The magi, the wise men, the seers, and the astrologers of the ages have found importance in gemstones besides personal adornment. It was thought that all the evil in the world could be kept at bay by wearing certain gemstones.



In medieval times, the influence of gems and stones continued. It was not until the Renaissance period that an effort was made to find reason for these traditional beliefs. In earlier times, there was little doubt that beliefs existed, and were taken granted. It was not until later that people attempted find plausible explanations as to how these gems were given their strange and mystic powers, and how they affected the health, character, or fortunes of the gems owner.

When the existence of a miracle is noted, there will always be a tendency for people to regard every strange and mystifying happening as a miracle. A miracle is often described as something that happens outside of, or in spite of the laws of nature. The combination of visual impression and imagination are powerful forces. An adult entering a dimly lit room may see pile of laundry not think much of it. A young child entering the same room may imagine that the indistinct outline is that of a monster.

Miracles are often investigated, and there is usually a way to explain the event scientifically. Even with the marvelous secrets that have been revealed to us by science, we may be foolish to think that not all of the old beliefs of gems powers are without some basis in fact.

If you think of all of the new ways that information is transmitted, none is more powerful than word of mouth. Ever since humans have used language as means of communication, words have held great power. So powerful is language that entire civilizations have been influenced by the words of a few.

Even in the face of science and reason, closely held beliefs have been reinforced by tales of enchantment and magical influence. If the subconscious of one individual can affect the thoughts and feelings of another over a great distance without mechanical means, could this be due to some yet to be discovered power? Should we be dismissive of a magician and his spells, or the predictions or a seer?

The theory of autosuggestion may explain how the powerful beliefs in gems have proliferated over the ages. A person in possession of a ruby may have an experience that cannot be explained through reason and logic. In the absence of a logical explanation, the person may very well be apt to assign some power to the stone.

If the supernatural powers of certain gems or anything for that matter cannot be fathomed by people, than how is it that people can believe in the supernatural power of a god.

Paracelsus was a bright and talented thinker during the sixteenth century AD. Paracelsus was thought to possess extraordinary mental powers and believed he had mystic powers over supernatural agencies.

He was the owner of a talismanic jewel, which Paracelsus claimed was the dwelling of a spirit named Azoth. Old portraits of the philosopher have been found with him wearing the jewel. Few people thought that Paracelsus believed that his jewel was home to a spirit, but rather that he sported the paraphernalia in order to gain influence over nonbelievers.

It was once thought that long concentration of vision on an object tended to produce a partial paralysis of certain functions of the brain. The effect was noted in a bird gazing into the eyes of a hungry serpent, or the obedience of a lion when made to look into the eyes of an intent trainer. Staring without interruption on a glass ball, opal or moonstone was thought to cause the gazer to become partially hypnotized or even fall into a profound sleep. Whether these phenomenons are the imaginative workings of the brain, semi trance, or hypnotism, it is believed to give insight to the future.

The hypnotic effect of these stones may be from some gleam or point of light in the stone, fixing the beholders gaze. In the early part of the 1800s, extensive tests were designed to test the effects produced upon a sensitive subject by the touch of the precious stones and minerals. Test subjects claimed to feel certain effects from certain stones.

With precious stones as hypnotizing agents, the mental impression is widely different, for here the physical impression is heightened by the consciousness of the value and rarity of the material.

This help may help to explain the fascination that a fine set of jewels has on the mind of a woman, who sees the glory and radiance upon another womans neck or wrist. This is not only due to the beauty of the spectacle, but is also owed to the consciousness that they are rare and valuable objects, and perhaps eloquent witnesses of the power of love.