Goldstone

Information about Goldstone Glass

Goldstone is an interesting man made glass which is created in blue, red, and green.

It is often sold polished, as tumblestones or carvings or jewellery. The rough pieces are not especially common but can be purchased for lapidary – although precautions should be taken as they are a form of glass.

The glass is created by mixing glass and metal in an oxygen reducing furnace atmosphere; crystallisation allows the metal to become shiny inclusions in the glass itself.

Red and Blue Goldstones are the most common, and contain Copper and Cobalt respectively. Green Goldstone takes its colour from Chromium oxides.

While one manufacturing process for Goldstone was invented in Venice in the seventeenth century, there is archaeological evidence that it was made in the 12-13th Century in Iran.

Chemistry and Manufacture

Goldstone consists of normal silica glass with metal inclusions – Copper oxide, Cobalt, Manganese, or Chromium Oxides.

It measures around 6 on the mohs scale, depending on manufacturing method, and has a specific gravity between 2.50 and 2.80.

If you’re interested, you can read this 19th century recipe for the glass.

Locales

Goldstone is a man-made glass and as such doesn’t really have a ‘locale’.

Historically, it was made in Murano and Venice, in Italy. In the modern day, I’m actually having trouble finding any information but we can assume production has likely moved East, probably to China.

Hazards and Dangers

Well – Goldstone is a glass, and there are some inherent dangers to glass. If you buy rough specimens, they’ll definitely have some very sharp edges, same as if the glass is broken.

Lapidarists, cutters, and polishers should be careful too. Silica dust inhalation can cause silicosis, a very unpleasant condition.

Other Names

One popular name for this material is ‘Aventurine Glass’. It is also sometimes known as Sandstone when used in watches.

The colours are also referred to – we have red Goldstone, brown Goldstone, blue Goldstone and green Goldstone.

Spirituality and crystal healing with Goldstone glass

We offer some collated information on the supposed crystal healing and metaphysical uses of crystals below.

However, we believe crystals and crystal healing should be used alongside medicine and treatment options, not instead of them. Crystal healing can be a great way to keep a positive mindset during hard times, and it may complement any other medical treatments you are undergoing.

With the exception of an allergy to a stone, or mishandling a toxic or poisonous stone, there should be no reason reiki or crystal healing can’t be done alongside traditional medical procedures.

As a man made glass, many crystal healing practitioners claim Goldstone does not hold any power, although others do.

Many of the others believe the glass can hold the powers of the metal inclusions – red Goldstone would have the powers of Copper, etc.

Ultimately, all we can say is, if the piece feels or looks right to you, if it draws you in, it is the piece for you.

Healing Properties

People believe that blue Goldstone can be used to transmit healing energies, and help to soothe sensitivity. Because of this, its thought to be a great piece to give to empaths.

Red/Brown Goldstone has Copper inclusions, and is thought to carry many of the properties of the element. It may help to generate and cleanse energy fields, and divert negative energies into the Earth. It is also believed to help the circulatory system.

Elixirs

We do not recommend making ‘gemstone elixirs’ in general – whether you’re using a gemstone, mineral, crystal, or glass.

If you do choose to make elixirs we would recommend an indirect method, either by placing a glass full of stones into your elixir container, or by placing the stones around the outside of your elixir container. Some people suggest using Quartz points alongside these stones in order to amplify and direct the energy into the water.

As Goldstone contains metal inclusions, it should never be left in contact with liquids.

Chakras

Some people say brown/red Goldstone is helpful for the sacral chakra due to the colour of the material. Others believe it can be used with the Root chakra.

Blue Goldstone, however, is usually associated with the heart, throat, and crown Chakras.

Zodiac Sign

Most sources seem to suggest Goldstone is perfect for Sagittarius.

Translations

Spotted a mistake? Let us know!

External links and further reading

Wikipedia page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goldstone_(glass)

Mindat page: https://www.mindat.org/min-11403.html