Shining, sparkling, glittering goods trap humanities attention like no other thing could, and so as you’d expect there’s no shortage of superstitions surrounding gems and their precious metal kin. The majority of superstitions are metal or gem specific pertaining to what does what, what doesn’t and the effects of each. The tricky thing is some superstitions ring true so they can actually be of use to you.

A list in an attempt at alphabetical order:

Agate is said to do all sorts of wonderful things including quench thirst when worn, make thunder storms go away, please the gods, tell futures in its markings, make the unchaste vomit, and cure the blind.

Amazon Stone gives one the kiss of lady luck at cards.

Amber cures all ailments of the throat, can cure blindness, will make you gain weight, protects against witchcraft, offers good luck and wins friends and lovers.

Amethyst grants calm sleep and pleasant dreams, prevents intoxication, pain and poison.

Aquamarine grants one the ability to read minds.

Brass can free you from enchantment.

Cat’s Eye brings luck to gambler’s, ensures good weather, wards off the death and keeps good looks and beauty for the wearer.

Copper is an antidote for pimples and boils, guards from discovery and can make one disappear.

Crystals brings luck, allows one to see what others are doing when gazed into, prevents disease in cattle, guards against witchcraft and insanity, and can be used to see the future.

Diamond grants success in battle, gives courage, drive away fish, can be broken after immersed in goat’s blood or will dissolve, when swallowed cures a sore throat, when worn on sleeves will bring bad luck, protects from poison and evil spirits, brings misfortune or luck when found.

Emerald will make your daughter virtuous, hasten child-birth in a woman, can detect infidelity (if your wife can’t swallow an emerald she is cheating.), brings rain when rubbed on a prairie dog, prevents against epilepsy, cures leprosy and other diseases, and grants luck when worn in a garter.

Flint placed over your entry way wards away bad luck, makes cattle comfortable, and grants restful sleep.

Garnet can make someone love you, grants protection from thieves and will bring a woman a good husband.

Gold protects against the evil eye, demons and evil spirits, is good luck, ensures a loving partner for life when given as a gift between lovers, and naturally brings wealth.

Granite strengthens the heart but weakens the mind when worn.

Iron prevents pestilence, was considered the metal of evil in ancient Rome, exorcises demons, protects against ghosts, witches and demons, grants magic to the wearer, defiles kings, cures epilepsy and fever, and prevents death from entering the body when placed in beer, butter or mead.

Jade brings good luck, causes others to always say “yes” to your requests, and protects from snakes.

Lead protects one from being struck by lightening.

Loadstone makes for a long voyage but protects one from drowning or being killed by a sword, will draw out pain, and make the deaf hear. It also cures snake bites and head aches.

Marble cures scorpion bites, and causes bad luck when cracked.

Pearl grants a happy marriage, will cure impurity and has antibiotic properties.

Peridot protects the wearer from harm especially in the dark.

Sapphire brings physical and emotional balance, and allows one to tap into their “third eye”.

Silver protects from evil spirits, increases magical power, cannot be enchanted, can kill a werewolf and brings good luck.

Topaz protects one while traveling, offers strength, prevents curses, cures eye ailments and relives stress and anxiety.

Turquoise protects the wearer, brings wisdom, courage and promotes spiritual awareness.

This naturally is not an all inclusive list, it would take literally books to incase all the superstitions surrounding gems and precious metals (You can get the names of a few of those books in source below). Here I have listed some of the more well known gems and precious metals for your reading amusement.

Sources:

Encyclopedia of Superstitions, Folklore, and the Occult Sciences of the World By Cora Linn Daniels, C. M. Stevans

http://jewelryupdates.blogspot.com/2009/08/beginners-guide-for-silver-jewellery.html

The Encyclopedia of Superstitions By Richard Webster