Customer Reviews

The Book of Stones: Who They Are & What They Teach

5 star:		(79)
4 star:		(18)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Before you buy this book, do yourself a favor and have a look at the product catalog of the authors' crystal business, called Heaven & Earth. I was impressed with this book at first, but then I began to notice how many of the crystals are trademarked. Trademarked crystals seemed a little odd to me, and I can give them the benefit of the doubt if there are one or two, but apparently the authors are "discovering" these new crystals all the time. Keep reading the catalog and you'll find that a lot of these "new" (and as it happens, invariably rare and sold by the gram) crystals are regular, not so uncommon crystals with fancy trademarked names, some other variation of a manmade coating on an existing crystal, or even just glass. Have a good look at the catalog, because the purpose of this book is to convince you that you need the stuff in that catalog.

Don't get me wrong; I believe in crystal healing and that's probably why this systematic exploitation of crystals and the people eager to learn about them makes me feel ill.

I gave this book 2 stars because the photography is lovely and it makes a good doorstop. Please look for another book to buy, though.

Rob Simmons certainly knew what he was doing when putting this one together. I love Naisha's entries, and Hazel Raven is a very well respected healer in the UK. Simmons also knows his stuff, and has compiled a convenient guide with photographs for each entry. Many stones included are exclusive to Heaven and Earth (The publisher/distributor of the book) and many have names that are unique to Heaven and Earth (mostly a marketing ploy...)

The book is full of mineralogical data, photographs, diverse views, stones to use in combinations, and affirmations. I reccomend this to people that are moving away from the writing styles of the early writers and those like Melody; although they are wonderful, they may seem to esoteric or too impersonal. This book is very personal, although it does sensationalise a bit.

I have many books on various metaphysical topics, including crystals. The Book of Stones is probably my favorite from my collection. It includes 2 objective resources for each stone, ways to use them, what stones they work well with, their structure, hardness and sources, and most importantly, pictures. I have too many books that don't have pictures, or they only have one and it is probably the least available form of the stone. I would also recommend Heal Yourself with Crystals by Hazel Raven as a complement to this book. It is not as detailed, nor does it include such a great multitude of stones, but it does explain layouts and combinations to use for specific dis-eases, such as headaches, insomnia, cellulite...

Watch out for the TRADE MARKED CRYSTALS!!!!

I have done repeated searches of the stones listed in books by this author. I have read extensively in the mineral forums on just what these stones are - most of the stones being promoted by this author are easily affordable junk minerals that are being sold at the highest possible prices - because this author has trade marked a cute name.

Learn to use your internal BS meter a bit better - think for yourself - and don't always trust the *self appointed* experts. Do SEARCHES - this is the internet after all, so inform yourself. Unless you enjoy paying $700 for a necklaces that costs 50 cents.... just because some guy wrote a book and said it was a good idea.

I am not saying this because I don't believe in metaphysics - I am saying this because I do believe in metaphysics and because my Metaphysical BS meter works great! :D

If you are interested in buying a book about the healing qualities of stones, then this IS the BOOK!

I have several books on the subject and this one is by far my favorite. Great descritions, chakra info, affirmations, gorgeous pictures, just a great user-friendly format all-around. A pleasurable reference book, that never gets tiring. I hope they make a part II as there are some stones that are not covered, but they do get the vast majority. A celebration for stone/mineral/Earth lovers!!!!!!!!! Let there be LIGHT.

If you already do or are considering working with stones this book is a great resource. Lovely photos, great basic information, and the complimenting input from a male and female perspective is very useful. Their reads on the stones are right on. The only downfall is that there is no index in the back to cross reference the names of stones with. You either have to know the stone by the name they use (some stones have many) or match the photo up to a stone you have. With an index this book would be perfect. I also hope they release an expanded edition at some point because there are a few stones not represented that I would like to see.

I looked for weeks for the right book on this topic. I believe this is it. Excellent descriptions from each one of the authors, and color photos of each stone listed. There's a section on how to use the stones. I can hardly put the book down! I was just passing by here, looking for a copy of this book for my best friend, as she has threatened to steal mine! I have never written a review before. All I can say is BUY THIS BOOK! If you don't buy this book, you will be loosing out.

this was my first book that i purchased to introduce me to crystals. it was written by robert simmons and naisha ahsian and some contributions were also added by hazel raven. i recommend it for its truly superb photography as well as the beautiful specimens feautured. the photos are great to learn of a mineral you may not have ever have seen in person. also there are concise spirtual, mental, and physical affects listed that emmananate from the stones' energies, as well as an affirmation that matches the frequency of a stone with a statement that tells the general idea the stone has to make. this makes it alot easier to index the underlying lesson to be learned from minerals. under the listing of the mineral name they have key words associated with the stones, the elemental energy of the stone and the chakras which are affected. the locations of minerals and the class and color of mineral are also discussed.

I do not own the first edition of this book, so I am unsure of what exactly is different about this edition. Either way tho, I am most pleased with having purchased this book. It has stones and crystals that I have read about on various websites but have NOT seen in other books, for example Heulandite is one of them. My mother had found a chunk of it at a crystal shop and had wanted me to find out what it was used for. I could not find any information on it except on the internet, but I was most pleased to see it listed in the Book of Stones! I have also found some other stones/crystals I had heard of, but never found a good description of them anywhere but the internet.
In this book I really like that they give you some key words for each stone/crystal. Key words for Heulandite are: Dreams, Visions, Emotional healing, etc.
They also list the element that the stone is with, for example Heulandite's element is Wind. Also the chakras in which the stones would work with, Heulandite works with the Heart, Third Eye, and Crown chakras.
I very much enjoy the pictures they have added, they vary from natural formations, cut, tumbled, and spheres.
Both Robert Simmons and Naisha Ahsian give descriptions about each stone, so instead of one person talking about the stone you have two. Naisha also likes to list down the spiritual properties, emotional, physical, and affirmation of most stones, which I find is most helpful as well. It is a long read but definatly a wealth of information.

Prior to this book I used to use Melody and The Crystal Bible as my main resources. Now with this book I must say that the combination of the two has culminated the best. The excellent information by Robert and Naisha is beyond expectations and the pictorials allow one to identify those mysterious crystal specimens. A must have for all crystal lovers, healers and collectors. Well worth waiting for. Thanks for the gift. Regards Robyn