A Quest for why gemstones are used for healing

Abstract

It is believed that healing power of gemstones increases to the sense of well-being. But it’s unclear how it works.The aim of this study is to investigate the usage of the stones for therapeutic purposes by means of a survey. Inthis study, a face-to-face survey technique was employed to investigate personal reasons to use the gemstonesfor healing purposes. After 402 volunteers from various backgrounds were selected and asked them to answer 17questions, the dataset was analyzed using IBM Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). Results showedthat women are most interested in gemstones, because they are used for jewellery. The most popular healing stoneswere Agate, Amethyst, Ruby, Amber and Quartz. Their eye-catching colours together with their healing power thatare promoted in social media, strengthen the perception that natural stones can be used for healing or therapy.Healing stones also give spiritual serenity, which is the most important positive effect on people. Some reasons thatpush people to seek healing from natural stones included hoping of cure, seeking alternative medicine, knowingwhat specific stones are used as healing tools, searching ways to relieve stress and also protecting against evilspirits. It is stated that people’s hope of cure strengthens the use of these stones as a healing tool

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65
Journal of Awareness, Volume / Cilt: 7 - Issue / Sayı: 2 - Yıl / Year: 2022
Journal of Awareness
Volume / Cilt: 7, Issue / Sayı: 2, 2022, pp. 65-72
E-ISSN: 2149-6544
https://journals.gen.tr/joa
DOI: https://doi.org/10.26809/joa.7.2.02
Received / Geliş: 23.02.2022
Accepted / Kabul: 18.04.2022
ARAŞTIRMA MAKALESİ/RESEARCH ARTICLE
Corresponding Author/ Sorumlu Yazar:
Yusuf Arif Kutlu
E-mail: yakutlu@comu.edu.tr
Citation/Atıf: KUTLU, Y. A., ÇALIK, A. & ULUGERGERLİ, E. U. (2022).A Quest for why gemstones are used for healing. Journal of
Awareness. 7(2): 65-72, DOI: 10.26809/joa.7.2.02
A Quest for why gemstones are used
for healing
Yusuf Arif Kutlu1Ayten Çalık2Emin Uğur Ulugergerli3
Abstract
It is believed that healing power of gemstones increases to the sense of well-being. But it’s unclear how it works.
The aim of this study is to investigate the usage of the stones for therapeutic purposes by means of a survey. In
this study, a face-to-face survey technique was employed to investigate personal reasons to use the gemstones
for healing purposes. After 402 volunteers from various backgrounds were selected and asked them to answer 17
questions, the dataset was analyzed using IBM Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). Results showed
that women are most interested in gemstones, because they are used for jewellery. The most popular healing stones
were Agate, Amethyst, Ruby, Amber and Quar. Their eye-catching colours together with their healing power that
are promoted in social media, strengthen the perception that natural stones can be used for healing or therapy.
Healing stones also give spiritual serenity, which is the most important positive eect on people. Some reasons that
push people to seek healing from natural stones included hoping of cure, seeking alternative medicine, knowing
what specic stones are used as healing tools, searching ways to relieve stress and also protecting against evil
spirits. It is stated that people’s hope of cure strengthens the use of these stones as a healing tool.
Keywords: Gemstones, healing stones, face-to-face survey, participant
1 Asst. Prof., Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University, Department of Geophysical Engineering, Turkey, e-mail: yakutlu@comu.edu.tr
2 Asst. Prof., Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University, Department of Geological Engineering, Turkey, e-mail: aytencalik@comu.edu.tr
3 Prof., Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University, Department of Geophysical Engineering, Turkey, e-mail: emin@comu.edu.tr
Bu çalışma, Creative Commons Atıf 4.0 Uluslararası
Lisansı ile lisanslanmıştır.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons
Aribution 4.0 International License.

66
Kutlu et al.
1. INTRODUCTION
In the twentieth century, technology has
reshaped our lives and individuals are paying
more aention to their health than they ever
have before. The situation was captured by
Pilzer when he stated that “The next big thing is
the wellness revolution” (Pilzer, 2007). Wellness
can be dened as active monitoring of activities,
choices and lifestyles that lead to a holistic state
of health (GWI-1, 01.10.2021). However, wellness
cannot be explained only by physical health.
According to the World Health Organization,
health is dened as a state of complete physical,
mental and social well-being and not merely
the absence of disease or inrmity (WHO,
01.10.2021). Therefore, the concept of wellness
can also be explained as a sustainable physical,
mental and social balance. In 2018, the global
market share of the Wellness Sector, which is
dened as healthy living, reached approximately
$4.5 trillion (GWI-2, 01.10.2021). In recent years,
a new market based on natural stones has also
been included in this commercial network. The
global natural stones market is expected to
reach $443 billion in 2022 (GGJM, 01.10.2021).
Since ancient times, natural stones, or healing
tools, complement medical treatment, and have
been used as an indicator of social status, which
are shaped by purchasing power (Micke et al.
2010; Hatipoğlu et al. 2018; Calik et al. 2019).
Also, these stones have been an important part
of alternative medicine with dierent therapy
applications for centuries (Ishaque et al. 2009;
Seraj et al. 2011; Friedman, 2012; Atodaria et
al. 2017; Arif and Hashim, 2021). In addition
to being ornamental, gemstones are also used
in dierent industries and in the production of
high-tech products (Renfro et al. 2010). In recent
years, due to the increase in purchasing power
and demand, healing stones are also produced
articially and sold in the market at a much
lower price than natural ones. However, this
commercial area is supported by non-scientic
studies and opportunistic people without
scientic education. The healing stones market
should be limited to beneting the public so
that people who are helplessly ghting diseases
are not exploited materially and spiritually.
However, the lack of scientic knowledge in this
eld weakens the hand of competent people who
are in the position of informing and warning the
relevant authorities.
In its broad sense alternative medicine refers to
“integrative,” or “complementary” medicine.
But it also describes medical treatments that are
used in the place of traditional (mainstream)
therapies. One of the common alternative
medicines is Therapeutic Touch, where, either
a therapist who has healing power or a gem
which is worn and touched to skin transmit their
healing energy to person and repair anomalies in
a person’s energy eld and heals the person. It is
believed that ‘healing touch’ increases the sense
of well-being. But it’s unclear how it works.
The aim of this study was to investigate the usage
of the natural stones for therapeutic purposes
by means of a survey. We focused on especially
how they were used by people and what their
expectation was. This article examines the usage
of gems as alternative medical treatments by
means of a survey.
2. MATERIALS AND METHODS
2.1. Theoretical Framework
The term “natural stones” represents both semi-
precious gems and rocks. The natural stones
are the indicators of social status due to their
appearance and rarity (Hatipoğlu et al. 2018;
Calik et al. 2019). These stones have also been an
important part of alternative medicine and used
in the dierent therapy applications for centuries
(Ishaque et al. 2009; Seraj et al. 2011; Friedman,
2012; Atodaria et al. 2017; Arif and Hashim,
2021). The stones have been widely employed
to heal physical and emotional pain (Friedman,
2012; Atodaria et al. 2017; Arif and Hashim,
2021). Also, the natural stone users around the
world believe that there are positive eects on
health (Ishaque et al. 2009; Seraj et al. 2011). This
survey supports our hypothesis, contrary to
previous publications, which have merely stated
authors’ opinions without any support.
2.2. Methods
All over the world, the current usage of the natural
stones is almost as same as it was in the past.

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Journal of Awareness, Volume / Cilt: 7 - Issue / Sayı: 2 - Yıl / Year: 2022
This similarity can also be observed in cultural
diversity. Therefore, the questionnaire method is
an appropriate approach for investigating which
the natural stones are used, how and why they
are preferred for healing purposes. Also, our
approach does not require the approval of any
institution.
Using a questionnaire is one of the primary tools
for gathering information in the social research
area and is usually conducted to determine
public trends. They can be used to compile
various types of information.
Some of the survey types are face-to-face
interviews, monitored surveys, mail surveys,
telephone surveys, and internet surveys
(Chadwick et al. 1984; Alreck and Sele, 2004;
Neuman, 2005). The reliability and eectiveness
of the ndings in any study are closely related
to the quality of the data. For this reason, before
starting a survey study, the type of survey,
statement types, sample size and reliability
limits should be determined. In addition, during
the data collection process, the scale should be
designed to eliminate possible communication,
perception and interpretation problems, and
to prevent the forced participant (Cochran
and Cox, 1992; Biemer et al. 2004). A sucient
number of trial surveys should be conducted
in advance to assess whether there are any
problematic factors between the interviewers
and the subjects conducting the survey. The
number of participants in trial surveys depends
on the purpose and sensitivity of the researcher
(Salant and Dillman, 1994; Fink, 2017). Coverage,
sampling, measurement and response errors that
may be encountered before, during and after the
study should be minimized. Selecting the data
collection method according to the purpose,
being systematic and classifying it properly
allows appropriate analysis of the ndings (Kirk
and Miller, 1986; Presser et al. 2004).
In this study, the face-to-face survey was
selected, taking into account the features that are
summarized above.
2.3. Field Works
Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University Earth
Sciences and Natural History Museum
(ÇESM) was established in 2011 and has been
receiving visitors regularly in the last decade.
As a university museum, it is mostly visited by
academic sta. In this survey, participants were
selected among them.
N is the number of people in the target
population, for a homogeneous group, p is the
probability of occurrence of the event (0.8), q is
the probability of non-occurrence of the event
(0.2), t is a constant (1.96 for signicance level
α=0.05), and d is the sampling error (0.05). For
this study, the minimum number of subjects
to be reached within the 95% condence limits
was calculated approximately according to
these criteria (Cochran and Cox, 1992; Biemer
et al. 2004). The minimum number of subjects
within these reliability limits was calculated as
approximately n=234. In this survey study, the
402 participants among the academic visitors
and others were invited to the interview.
The scale was designed as a result of a large
number of pretrial surveys. While preparing the
scale, expert opinions from dierent branches
were used. The scale consisted of 17 statements
in total. Each section contained questions based
on similar statements. And each expression is
shown in the tables with the abbreviation “S”
and sequence number.
The questionnaire included eight parts. The rst
part contained demographic statements (gender
/ age / education level / income rate / place you
live the longest). The second part evaluated the
level of interest in natural stones (do you think
that some ornamental stones can heal / have you
met people that wear natural stones to heal / are
the healing methods that use stones harmful /
how often do you wear natural stones or keep
them in your living spaces). The third part
assessed the healing power of natural stones
(how eective are their therapeutic powers when
treating issues / how eective do the colours of
them reinforce the idea that the stones may be
healing / how eective do well-presented stones
bring about therapeutic purposes). The fourth
part consisted of a multi-answers question about
the most popular 90 auspicious or healing stones.
The fth part was a multi-answer question
including 15 possible positive eects of healing

68
Kutlu et al.
stones on people. The sixth part was also a multi-
answer question including 17 question options
on the origins of healing from natural stones. The
seventh part was an open-ended question that
identied which ailments natural stones can be
good for. Finally, the eighth part was also an open-
ended question and investigated how natural
stones are used.
Field data were evaluated with the IBM Statistical
Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) program
(Bryman, 2008). In data analysis with SPSS,
standard deviation (std), mean, frequency and
percent were used for each scale. The averages of
the scales ranging from one-to-ve were evaluated
by considering the ve-point Likert scale intervals
recommended by (Pimentel, 2019). In binary scales
such as Y/N, between 1.0-1.50 can be evaluated as
“Yes” and between 1.51-2.0 as “Not”.
3. RESULTS
This study was conducted in 2019 with 402
voluntary participants, 63.2% of whom were
women and spent most of their life in the city. The
participants age range was between 31-70, most
were university graduated and their monthly
income was around $1000-$2000. Results showed
that 91.8% of the participants believed that some
natural stones have a healing eect, 82.8% of them
knew people who had been healed by these stones,
and 95.5% of them assumed that expecting healing
from natural stones is harmless. In addition, the
participants stated that they have sometimes
various natural stones in their living spaces, i.e.,
oce, home, etc. (Table 1).
It is also showed that natural stones are highly
preferred for treatment purposes because of their
eye-catching colours and also their promotion as a
healing tool (Table 2).
Table 1. Interest level about healing stones
assumed that expecting healing from natural stones is harmless. In addition, the participants
stated that they have sometimes various natural stones in their living spaces, i.e., office, home,
etc. (Table 1).
Table 1. Interest level about healing stones.
Frequency
Percent
Mean
Std.
S1. Do you think that some ornamental stones can heal?
Yes
369
91.8
1.08
0.28
Not
33
8.2
Total
402
100.0
S2. Have you met people that wear natural stones to heal?
Yes
333
82.8
1.17
0.38
Not
69
17.2
Total
402
100.0
S3. Are the healing methods that use stones harmful?
Yes
18
4.5
1.96
0.21
Not
384
95.5
Total
402
100.0
S4. How often do you wear natural stones or keep them in
your living spaces?
Never
64
15.9
2.72
1.10
Rarely
100
24.9
Sometimes
141
35.1
Most of the time
77
19.2
Always
20
5.0
Total
402
100.0
It is also showed that natural stones are highly preferred for treatment purposes because of their
eye-catching colours and also their promotion as a healing tool (Table 2).
Table 2. The power of healing stones.
Frequency
Percent
Mean
Std.
S5. How effective are their therapeutic powers when
treating issues?
Very Low
6
1.5
3.70
0.88
Low
28
7.0
Medium
116
28.9
High
184
45.8
Very High
68
16.9
Total
402
100.0
S6. How effective do the colors of them reinforce the idea
that the stones may be healing?
Very Low
22
6.2
3.41
1.09
Low
60
16.7
Medium
107
26.6
High
158
37.3
Very High
55
13.2
Total
402
100.0
S7. How effective do well-presented stones bring about
therapeutic purposes?
Very Low
15
3.7
3.59
0.94
Low
27
6.7
Medium
125
31.1
High
177
44.0
Very High
58
14.4
Total
402
100.0
According to the participants, the most popular natural stone among the ninety natural stones
known as the “Auspicious Stone” or “Healing Stone” is Agate. Besides the natural stone,
Amethyst is also very popular in the eyes of the participants. The gemstones followed and
included: Ruby, Amber, Quartz, Moonstone, Turquoise, Emerald, Tiger Eye and Jade from
highest to the lowest popularity. After that the list included: Coral, Oltu Stone, Sapphire, Pearl,
Sedef Stone, Aquamarine and Opal all of which had lower rates of popularity. The others with
less than 2% preference are not included in the Table 3.
Table 2. The power of healing stones.

69
Journal of Awareness, Volume / Cilt: 7 - Issue / Sayı: 2 - Yıl / Year: 2022
According to the participants, the most popular
natural stone among the ninety natural stones
known as the “Auspicious Stone” or “Healing
Stone” is Agate. Besides the natural stone,
Amethyst is also very popular in the eyes of
the participants. The gemstones followed and
included: Ruby, Amber, Quar, Moonstone,
Turquoise, Emerald, Tiger Eye and Jade from
highest to the lowest popularity. After that the
list included: Coral, Oltu Stone, Sapphire, Pearl,
Sedef Stone, Aquamarine and Opal all of which
had lower rates of popularity. The others with
less than 2% preference are not included in the
Table 3.
The most important positive eect of natural
stones is their ability to elicit spiritual serenity.
Other positive eects include protection against
evil eye, serenity, health, instant relaxation, luck,
happiness, optimism, energy, abundance, self-
condence, joy of life, protection against evil
spirits and courage. The rest with less than 2%
preference are excluded from the Table 4.
People also seek healing from natural stones
for several reasons, but mostly for alternative
medicine, hope of cure and providing healing.
Other reasons people look to healing stones
are because they are advised to them by close
friends, they are in despair, they are inuenced
by the media, they are curious, they have special
interests, they seek an easy solution, or they
have a distrust of medicine, they have all belief
systems, they are used to them to emulate others
and they are impressed by the eye-catching
colours of them. The reasons with less than 2%
preference are not listed in the Table 5.
In this study, results also suggested that natural
stones are known as healing tools and are mainly
used for relieving stress, relieving negative
energy and giving positive energy, relieving
depression, helping anxiety, overcoming sleep
disturbance and relieving pain. In addition, the
stones are used for protecting against evil spirits,
regulating the circulatory system, reducing
fevers and alleviating teething pain for babies,
relieving thyroid gland disorders, relieving
Table 3. Auspicious or healing stones.
S8. As far as you know or hear from your neighborhood, which
of the following stones are popularly known as Auspicious Stones
or Healing Stones?
Frequency
Percent
Agate
245
8.4
Amethyst
232
8.0
Ruby
208
7.1
Amber
197
6.8
Quartz
174
6.0
Moonstone
136
4.7
Turquoise
129
4.4
Emerald
114
3.9
Tiger Eye
105
3.6
Jade
102
3.5
Coral
91
3.1
Oltu Stone
77
2.6
Sapphire
73
2.5
Pearl
69
2.4
Sedef Stone
68
2.3
Aquamarine
62
2.1
Opal
58
2.0
Others (<2%)
775
26.6
Total
2915
100.0
The most important positive effect of natural stones is their ability to elicit spiritual serenity.
Other positive effects include protection against evil eye, serenity, health, instant relaxation,
luck, happiness, optimism, energy, abundance, self-confidence, joy of life, protection against
evil spirits and courage. The rest with less than 2% preference are excluded from the Table 4.
Table 4. Positive effects of Auspicious or Healing stones.
S9. As far as you know or hear from your neighborhood, which of
the following can be positive effects of Auspicious or Healing
stones on people?
Frequency
Percent
Spiritual serenity
275
12.6
Protection against evil eye
234
10.7
Serenity
226
10.3
Health
199
9.1
Instant relaxation
174
8.0
Luck
149
6.8
Happiness
145
6.6
Optimism
143
6.5
Energy
126
5.8
Abundance
121
5.5
Self-confidence
111
5.1
Joy of life
96
4.4
Protection against evil spirits
85
3.9
Courage
78
3.6
Others
24
1.1
Total
2186
100.0
People also seek healing from natural stones for several reasons, but mostly for alternative
medicine, hope of cure and providing healing. Other reasons people look to healing stones are
because they are advised to them by close friends, they are in despair, they are influenced by
Table 4. Positive eects of Auspicious or Healing stones.
S9. As far as you know or hear from your neighbor-
hood, which of the following can be positive eects
of Auspicious or Healing stones on people?
S10. Which of the following may be the reasons why
people seek healing from stones?
the media, they are curious, they have special interests, they seek an easy solution, or they have
a distrust of medicine, they have all belief systems, they are used to them to emulate others and
they are impressed by the eye-catching colours of them. The reasons with less than 2%
preference are not listed in the Table 5.
Table 5. Reasons for seeking healing from natural stones.
S10. Which of the following may be the reasons why people seek
healing from stones?
Frequency
Percent
Interest in alternative medicine
272
12.3
Hope of cure
270
12.2
Provide healing
219
9.9
Advice
215
9.7
Close friend’s effects
183
8.3
Despair
178
8.1
Media influence
127
5.8
Wonder
118
5.4
Special interest
109
4.9
A distrust of medicine
109
4.9
Search for an easy solution
105
4.8
Religious beliefs
97
4.4
Wannabe
58
2.6
Eye-catching colours
44
2.0
Others (<2%)
103
4.7
Total
2207
100.0
In this study, results also suggested that natural stones are known as healing tools and are
mainly used for relieving stress, relieving negative energy and giving positive energy, relieving
depression, helping anxiety, overcoming sleep disturbance and relieving pain. In addition, the
stones are used for protecting against evil spirits, regulating the circulatory system, reducing
fevers and alleviating teething pain for babies, relieving thyroid gland disorders, relieving
respiratory system ailments, strengthening the immune system, providing radiation shielding
and bringing luck, abundance and prosperity. Once again, the answers with less than 2% rate
are not presented in the Table 6.
Table 6. Healing stone benefits.
S11. What are healing stones good for?
Frequency
Percent
Relieves stress
166
18.3
Relieves negative energy and gives positive energy
97
10.7
Relieves depression, anxiety and sleep disturbance
89
9.8
Relieves pain
84
9.3
Protects against evil spirits and evil eye
62
6.8
Regulates the circulatory system
54
6.0
Reduces fever in babies and provides comfortable teething
50
5.5
Relieves thyroid gland disorders
49
5.4
Relieves respiratory system ailments
36
4.0
Strengthens the immune system
34
3.8
Provides radiation shielding
33
3.6
Brings luck, abundance and prosperity
20
2.2
Others (<2%)
132
14.6
Total
906
100.0
Table 5. Reasons for seeking healing from natural
stones.
Table 3. Auspicious or healing stones
Table 3. Auspicious or healing stones.
S8. As far as you know or hear from your neighborhood, which
of the following stones are popularly known as Auspicious Stones
or Healing Stones?
Frequency
Percent
Agate
245
8.4
Amethyst
232
8.0
Ruby
208
7.1
Amber
197
6.8
Quartz
174
6.0
Moonstone
136
4.7
Turquoise
129
4.4
Emerald
114
3.9
Tiger Eye
105
3.6
Jade
102
3.5
Coral
91
3.1
Oltu Stone
77
2.6
Sapphire
73
2.5
Pearl
69
2.4
Sedef Stone
68
2.3
Aquamarine
62
2.1
Opal
58
2.0
Others (<2%)
775
26.6
Total
2915
100.0
The most important positive effect of natural stones is their ability to elicit spiritual serenity.
Other positive effects include protection against evil eye, serenity, health, instant relaxation,
luck, happiness, optimism, energy, abundance, self-confidence, joy of life, protection against
evil spirits and courage. The rest with less than 2% preference are excluded from the Table 4.
Table 4. Positive effects of Auspicious or Healing stones.
S9. As far as you know or hear from your neighborhood, which of
the following can be positive effects of Auspicious or Healing
stones on people?
Frequency
Percent
Spiritual serenity
275
12.6
Protection against evil eye
234
10.7
Serenity
226
10.3
Health
199
9.1
Instant relaxation
174
8.0
Luck
149
6.8
Happiness
145
6.6
Optimism
143
6.5
Energy
126
5.8
Abundance
121
5.5
Self-confidence
111
5.1
Joy of life
96
4.4
Protection against evil spirits
85
3.9
Courage
78
3.6
Others
24
1.1
Total
2186
100.0
People also seek healing from natural stones for several reasons, but mostly for alternative
medicine, hope of cure and providing healing. Other reasons people look to healing stones are
because they are advised to them by close friends, they are in despair, they are influenced by
S8. As far as you know or hear from your neighbor-
hood, which of the following stones are popularly
known as Auspicious Stones or Healing Stones?

70
Kutlu et al.
respiratory system ailments, strengthening the
immune system, providing radiation shielding
and bringing luck, abundance and prosperity.
Once again, the answers with less than 2% rate
are not presented in the Table 6.
Finally, our questionnaire revealed that natural
stones are often used as jewellery or personal
accessories, carried on the body, in contact with
skin and kept in living spaces.
4. DISCUSSION
Natural stones are an indicator of social status
due to their colours, appearance and rarity
(Harrell, 2012; Calik et al. 2019). In this study, one
of the outcomes is that natural stones are mostly
used for jewellery or personal accessories that
are in contact with skin, or they are kept in living
spaces. These stones are also used in alternative
medicine for therapy purposes (Simmons, 2010).
For example, signicant eects of natural stone
colours on feelings were observed whereby a
majority of participants felt that precious and
semi-precious stones get their “power” from
their colours. Therefore, natural stones have
been widely used for healing physical and
emotional pain (Atodaria et al. 2017; Arif and
Hashim, 2021). The current study also suggests
that the stones are preferred for treatment at
a high rate not only if they have eye-catching
colours but also if they are presented as having
healing abilities. However, the fact that natural
stones are used for jewellery due to their eye-
catching colours may explain the majority of the
answers. All of the participants, mostly women,
are interested in natural stones that are known
to have healing abilities. In addition, 91.8% of
these participants thought that natural stones
can be used as healing tools. Other studies have
also shown that more females versus males
tend to perceive the natural stones can help
support a good life and sound health (Gayle,
2008; Saikia et al. 2016; Manandhar et al. 2018).
According to the participants in the current
study, the most popular natural stone, known
as an “Auspicious Stone” or “Healing Stone”,
is a Quar derivative (Agate, Amethyst etc.).
However, Amber is as popular as these natural
stones among the participants. The ndings
presented here are supported by observations
found in the world natural stone industry (Chase
and Pawlik, 2002; Walter, 2009; Gienger, 2009).
People who are interested in natural stones are
aware of their uses and various eects. Similar
to the current study, natural stone users around
the world believe that there are positive eects
on health (Ishaque et al. 2009; Seraj et al. 2011).
For example, many users conduct non-religious
spiritual practices, use gemstones or perform
chakra rituals that contribute to both calming
and healing (Friedman, 2012). In addition, as
mentioned above, many worldwide users believe
gemstones derive their inuence from their
colours, and therefore, they are widely used for
healing physical and emotional pain (Micke et al.
2010; Leslie, 2016; Atodaria et al. 2017).
5. LIMITATIONS
Being a university museum, ÇESM is mostly
visited by academic sta and students. The
participants were mainly the visitors who were
the media, they are curious, they have special interests, they seek an easy solution, or they have
a distrust of medicine, they have all belief systems, they are used to them to emulate others and
they are impressed by the eye-catching colours of them. The reasons with less than 2%
preference are not listed in the Table 5.
Table 5. Reasons for seeking healing from natural stones.
S10. Which of the following may be the reasons why people seek
healing from stones?
Frequency
Percent
Interest in alternative medicine
272
12.3
Hope of cure
270
12.2
Provide healing
219
9.9
Advice
215
9.7
Close friend’s effects
183
8.3
Despair
178
8.1
Media influence
127
5.8
Wonder
118
5.4
Special interest
109
4.9
A distrust of medicine
109
4.9
Search for an easy solution
105
4.8
Religious beliefs
97
4.4
Wannabe
58
2.6
Eye-catching colours
44
2.0
Others (<2%)
103
4.7
Total
2207
100.0
In this study, results also suggested that natural stones are known as healing tools and are
mainly used for relieving stress, relieving negative energy and giving positive energy, relieving
depression, helping anxiety, overcoming sleep disturbance and relieving pain. In addition, the
stones are used for protecting against evil spirits, regulating the circulatory system, reducing
fevers and alleviating teething pain for babies, relieving thyroid gland disorders, relieving
respiratory system ailments, strengthening the immune system, providing radiation shielding
and bringing luck, abundance and prosperity. Once again, the answers with less than 2% rate
are not presented in the Table 6.
Table 6. Healing stone benefits.
S11. What are healing stones good for?
Frequency
Percent
Relieves stress
166
18.3
Relieves negative energy and gives positive energy
97
10.7
Relieves depression, anxiety and sleep disturbance
89
9.8
Relieves pain
84
9.3
Protects against evil spirits and evil eye
62
6.8
Regulates the circulatory system
54
6.0
Reduces fever in babies and provides comfortable teething
50
5.5
Relieves thyroid gland disorders
49
5.4
Relieves respiratory system ailments
36
4.0
Strengthens the immune system
34
3.8
Provides radiation shielding
33
3.6
Brings luck, abundance and prosperity
20
2.2
Others (<2%)
132
14.6
Total
906
100.0
Table 6. Healing stone benets.

71
Journal of Awareness, Volume / Cilt: 7 - Issue / Sayı: 2 - Yıl / Year: 2022
invited to ll-in this survey. The aendants to
this study may not include all sociocultural
communities interested in healing stones. In spite
of this limitation, it is stated that the ndings are
in line with previous studies and healing stones
have been used similar way from past to present
all over the world.
6. CONCLUSIONS
The use of natural stones for jewellery and
accessories is common. For this reason, women
are most interested in natural stones. The idea
that the natural stones can heal many sicknesses
is strengthened by people’s hope of cure, their
eye-catching colours and their promotion as a
healing tool. The most popular natural stones are
Quar, Agate, Amethyst and Amber. The most
important positive eect of them is that they give
spiritual serenity. The wellness-based interest in
the stones originates from alternative medicine
and hope of cure, whereby people hope to heal,
relieve stress and protect against evil spirits.
Despite the positive benets that natural stones
may oer, it is very strongly suggested that
the word “Healing”, which is preferred in the
promotion of gemstones, should not be used
in marketing exercises, since it may interrupt
conventional medical treatment processes.
7. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
We thank Sheila CHRISTOPHER for the
language editing.
8. FUNDING
The study was supported by the SRP project
(ÇOMÜ BAP FBA-2019-2783).
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