Back in the 90's I wrote a book on the evolving chakra system and one of the sections was on the hand and its relation with color and gems.
Here is a short on what I put in the section.

Now the color listed can relate to stones and minerals

The Left hand is first as it is the incoming energy.
Thumb is White and related to the 19th chakra
Index is  Red and related to the 1st chakra
Middle is Orange and is related to the 1st thru 4th chakra
Ring is yellow and is related to the 5th chakra
Little is green and is related to the 6th chakra
The palm is Aqua and is related to the 10th chakra
The heal of the hand is Black and is related to absorbing The negative energies.

The Right hand is your projection side
Thumb is Gold and is related to the 17th chakra
Index is silver and is related to the 7th chakra
Middle is Purple and is related to ENERGY
Ring is Indigo and is related to the 9th chakra
The Palm is violet and related to the 15th chakra
The Heal is White to Gold and is related to the 19 chakra.

Now the colors that are associated with each of the parts of the hand can be used in healing techniques as well

I know you are not familiar with the new chakra system that I wrote but some of the basics as to color and the color of the stone is always easy to get the information.
You can always get the gemstones at any local psychic fair or from any number of sellers online.

I hope this helps.

It is prohably one of the easiest stones for beginners to use. Clear quartz points are can be extreamly powerful, used for many applications and easily cleaned and recharged. the points on them have diffrent meanings and uses, but when you are just starting to work with them, it is more important to find one that you are connected to

thanks to everyone for their advice so far.  i certainly have some more research to do.  however, all of your comments certainly open my eyes to the energies of things that i have previously thought served only "decorative" purposes.

A new weekly booklet with a different crystal is now available
every fortnight in newsagents in Sydney Australia, I
just purchased the first one which had a rose quartz crystal
and a booklet with information which was quite inpressive.

angel2007

In order to start with gems you can read the book..Healing Power of gems and stones by V.Rajsushila..It is a good book for beginners and would help you understand the gem powers but do not wear any gem with the methods prescribed in the book as that sholud only be done after consulting to a qualified gemologist.
Take Care.