Home > Articles > Gemstones

Gemstones

Home > Articles > Gemstones

Gemstones
June 2009

Humankind has had a special relationship to precious stones for many thousands of years. Countless religious artifacts and monarchs' crowns are elaborately decorated with them. Precious stones sparkle and shine, literally dazzling us with their glow. Time and again, we marvel at precious necklaces made of rubies or pearls; some individuals even report extraordinary effects from wearing them.

What are precious stones, how are they created and how do they influence us? Precious stones are special formations in the earth as a result of purification, crystallization and conversion processes in combination with warmth processes of the earth. They come about through precipitation or melting and are distinct from the surrounding rock. This means that one finds passages of purest translucent crystals embedded in dark rock. Precious stones clearly demonstrate what degree of purity is possible in minerals. Enthusiasts know from experience how they react to certain stones and how they can guide the soul.

For decades, Dr. Hauschka Skin Care have harnessed the power of precious stones in many of their products. For instance, malachite in the Rhythmic Conditioner Sensitive has been an integral part of the Dr. Hauschka care concept for decades. As a result, the company possesses a wealth of experience in the use of malachite in cosmetic applications. Additional precious stones such as Tourmaline, Ruby and Amber have been integrated into the development of the new Intensive Treatments formulations.

Below is some information on precious stones currently being used in Dr. Hauschka products: Indicolite, Amber, Ruby and Argentite.

Indicolite
or blue tourmaline, is relatively rare. In contrast to other precious stones, which typically include one type of trace metal as a coloring agent, tourmaline may contain up to 40 elements. They include iron, magnesium, manganese and lithium. Tourmaline is an outstanding example of how a variety of different elements are united in a harmonious whole. The Indicolite is also known as the healing stone. It's key function in Dr Hauschka's Intensive Treatment 03 is to strengthen hypersensitive skin while calming and healing redness and inflammation.

Amber
or amber powder has its etymological origins in the Low German "bernen" = brennen = to burn, which refers to amber's combustibility. It is also sometimes called succinite or Baltic Gold. Amber actually comes from the sap of ancient conifers which has aged over the course of millions of years and undergone countless changes. It looks like a yellowish-brown stone, but is astonishingly light when held in the hand. Amber is often used to help deal with changes. At the emotional level, amber is said to help release that which is old and hardened and pave the way for new positive feelings. Dr Hauschka Intensive Treatment 04 uses Amber along with other active ingredients to revitalize skin that is showing its first signs of aging.

Ruby
is a red gemstone and is created through the rising of hot molten rock (magma). Its blood-red color has always made it a coveted stone. In ancient times, ruby was reserved exclusively for kings. Perfect crystals, however, are extremely rare in nature and are also typically very small. Traces of the element chromium account for its fiery color. Raw crystals are usually dull and translucent or transparent. Once polished, the gemstone shines like glass or diamonds and are often worn as jewelry. Ruby is one of the oldest traditional healing stones, associated with promoting individualization. This may visibly manifest itself in the form of harmonious one of the oldest traditional healing stones, associated with promoting individualization. This may visibly manifest itself in the form of harmonious blood circulation in the skin. Dr Hauschka's Intensive Treatment 05 harnesses the power of Ruby to reduce blotchiness associated with hot flashes and fluctuations of temperature during menopause.

Argentite
comes from "argentum", the Latin word for silver. Argentite is also known as silver-glance or acanthite. It is a silver sulphide, lead-grey to black in color with a metallic sheen. The crystals themselves are typically small. Argentite stimulates the regenerative powers by activating the fluid processes and youthfulness of the skin. In combination with the other components of the Dr. Hauschka Rhythmic Night Conditioner it promotes the regeneration of the skin and epidermis.