Stone type | Ornamental |
Prevalence (Deposits) | Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean, Mediterranean Sea, Pacific Ocean |
Varieties | Abalone, giant heliotis, discoid heliotis, abalone, donkey's ear, superb heliotis, spotted heliotis, rainbow heliotis |
Transparency | Opaque |
Shine | Pearl |
Mohs hardness scale | 6 |
Color | White, green, red, black |
Owner's color type | Not found |
Owner's temperament | Not found |
Names | Not found |
Zodiac sign | Aquarius, Leo, Cancer, Pisces |
Date of Birth | from January 21 to February 18 from June 22 to July 22 from July 23 to August 22 from February 19 to March 20 |
Chinese horoscope | Not found |
Element | Water, Earth |
Planet | Not found |
Day of the week | Not found |
Month | Not found |
Season | Not found |
Numerology vibration | Not found |
Chakra | Not found |
What stones is it compatible with? | Not found |
What stones is it not compatible with? | Not found |
Therapeutic effect (problems) | Allergies, detoxification, immunity, pigmentation, tone enhancement, chronic diseases |
Therapeutic effect (on organs) | Skin, respiratory organs, hearing organs |
Magic properties | Creative development, difficult life situations, luck, strengthening relationships, black magic, energy depletion |
Heliotis is the name of a stone also known as mother of pearl.
For a long time, people have endowed it with magical properties and actively used it in healing practices. Despite the difficulty of extracting this mineral, modern jewelry manufacturers also purchase it in large quantities. Heliotis is beautiful both in its original form (usually used to create pendants) and in combined jewelry (several types of stones in equal proportions are combined to create one piece of jewelry).
Before deciding to purchase this stone for personal use, you should study not only the history of its origin, but also the main characteristics of mother-of-pearl. In addition, given the proven compatibility between minerals and representatives of specific zodiac signs, it is also advisable to understand whether Heliotis is suitable for a particular person, including from an astrological point of view.
History of the origin of heliotis
In accordance with scientific data, heliotis is called a stone or mineral only conditionally. In fact, it is the mother-of-pearl layer of the shell of mollusks of the same genus. This invertebrate has a shape similar to the shape of an ear, which was the reason for the popularization of the well-known name “heliotis”.
Since ancient times, this mineral has been mined from the depths of the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian oceans. Modern researchers have provided evidence of the presence of mother-of-pearl in the Mediterranean Sea as well.
The discoverers, thanks to the physical properties of the shell of the mollusk in question, used it as a tool. Later, the area of application of heliotis has undergone changes. It began to replace people’s dishes and serve as decoration for their homes and their own bodies. With the evolutionary flow, people came to the realization that it can be useful not only as jewelry, but also can be used as a dye added to cosmetics and medicines.
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Meaning
In the ocean depths there are several species of mollusks that produce minerals of different colors. Mother of pearl is found in black, white, purple, and dark red colors. The most expensive stones are those with sky blue and pink tints.
The strong energy and characteristics of the mineral have a powerful influence on its owner, but the meaning is revealed only to people with good intentions.
Heliotis served as currency and was used in meditation. Ancient astrologers believed that the shell served as a cosmic conductor. Today, mother of pearl is added to cosmetic creams that cleanse, whiten and rejuvenate the skin. In the East, they still use dishes inlaid with gems, because they believe that by eating food from them, they prolong life and gain longevity.
Appearance and physical properties
To understand what heliotis looks like, it is enough to imagine an ordinary mollusk shell. It has a flattened shape and a ribbed surface. This “shell” is formed due to deposits of limestone, protein molecules and calcium carbonate. Its dimensions can reach 20 cm in length.
The inner layer, mother-of-pearl, is named for its ability to refract daylight rays into all the colors of the rainbow. Therefore, if you look at the sink during the day, you can see on its surface a large number of multi-colored tints, combining a variety of shades and saturation options for the basic colors.
The physical properties of heliotis, determined by gemologists and petrologists, include:
Physical property | Actual characteristics |
Most common colors | black, white, red, green and their shades |
Stone class | organogenic mineral |
Durability level | maximum for its type |
Hardness | up to 6 units according to the generally accepted Moss scale |
Average density | 3 g/m3 |
Varieties of mineral
Heliotis, despite being itself a type of mother-of-pearl, has received an additional internal classification for its subtypes. It is based on differences in the color of the iridescence. Contrary to popular belief, the shade of mother-of-pearl does not depend on the presence of a specific pigment, but is determined solely by the structure of the mollusk shell itself.
It consists of tiny layers with small “air cushions” between them. Thanks to this design, the refraction of daylight rays occurs, which is perceived by the human eye as a tint of color on the inner surface of the shell.
Experts count about 51 types of the mineral in question. The most common in practice is:
- giant heliotis;
- discoid heliotis;
- rainbow heliotis;
- excellent heliotis;
- donkey ear;
- abalone;
- abalone;
- spotted abalone.
Interesting! All subtypes of heliotis have original Latin names. They received colloquial names in order to facilitate their perception by people far from science, and to enable jewelry manufacturers to use understandable terms for marketing promotion of their products.
Does heliotis stone look like a mollusk shell?
Not really
Color scheme
The uniqueness of Jaliotis lies in the fact that out of thousands of specimens, no two shells are identical. The color palette of abalone, combined with its unusual patterns, resembles a kaleidoscope of intertwining purple, blue, black, orange-red, emerald and crimson colors. The play of colors is explained by the structure of the shells - they do not contain coloring pigments, but have tiny plates that refract light. Between these plates there are layers of air.
Mother of pearl, formed by other mollusks, usually does not have a bright color. His palette is cool shades of blue and pink. It is not only the spectrum of colors that distinguishes halotis from pure mother-of-pearl. The shells of these crustaceans are strong but flexible. The weakness of their particles makes halotis a shock absorber against mechanical shocks.
Healing and magical properties
Ever since the discovery of heliotis, people have been convinced of its healing and magical properties. The question of whether the mineral really has healing properties or whether its help in getting rid of diseases can be perceived solely as a “placebo effect” has remained the subject of heated debate for several years.
According to people for whom heliotis is of great importance in the fight against illnesses, this mineral has a number of obvious medicinal properties. Among them:
- Getting rid of chronic diseases.
- Strengthening the immune system.
- Cleansing the body of waste and toxins.
- Getting rid of age spots, including freckles and acne marks.
- Increasing the overall tone of the body.
- Getting rid of hearing problems, including hearing loss.
- Relieving exacerbation of respiratory tract diseases.
- Getting rid of scalp problems (dandruff, itching, irritation, etc.).
- Minimizing allergic reactions.
Important! To effectively get rid of a specific dysfunction of the body, the owner of heliotis should wear the stone in the appropriate place. For example, if you have problems with the lungs, you need to wear the mineral around your neck (like a pendant); for diseases of the hearing aid - on the ears (in the form of earrings).
In addition to its beneficial health properties, people who believe in the supernatural endow heliotis with magical characteristics. It is believed that with its help you can:
- Protect a family, team or other group of people from quarrels and scandals.
- Develop your sixth sense.
- Improve creativity.
- Protect yourself from the evil eye and damage.
- Protect from death and acquisition of bad habits.
- Increase the performance of a person or team.
- Ensure good luck and success in all your endeavors.
- Maintain stability in marital affairs.
To experience the magical properties of the mineral, you need to carry it with you constantly, as close to your body as possible, or secure it at home in a visible place.
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Heliotis and the signs of the Zodiac
According to astrological data, special stones are suitable for each zodiac sign. They become for their owners a source of physical and spiritual strength, support in maintaining health, as well as a kind of “lucky talisman” that can ensure success in all endeavors. People born under the sign of Pisces, Aquarius, Cancer and Leo should choose jewelry made from heliotis and purchase it as a gift.
For Pisces, this mineral will be the key to well-being. It will increase moral resources and protect its owners from diseases. Heliotis will help Aquarians move up the career ladder. Cancers, constantly having a mother-of-pearl stone with them, will become more confident, purposeful, and will also have the opportunity to reveal their talent from a new side.
For Leo, mother-of-pearl will be a source of spiritual balance and a way to minimize the aggression, hot temper and sensitivity characteristic of this zodiac sign.
Reliable talisman
Heliotis stone jewelry is ideal for artists, composers and painters. Mother of pearl awakens creativity and inspires action.
- Haliotis talismans preserve family comfort and tranquility, and protect the personal happiness of spouses.
- In Ancient Rus', the shell was used to make household items, and was also presented as a gift to newlyweds on the occasion of their wedding.
- In Japan, vessels with mother-of-pearl are still considered a valuable wedding gift.
- Jewelry with heliotis brings good luck only to people with clear, bright thoughts. The talisman creates a positive energy field and attracts good, reliable friends.
- Jewelry that has sank into the soul forever has a special power.
Unbaptized babies are given a mother-of-pearl talisman. It is believed that it protects babies from evil spirits.
Areas of application
Heliotis is most often used in jewelry production. It is either combined with other stones and metals, such as silver and gold, or hung on a regular thread as a pendant. In addition to jewelry and jewelry, mother-of-pearl is also inserted into watch dials to give them a status look.
The mineral in question is also often used to create:
- talismans and amulets;
- cosmetics and care products;
- astrological amulets;
- dishes.
Many small accessories made from mother-of-pearl heliotis are also produced for the consumer market. Among them are buttons, pocket mirrors, figurines and so on.
Jewelry
Types of heliotis products
What kinds of jewelry have not been made by masters throughout time. They decorated everything with mollusk shells, from beads and bracelets to furniture and household items. Earrings, rings, pendants, necklaces, bracelets, necklaces, and brooches were made from haliotis. The products are striking due to the unique design of the stone.
Swiss watch manufacturers were also inspired by the magic of mother-of-pearl stone. Dials decorated with this original stone look especially attractive.
Most often, jewelry is framed with tin, silver or cupronickel. Gold is used less frequently than others. Prices for jewelry with sea mother of pearl are affordable. Typically, aballon is combined in products with turquoise and pearls, coral, malachite and jet. This combination of stones will captivate any look.
Heliotis is used to decorate clothing buttons, vases, jewelry boxes, wristwatches, mirrors and snuff boxes. And dishes are made from large types of shells.
Product selection and care
When choosing jewelry, you need to know the difference between a fake and an original. Even if the price of real haliotis is not so expensive, fakes still come across. They can be in the form of plastic, which is covered with fake mother-of-pearl or simply crumbled.
Signs of a genuine paua shell:
- Sound when knocking. The original stone will produce a ringing sound when tapped on a wooden surface, but the sound from plastic will be dull. In addition, mother-of-pearl sprayed onto plastic will wear off. Only a genuine aballon will withstand a strong blow, the rest will crack or break.
- Uniqueness of the pattern. When choosing jewelry from several elements, you should pay attention to the designs: on all elements they should be different and unique. In fakes they are usually similar to each other.
- View of the interior. The reverse side of a real shell looks matte and dull. But with a fake, everything is perfect on both sides.
Before you buy something with heliotis, you need to get in the right mood and try to establish contact with the stone. Products with chaliotis should be combined with dim things of a calm tone.
The basic rule for caring for a stone is to always wear it. Since it is a sea stone, it needs warmth and water, which it can draw from the human body. Interior products must be sprayed with water.
Products with these stones are very fragile, even if they are considered the hardest of their kind. They require special care. They should not come into contact with cosmetics, as this will cause the shine and natural charm to be lost. Also, they should not be stored together with other stones - this will adversely affect the stone. The product should be cleaned without detergents, with regular warm water. Can be wiped with a soft cloth.
How to distinguish from a fake
Despite the low cost, it is not uncommon for people to try to fake Heliotis. You can distinguish the original in several ways:
- Check for strength. A real stone will have a coherent structure, dense and resistant to external influences. Counterfeits are usually more fragile and can crack if simply pressed with a finger.
- Tap the product on a wooden surface. If the mineral is real, then there will be no dull sound. The copy will give itself away not only with an echoing hum, but also with the possible occurrence of chipped paint or varnish.
- Evaluate the pattern of the shell. It must be complex. If there are two similar mother-of-pearl on the store counter, you can be sure that these stones are not real.
Important! Having an idea of what properties a real mother-of-pearl mineral has, it will be very easy to distinguish its replica. It is almost impossible even for a professional jeweler and artist to fake heliotis in a high-quality manner.
Place of Birth
Biruni wrote: “Oyster pearls, like chickens or fish, throw seed into the sea, which is why mother-of-pearl also occurs.”
In fact, the shining miracle is now extracted from “waste shells” in pearl farms. Don't let good things go to waste...
Japan
Ceylon
Borneo
Persian Gulf
In some countries, mother of pearl is extracted from “wild shells.”
These are mainly southern countries:
- Japan;
- Ceylon;
- Borneo;
- Pacific Islands;
- Persian Gulf.
Main conclusions
- Heliotis is a mother-of-pearl layer of a mollusk shell, which has been used by people for domestic purposes for several decades.
- Having a high strength and density, the mineral in question is used for the manufacture of jewelry, dishes, cosmetics, talismans, amulets and costume jewelry.
- Heliotis has magical and healing properties, including strengthening the immune system, getting rid of chronic diseases, increasing stamina and protecting against the evil eye and damage.
- Mother of pearl will help in business and protect from the negative influence of Pisces, Aquarius, Cancer and Leo.
Heliotis, despite the fact that it is not considered a precious stone, is very popular among lovers of costume jewelry and unique amulets. Its ability to refract daylight in a variety of ways makes it versatile for home or office decoration.
When purchasing a product made from this mineral, provided that the original was used in production and not a replica, a person can be confident in the durability of his purchase and its ability to serve its owner for a long time.
Share your experience of wearing heliotis and leave feedback in the comments.
Interesting Facts
The largest pearl that the haliotis brought into the world turned into a legend called the “Big Pink Pearl”. This gastropod, the creator of the pearl, was found in a nature reserve in California 29 years ago. It weighed 469 carats.
In addition to this, prehistoric traces of chaliotis have been found. Jewelry made from this stone and dishes were used by the Indians in the era before the discovery of America by Columbus.
Heliotis is one of the wonderful creations of nature. These stones contain a huge number of qualities: they are fascinating, inspiring, beautiful and very useful. Heliotis served as inspiration for many artists. One of them is the Russian artist, M. A. Vrubel. His painting entitled “Pearl” shows the connection between man and nature, in which both worlds are connected with mother-of-pearl colors.