Hi! Sorry to barge into this discussion! But I am tarot reader and understand the astrological aspects of a being with reference to astrology and am psychic too!

I have not studied gems and crystals so all my knowledge is that is told to me or I have connected with by experimenting with various gems and crystals!



Gems:

These are precious stones in various colors that relate to certains planets! When we are born, we carry with us certain qualities and elements within us, which makes us what we are, aura and persona and characterisitics! Some people are similar and some are different!

We normally attract those who have more of a particular vibration that is deficient with us! For example, if I have more of mars energy and someone has less of it, they will automatically want to connect with me because life becomes easy for them with my presence or I may repel those who have more of the same energy that I have! (This is just an example)

Hence, gems vibrate on a certain level and give the rays to a person who uses them for healing any aspect of their lives! Gems are to be worn on certain fingers since astrology designates those fingers to their respective planets!

Crystals:

They are natural stones which create energy and a  feeling of elation, mostly used in healing and bringing positive energies in the environment! They are also good absorbers so they are very powerful healers!

Thanks Brightnight for helping me to understand that.  Now I can see the difference.  So thats why theres birth stones and such?  

So I'm assuming the term Gemology is for people who study this aspect of Gems etc.  Well correct me if I'm wrong (I can hear the keys on keyboards now tapping away...hehe) then gems and crystals and the intent from both sides is healing and using them to help us gain our full potential and balance us appropriately.  

Theres so much information and so much to learn...how exciting!

Thanks to Brightnight and Flight for the explanations (Flight, you didn't do that bad, really, just that you sometimes use terms I don't know in your answers, certainly no short circuit in your explanations!)  Lots to learn, I see.

Hey Flight and Earl!

Thanks for the appreciation!

Flight, you asked about gems! As I see it, gems are used to complete a certain vibration, color or ray that is lacking in out body, aura or our being!


Each gem has certain qualities of being hot, cold, having ultra violet rays, etc
A lack of any of this in our body can result in variuos diseases and hence gems are used to cure them.

Gems are also used to sort out problems that a person has in their relations, work, whatever and the study of the astrological chart lets us know what exactly is deficient or what is wrong! However crystals are more general and they have a power of attraction and absorbing vibes, while gmes give those vibes!

Crystals are used to create a positive environment, positive being as they can attract the negative energies fast and hence need to be cleansed regularly!!!

I shall give my example here, I wear a bracelet with nine gems(main planets that influence a birth chart) to be a healthy me-mentally, physically and emotionally too!

Phewwwwww! Lol  

Some interesting replies, thanks

I just wanted to add a few ideas that may set some off researching more

The funny thing is... ALL gemstones ARE crystals lol!  There is no difference when looking from a crystal healers point of view, though Coral, Pearl, and Amber are organics, they do not have a crystalline structure but are worn and set in jewellery and so commonly fall under the heading crystals or gemstones.

Each stone has its own unique properties and energy vibrations.  

However from the ancient vedic gemologist's point of view ( and not all are in agreement with this) there are only 9 gemstones or nav-ratnas that count or matter and four more minor ones. All the others are thought to be inauspicious, bad luck or 'dirty'. Substitutions are thought to be dangerous.


Sun        Ruby (Maanik)                           2 Carats Gold,        on ring finger
Moon      Pearl (Moti)                                2 Carats Silver, on ring finger
Mars       Red Coral (Munga)                     3 Carats Gold or Silver, on ring finger    
Mercury  Emerald (Panna)                         1.5 carats  Gold, on ring or little finger
Jupiter    Yellow Sapphire (Pukhraj)         2 carat  Gold or silver on middle finger
Saturn     Blue Sapphire (Neelam)        2 carats Gold, on middle finger
Rahu      Hessonite ( cinnamon garnet) (Gomed)                 3 carats Gold or Silver, on middle finger
Ketu       Cat’s eye Chrysoberyl (Lahsuniya)     3 carats  Gold, in middle finger



.....only clean top quality gems are considered to be desirable. Sri Agni Puranam, chap. 246, slokas 7 & 8: states, "A gem free from all impurities and radiating its characteristic internal luster should be looked upon as an escort of good luck; A gem which is cracked, fissured, devoid of luster, or appearing rough or sandy, should not be used at all."

There are two widely debated opposing philosophies, viz., Anukul-vad v/s Pratikul-vad

ANUKULA-VAD: A Jyotish Gem will act "SAME" as it's planet - So gems should be chosen for Anukul (favorable) birth planets.
PRATIKUL-VAD: A Jyotish Gem will act "OPPOSITE" of it's planet - So gems should be chosen for Pratikul (unfavorable) birth planets.

The cost of these settings and gemstones is very expensive, much more than using a piece of raw ruby to balance a base chakra or holding a tumblestone of hematite for grounding.  Perhaps thats why so few were able to practise it?