In honor of Halloween, we've turned our eye to the ways in which our jewels can be used as talismans to ward off ghosts and goblins. Beautiful, rare, sparkling baubles make our hearts race with their glamorous glitz and complete our best ensembles, but did you know that they can also protect you from an incubus in the night (assuming you want to be protected from an incubus…check Wikipedia before you answer)? Read on to find out why a little splurge can make all the difference this All Hallows Eve.

ONYX

Onyx is a great stone to wear when investigating paranormal activity because it protects from harmful spirits and can prevent a spirit from draining your psychic energy. It is said to shield one against psychic attack by absorbing and transmuting negative energy, making it a particularly potent protection against black magic.

CARNELIAN

Used by the Ancient Egyptians to ward off evil spirits, Carnelian has a long history of spiritually protective powers attributed to it. Not only is it said to guard one against injury caused by falling walls or buildings, various peoples have used it to forestall the devil, block nefarious attempts to read their mind, and as protection from spells. 

DIAMOND

When a diamond is freely given (as opposed to – gasp – purchased for oneself) legend says that its powers are activated and can be quite numerous. The Ancient Romans were said to wear diamonds on the left side of the body to guard against night demons, and the stone is today still thought to impart restful hours of nightmare-free sleep to its wearers. In the middle ages diamonds were used as amulets against demons, cowardice, plague, pestilence and sorcery. According to medieval lore, if you hold a diamond in your left hand while reciting the lord’s prayer you’ll be safe from enemies, all manner of wild and venomous beasts, and from going mad.

Hematite, Jasper, and Tigers Eye

A combination of Hematite, Jasper, and Tigers Eye can be quite annoying to intrusive spirits and spells. Hematite, from the latin meaning "blood stone”, is an all purpose protective mineral that is the main ore of iron. The Ancient Roman, Pliny, thought hematite a cure for the evil eye, a magical, malevolent glare that brings bad luck, accident, ill health, and all manners of calamity to an unfortunate victim. Jasper can also offer general protection, but is potent against evil spirits and is said to deter venomous creatures. Tiger eye, along with added protection from the evil eye, bolsters a wearers courage and can ward off harmful spirit intrusions. It’s said to possess supernatural qualities that can possibly even make one invisible (though we recommend at least some undies when trying this one out for the first time).

AQUAMARINE

Aquamarine is said to magnify whatever occult powers the wearers posses. It can also counteract the lure of dark spirits and demons and at one time was thought to be an antidote to poisoning. Derived from the Roman word “aqua,” meaning water, and “mare,” meaning sea, the legend goes that these shimmery aqua stones have been taken from the treasure of mermaids to protect sailors from the perils of the sea and cure their seasickness.

OPAL & GARNET

Opals were treasured and worn by ancient monarchs not only for their beauty but for their purported protective powers. Set into crowns and worn as necklaces, opals were said to ward off evil and protect the eyesight. The stones were sometimes even ground up and ingested for their healing properties or to ward off nightmares (though it seems now that this was not a very healthy idea). Some say that opals strengthen the memory and can be used to help recall past lives.

A popular amulet of the middle ages, Garnets can be placed beneath the pillow to guard against evil spirits in the night. These stones were used for general protection against malevolent spiritual forces, to guide the wearer through darkness, and even to stop bleeding and protect from poison.

SAPPHIRE

Sapphires have long been purported to protect the wearer from misfortune, fraud, enemies, violence, the Evil Eye, and psychic attacks. According to Buddhist tradition, sapphires also have special powers to induce trances. 

PEARL

The pearl can grant their wearer extraordinary foresight, protecting them from imminent dangers, and is also an amulet that will guard against the dangers of the Evil Eye.

HOWLITE

Howlite has often been used as a bedside companion for children afraid of the dark. Though this could be explained as just another form of safety blanket, there are many who say that Howlite provides protection against unwanted ghosts and phantoms that roam the house in the night. 

LAPIS LAZULI

CORAL

During the Victorian period red coral was given to children to protect them from becoming a changeling, a fairy child swapped and left in the place of a human child. For this reason you’ll often see antique Victorian rattles with red coral incorporated. Still thought to have protective powers, coral is said to guard against demonic powers, curses, the destructive forces of the Evil Eye and to ward off visitations by succubus or incubus demons. To be effective, the coral should be worn directly against the body so that it can capture and destroy any sorcery before it reaches the wearer of the amulet.

QUARTZ

Quartz crystal is used to amplify the properties of other stones that it’s used in conjunction with (you know there’s a green aventurine chakrub, right?) but also has a long list of protective powers when used alone. Like other stones, it can be used to counter black magic, demonic possession and the Evil Eye, but interestingly also acts as a strong channel for bonding with the spirit realm and communing with higher spirits.

RUBY

Legend has it that rubies have magical powers of protection but only when worn by their rightful owner. Donned by royalty as a talisman against evil, the rich red stone was said to be a gem of prophecy – it would grow darker when danger was imminent and return to its original color when the peril had passed.