift depression and anxiety, clearing the mind of negative thoughts to enable positive decision making; to help the mind and emotions work together; and to ease aches and pains and rheumatism. Mohs' hardness: 6 to 6-1/2.

Swarovski Crystal is leaded crystal glass produced by the Swarovski company of Switzerland. Swarovski is known to be the premier manufacturer of crystal beads, with the highest precision cut products in more than 50 colors.

<<Previous Page        Next Page>>

Return to Main Index Page