Stones of gray color make up one of the parts of the stone kingdom on earth. They are not included in the list of the most expensive, although they are not inferior to the best stones in terms of the wide range of different shades.
The gray color in stone does not leave architects, designers, and jewelers indifferent: the luxurious range allows you to implement the most daring decisions. Magicians and psychologists treat them with respect and justifiably respect them for their repeatedly proven merits.
Characteristics of gray minerals
Their color stands out among other representatives of the stone world. This group contains stones of various denominations and values - from spar to diamonds.
This species was formed differently: some are based on magma, sediments, some are metamorphic.
There are examples that look original in tabletop and interior plastic. As a facing material, many of them have gained popularity, because almost all other sections are combined with them.
Jewelers set gray gems in white precious metals. They are valued in carats, grams, kilograms.
Color spectrum
The color of the stone depends on the elements predominant in it.
There are no two heliotropes identical in chemical composition. Some stones are closer to chalcedony, some to jasper. But certain signs that all stones have in common still occur.
The main color of heliotrope is greenish, less often blue-green. Particles of orange, crimson and red colors are located chaotically. They can take the form of stripes, blots or spots. There are hematite elements that are darker than other foreign elements. Of particular note is plasma, a uniformly green variety of stone with yellow inclusions.
Heliotropes cannot be classified according to color. The gem can play with any tones, like its close jasper, but green is always found. The shade of green can be any shade.
Heliotrope in cross-section resembles photographs from telescopes. Multi-colored inclusions on a blue-green background are indeed very similar to distant galaxies.
The mineral is opaque, and after polishing it begins to shine. It is often confused with bloodstone. The latter, named after its brown or dark purple color, is distinguished by fewer inclusions.
The value of gray
Psychologists have studied the properties of the gray scale and associate it with wisdom, life experience, and consider it a status measure that gives a person faith in his own abilities. The color belongs to intellectual and secretive people - “gray cardinals”. The stone concentrates attention when concluding business transactions, promotes restraint, sophistication, and coldness.
When creating jewelry masterpieces, gray additions are not avoided due to their compatibility with almost all colors. All shades from pearl to dark steel are suitable for wearing with any clothing.
Men and those over 35 can safely accessorize their clothes with cufflinks, rings, and tie clips with light and dark inserts.
Bankers, owners of large companies, and government officials often turn to building materials of this range: gray is a symbol of serious work.
Supporters of alternative medicine choose gray stones for massage, meditation, and therapeutic procedures.
Ulexite (cat's eye)
This is a rare fibrous mineral of a beautiful gray pearl color with unique properties. Firstly, it is endowed with a “cat’s eye” effect, which allows you to make amazingly beautiful and delicate jewelry from it. Secondly, if the stone is polished on both sides, it acquires even more amazing qualities. If you put it on some inscription or text, the letters will “appear” on its surface. For this ability, ulexite was nicknamed the “television stone”.
Nowadays they produce artificial ulexite, which is also used in the production of jewelry. Its main difference from the natural mineral is its colorlessness. Thanks to this feature, synthetic stone can be painted in any color.
Types of stones
Among precious brethren they make up a small part, in the field of construction - a large part.
Precious
Diamonds and pearls are of jewelry value.
Gray diamond is common among colored diamonds: almost all others have a smoky tint. Saturation ranges from light gray to richly saturated. When cutting, diamonds are given different shapes. The carat is valued at approximately $6,000.
Gray natural noble pearls, valued more than classic white pearls, come from Tahiti. The first line of the list of jewelry made from gray pearls (there are bluish and pink shades) is occupied by Mikimoto. An exquisite brand that is affordable for wealthy segments of society.
Semi-precious
These representatives are more common.
- Topaz is a plain gray color from Canada that is not particularly expensive. By irradiation, a blue tint is obtained, suitable for creating jewelry.
- Selenite is a moonstone of a silvery, bluish tint; it can change tide when the phases of the night star change.
- Rauchtopaz is quartz of smoky or slightly brown shades.
- Tourmaline is a darkish stone suitable for the stronger sex and ladies over 40 years old.
- Rutile (hairy) - slightly red or yellow-golden in color. Being rare, it is valuable for jewelers.
- Rutile quartz - mass is determined in carats, grams.
Ornamental
There are many varieties:
- Hematite is a type of iron ore with an intense gray color. Gives water a red color, which is why it is called bloodstone.
- Hornwort is a type of smoky, grayish-green jasper. Occasionally, options with stripes and veins are possible, the beauty of which allows them to become a decorative and ornamental material.
- Agate – faint gray, greenish, steel, white-brown with grey, pale, uniform shades. The best shade comes from Africa - grey-black Botswana. It is valued in carats compared to the rest, which are valued in grams. A recognized ornamental stone for jewelry boxes and room decoration.
In design and construction
The following minerals are most often used as construction and decorative materials:
Flint purifies water even in large volumes and is a collector's item.
Sandstone contains quartz, which makes it highly durable and can withstand temperature changes and exposure to fire.
Spar is found on the planet more than any other stone and is widely used in construction.
Limestone is involved in industrial production.
Favorites for gray stones are granite and marble.
Artificial
Among the created analogues, two categories can be distinguished:
- copies of diamonds, sapphires, rubies used in jewelry - cubic zirconia, glass-ceramics, moissanites;
- Substitutes for granite, gabbro, and marble that are common in construction work.
Musassanite is a cheap, but high-quality and beautiful analogue used for making jewelry. Due to its properties, it is widespread and very valuable.
Magical
Represented by the stone monuments of Stonehenge and Easter Island, the ritual tenghirs are made of hardened sandstone. In Russia you can see similar sculptures in the Vladimir region.
Another mineral in this group is latte, which is composed of limestone.
Field
Since ancient times, elite samples of heliotrope have been mined in India around Calcutta, as well as in Egypt along the coast of the Nile River. In Russia, the mineral is mined in the Ural Mountains. There are also deposits in the world in Australia, China, Brazil and the USA.
According to ancient legend, after the crucifixion of Christ, his scarlet blood sprinkled the stones near the cross. This is how heliotrope appeared - a gem whose surface is densely covered with blood-red spots.
Throughout its existence, the stone has enjoyed unprecedented popularity. The Ring of Gyges, which according to Greek mythology became invisible, had heliotrope.
In ancient times they said that it was enough to run your tongue over it to become an orator. Heliotrope symbolizes constancy in love, reduces panic attacks, shyness and inferiority complex.
The magic of gray stones
They are all endowed with magical qualities. In addition to the general ones, each stone has its own magical properties.
Main features
Positive Impacts:
- Gives determination to anyone who suffers from uncertainty.
- Relieves irritability, anger, bad mood.
- Provide assistance in self-realization.
- The best assistants for students, researchers, and often traveling.
Gray color is obtained by merging black and white. In life he is also dual, working in both areas. Positively affects well-being, inner world, character.
Rutile and rutile quartz
This mineral is familiar to us in its golden form - everyone knows rutile quartz, which is called “Arrows of Cupid” or “Hair of Venus”, “Hair of Veronica”. But rutile can also be black, and in combination with grayish quartz an extremely interesting combination is obtained. Such stones must be of very high quality in order to be used to create jewelry. Large, clear and striking gray rutile quartz looks great when set in white gold or silver.
The meaning of each stone
All minerals have an effect on humans in one way or another.
Pearls help save money and are good for accompanying you on trips. Strengthens the family, extinguishes quarrels. Serves as a contraceptive. By the darkening of the stone, you can guess the difficulties ahead.
Soothsayers and shamans love to use moonstone. They conduct meditation and predict the future. Girls revere him for helping them get married, spouses for saving their marriage, and creative people for a surge of inspiration. During the full moon the effect intensifies.
Agate has long proven its versatility. It is interconnected with the owner: it enhances restraint, improves relationships with others, and brings it into contact with a future life partner. Male owners become more decisive and succeed financially. With his help, all things end favorably.
Rutile is the ally of all who strive for the unknown. Densely colored hematite has always been an assistant to black magic. A light-colored stone helps to get rid of physical and psychological problems, the impact of other people's negativity.
The cornea influences the situation and prevents damage and the evil eye. Tourmaline is called a cosmic guest with a special aura. It is not advisable to wear it all the time: unrealistic ideas may appear. Granite is indispensable for students.
The listed stones as talismans bring only benefits.
Physical properties of the gem, variations of its names
Heliotrope is an opaque stone, the structure of which is dominated by dense, fine-grained quartz. Some rock samples may contain admixtures of chalcedony and iron. Sometimes heliotrope is mistakenly called dark green varieties of agate, chalcedony and other minerals, the surface of which is dotted with blood-red stripes and spots.
Physical properties
- Gloss: matte, waxy. After polishing it becomes glassy.
- Color: most often dark green interspersed with yellow, orange, red, brown shades. The color of each sample is not uniform: it may contain dark and light spots.
- Fracture: uneven.
- Group: quartz.
- Class: semi-precious.
- Hardness on the Mohs scale: 7.
- Specific gravity: 2.5 – 2.6 g/cm³
- Structure: opaque.
- There are no magnetic properties.
- Resistant to hydrochloric acid.
- Sensitive to mechanical influences such as shocks and scratches.
- Refraction: up to 1.5 units.
- Melting point: up to 1700°C
Healing qualities
You can restore order in the human body by treating individual areas with suitable minerals:
Pearl is an anti-stress, calming stone. Improves the condition of the eyes, kidneys, liver, relieves headaches and blood pressure.
Agate calms, relieves pain, cleanses the stomach and intestines. Moonstone is a friend of heart patients, protects against unstable nervous conditions, and is responsible for the gastrointestinal tract and genitourinary area.
Hematite, crushed into powder, is used to treat wounds and relieve bleeding. Inhibits, prevents the development of cancers, tumors, ulcers. Helps kidney patients with pain in the bladder area.
Granite relieves suffering in the lungs and bronchi, and reduces fever.
All types have a positive effect on the human body, cleanse waste, toxins, remove cholesterol, promote weight loss, and improve physical health.
Snow Obsidian
This mineral cannot be completely classified as a gray stone, but on a dense black background it has a very beautiful pattern of grayish spots reminiscent of snowflakes or stars. This is a common and inexpensive material for decorations and crafts, but it looks extremely stylish and noble.
Do not consider the gray color of minerals boring and uninteresting. It is gentle, versatile, discreet and very stylish. The main thing is to learn how to correctly fit it into your image.
Source
