Customer Reviews

Healing Crystals and Gemstones: From Amethyst to Zircon

5 star:		(23)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I found this book while browsing the B&N discount racks. I told myself that I really didn't NEED another metaphysical gemstone book, but once I started flipping through the pages and saw the spectacular photography and detailed information which includes Moh's hardness*, I had to buy it.

One of the other reviewers that said that some of the photos do not accurately represent all of the variations of a stone. I would agree with this. Looking up Apatite, you will see a gray variety instead of the more common teal blue. Quite honestly, I have yet to find any book on gemstones that does show every variation of a particular stone, and I don't really see a problem with recommending this book to someone new to working with gemstones.

I believe that this book was originally published in Germany, and it seems as though they have listed some fairly interesting specimens that were not immediately known to me such as Orpiment, Heliodor, and Biotite.

It's a great book, so go on and add it to your library - I don't think you will regret it. I find it a great companion to Judy Hall's Crystal Bible.

* Moh's hardness is a scale rating the hardness of a particular gemstone. As a jewelry artisan, this information is helpful in determining how to best utilize a particular stone. A stone with a low Moh's hardness could be easily damaged if made into a bracelet or ring. Stones such as Diamond, Ruby & Sapphire have the highest hardness ratings and are more suited to be worn on the hand/wrist than say, Serpentine or Chrysocolla.

It covers almost every crystal imaginable, includes info on where mined, crystal structure, hardness, chakra, magical and astrological correcpondences, legend and lore, use in healing and absolutely STUNNING photos. Also a short piece on chakras, beneficial crystals for each astrological sign and at the end index of maladies + healing crystals to use for each. Complementary with Cassandra Eason's book.

This hardcover English translation of a German text is profusely illustrated with photographs of gemstones, mostly in their natural state, although some specimens are tumbled or polished. The eponymous focus of the book is on healing. Each alphabetical stone entry includes a succinct description and claims about which diseases it "cures." I do not have any personal experience with gemstone healing to know whether or not these claims are valid, but they are interesting and encourage experimentation. The book is a great reference for its illustrations, and is certainly worth having if you are interesting in alternative forms of healing or are curious about the potential curative properties of gemstones.

This book is typical of the "healing crystal" literature: a lack of understanding of basic geology and chemistry, combined with healing claims that are not substantiated in any way, resulting in dangerous advice for people with serious health conditions.

The book is littered with errors. Even the very first sentence is incorrect, when it claims that all gemstones originate from hot magma. (Opal, for example, can be sedimentary.) The authors claim "jasper ... always has a trigonal structure", when in fact jasper essentially doesn't form crystals at all. On page 150, the authors claim that fluorite is "also known as feldspar", when in fact feldspar is an entirely different mineral. On page 75, the authors confuse native antimony with the mineral stibnite, which is actually antimony sulfide. On page 85 the authors claim that that aragonite is silicon dioxide, not calcium carbonate. The mineral Charoite is consistently misspelled as "Chaorite". They claim that the crystal structure of Herkimer diamonds is similar to that of real diamond, when in fact they crystallize in completely different systems. They claim that kunzite is "aluminum acetate-lithium", when in fact it is a lithium aluminum silicate; no acetate at all is contained in it. They claim that Magnesite "consists almost entirely of pure magnesium", when in fact it is just magnesium carbonate. They claim that Magnesite "was first discovered in Africa", when in fact its co-type localities are in Greece and Italy.

The authors recommend the use of various minerals without noting health problems associated with them. Fr example, the authors recommend actinolite to stimulate "the inner organs such as the liver and the kidneys", but fail to note that the tiny fibers of actinolite have been associated with severe and potentially life-threatening respiratory disorders. They recommend using orpiment "externally as a powder to treat sexual disorders", but this is not a good idea, as orpiment is arsenic sulfide.

But the most serious problem with the book is the repeated and unsubstantiated health claims, all made without a single reference to any study in support of them. Someone with serious health problems might be persuaded to use the entirely ineffective remedies suggested in this book instead of seeking effective medical treatment. Cancer is unlikely to be helped by toumaline, sugilite, or lapis lazuli. High blood pressure cannot be improved with sodalite, lapis, or chrysoprase. Diabetes sufferers will find no relief with citrine or pyrite. Kidney ailments will not be improved with jade. For ulcers you should see your family doctor, not wear jasper or topaz.

I doubt this review will persuade many people, but they should ask: how was all this "knowledge" assembled? Where are the studies? How could a reader check if the authors were simply making all this up?

ok, so i got this w/ another book as one of the deals they offer when you buy this you can get this also for said price.... well, other book kinda sucked but opened this one and really liked it....it does the new age and special healing stuff, but also does the scientific thing! it'll give you the Chemical compisition formula (ex: water = H2O; ozone = O3; etc); also shows you the basic crystal form, gives possible forms and colors it's found, where it's found most often, and even gives you the the Mohs scale of hardness for the rocks/crystals; great one to get...i'd get it w/ The Crystal Bible to have as a more complete reference section for crystals and rocks.... i also got that one, but seperately (not the book i got it w/ in the deal but wish it was! that one was The Illustated Directory of Healing Crystals: Guide to 150 Crystals and GEmstones...that one is not worth it by itself)....
basically: great book to add to your reference section of gemstones and crystals....for whatever reason

I was so impressed by this book, and it takes alot to impress me.It is an easy yet intelligent read.All the gems are in a-z order for quick reference.The amount of information is wonderful as well as well put I highly recommend this book.It is made well, has wonderful pictures and is just perfect for it's purposes.If you are into healing or not this book is also historical and I love that.
A1 from me, great job!

As crystal books go, this one has information that many others do not. This book includes physical as well as metaphysical properties, the pictures are beautiful, and the book is well written. It is the second most often used book in my crystal and energy healing practice.

If you're looking for an in-depth reference book on crystal therapy, this is NOT the right tome for you. If you're looking for a book that handily serves as lightweight resource, historical reference and coffee table volume, this is perfect.

Author Flora Peschek-Bohmer incorporates stunning photography in this beautiful epistle, laying her narratives over glossy pages and lush images. The hardback version, at approximately 7 x 9.5 inches, is a generous size without being too large to tuck into a suitcase. The text contains a blend of history and crystal lore, presented in simple-to-follow terms. Stated metaphysical attributes frequently takes a back seat to historical references, where Peschek-Bohmer provides an intriguing look at how mankind has employed stones for various uses.

While the primary thrust is the metaphysical properties of crystals, this book also includes a good rundown of care, cleansing and other tools for anyone who wants to carry or use or just collect examples of the featured stones.

Very thorough review of many of the more common stones and crystals. Beautiful pictures. Does not have much "out of the ordinary" but is a great reference for each stone listed. A perfect beginner book.

This book fell into my hands and I am grateful! The pictures are a big help in identification and suggested uses are very interesting. It is my belief that most health issues do not have a diffinitive cure and that a combination of approaches can work together for the good of all. It can't hurt. The mind is a wonderful tool. Use it as you see fit, to believe or not to believe.