The Symbolism and Meaning of Colours and Gemstones

Copyright (c) 2010 Alison Withers

Colours have specific meanings and can influence mood, although the same colour can have an almost opposite meaning in different parts of the world. The popular fashion for putting together a unique charm bracelet from silver and Murano glass beads may not be only a matter of fashion and matching a particular outfit.

There's no doubt that colour has significance both for its wearer and in our surroundings. So what colours would you choose if you were making up your own charm bracelet from Murano glass beads?

These are some of the meanings attached to particular colours:

The best-known example is black, used in the West as a symbol of mourning. Black is often also known as the colour of evil, generally of the night. But it is also seen as an elegant and formal colour. In gemstone lore onyx, a black stone, is said to stabilise and heal the root chakra and to increase grounding and productiveness.

In most of the Christian world brides traditionally dress in white, while in much of Asia white is the colour of mourning.

Pearls, which are most commonly a creamy-white have variously been associated with chastity, power, courage, or modesty. They have been seen as symbols of a pure heart and mind, innocence, and faith.

In India and other parts of S Asia the bridal colour of choice is red. Red is the colour of warmth and celebration (on Chinese New Year people give out small packets of "lucky" money, wrapped in red) but red can also mean anger, danger, boldness and courage. The red gemstone Garnet was once believed to protect against snakebites, food poisoning and haemorrhage. Garnets have long been associated with blood purification. Another red gemstone, the Ruby, was believed in folklore to give wearers wisdom, aid in matters of love and give protection against all types of misfortune.

To attract attention, energy or optimism, yellow is the colour to choose, it seems, although conversely yellow is also associated by some with cowardice and hunger. The gemstone, Tiger's Eye, which can come in yellow, is said to help convert anxiety, fear and obsessiveness into practicality and logic. It is said to increase confidence and clear thinking.

Blue symbolises security and peace, reliability and professionalism, coldness and trust. A bright blue denotes youth, spirituality, truth and peace while a deep indigo can mean intuition, meditation and deep contemplation. In Iran blue means immortality and of the blue gemstones, Aquamarine protects sailors at sea, prevents seasickness, releases anxiety, and aids mental clarity while the Sapphire is associated with peace and happiness and believed to help with communication, insight, intuition, inspiration, and prayer.

Pink is about love, beauty and, in some cultures, feminity. To attract love and warmth the advice is to wear or carry a piece of rose quartz.

Green holds meaninggs of life, nature, fertility, calm, well-being, durability and reliability and has long been used in the interior decoration of hospitals. Jealousy is another association, as in "green with envy". One of many green gemstones, the Peridot, is one of the most ancient and is thought to strengthen life, bring about prosperity, growth, and increase openness. It is also believed to help one to understand relationships and to alleviate depression, anger, fear, jealousy and anxiety.

Emeralds, perhaps the best-known green stone, are in folklore credited with aiding fertility, improving eyesight and giving their wearer psychic powers! It has been said to lift depression and insomnia and is also believed to give knowingness of the heart, peaceful dreams and to transmit balance, healing & patience.

Even from this brief overview it's clear that picking the colours to assemble the right collection of beads for a bracelet could become an absorbing process even before adding, metallic finishes or patterns to the mix.