Updating Your Seasonal Wardrobe: Wintery Gemstones

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Winter arrived a while back in Australia, calling for changes in the way we dress and present ourselves. Particularly in Melbourne, light and floaty summer attire is exchanged for darker colours, warmer materials and different textures, which only calls to change our accessories too. 

Onyx, Black Tourmaline & Obsidian

To reflect the cooler weather, it is common to opt for darker gemstones and thicker, bolder styles. Monochromatic tones are favoured, with many natural gemstones encapsulating this. Onyx, Tourmaline and Obsidian all have deep black varieties that are bold and beautiful and are perfect from the cooler months, when you want to rid your wardrobe of spring and summer colours. Aside from all of the black gemstones that are loved as winter pieces, here are a few other options that could fit in perfectly to your collection. 

Dendritic Opal

Dendritic Opal is a stunning natural Australian gemstone, which is loved for its unique appearance. The most distinctive feature of Dendritic Opal is its dendritic inclusions. These resemble miniature landscapes, trees, or ferns, and are formed by the crystallisation of manganese or iron oxide in branching patterns. Each piece of Dendritic Opal is unique due to the random formation of these inclusions. The base colour of Dendritic Opal is usually white, milky, or translucent, though it can also be found in shades of grey, brown, or even black. The dendritic inclusions are often dark brown or black, creating a striking contrast against the lighter background. The bare tree look created by these inclusions are reminiscent of trees without their leaves at winter time, perhaps against a snowy backdrop, making this gemstone a perfect pick for the winter months. 

Labradorite

Labradorite is a feldspar mineral that is known for its remarkable optical effect called labradorescence, a kind of light diffraction. This gemstone is prized for its unique and captivating play of colours, which makes it highly sought after in jewellery pieces. Its deep coloured background and light shimmer at the surface gives this gemstone a noticeable dazzle, making it the perfect wintery piece to add to your wardrobe. In Inuit folklore, it was believed that the Aurora Borealis was trapped inside Labradorite; both this light phenomenon and this beautiful gemstone occur along the Labrador coastline of Canada. In crystal healing, Labradorite is believed to be a stone of transformation and protection. It is said to enhance intuition, banish fears, and strengthen faith in oneself.

Scolecite

Another gemstone with wintery connotations is Scolecite, which can be found in a snowy white tone, with a powdery, light appearance. In the realm of crystal healing, Scolecite is believed to promote inner peace, tranquillity, and restful sleep. It is thought to enhance meditation, facilitate spiritual transformation, and help with communication and clarity of mind. Its stunning appearance has a wintery feel and a silky look, which is eye-catching amongst the muted and often deeper colours worn in the winter months. 

Wild Horse

A gemstone you may not have heard of, which has natural colourings perfect for the winter months is the beautiful Wild Horse. This gemstone exhibits a variety of patterns, ranging from spider web-like networks to more random, blotchy designs. Each piece of Wild Horse gemstone is unique due to these natural variations. In the metaphysical world, the Wild Horse gemstone is believed to promote relaxation, stress relief, and emotional balance. It is thought to help with grounding and centering one's energy, making it a popular choice for meditation and healing practices.

Changing your own look in accordance with the time of year can allow you to feel more in tune with the natural world, with outfits and accessories acting as a signifier for seasonal change. Additionally, this gives you a way to experiment with different styles and colours - maybe during the summertime, you feel drawn to pastel colours and dainty styles, but during the winter you feel more connected with deep tones and alternative patterns.