Krzysztof Szmytkiewicz (Order #40778404)

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Krzysztof Szmytkiewicz (Order #40778404)

 GEOLOGIST’S PRIMER
An Introductory Course for Beginner
Miners, Enchanters, Alchemists, and Magicians

by
ANNA URBANEK

DOUBLE PROFICIENCY

Krzysztof Szmytkiewicz (Order #40778404)

 CONTENTS
A
Introduction 9 Fulgurite 110
Garnet 112
Gold 114
Lore Primer 13 Granite 116
Basics of Geology 14 Graphite 118
Basics of Mining 26 Gypsum 120
Basics of Earth Magic 32 Hematite 122
Ice 124
Iron 126
Metal & Mineral Guide 41 Ivory 128
Sample Gem 42 Jadeite 130
Agate 44 Jasper 132
Aluminum 46 Jet 134
Amber 48 Kaolinite 136
Amethyst 50 Labradorite 138
Ammolite 52 Lapis Lazuli 140
Antimony 54 Lava 142
Apatite 56 Lead 144
Aquamarine 58 Limestone 146
Azurite 60 Magnetite 148
Basalt 62 Malachite 150
Beryl 64 Marble 152
Bismuth 66 Mercury 154
Bloodstone 68 Meteorite 156
Bone 70 Mica 158
Brass 72 Moldavite 160
Bronze 74 Moonstone 162
Calcite 76 Nickel 164
Chalcedony 78 Obsidian 166
Chalk 80 Ochre 168
Charcoal 82 Olivine 170
Chrysoberyl 84 Onyx 172
Citrine 86 Opal 174
Clay 88 Orpiment 176
Coal 90 Pearl 178
Copper 92 Peat 180
Coral 94 Petroleum 182
Diamond 96 Platinum 184
Electrum 98 Pumice 186
Emerald 100 Pyrite 188
Feldspar 102 Quartz 190
Flint 104 Ruby 192
Fluorite 106 Salt 194
Fossil 108 Saltpeter 196

6 | Table of Contents

Krzysztof Szmytkiewicz (Order #40778404)

 Sand 198
Sapphire 200
Sardonyx 202
Selenite 204
Serpentinite 206
Shell 208
Silver 210
Sodalite 212
Spinel 214
Staurolite 216
Steel 218
Sulfur 220
Sunstone 222
Talc 224
Tanzanite 226
Tiger's Eye 228
Tin 230
Titanium 232
Topaz 234
Tourmaline 236
Tuff 238
Turquoise 240
Zircon 242

Practical Geologist 245

Alchemy 246
Blacksmithing 252
Gemcutting & Jewelcrafting 256
Magic Item Recipes 262

Appendices 281
Magical Correspondences 282
Astrological Correspondences 284
Pricing & Rarity 288
Ley Lines & Geometry 292
Stones of Legends 298
Gem Generation Tables 302
Adventure Pebbles 306
References 310
Bibliography 350
Metal & Mineral Visual Guide 352
Index 356

Table of Contents | 7

Krzysztof Szmytkiewicz (Order #40778404)

 COLOR MAGIC
A huge part of crystal magic is based on the
color and theie associations. For a quick
selection of minerals in the desired color,
consult Metal & Mineral Visual Guide, p.
352—355. Below are listed the common col-
ors, their significance in magical practice
of modern occult, and matching minerals
for convenience. Note that every tradition
and culture approaches the meaning of
colors in its unique way, potentially dif-
fering much from the one described on the
following pages.
PINK AND PEACH
Soft and gentle colors of love, pink and
peach are great for self-care, friendship,
kindness, and strengthening connections.
It helps communication, empathy, and mu-
tual understanding.
agate, marganite beryl, coral, diamond,
garnet, granite, pearl, rose quartz,
tourmaline
RED
Often connected with passion and desire,
red is employed in love and sex magic, se-
duction, and all matters of heart and blood.
It invokes the element of fire and can fight
back inflammations.
clay, coral, garnet, granite, jasper, lava,
ocher, ruby, spinel, tourmaline
ORANGE
Orange stimulates personal power, brings
mental and creative energy. It helps to
break through a writer's block, bestows
confidence and energy to follow the
dreams, inspiration, and passions.
amber, bronze, carnelian, citrine,
copper, garnet, orpiment, sapphire,
sardonyx, sunstone, tiger's eye, topaz
YELLOW
Like a burst of sunlight, yellow brings en-
ergy, joy, and abundance. It balances emo-
tions, stimulates the mind and the nervous
system. Use it to celebrate the Sun and the
element of air.
38 | Basics of Earth Magic
Krzysztof Szmytkiewicz (Order #40778404)
apatite, heliodor beryl, brass,
chrysoberyl, citrine, calcite, electrum,
gold, jasper, ocher, orpiment, pyrite,
sulfur, topaz, tourmaline, zircon
GREEN
Green is the color of nature, of plants, of
fertile earth. It calms and heals, brings
freshness and youthful energy, encourages
growth, and brings luck.
moss agate, apatite, emerald, feldspar,
fluorite, jade malachite, moldavite,
olivine, peridot, serpentinite, tourmaline
BLUE
Blue is the color of calm, trust, and protec-
tion. It brings peace and clarity, invokes
stability, longevity, and forgiveness. Like
water, it purifies and nourishes.
agate, apatite, aquamarine, azurite,
labradorite, sapphire, spinel, tanzanite,
tourmaline, turquoise, zircon
INDIGO
Indigo brings mystical qualities and vi-
sions, strengthens divination, and affects
mental healing. Use it to aid meditation,
astral projecting, and exploring psychic
and cognitive potential.
apatite, lapis lazuli, sodalite, tanzanite
VIOLET AND PURPLE
The color of intuition, purple sharpens the
senses, heightens awareness, increases
the cognitive potential, and regenerates
the body. Use it to add power to creative
projects, rituals of immortality or when
dealing with royalty.
amethyst, alexandrite chrysoberyl,
fluorite, lepidolite mica, spinel, tanzanite
BROWN
The color of earth, brown means stabili-
ty, fertility, nourishment, and protection.
Like green, it invokes the element of earth.
It is the color of home and hearth.
amber, clay, flint, fulgurite, jasper, lava,
meteorite, mahogany obsidian, peat,
 petroleum, pumice, smoky quartz, sand,
sardonyx, serpentinite, staurolite, tiger's
eye, tuff, zircon
BLACK
Often considered unlucky, black is the col-
or of protection, curse-breaking, and ward-
ing. It creates boundaries, grounds energy,
hides, obfuscates, and detoxifies. Use it in
banishing and to bring safety.
basalt, charcoal, coal, diamond, granite,
graphite, jet, obsidian, onyx, sand,
tourmaline
WHITE
The color of purity, white is often treated as
a blank slate, a stand-in for any other color.
On its own, it brings freshness, new ideas,
happiness, and cleansing, but it may also
mean starkness, coldness, and death.
agate, bone, calcite, chalcedony, chalk,
clay, feldspar, fluorite, granite, gypsum,
ivory, kaolinite, marble, moonstone,
pearl, saltpeter, selenite, shell, talc
GRAY AND SILVER
Shades of gray and silver are connected
with dreams, meditation, and lunar magic.
They quiet the mind and calm emotions.
aluminum, antimony, basalt, feldspar,
flint, hematite, iron, labradorite, lead,
limestone, magnetite, mercury, mica,
nickel, pearl, platinum, pumice, silver,
steel, tin, titanium
TRANSPARENT
Transparency and translucency bring clar-
ity, understanding, and honesty: transpar-
ency of thoughts and motives.
beryl, calcite, diamond, ice, quartz, salt,
topaz, zircon
MULTICOLORED
Magically, multiple hues are not only a sum
of their parts, but also create complex
effects on their own.
agate, azurmalachite, bismuth,
bloodstone, labradorite, rainbow
obsidian, opal, shell, tourmaline

A
CHAKRA SYSTEM
The system of seven main chakras—energy
centers in the human body­—is commonly
accompanied by crystals in healing. Each of
the chakras is associated with a color and
meaning. Top to bottom:

CROWN: intelligence, awareness

THIRD EYE: imagination, intuition

THROAT: communication, expression

HEART: compassion, love

SOLAR PLEXUS: confidence, self-esteem

SACRAL: creativity, sexuality

ROOT: stability, grounding, physical body

Fig. 2.6 Chakra System

Basics of Earth Magic | 39

Krzysztof Szmytkiewicz (Order #40778404)

 AGATE
b.

a.

d.

c.

Fig. 3.1 Agate

a. natural banded agate geode; b. dyed agate slice;
c. polished moss agate; d. raw dendritic agate

Type silicate mineral

Primary
chalcedony, quartz
Components

Formula SiO2 (silicon dioxide)

Crystal System rhombohedral

Formations nodules within volcanic rocks

banded or other, varied colors,

Color
usually white, orange, red, and brown

Hardness 6.5—7
Demon Blood Ring
(p. 264)
44 |

Krzysztof Szmytkiewicz (Order #40778404)

 Agate
Common types: Blue Lace Agate. Crazy Lace Agate. Moss Agate. Dendritic Agate.
Polyhedroid Agate. Sunset Agate. Fire Agate. Laguna Agate.
A common semiprecious mineral, prized for its ornamental value. It brings wealth,
health, and longevity, keeps souls safe from harm, and helps finding treasures.
DESCRIPTION
While not very valuable, agates are favor-
ites of healers and artisans. They can take
many forms, dependent on inclusion of of
other minerals, the most popular being
a layered mixture of quartz and chalced-
ony, set in characteristic layers visible
in a cross-section. Inclusions of oxidized
iron hornblende result in moss agates with
a greenish color and moss-like pattern,
while additions of manganese and iron ox-
ides create fern-like patterns in dendritic
agates. Other variations exist, varying in
colors, patterns of layering, and sheen.
OCCURRENCE
Formed as nodules within the cavities of
volcanic rocks, agates are created when
layers of silica-rich fluids from the volcanic
material build up inside an air bubble. This
slow build-up of quartz and chalcedony lay-
ers causes the characteristic bands of agate
and their equally recognizable holes in the
middle—occuring when the process of fill-
ing in the cavity is not yet complete.
EXTRACTION AND PREPARATION
Usually stronger than the rocks that sur-
round them, agates are usually found de-
tached from their eroding rocks, often in
streams and rivers. To falsify or strengthen
their coloration, which increases their orna-
mental value, agates are treated with chemi-
cal and mineral dyes, readily accepted due to
agate's high porosity.
INDUSTRIAL PROPERTIES
Like other quartzes, agate is highly resistant
to weathering, resistant to chemicals, and
retaining its polished surface for a long
time. It is used for creating small weights
for precise measurements and production
Krzysztof Szmytkiewicz (Order #40778404)
of leather burnishing tools. Mortars and
pestles made of agate are said to bestow
additional healing properties upon the
ground herbs.
DECORATIVE PROPERTIES
Agate is one of the most popular materials
in hardstone carving, its multiple varieties
finding use as beads, brooches, pins, seals,
paper knives, drinking horns, earrings,
cameos, or inkstands. It becomes glassy
when polished
MAGICAL PROPERTIES
Agates are used primarily for healing: to
extract poisons from the body, heal bites of
venomous creatures, relieve insomnia, re-
store emotional and hormonal balance, re-
duce fever, and prolong life. Boiling agates
in water bestows the healing properties to
the liquid.
Agate is a transformative stone, changing
dark and toxic compounds or emotions into
pure and healthy ones. It eases the hold of
destructive habits and thought patterns,
enhancing self-esteem and assertiveness.
Carried or worn as jewelry, agates protect
both bodies and souls: they repel demons
and thieves of any kind, including emotion-
al vampires. In funeral rites, they keep the
soul safe on the journey beyond the veil.
Red agate carries a strong connection to
one's ancestors and helps in summoning
their spirits or asking for guidance.
The stones have an affinity for other gems;
they always seem to inexplicably travel to-
wards treasures. Attached to a string and
cast into water, they lead the diver towards
pearl-bearing mollusks.
| 45
 BRONZE

b.

a.

c.

Fig. 3.16 Bronze

a. alloy nugget; b. cube of smelted metal;
c. bronze bell covered in patina

Type metal alloy

Primary
copper, tin
Components

Formula CuSn

Crystal System cubic

Formations —

warm brown with reddish hues,

Color
reddish gold, silvery white

Hardness 3.0
Valiant Heart
(p. 266)
74 |

Krzysztof Szmytkiewicz (Order #40778404)

 Bronze
Common types: Alpha Bronze. Arsenic Bronze. Classic Bronze. Mild Bronze.
Bell Metal. Speculum Metal.
A copper-tin alloy with a warm, reddish hue, used in machinery, land and naval
warfare, and decorative arts. It bestows life upon statues and guards against evil.
DESCRIPTION
An alloy of copper and tin, often including
other elements (aluminum, zinc, nickel,
phosphorus, etc.) changing its physical and
chemical properties. It has a warm, reddish
hue which oxidizes on the surface, creating
a greenish protective patina. It is relatively
cheap and easy to work with.
OCCURRENCE
Bronze does not occur naturally, but some
ores contain copper and other elements
(particularly arsenic), so 'natural bronze'
may be created while smelting copper.
EXTRACTION AND PREPARATION
For good quality bronze, tin (usually con-
tained in the tin ore cassiterite) must be
mined and smelted separately, then added to
hot copper. Basic alloy contains about 12% tin.
INDUSTRIAL PROPERTIES
As other copper alloys, bronze finds
numerous uses in various industries, as
it is malleable, less brittle than cast iron,
bactericidal, has little friction, and does
not create sparks. Bronze is employed on
ships due to its saltwater resistance, it is
perfect for hinges, fittings, bearings, pipes,
bells, cymbals, and cannons. In most cases,
'copper' coins are actually made of bronze
due to much higher durability.
DECORATIVE PROPERTIES
Bronze is used for casting sculptures, as
it possesses a rare and extremely useful
quality: it expands slightly before it sets,
filling all nooks and crannies of the mold,
and then shrinks back, making it easier to
remove it from the form. Cast bronze statues
and ornaments are therefore a common
sight, from ancient treasures to modern art.
Krzysztof Szmytkiewicz (Order #40778404)
MAGICAL PROPERTIES
As most copper alloys, bronze is connected
with fire and sun, and employed extensive-
ly in war magic. Bronze weapons, musical
instruments, and insignia have the power
of strengthening courage, dispersing fear
and doubt, and protecting against one's en-
emies. Unlike brass, it is not dependent on
leadership—it evokes the fire burning in
the soul of a warrior, not their officer.
The protective qualities of bronze are par-
ticularly visible in the practice of casting
large bells and mounting them on tall city
towers. Their sound, carried on the wind,
repels dark spirits, thunderstorms, rains,
fires, and—incidentally—warns the locals
about incoming danger, allowing them
to protect themselves. In especially hard
times, the bell's bronze heart would break
from strain and grief, rendering it silent.
Statues cast from bronze have a semblance
of life to them, and numerous stories are
told about the bronze protectors coming
alive to fight when their people require res-
cue, especially in war times. Many bronze
statues are cast from surrendered weap-
ons, armors, or cannons, and as such, carry
the triumphant power of victory. However,
when armies raise their statues on occu-
pied territories, such displays are often
mysteriously afflicted by bronze disease—a
quick and irreversible corrosion caused by
contact of copper alloys with chlorides.
Animals cast from bronze are an effective
mean of lie detection. If the person who
inserted a hand into the maw speaks the
truth, they will not be harmed; otherwise,
their hand will be terribly mangled. The
same fate would befall oath breakers.
| 75
 LAPIS LAZULI

b.

c.

a.

Fig. 3.49 Lapis Lazuli

a. cut piece of rock with calcite and pyrite inclusions;
b. rough chunk; c. polished egg

Type metamorphic rock

Primary
lazurite, calcite, sodalite, pyrite
Components

Formula varies

Crystal System cubic

rocks in crystalline marble

Formations
and limestone

Color deep blue with common gold speckles

Hardness 3.0—6.5
Sky Sentinel
(p. 271)
140 |

Krzysztof Szmytkiewicz (Order #40778404)

 Lapis Lazuli
Common types: —
A blue rock speckled with gold, used as a semi-precious gemstone. It holds a powerful
connections to the sky and spiritual realms, as well as stimulates psychic abilities.
DESCRIPTION
A deep blue to violet blue rock composed
mostly of blue lazurite, with common vein-
ing of white calcite and speckles of golden
pyrite. The hardness of lapis lazuli varies
depending on the main components of each
part of the rock, with lazurite being rela-
tively soft at 5.0—5.5. It is naturally dull, but
polishes to a bright, shiny luster, which to-
gether with the deep coloration—caused by
trifulfur radical anions—make it one of the
few rocks considered a semi-precious gem.
OCCURRENCE
Lapis forms in marble or limestone altered
by contact or hydrothermal metamor-
phism. Under those conditions, it replaces
parts of the original material. Commercial-
ly-viable mines are rare, but smaller amounts
may be found throughout the world.
EXTRACTION AND PREPARATION
Extract lapis from open pits. Handle it with
care, as it is relatively soft and porous. Pro-
tect it from chemical substances and store
each piece separately to avoid scratching.
DECORATIVE PROPERTIES
Lapis lazuli is a long-time favorite of
decorative arts thanks to its unique, deep
blue coloration and ease of working. While
to soft to be used in rings, bracelets, and
other jewelry at high risk of abrasion, lapis
pendants, necklaces, figurines, mosaics,
and royal seals have been popular for ages.
The stone is usually set in gold or gold-plated
brass, to highlight the beauty of pyrite
specks. Ground lapis, treated with a mild
acid to remove the calcite and sifted to
separate pyrite, is the base of ultramarine,
the finest and most expensive of natural
blue pigments.
Krzysztof Szmytkiewicz (Order #40778404)
MAGICAL PROPERTIES
A cosmic stone, lapis lazuli holds a strong
connection to the sky and stars above us.
It is said to hold souls of gods, a small piec-
es of their power that can be harnessed in
magical practice. Use it communicate with
deities—particularly sky gods—or con-
tact your spiritual guardians for help and
advice. Working with lapis tools increases
one's psychic abilities, opening the mind to
the arcane, astral, and divine realities.
Wear it in a necklace set in gold to empower
your magic and provide protection against
ill spirits and mental attacks. However, as
the stone is extremely powerful, it cannot
be worn without daily breaks—its exces-
sive use causes exhaustion, addiction, and
withdrawal. Lapis is a gem of deities and
great spirits, and a certain amount of per-
sonal power is necessary to rule over it.
Lapis helps to uncover truth: it warms up in
presence of lies and deception, and the per-
son holding or wearing the stone is magi-
cally forbidden from speaking anything but
truth. As such, lapis is sometimes employed
in courts of law, both to ensure no false tes-
timonies and no unjust verdicts.
As a healing stone, lapis cures melancholy;
grind it and mix with dew as a healing elixir
that reduces anxiety, lifts the spirits, and
helps to notice the joy and hope still present
in the world. It connects with the matters
of the heart, strengthens love, brings peace
and contentment, and helps to take a deep,
calming breath even in the state of panic.
While it is considered a semi-precious gem,
purest lapis lazuli, with a powerful magical
charge, is worth its weight in gold.
| 141
 asterism in sapphire iridescence in shell

aventurescence in sunstone luminescence in topaz

change of color in alexandrite opalescence in moonstone

chatoyancy in chrysoberyl pleochroism in andalusite

fire in diamond schiller effect in opal

Fig. 4.4 Special Gem Effects

260 | Gemcutting & Jewelcrafting

Krzysztof Szmytkiewicz (Order #40778404)

 SPECIAL EFFECTS IN GEMSTONES
ASTERISM
Star sapphire, star ruby, star topaz, star gar-
net, star chrysoberyl (cymophane)
A luminous, star-like effect seen in light in
cabochon-cut gemstones. Appears only in
gemstones with suitably oriented rod-like
inclusions or cavities. Stars usually have four,
six, or twelve 'rays.'
AVENTURESCENCE
Aventurine, sunstone, goldstone
A shining, metallic glimmer inside the gem,
caused by glittering metal inclusions, usually
copper dust. The popularity of this phenom-
enon gave rise to a cheap, man-made aven-
turescent gem called goldstone: a mix of glass
and finely ground copper.
CHANGE OF COLOR
Alexandrite, tourmaline
Some gemstones absorb certain wavelengths
of light to such degree, that their color varies
in sunlight and indoor light. The change is
not affected by the turning of the gemstone,
just by the properties of light absorbed and
reflected by the stone.
CHATOYANCY
Chrysoberyl, tiger's eye, cat's-eye apatite
The cat's eye effect, in which a thin, sharp
band of light changes position as the gem-
stone is turned. The band appears placed as
if just under the surface of the cabochon. It is
caused by the reflection of light from minus-
cule parallel crystals, inclusions, or cavities.
Gems with pronounced chatoyancy may ap-
pear as if they are made from two materials
separated by a band of light; they are often
called milk and honey gems.
FIRE
Diamond, cubic zirconia, sphalerite
An optical effect of caused by refraction, in
which white light disperses into all rainbow
colors. It follows the same rules as dispersion
of light through a prism, creating brilliant
flecks of colored light on the facets of a cut
gemstone.
Krzysztof Szmytkiewicz (Order #40778404)
IRIDESCENCE
Labradorite, ammolite, mother-of-pearl, fire
agate, satin spar, rainbow obsidian, shell
A rainbow-like color effect caused by a gem's
structure breaking up light into its spectral
colors. The color depend on the angle of ob-
servation, similar to butterfly wings or mag-
pie feathers.
LUMINESCENCE
Diamond, ruby, fluorite, kunzite
A phenomenon of absorbing the light at a spe-
cific wavelength and emitting it at a longer
wavelength, causing the gemstone to glow.
In gemstones, this effect is known as fluores-
cence (gemstones glowing under ultraviolet
light) or phosphorescence (gemstones ab-
sorbing light, then releasing it slowly, allow-
ing them to glow in the dark.)
OPALESCENCE
Opal, moonstone
A milky effect commonly seen in opal. A silver
to bluish-white sheen glides and shimmers
on the surface of the gem as it is turned due
to the light scattered by thin crystalline lay-
ers. In gemstones other than opal, the effect
is called adularescence.
PLEOCHROISM
Zircon, tourmaline, tanzanite
Also known as double refraction or birefrin-
gence, pleochroism describes light splitting
into two separate rays inside the gemstone
due to the arrangement of atoms. The rays
of light posses different colors when viewed
from various angles. This can either add
depth or richness to the color or cause a clash
of hues which reduces the value of a gem.
SCHILLER
Opal
A glittery effect inside the gemstone, also
known as play of color. As the stone is turned,
the interior displays flickers of color caused
by light interference with the microstructure
of the mineral. Unlike aventurescence, no in-
clusions are needed to create this effect.
Gemcutting & Jewelcrafting | 261
 A #026 CORAL

According to a Greek myth, the first red coral was created

from the blood of Medusa, murdered and beheaded by
Perseus. The Benin people of Nigeria consider corals the
guardians of the sea and are wearing them as a symbol of
status. This belief was and is still shared by many cultures,
from Ancient Egyptians to India to Nepal to Poland. Coral
ornaments have been approved as fit for royalty and included
in many cultures' wedding and burial ceremonies. The coral
ornaments found in graves in Wiesbaden (Germany) are
estimated to be roughly 25,000 years old.

That being said, the increased consumption and harvesting

of corals is leading them to a global collapse. With the exception of blue coral, the jewelry-
grade coral doesn't create reefs and is harvested by dredging the sea bed. This highly
destructive method is indiscriminate and causes massive, irreparable damage to everything
on its path, including coral beds. In shallower waters, corals are harvested by scuba divers
with chisels and crowbars, which has lead to almost complete depletion of easily-reachable
coral. The attempts at recreating the growing conditions of red coral in sustainable 'coral
farms' have, so far, failed miserably. Be responsible, don't buy it at all.

A #027 DIAMOND

Since antiquity, diamond was considered indomitable; in

fact, that where its name comes from—adamas in Greek.
Contrary to our modern expectations, it wasn't all that
popular; raw diamonds lack luster and it took humanity
many thousands of years to master the art of cutting them
to extract the beauty within. They were prized for their
durability—and not much else. Only in India, considered
in the past the only place where diamonds grew, diamonds
had more meaning: far-reaching apotropaic powers, wide
medicinal applications, and religious significance.

Of course, as we have unlocked methods of cutting diamonds,

their popularity only grew. The most known gem of the kind
is the Koh-i-Noor diamond, whose legal ownership by the British royalty is heavily contested
by governments of India, Pakistan, Iran, and Afghanistan. According to the legend, it was
found in the 13th-century India and passed through many hands in south and west Asia until
it was 'surrendered' to Queen Victoria in 1849—and then promptly re-cut, as the British
visitors of The Great Exhibition of 1851 failed to be impressed with its 'dull appearance.'

The perception of diamonds as the ultimate gem has been manufactured by the De Beers,
the world's largest mining company for the most of the 20th century. Thankfully, after many
years of human rights violations, bloody civil wars, price fixing schemes, and environmental
pollution, we are slowly moving away from diamond mining to lab-grown diamonds. Same
sheen, fraction of the price, none of the spilled blood.

320 | References

Krzysztof Szmytkiewicz (Order #40778404)

 A #028 ELECTRUM

Like other naturally occurring metals, electrum was used

by humanity for millennia—at least since Old Kingdom of
Egypt, c. 2700—2200 BCE. The Egyptians used it for many
ornamental purposes, the most notable of which were
pyramidions, uppermost pieces of pyramids and obelisks.
Afterwards, Greeks started using electrum as currency,
with every coin controlled for weight. However, as there
were no methods of calculating the exact proportions of
metals in the alloy, the real worth of each coin (but not its
purchase power) varied. Culturally, the most known use of
electrum is in Homer's Illiad: Achilles' armor was made by
Hephaestus from electrum and other precious metal and
bestowed many mysterious powers upon its wearer.

A #029 EMERALD

For over 6,000 years, emeralds have been considered one

of the most valuable gems, prized by the ancient Incas,
Egyptians, Romans, and Greeks. The Egyptian Book of
the Dead says that they were a gift from Thoth, the god of
magic. Emeralds were thought to improve one's chances in
the afterlife, and queen Cleopatra was known for her love
for those stones—and generosity in sharing them with her
favorites and visitors (a virtue which is not much reduced
by the modern science recognizing most of them as well-
colored peridots).

The beauty of emeralds gave birth to many stories about their origins: that they come from
nests of griffons; that they come from a crown that Satan was wearing while still in Heaven;
that they used to be fireflies; or even that they are made of the bile of a demon dismembered
by the gods for the sin of cow-stealing.

A #030 FELDSPAR

Given its abundance in the Earth's crust (up to 60%), it is not

surprising how little folklore is there about feldspar—it was
never rare enough to spark imagination, with the exception
of the gemstone varieties. It is, however, a fascinating group
of minerals, so similar to each other in structure and physical
properties, that they're all known under this single name.
The decision to make feldspar responsible for all kinds of
earth manipulation magic is pure whimsy of the author—but
if we allow for spells that turn stone to mud and vice versa,
magic interacting with feldspar is the only explanation.

References | 321

Krzysztof Szmytkiewicz (Order #40778404)

 Bibliography
Claude Lecouteux, A Lapidary of
Sacred Stones: Their Magical and
Medicinal Powers Based on the Earliest
Sources
This book is an absolute treasure for every-
one interested in the 'classics'—by which
I mean the Greco-Roman sphere of influ-
ence, Arabic writers, and medieval Europe.
Painstakingly researched and referenced,
it is the best source of historical lore on the
subject, albeit geographically and cultural-
ly limited.
Michael O'Donoghue, Gemstones
A really useful book on gemology, used
extensively in writing the introductory
chapters. It covers physical and chemical
properties of gems, explains well crystal
structures, chemical basics of coloration,
various treatments, types of organic and
inorganic gemstones, and imitation mate-
rials. As far as I'm concerned, this book is
a gem on its own.
Diane Morgan, Gemlore
This is the book I'd like to write if I had
about 10 more years for research. An amaz-
ing compilation of hundreds of sources,
legends, myths, and traditions. It is much
more in depth than what I was trying to
achieve here; on the flip side, it covers only
34 most popular gems. Highly recommend-
ed if you are interested in additional histor-
ical content on them. Might not be useful
for TTRPG creators, but it's a great read for
satisfying curiosity.
350 | Bibliography
Krzysztof Szmytkiewicz (Order #40778404)
Robert Allen Bartlett, Real Alchemy:
A Primer of Practical Alchemy
There is a tradition in the art of alchemy to
write in a way that will be obscure and in-
comprehensible to the uninitiated. Bartlett
ignored it completely. This book is perfectly
understandable for people who did not ob-
sess over alchemy, occult, and witchcraft
since kindergarten, and as such—much
easier to recommend.
Dan Green, The Rock & Gem Book
(Smithsonian series)
A great starter for those interested in ge-
ology, regardless of age. Lots of beautiful
photos, short (but not banal) descriptions,
well organized, and visually appealing. It
has the flavor of a child's encyclopedia, but
since when is that a bad thing?
Scott Cunningham, Cunningham's
Encyclopedia of Crystal, Gem &
Metal Magic
A Wicca classic. While it falls under the
pop-occult category, it is popular in a good
sense: easy to find second-hand, widely
available at a reasonable price, and accessi-
ble. A solid start into the topic.
Charles McRaven, The Blacksmith's
Craft: A Primer of Tools & Methods
A good introduction to the basics of black-
smithing for a hobbyist wanting to open
a forge. Covers a variety of techniques, and
includes matters of shoeing horses and
making income from your backyard forge.
 WEBSITES
Wikipedia.org
As always, a perfect starting point for re-
search—mostly because it makes it easy to
pinpoint the avenues for future investiga-
tion. I've been jumping between a couple lan-
guage versions, but the English one is okay.
Geology.com
Features in-depth articles by geologists
on virtually every mineral, rock, and gem-
stone. Also includes news from the field of
geology which were an interesting distrac-
tion while writing this book.
Minerals.net
An incredible collection of well organized
data on minerals and gemstones, complete
with crystal habit drawings and full gal-
leries of fascinating specimens. It has an
option of filtering by color, which is more
useful than one would expect
Mindat.org
A database on minerals, their localities,
deposits, and mines. Contains the most de-
tailed descriptions among all of these web-
sites, down to x-ray powder defraction data.
It's unlikely that you will need it—but if you
do, this website has everything.
Smithsonian Institution (si.edu)
This book would not be possible if not for
the Smithsonian's Mineral Sciences Depart-
ment and their photographs of gems, miner-
als, and metals, most of them released into
the Public Domain, which made illustrating
this book a thousand times easier endeavor.
Gemological Institute of America
(gia.edu)
The prettiest of websites included. GIA is
a non-profit institute delivering knowledge
about gems and jewelry, advice on pricing
and buying, most common cuts, history and
lore of gemstones, notes on treatments, syn-
thetics, and imitations—basically, all the
gemological lore you might require for your
writing and worldbuilding needs.
Krzysztof Szmytkiewicz (Order #40778404)
NOTABLE PRIMARY SOURCES
Rig Veda (ca. 1500 BCE)
Ji Ni Zi (ca. 350 BCE)
Aristotle, Meteorology (ca. 300 BCE)
Theophrastus, Of Stones (ca. 300 BCE)
Pliny the Elder, Natural History (ca. 80)
Zosimos of Panopolis, Cheirokmeta (ca. 300)
Epiphanius, Biblical Lapidary (ca. 400)
Isidore of Seville, Etymologiae (ca. 600)
Jābir ibn Hayyān, The Jabirian Corpus
(ca. 800)
Marbod, Lapidaire en Vers (ca. 1100)
Albertus Magnus, De Mineralibus (ca. 1250)
Camillus Leonardus, Mirror of Stones
(1502)
Georgius Agricola, De Natura Fossilium
(1546)
Conrad Gesner, De Omne Rerum Fossilium
(1565)
Li Shizhen, Běncǎo Gāngmù (Compendium of
Materia Medica) (1596)
Anselmus Boëtius de Boodt, Gemmarum et
Lapidum Historia (1609)
Thomas Nicols, A Lapidary: or, the History
of Pretious Stones, with Cautions for the
Undeceiving of All Those That Deal with
Pretious Stones (1652)
Robert Boyle, An Essay About the Origine
and Virtues of Gems (1672)
Robert Pitt, The Craft and Frauds of Physick
Expos’d (1703)
Bibliography | 351
 #001 Agate #002 Aluminum #003 Amber #004 Amethyst #005 Ammolite
(44—45) (46—47) (48—49) (50—51) (52—53)

#006 Antimony #007 Apatite #008 Aquamarine #009 Azurite #010 Basalt
(54—55) (56—57) (58—59) (60—61) (62—63)

#011 Beryl #012 Bismuth #013 Bloodstone #014 Bone #015 Brass
(64—65) (66—67) (68—69) (70—71) (72—73)

#016 Bronze #017 Calcite #018 Chalcedony #019 Chalk #020 Charcoal
(74—75) (76—77) (78—79) (80—81) (82—83)

#021 Chrysoberyl #022 Citrine #023 Clay #024 Coal #025 Copper
(84—85) (86—87) (88—89) (90—91) (92—93)

352 | Metal & Mineral Visual Guide

Krzysztof Szmytkiewicz (Order #40778404)

 #026 Coral #027 Diamond #028 Electrum #029 Emerald #030 Feldspar
(94—95) (96—97) (98—99) (100—101) (102—103)

#031 Flint #032 Fluorite #033 Fossil #034 Fulgurite #035 Garnet
(104—105) (106—107) (108—109) (110—111) (112—113)

#036 Gold #037 Granite #038 Graphite #039 Gypsum #040 Hematite
(114—115) (116—117) (118—119) (120—121) (122—123)

#041 Ice #042 Iron #043 Ivory #044 Jade #045 Jasper
(124—125) (126—127) (128—129) (130—131) (132—133)

#046 Jet #047 Kaolinite #048 Labradorite #049 Lapis Lazuli #050 Lava
(134—135) (136—137) (138—139) (140—141) (142—143)

Metal & Mineral Visual Guide | 353

Krzysztof Szmytkiewicz (Order #40778404)

 — GEOLOGIST'S PRIMER —
o A guide to real-world magical metals,
rocks, and minerals.
o A mix of ethnomythology, folklore, crystal
magic, occult, and science.
o A fully illustrated, thoroughly researched
resource for writers and world-builders.
o An all-in-one book for miners, collectors,
alchemists, and magicians—perfect as an
in-world item and applicable in all fantasy
(and most modern) settings.
o A system-agnostic toolkit for game
masters everywhere, complete with tips
on including gems in your campaigns
and creating new, exciting gemstones.

Krzysztof Szmytkiewicz (Order #40778404)