The Healing Powers of Precious Stones and Gems

Precious stones and gems have been noted for their healing powers since almost the beginning of time. In ancient Bohemia the use of gems and stones for curative purposes is well attested. A Bohemian manuscript from 1391 exists, in which 55 gems are listed with medical uses. Most of the time stones were grinded into powders and mixed with liquid, later to be ingested as a cure. The stones could also be worn as amulets or talismans for curative purposes. Various stone preparations lasted for various amounts of time before they expired. Some lasted a year while others lasted only three months. There was a list of stones that were indispensable including, jacinth, sapphire, emerald, topaz, margaritha, pearl, magnes, coral, hematite, aetites, and jasper. All good pharmacies carried these particular stones. Precious stones most common remedies were for fever and great weakness. By the eighteenth century the belief in the special curative powers of precious stones material had almost entirely disappeared. Precious stone cures gave way to more scientific cures. Although some of the precious stone cures still existed, scientific cures were much cheaper.