Rachael s Favorite Gemstones to Use in Skincare I hope you ve enjoyed your Bonus Module thus far! In this bonus, I m going to share with you my favorite gemstones (when I say gemstones, I mean any stone that s come out of the earth, whether it s the gemmiest of precious igneous crystals, metamorphic minerals, sedimentary rocks, or even coral and other stones from the sea. As with skincare ingredients and herbs, it s impossible to share all the benefits of ALL the stones--and I have MANY favorites because I m deeply passionate about gemstones. This is a sampling of stones I return to consistently that I ve enjoyed personally and with which I have seen positive results after repeated use by my clients. As Katie referenced in Bonus 4, gemstone and flower essences don t work to heal physical symptoms directly. These subtle energies work with our own energetic frequencies to help balance our personal energetic fields which have a significant effect on our emotions--which ultimately play an important role in the body s ability to heal physically and maintain balance. However, there are stone healers who believe that stones can help with physical symptoms as well. Whether that s the case or not, you ll only find out by working with the stones themselves. As with any other living skincare ingredient, each one has its own intelligence, and its own ability to form a relationship with individual people. While these suggestions are based on observances in my practice and my 2017 Holistically Haute, LLC/Rachael Pontillo. All rights reserved. 1 of 8
own research (I ve been studying gems since I was a child, and am a gemologist), you mind find that your relationship with each stone differs. Some excellent books to reference are: Love is in the Earth, by Melody Crystal Medicine, by Marguerite Elsbeth The Crystal Bible Series, Volumes 1-3, by Judy Hall Crystal Prescriptions Volumes 1-4, also by Judy Hall I also recommend keeping a stone journal to document how each stone makes you feel when you hold it, carry it with you, sleep with it under your pillow, or use its essence. It can be your gemstone materia medica--it s a great idea to do this for herbs and flowers too! Now that we ve got the basics out of the way, here are some of my favorite stones--i ve tried to provide a wide variety here, but I had to stop myself otherwise we d both be here all day :) Amethyst: This was my first love, and because of my love for amethyst, I ve become known as a purple person. Available in different shades of purple from lavender to the deepest, grapiest, blue purple (color depends on origin), amethyst is one of the more colorful members of the quartz family. It was prized for its healing qualities by the Ancient Egyptians, Hebrews, and Greeks, and was often used in conjunction with animal medicine, by being carved into totem animals. It s excellent for 2017 Holistically Haute, LLC/Rachael Pontillo. All rights reserved. 2 of 8
people who engage in habits that drain the body s immune system, and also is ideal for people who have difficulty letting go of unhealthy attachments. Rose quartz: A more subtle member of the quartz family, rose quartz is an extremely gentle stone that s ideal for highly sensitive people. It promotes feelings of love and forgiveness, towards others, but especially towards oneself, and also has very soothing, nurturing, and mothering qualities. Celestite: This is my latest love--i m drawn to it every time I m in a room with it. It s lovely silver-sky blue color is very soothing, and it has a very calming and angelic quality. It s been said to be an excellent tool for communicating with angels and the Divine, and also is known to help dissolve negative thought patterns and release emotional toxins. This is an excellent partner for any formulation meant to help detoxify the skin, as the skin is a detoxifying organ--and detoxification must happen to the mind, body, and spirit to be effective. It is also a stone of balance, and is known to balance one s yin and yang, as well as the doshas and chakras. Tanzanite: Tanzanite--in addition to other blue and purple stones--is a stone that does have folkloric uses to heal the skin on the face, as blue and purple are the colors of the throat, third eye, and crown chakras--the area in which the face is located. It also aids in one s pursuit of self-discovery, and to strengthen one s self-image. Like diamonds 2017 Holistically Haute, LLC/Rachael Pontillo. All rights reserved. 3 of 8
and other precious gemstones, be sure your tanzanite is sourced ethically, as you wouldn t want to use a stone for healing that was obtained through the suffering of others. Diamond: It s been said that the diamond represents everlasting love because it s the hardest substance on Earth, but it goes deeper than that. Diamonds are known to regenerate and reintegrate within the Earth,1 which is what makes them infinite and everlasting. They represent wholeness, oneness, and perfection, because even though it s singly refractive, when you gaze into a diamond, the reflection that looks back is that of the Divine that resides in you. This is the perfect stone to use for someone who struggles with feeling broken, flawed, inadequate, or otherwise less than perfect. If you don t have one with which to make an elixir, ask someone to make one for you. Beware of low quality, irradiated, or unethically sourced diamonds--as they can have the opposite of the desired effect on the person who uses it. Mookaite jasper: Mookaite is known as the beauty stone, and the stone of eternal youth. carries much beauty in and of itself, with a wide range of colors from yellow to pink, red to purple. It s become one of my favorites, and brings me immediate ease when I look at it. I like choosing pieces with more than one color and shapes that remind me of clouds--i see something different each time I look. A sense of curiosity and spontaneity are essential to maintain a youthful spirit. 2017 Holistically Haute, LLC/Rachael Pontillo. All rights reserved. 4 of 8
Dendritic and moss agate: Agate is similar to jasper as it is a microcrystalline member of the quartz family and comes in a wide variety of colors and patterns. It forms in the cavities of volcanic rocks, similar to how larger quartz crystals form as geodes. Though the banded and lacy versions are gorgeous and have their own benefits, dendritic and moss patterns are unique because they resemble trees or moss clusters, with a translucent white background. Trees and moss are associated with wood and earth, which are excellent to help scattered, chaotic minds feel grounded and rooted. Moss agate is known to help improve self-esteem, and its essence or elixir is also known to help with skin issues when applied topically. Dendritic agate is a very healing stone to the nervous system which is also beneficial to the skin, since the skin houses nerve endings. Peacock ore: Borite got the name peacock ore, from miners due to its brilliant array of rainbow iridescence. Because it represents every color of the rainbow, it also has the ability to bring balance and healing energy to each chakra. When doing energy healing work, it s helpful to visualize negative, stagnant energy as black or gray smoke, and healing, positive energy as pure white light, or a prism, refracting every color of the rainbow to clear out the smoke. Peacock ore is an excellent stone for this purpose. It s also excellent for energetic protection, and can be soothing to people who feel invisible or unheard. 2017 Holistically Haute, LLC/Rachael Pontillo. All rights reserved. 5 of 8
Clear quartz: This is a stone with possibly the most folkloric and magical traditions associated with it. It s been said that quartz can be used for anything from divining the future, aura and chakra balancing, protecting the most ancient of all wisdom (you might see Lemurian, Atlantean, or Pleiadian specimens), guarding one s electromagnetic field, acting as a transmitter/conductor between earth and other life forms, and magnifying the energies of other stones and plants when used together. In the physical realm, we know that quartz is an effective transmitter and receiver of energy as it s used in watches and computers for this purpose. Whatever you believe about quartz, it s a powerful crystal to have in your collection, no matter how you intend to use it. Lapis lazuli: Lapis lazuli (also known as lazurite) is often confused with sodalite, as they are from the same family. While sodalite has a marbled blue and white appearance, lapis lazuli is a brilliant royal blue, often with flecks of golden pyrite or white calcite. Lapis lazuli is often associated with the Goddess, water, and creation. In Ancient Babylon, Assyria, and Egypt it was carved into animal forms similar to amethyst, and worn for protection from evil. For the skin, it s helpful in bringing the qualities of water to dehydrated, prematurely aged, or dry skin. Red coral: Red is a color associated with blood and circulation. Coral is associated, of course, with water, since it s only found in oceans and is found 2017 Holistically Haute, LLC/Rachael Pontillo. All rights reserved. 6 of 8
in every ocean on Earth. Blood is considered the water of the human body, and plays an important role in delivering nutrients to all the vital organs of the body, including the largest: the skin. Blood also plays an important role in the body s inflammatory process. Issues either with blood circulation or inflammation can cause skin disorders. Red coral can be used for any skin situation caused by inflammation or poor circulation due to dehydration, as it brings the essence of water the movements of the tides to the mind and body. Rainbow moonstone: Rainbow moonstone has similar benefits to both diamond and peacock ore, due to the balance having all the colors brings--but it has a much softer, more feminine approach than the others. It embodies the qualities of the waxing and full moon, and helps people think abundantly, and work towards manifestation of positive goals--but also helps to temper these so they don t become overwhelming or chaotic. Rainbow moonstone is also known for its rejuvenating and regenerative properties, and also helps with any ventures to renew one s self. Labradorite: Labradorite is similar to rainbow moonstone in that they re both members of the orthoclase/feldspar family of minerals, and they both radiate all colors of the rainbow. However, while rainbow moonstone is primarily white with rainbow adularescence, labradorite is dark gray to 2017 Holistically Haute, LLC/Rachael Pontillo. All rights reserved. 7 of 8
black with rainbow adularescence. While rainbow moonstone represents the full moon and achievement of manifestation, labradorite represents the dark, new, and waning moon. It aids in the process of taking stock and letting go, to make room for new beginnings, new life, and positive change. If someone has a skin condition they d like to let go of, this is a powerful stone ally. It can also be a helpful and courageous guide for people who feel alone, afraid and insecure in the darkness of the new moon. It symbolizes also that there is always light to be found in darkness. 2017 Holistically Haute, LLC/Rachael Pontillo. All rights reserved. 8 of 8