Magic and Symbolic Jewelry in your Campaign

Everybody seems to have a Ring of Power or Amulet of Fire. Why not a Barrette of Doom? When in a fantasy realm, there is no reason to keep to the traditional script and have only rings, bracelets, and necklaces to choose from.

Possible Ornamentations

• Hair ornaments
• Earrings
• Nose Rings and Jewelry
• Crowns
• Necklaces
• Bracelets and armlets
• Rings
• Belly Jewels and Chains
• Breastplates
• Brooches
• Chatelaines
• Anklets, toe rings, foot chains
• Genital jewelry

Another Reason for Knowing these Superstitions: Well… robbers and thieves. If you have them in your party, this can provide you with an idea of what their victims might have on them.

The Rock List

Of course there’s a list.

Agate: Agates have been used in decoration and ceremony since the ancient Sumerian Empire. Used for protection, attracts strength, keeps bad dreams away. Agates were engraved with serpents or men riding on snakes. Supposedly kept serpents and poisonous insects from striking. Once used as protection against possession. Said to be the Mystical birthstone for September, and the zodiac sign for Gemini. Agate is also the accepted gem for the 12th and 14th wedding anniversaries. Ancient Rome: A ring of agate was worn in honor of the deities of vegetation.

• Middle East: Healer for the blood.
• Gaul: Cure for skin diseases
• Syria: Triangular shaped agates used against intestinal problems.
• Asia: Scryer stone.
• Banded: Thought to give bright, varied dreams. Protective.
• Black Agate: Protective. Courage and competitions.
• Black-and-White: guards against physical dangers.
• Blue Lace: Peace and happiness
• Brown or tawny: Victory in battle, used in Persia and Italy against the evil eye. Wealth.
• Green: Improve eyes. Water from washing stone thought to protect women from sterility.
• Moss Agate: Gardener’s talisman. Keeps emotions balanced.
• Eye Agate: Or Botswana agate, wards off evil eye.
• Red: Worn in ancient Rome against insect bites, as blood healer, and to promote peace.

Amber: One of the oldest substances used for adornment, with beads and pendants found in gravesites dating back over 10,000 years. Amber pendants from the Stone Age were believed to be used as amulets. Neolithic tribes in Denmark buried amber in the cornerstone of dwellings, possibly for protection. The early Chinese thought the souls of tigers turned to amber after death. The Chinese burn amber to honor guests at large festivals. Those who worshipped the mother goddess believed amber was a source of life. Akasha principles relate it to the “fifth element.” Amber conducts electricity when rubbed against wool or silk. It was used in prayer beads during the Middle Ages and still preferred for Muslim prayer beads. Believed since Roman times to possess healing power, good for many ailments, especially the throat. Protective, it was given to babies in the crib to protect them from harm. One of the birthstones for the Sun sign of Taurus.

Amethyst: The ancient Greeks named this purple stone “amethustos,” for “to not get intoxicated.” Both the Greeks and Romans believed it to protect against evil. Medieval Europeans used the stone as an amulet to protect them in battle and Anglo-Saxon graves had beads of amethyst buried with the bodies. Amethysts were engraved with images of bears for protection during the Renaissance. Official birthstone for February and associated with Pisces, Aries, Aquarius, and Sagittarius. Once purple became a color for royalty, amethyst was included in the royal wardrobe. High-ranking members of the Roman Catholic Church wear rings of amethyst. Suggested as a gem for the 4th, 6th, and 17th wedding anniversaries.

Ammolite: Only reaching gemstone status in the 1980s this iridescent organic gemstone is made from the fossilized shells of ammonites composed from aragonite. The Blackfeet tribes have long known about it and attributed amuletic powers of healing and hunting buffalo to it. Later, 1990s Feng Shui practitioners came to call this stone the “Seven Color Prosperity Stone” and believe it enhances well-being.

Aquamarine: Official March birthstone and birthstone for the zodiac sign of Scorpio. It is suggested for the 16th and 19th weddings anniversaries. A beryl of light or sea-blue, it was believed in the Middle Ages to combat poisons, and sailors believed carrying it with them on journeys would guarantee a safe return, sleeping with a piece under their pillows. Many though the lower fish-like portion of a mermaid was made from aquamarine.

Aventurine: Star sign for Libra and Planetary stone for Taurus. A legend from Tibet asserts that aventurine can be used for nearsightedness and improving creativity. In New Age folklore, aventurine is seen as the “gambler’s stone.”

Azurite: It is said the Egyptians believed this stone was sacred, able to enhance spiritual communication. Once called “Lapis linguis” or “lapis lingua.”

Beryl: Fifth-century Ireland had a sect of scryers know as specularii that used beryl spheres. Dr. Dee’s famous crystal, seen in the British museum, was of beryl, not crystal. Ancient people thought the beryls brought rain. Star Sign for Scorpio, talismanic stone for Sagittarius. Thought to cure eye diseases and troubles of the heart and spine. Used to protect travelers in general and other people from demons and evil spirits. In the thirteenth century an image of a frog was engraved on the beryl and carried to reconcile enemies and attract friendship, and in the sixteenth century it was worn to win arguments while appearing well-mannered.

Bloodstone: Once called a heliotrope or hematite (which is now the name of a different stone). A green chalcedony with red flecks, it was carried in ancient Babylon to overcome enemies and in ancient Egypt to open doors, break bonds, and supposedly to cause stone walls to fall. Bloodstone is one of the ancient birthstones for March. In the Middle Ages, this became known as the martyr’s stone, the red flecks symbolizing the blood of Jesus. Believed by soldiers in earlier times to stop bleeding. Farmer’s talisman for increasing crops in Middle Ages and used by women to prevent miscarriage and ease childbirth. The blood stone was smear with fresh juice of the heliotrope to convey invisibility. In the thirteenth century bloodstone was engraved with a bat and used to increase effectiveness of magic.

Carnelian: The first stone in the Hebrew high priest’s breastplate is the odem or “sardius” and was a red stone mostly likely of carnelian or sard. Carnelian is an ancient birthstone for August and the Zodiac sign for Leo and Virgo. Worn on the hand in ancient Egypt to calm high emotions. Thought to guard against those who would read your thoughts. It was engraved with a sword or warrior to stand guard in the home. The sard specifically was for women by the 1300s and protected them, brought them good fortune and facilitated childbirth.

Cat’s Eye: A form of Chrysoberyl, it is the planetary stone for Gemini and the accepted gem for the 9th wedding anniversary. Known to some as Tiger’s-eye, it was worn engraved with imaged of protection by Roman soldiers going into battle.

Chalcedony: Blue forms of chalcedony were used in the sixteenth century to dissolve illusions. Renaissance magicians engraved a figure of a man into chalcedony for success in ventures.

Chrysoprase: Star sign for Gemini, in the thirteenth century it was engraved with a bull for protection. Citrine: Official birthstone for November. Planetary stone for Sun sign of Virgo. Used for 13th and 17th wedding anniversaries.

Coal: Placed in the pocket to attract money and luck starting in the Industrial Age.

Copper: Long linked to the divine and associated with the Queen of Heaven in ancient Mesopotamia. It was sacred to the sun in Babylon mythos and among some tribes in North America. Copper pennies were used as luck-bringers for many years after they were first created. Many say that copper can be worn for healing purposes.

Coral: In the Pacific Islands, often placed on graves to guard the deceased; temples were built of lava rocks and coral. Ancient Mediterranean people though that, like amber, coral contained the essence of life and was a symbol of the Mother Goddess. Hindus believe the ocean is where human souls go after death, so coral in a symbol of life and is also placed on graves to prevent evil from possessing it. The Norse also associated coral with a deity. Red coral was considered a gift from the gods. If a piece of coral breaks during a magic rite, the magic is gone and the pieces were returned to the ocean. Italian women wore it near their groin to control or perhaps predict their periods. In ancient Egypt, powdered coral was mixed with seed and sown to protect growing crops from bad weather and insects. Coral earrings were worn by women in ancient Rome to attract men. Powdered coral was mixed in Venetian incenses to draw love. Used by sailors to guard against shipwreck and shark attack.

Diamond: Originally polished, it took thousands of years for people to learn how to create facets. In ancient Rome was set in rings and worn with the stone touching the skin to promote bravery. In ancient India was worn in a ring for victory in battles and conflicts.

Electrum: Electrum is a generic term for alloys of two or more metals. Although naturally occurring alloys are rare, they have occurred in the past. Ancient Egyptians made jewelry from electrum and electrum was believed to emit sparks in the presence of poison, especially when fashioned into a cup.

Emerald: The modern and traditional birthstone for May, and the Zodiac stone for Taurus and Cancer, the Planetary stone for Taurus, and the Talismanic stone for Gemini. It is the wedding gift traditionally given for the 55th anniversary, although in more common times is presented as a 20th and 35th anniversary gift. Once used as amulets to ward off epilepsy in children. Suggested in the sixteenth century to improve memory by Albertus Magnus. Hindu writings prescribe wearing an emerald during sleep to halt nocturnal emissions.

Flint: Widely used by Native American tribes in shamanistic healing. Europeans throughout the centuries found their ancient ancestors’ flint knives and called them “thunderstones” or “elf shot,” and these Stone Age relics were believed to guard against mischievous fairies. Scandinavians honored the flint knives as family “gods,” treating them like holy relics.

Garnet: In the US garnet is the birthstone for January and the Zodiac stone for Aquarius. It is given as a gem on the second and sixth wedding anniversary. It is the official state gem for Connecticut and the gemstone for New York. Found most often in a fiery red, it was thought 500 years ago to drive off demons and evil spirits. In the medieval era a lion was carved into the garnet and the stone guarded the health, especially while traveling.

Geodes: Also called thunder eggs. In the Middle Ages were thought to be eggs. Albertus Magnus recommended they be used to attract love and prevent miscarriage. Some are called aetites, or aquilaeus or eagle stone. This stone was generally found as a lump of iron oxide with some flint or alumina and was hollow with a loose nodule that rattled around inside. The Druids claimed to find them inside the stomach or necks of eagles or in its nest. These stones were believed to heal epilepsy and were worn on the arm or thigh to prevent miscarriage and aid in childbirth.

Gold: Once symbol of divinity, it also became a symbol of evil or sanctity. The gold pocket watch was a symbol of capitalism and “gold” means wealth in many cultures. Gold is associated with 50th anniversaries. Gold is also a common gift for great human achievements. A golden crown was a symbol of heaven. Druids and other early people would use golden sickle to strengthen the powers of magical plants, most commonly mistletoe.

Hematite: Sometimes known as volcano spit, hematite in red form is a pigment known as ochre. The red muddy chalk was used upwards of 100,000 years ago for religious and social purposes. The shiny black stone it used in modern-day scrying. The ancients all used or wore hematite, although the specifics are unknown.

Holed Stones: Stones with holes in them were collected to use as protective tones regardless of their constituents. In the Eddas, Odin turned into a worm to slide through a hole in the rock and steal the “mead of poetry.” These naturally occurring objects are used as protective stones, hung on the bedpost to prevent nightmares, or worn around the neck or on the front door to prevent evil from entering. In England were used to cure the sick. Some believed to hold the stone and look through it one could see metaphysical entities, invisible creatures, or visions.

Iron: The earliest forms of iron were found in meteorites and the tools made from these celestial fallen bodies were considered very magical. Once iron became commonplace, many cultures restricted iron in magical workings, starting with the Greeks and Romans. Ireland, Scotland, Finland, China, Korea, and India, among others also felt that ritualistic objects and fires should be made without the influence of iron. It was believed it ruined the magic. Likewise iron became known for keeping away demons, ghosts, fairies, genii, and Chinese dragons.

Jade: The mystical birthstone for March and the Sun stone for Virgo. Given on the 12th, 30th, and 35th wedding anniversaries. Jade was one of the most universally prized minerals of ancients, from Mesoamerica to China, Japan to Europe, New Zealand to India. It has a resonant tone when struck and has been used for different types of ritual musical instruments in China, throughout Africa, and by the Hopi. Jade is the official gemstone of British Columbia, the state gemstone of Alaska and Wyoming, and the 2008 Summer Olympic medal had a ring of green jade in it, the first nonmetallic substance used in an Olympic medal. Jade is sacred in China, and Buddhas, deity figures, and altars to the Moon and Earth were made entirely of jade. Thought to lend life to the deceased it was a common grave good. It was carved into figures and exchanged as a token of friendship. The Maori carved nephrite, which is similar, into ancestral figures, usually with mother-of-pearl eyes. Called hei tiki, these figures are worn at ceremony. It is believed to have power over the weather and thrown into water to bring changes. The Chinese carved it into a butterfly for attracting love and is often presented in China as a bridal gift. Believed healing to many organs, it was thought to give vitality and was carved and worn for this purpose. The Mayans wore amulets to guard against kidney disease and bladder problems.

Jasper: Birthstone for Sun sign of Virgo, Mystical birthstone for October, traditional birthstones for the month of March.. It was used to create seals on Minoan Crete and was a stone in the Hoshen, or Hebrew High Priest’s breastplate. Some Jewish researchers have taken to naming jasper as the symbolic stone of the tribe of Benjamin. Called gug by ancient Assyrians and rainbringer by Native Americans. A green jasper engraved with a dragon surrounded by rays was worn by Nechepsus, an ancient Egyptian King, supposedly to strengthen his digestive tract. The notion that it brought rain was also held by people of the Old World in the fourth century and legends say it drove away evil spirits and serpents.

Jet: Actually fossilized wood, jet has been used in jewelry for at least 17,000 years, and was common in graves. It can induce an electrical charge when rubbed. Powdered jet dissolved in water was believed to have medicinal powers. Ancient Greeks worshipped Cybele, goddess of growth and plants, and they wore jet to obtain her favors. Fishermen’s wives in old Britain used it as a magical protectant to guard absent husbands. Medieval people carved them into beetles and wore them for personal protection. Once called witches’ amber or black amber, jet became popular in the Victorian era as funeral jewelry, and again in the 1920s.

Lapis Lazuli: The traditional birthstone for December, the Planetary Stone for Capricorn, and the birthstone for Libra. It is given on the seventh and ninth wedding anniversaries. The stone was a favorite in Egypt for making scarabs and amulets, and it was used by Assyrians and Babylonians for seals. In ancient Sumer was closely associated with the gods. Some said the stone contained the soul of the deity. In the Book of the Dead, a lapis amulet in the shape of an eye set in gold gave great power. In the most ancient times, lapis was called “sapphire” and this is likely the sapphire referred to by ancient texts, including the Bible. The Romans believed lapis was an aphrodisiac, and medieval figures thought it kept limbs healthy and the soul free from error, envy, and fear. It was often ground and mixed with milk to be applied to boils and ulcers.

Lava: Used in ancient Hawaii to build heaiu, centers for religious activities. Some were for healing, some for war. Lava rocks are still used today in small rituals of healing.

Lead: Long used in magic, Ancient Greeks made tablets of this metal that were inscribed with words of power. In eleventh century India, charms and figures of lead were engraved to increase fertility.

Magnetite: The lodestone was used in ancient Roma to create a statue of Venus. Another statue of Mars was made of iron and when the two were brought near each other, they attracted. Although not substantiated it is said there were statues of lodestone that remained suspended in the air. It was believed dangerous to carry lodestones in a thunderstorm because it would attract the lightning. It was thought that rubbing a knife on it (which magnetized the knife) would make any wound it inflicted fatal. It was also believed until 1558 that the lodestones power was removed in the presence of diamonds or garlic. Assyrian and Indian magicians believed the lodestone promoted virility. Others used the lodestone as an amulet to attract customers.

Malachite: Or Malaku, in early Greek mythology the throne of Demeter, goddess of the harvest, was made of malachite. It is said to shatter in the presence of danger and was used as an amulet.

Mercury: Known to the ancient Chinese and Egyptians, it was thought to prolong life, heal fractures, and maintain good health. Pools of mercury were used in scrying and mercury was turned into a gambling talisman by taking a hollowed nutmeg, filling it with the element, and sealed.

Meteorites: Considered gifts of the gods, these stones were worshipped. In Babylon the meteorite was a powerful protectant, thought to remove all evils.

Moonstone: Long dedicated to the Moon goddesses, moonstone is one of the modern birthstones for June and an accepted gem for the 13th wedding anniversary. A sacred stone in India, the Romans used it for jewelry believing it was formed from the light of the moon.

Natron: Drying and bleaching, it found use in the mummification process and in some cultures was believed to enhance spiritual safety for both the living and the dead.

Nephrite: A form of actinolite it is one of two types of jade. It was once believed to be a cure for kidney stones.

Onyx: The Mystical Birthstone for December and the Zodiac Birthstone for Leo. It is given on the 7th and 10th wedding anniversaries. In folk religion it is believed to repel spiritual attacks of all forms, all though some cultures believed that a demon was trapped in the stone and it caused all sorts of havoc for the stone’s owner.

Opal: The official October birthstone and the Zodiac birthstone for Libra. Opals are Australia’s gemstone and the black fire opal is the state gemstone of Nevada. In the Middle Ages, the opal was considered to be good luck. In the Victorian Age established gem dealers spread rumors to the contrary to stop people from buying so many opals.

Pearl: Called margan by ancient Persians and Neamhnuid by the Gaelic tribes, this is the official birthstone for June and the Sun birthstone for Gemini and Cancer. Freshwater pearls are an acceptable 1st anniversary gift, while seawater pearls are given for the 3rd, 12th, and 30th wedding anniversaries. Around the Mediterranean to the Northwest, the ancients believed the pearls were the tears of the gods. Early Chinese myths told of pearls falling from the sky when the dragons fought.

Peridot: Synonymous with olivine in most cases, peridot is the official birthstone for August and the Zodiac sign for Libra. It is given on the 16th wedding anniversary. In the Bible it is known as Chrysolite. Legend says it was a favorite gemstone of Cleopatra. It was worn for healing purposes and used to calm; ancient Romans made rings of them to dissipate rage or anxiety.

Pipestone: The Sioux call it Inyan-sha, and this brick-red circular stone with its natural hole piercing it is sacred to the Sioux and Omaha, representing the north and the People. It is only found in Minnesota and legend says that people running from a great flood ran up the hill but the hill collapsed crushing them and forming a pool of blood. The pipestone is the solidified remains of that pool.

Pumice: Pumice was believed to aid childbirth.

Pyrite: Once used my ancient Meso-Americans to make mirrors. It was also found in American Indian medicine bundles. Ancient Chinese believed the stone guarded against crocodile attacks.

Quartz: In mythology it is most commonly identified as the mysterious maban of Australian aborigine history. Often found in cemeteries in Europe and Pliny the Elder believed it to be crystallized water, a believe that held until the 1600s. Its use as a prism is ancient; the mystics would light sacred fires using the quartz’s focusing abilities. Native Americans gathered crystals in buckskin and fed them deer’s blood. Smoky quartz is prized by Scottish residents that use it for all sorts of decorations.

Realgar: In China it was made into a wide variety of objects, ornaments, and charms believed to keep disease away.

Rhodocrosite: Colorado named it as its state mineral. The Incas believed rhodochrosite was the blood of their former rulers.

Ruby: This is the official gemstone of July, the Talismanic stone for Pisces, the Sun birthstone for Cancer and Capricorn, the Planetary birthstone for Scorpio, and the Zodiac birthstone for Capricorn. It is given for the 15th and 40th wedding anniversary. In Vedic traditions rubies are associated with the sun and have been esteemed in Asian countries, used in ornamental armor, scabbards, harnesses, and laid beneath the foundations of buildings to ensure good fortune. Thought to grow darker when danger approaches, in thirteenth century rubies were supposed to increase wealth, and those from India thought rubies attracted other gemstones.

Salt: A perfect offering for deities, Hawaiians still mix rock salt with red earth and water to sprinkle on people or places for purification. Mesoamericans once made wreaths of garlic or aloe to which small packets of salt were attached to banish negative forces and attract good luck.

Sapphire: It’s the official birthstone for September, the Zodiac stone for Pisces, Taurus, Virgo, and Sagittarius, and the traditional 45th anniversary gift, although it is acceptable for the 5th, 23rd, and 65th ones (star sapphire) as well. The Greeks associated the stone with Apollo and wore it when consulting the Oracles. It is said to guard its owner from captivity and protects the health as well.

Sardonyx: Chalcedony covered by a layer of sard, at one time it was engraved with an eagle’s head and worn for good luck. In ancient Rome it was likely engraved with a figure of Mars to bring fearlessness in battle.

Serpentine: The Maori carved serpentine into beautiful figures called tangiwai and the lapis atracius of Classical Roman times is of serpentine breccia. Seals made of serpentine (called Za-tu-mush-gir) were carried in ancient Assyria.

Silver: Silver is used for all lunar deities, usually in the form of silver crescents or bells. In China children are guarded with silver locks. French couples about to be married are protected by a silver chain. Islam permits its followers to wear silver jewelry. Silver was believed to be a popular antidote and thought to repel monsters.

Soapstone: A rock of talc schist, the Inuit use it for carvings and the Minoans of Crete built a libation table of the rock. The 18th century gravestones of the Georgia area were made of soapstone as were the Hoysala Empire temples in India.

Stalagmites, stalactites: small projections were carried as amulets against evil.

Staurolite: The Fairy cross or cross stone, this twinned crystal has many legends relating to humanity. Three presidents—Roosevelt, Wilson, and Harding—carried them as good luck charms.

Sunstone: Of the two stones named sunstone, one is a modern translucent quartz with a vaguely orange hue, but the other is form of feldspar from India that resembled an orange opal. During the Renaissance this stone associated with the Sun and was set in gold and worn to represent the sun in archaic rituals.

Topaz: Yellow topaz is November’s traditional birthstone, a symbol of friendship, and the state gemstone of Utah. Blue topaz is December’s birthstone and the state gemstone of Texas. It is also a Talismanic stone for Sagittarius and acceptable for the 4th, 19th, and 23rd anniversary. The topaz is one of the gemstones quoted for use in the Jewish Hoshen, although it is believed chrysolite was actually the intended stone. Both peridot and olivine were named topaz in the past. The Egyptians wore them as amulets to protect from injury. The Greeks believed it had the power of invisibility and Romans thought it would improve eyesight. In the Middle Ages topaz was thought to heal physical and mental disorders and possibly prevent death.

Tourmaline: The official and traditional birthstone for October, the Zodiac birthstone for Leo and the accepted gem for the 8th wedding anniversary. Believed to strengthen the body and the artistic endeavor.

Turquoise: One of the official birthstones for December, the Planetary stone for Aquarius, Taurus, and Sagittarius. Sacred to many Native and Meso-American tribes it was used in sand-painting magic and to guard the dead. The Pueblo placed turquoise under the floor when kivas were built. Others kept them in their medicine bags and attached turquoise to bows to ensure accuracy. Tutankhamen’s burial mask had turquoise inlay. Many translate the instructions in making the Jewish Hoshen to include a turquoise stone.

Zircon: Zirconium silicate. Traditional birthstone for December. Zirconium is used for fusing platinum, nuclear reactions