What are stones good for?
The meanings people give stones, and what science says about them. Pick an area to see the stones linked with it, who holds the belief and what science says. Areas are ordered from most to least at odds with science.
This section reports beliefs; it is not health information. There is no scientific evidence for these claims and no stone replaces medical treatment.
- Illness and healing65 stonesConflict with science: High: contradicts science or may cause harmNo controlled study shows that stones cure illness, ease pain or help any organ. In trials, real and fake crystals produced the same sensations: the placebo effect. The real danger is delaying a treatment that works.Chert and flint · Halite (rock salt) · Himalayan salt and salt lamps · Limestone · Talc · Apatite · Calcite · Epidote …
- Cleansing and harmful rays30 stonesConflict with science: High: contradicts science or may cause harmClaims that stones “absorb” radiation, phone or Wi-Fi waves, or “cleanse” the body or water contradict physics and chemistry. On the contrary, some stones release toxic substances in water, and some jewellery sold as “negative ion” has turned out to be radioactive.Basalt · Gypsum · Halite (rock salt) · Himalayan salt and salt lamps · Calcite · Graphite · Kaolinite · Olivine …
- Sleep17 stonesConflict with science: Moderate: an unproven claimThere is no evidence that a stone under the pillow improves sleep. Any relief can come from expectation and a bedtime routine. Lasting insomnia is a medical problem.Himalayan salt and salt lamps · Olivine · Orthoclase · Celestine · Chalcedony · Cinnabar · Agate · Amethyst …
- Calm and stress39 stonesConflict with science: Moderate: an unproven claimNo controlled study shows that holding a stone reduces stress. Still, taking a quiet moment, touching an object or focusing on breathing can genuinely relax you; the effect comes from the moment, not the stone.Basalt · Himalayan salt and salt lamps · Lava stone · Pumice · Talc · Epidote · Muscovite · Olivine …
- Energy and vitality32 stonesConflict with science: Moderate: an unproven claimThe claim that stones give off “energy” or “vibrations” that boost the body cannot be measured and has nothing to do with energy in physics. Quartz does produce electricity (piezoelectricity), but only when the crystal is squeezed, and on a tiny scale.Basalt · Lava stone · Apatite · Calcite · Epidote · Muscovite · Pyrite · Quartz …
- Mind, focus and memory31 stonesConflict with science: Moderate: an unproven claimThere is no evidence that stones improve attention, memory or intelligence.Apatite · Orthoclase · Quartz · Chalcedony · Kyanite · Sphalerite · Ulexite · Zoisite …
- Happiness and joy3 stonesConflict with science: Low: a symbolic beliefA stone cannot make anyone happy on its own. But a gift from someone you love, a meaningful keepsake or a beautiful object can genuinely lift your mood; that is the effect of its meaning, not of the stone.Epidote · Malachite · Spinel
- Love and relationships14 stonesConflict with science: Low: a symbolic beliefThere is no evidence that stones attract love. Through rings, engagements and gifts, however, stones carry real symbolic value in relationships.Magnetite · Zoisite · Beryl · Garnet · Moonstone · Onyx · Rose quartz · Aquamarine …
- Luck, abundance and money19 stonesConflict with science: Low: a symbolic beliefThere is no evidence that stones bring luck, plenty or money. These beliefs usually come from colour: golden or green stones are linked to money, red ones to vitality.Coal · Gypsum · Muscovite · Olivine · Pyrite · Hematite · Magnetite · Agate …
- Courage and confidence21 stonesConflict with science: Low: a symbolic beliefThere is no evidence. Wearing a meaningful piece of jewellery may still make some people feel more confident; that is the power of expectation.Lava stone · Orthoclase · Pyrite · Sphalerite · Zoisite · Beryl · Citrine · Garnet …
- Protection and the evil eye39 stonesConflict with science: Low: a symbolic beliefProtection against the evil eye and misfortune is not a testable claim but a deep-rooted cultural belief. It lives on as a harmless tradition, but it should never replace real precautions against real dangers.Chert and flint · Conglomerate · Evil eye bead · Halite (rock salt) · Apatite · Olivine · Pyrite · Serpentinite …
- Spirituality and meditation22 stonesConflict with science: No conflictSpiritual and religious meanings lie outside science: it neither confirms nor refutes them. In many cultures stones carry real cultural value as prayer beads, amulets and objects of worship.Pyrite · Quartz · Serpentinite · Kyanite · Stibnite · Agate · Amethyst · Azurite …
Birthstones
The tradition of matching each month with one or more stones. The most widely used list today is the modern one published by American jewellers in 1912 and updated since. It is a marketing tradition; a stone has no scientific link with a birth month.
| Month | Stones |
|---|---|
| January | Garnet |
| February | Amethyst |
| March | Aquamarine |
| April | Diamond |
| May | Emerald |
| June | Moonstone, Pearl |
| July | Ruby |
| August | Peridot, Spinel |
| September | Sapphire |
| October | Opal, Tourmaline |
| November | Citrine, Topaz |
| December | Zircon, Turquoise, Tanzanite |