Healing Bracelets for Men – What Do Gemstones Mean

It’s easy to think that gemstones are only for New Age practitioners and the guys who know the difference between downward dog and Paripurna Navasana. But belief in the power of stones is one that has decorated the history of the world.

To the Vikings (of course, we bring it back to our ancestors), carnelian, jet, garnet, and amber were prized for their beauty and the mystical qualities they were thought to possess. Nowadays, people still believe that certain gemstones can help with everything from digestion to confidence.

Whether you’re searching for a gemstone bracelet because of its mystical properties or because it looks good, we’re breaking down the mystery behind these legendary semi-precious stones to help you find the one that best tells your story.

Before we begin, it’s important to note that we’re writing about stones and their healing properties for anecdotal information only. If you’re experiencing a situation where real physical, mental, or emotional help is needed, please consult with a doctor or a licensed therapist.

When shopping for healing bracelets or any bracelet with stone beads, you’re going to come across ‘precious stones’, ‘semiprecious’ stones, and the elusive ‘gemstones’.

Knowing what these 3 mean – and what (if anything) they have in common – will help you select the right piece for your collection.

Dividing stones into precious and semi-precious categories doesn't mean that one is more important than the other. It does mean that precious stones are more valuable than semi-precious ones. Importance is still in the eye of the beholder.

Precious is the title given to 4 types of stones: Rubies, Sapphires, Emeralds, and Diamonds. These are always higher-priced than semi-precious stones.

Any stone that is not ‘precious’ is categorised as semiprecious. These are typically more readily available and are often used in jewellery making.

Semi-precious stones include Amethyst, Aventurine, Chalcedony, Chrysocolla, Citrine, Garnet, Hematite, Jade, Jasper, Lapis Lazuli, malachite, Obsidian, Onyx, Rhodonite, Tiger's Eye, Topaz, Turquoise, and a long list of others.

Now that precious and semiprecious stones are defined… what is a gemstone?

A gemstone is the name given to any stone that has been cut and polished and used as an adornment. Also known as gems or jewels, gemstones can be made from minerals, stones, or even amber.

Any precious or semiprecious stone that is cut, polished, and worn as jewellery is a gemstone. In fact, any mineral chosen for its beauty and worn in a necklace, ring, or bracelet is a gem. Some gems are organic, like a pearl or amber. We Danes know a few things about amber because the Stone Age tree resin can still be found along our shores.

Unless you’re a geologist, you’re probably more interested in the qualities of the stone – the mystical properties that it supposedly has – rather than their scientific classification. But for those of you who are interested, the primary difference between stones and crystals is that a crystal is identifiable as a single crystal (one material). Crystals have facets on the surface and are usually clear enough to see through.

Stones are generally made of microscopic crystals stuck together. Take granite for example. This stone is made from a myriad of crystals – including quartz – that join together.

That being said, the word ‘stone’ is also used to describe healing crystals. Confused? Don’t worry. The most important thing when looking for crystals, stones, or rocks (yeah, another word to describe stones) is whether you like it or not. Can you see it as part of your story? If the answer is yes, it doesn't matter if it’s a precious stone, gemstone, or just a rock you found on your favourite trail.

Whether or not you believe in the healing power of gemstones, the style that the right bracelet gives your wrist is undeniable.

At Trendhim, we believe that accessories have the power to help tell your story – help define a moment and help you express yourself. If that wasn't enough, there’s a whole world of people out there who believe that stones can provide everything from balance to healing.

For many, wearing a healing bracelet with semiprecious stones is a way to protect, cleanse, and release negative energy that may have you trapped in a rut. Take Hematite stones, for example. This stone is reported to have strong grounding energy that develops focus and concentration in the wearer. According to some, wrapping a Hematite bracelet around your wrist will put you in constant contact with these gems, helping you stay centred.

Many healing bracelets are thought to be connected to the Chakras. These are the 7 circles of energy that align the spine, according to Hindu tradition. As with most things in life, these can get out of balance. Wearing stones and crystals is said to restore this balance and keep the flow of energy from getting backed up. With a chakra bracelet, you’ll often see 7 stone beads of different colours, each one representing a different chakra.

That’s the first question we asked when diving into this topic… and to be honest, there’s no scientific research that confirms they do. But like all things that fall beyond the scope of black and white, their power lies in whether or not you believe they work.

It’s not crazy to think that stones and crystals have energy and are therefore able to help balance your life. Take your wristwatch, for example. If you’re wearing a battery-powered one with quartz movement, it’s probably using a crystal to track time.

The battery sends electricity to the quartz through an electronic circuit, which causes vibration at the precise frequency of 32,768 times/second. The circuit counts the vibrations and creates electric pulses of one per second. The pulses drive the small motor that spins the watch’s hands – offering accurate timekeeping (until the battery dies).

That’s why it’s not impossible to imagine that wearing gemstones and crystals as bracelets would have an effect. The energy you emit every day may interact with the stones in a way that causes them to channel it back to you in an altered state. It’s a dialogue between your body and the bracelet. One that just might affect your story for good.

Choosing a gemstone for its energy or healing properties can be overwhelming. Before buying your next bracelet, spend some time exploring the intrinsic properties of the stones. Decide why you want it and what you hope it will bring to your life.

Remember, when it comes to accessories, there’s no hierarchy of gemstones and crystals. Choose the bracelet that speaks to your intentions and ultimately matches the story you want to tell. And it’s a bonus if it looks good too.

Take a look at the most popular gemstones for men’s healing bracelets below. Find the one that speaks to what you feel you’re missing (or need more of) in your life.

The information below is for anecdotal information only. If you need physical, mental, or emotional help, please consult a doctor or a licensed therapist.

• Hematite — Focus — These stones are said to strengthen your connection to the earth and increase courage. It’s also reported to be a powerful stone to stimulate focus and concentration.
• Agate — Confidence — Agate is used as a protective stone that intensifies wisdom, courage, and concentration.
• Amethyst — Groundedness — Amethyst stones are said to ground the wearer and improve creativity and passion. It is believed to strengthen intuition and help put thoughts into action.
• Tiger Eye — Bravery — Even the name of this stone sounds fierce. Tiger’s Eye stones are thought to build confidence, bring good luck, and boost courage in the face of difficulties.
• Lava — Strength — Just like the fiery liquid that made it, lava stones are symbols of strength and determination. You may want to add a few drops of essential oil to your lava stone beads. Their porous nature holds the oil and releases the scent throughout the day for the added benefits of aromatherapy.
• Jasper — Stabilising — Jasper stones are thought to bring tranquillity and absorb negative vibes. These semiprecious stones are also believed to encourage honesty and organisation… not bad for a bracelet.
• Onyx — Strength — Onyx is one of the most well-known gemstones. Onyx is worn for strength. It’s a stone that is thought to give self-confidence and boosts courage, self-control, and wisdom.
• Unakite — Self-Love — Unakite is believed to promote self-acceptance and healing, this semi-precious stone is thought to remove negative energy.
• Lapis Lazuli — Anti-stress — Lapis Lazuli gemstones are worn to release stress and encourage compassion, truth, and confidence.

No matter how magical or powerful you believe your bracelet to be, there’s no denying that it will get dirty. To clean a beaded bracelet, gently scrub with a soft cloth dipped in warm water with a small amount of mild soap.

The difference between wearing a bracelet with healing stones versus one with ‘ordinary’ stone beads is the intention behind it. If you’re wearing it only for the way it looks, keeping it clean and following the tips here will be enough for you to enjoy your bracelet for seasons to come. But if you’ve selected yours for what you hope the stones can bring to your life… you might want to consider charging it.

If you’re already sceptical about healing stones and bracelets with meaning, then the following charging tips probably won’t do you any good. But they won’t hurt either.

Charging the stones in your bracelet is a fancy way to say that you’re helping restore any mystical properties the stones may have. There are 2 simple ways to charge gemstones: moon or sage.

The easiest way to charge healing gemstones is by the light of the full moon. All you have to do is place your bracelet in direct moonlight and wait 6-12 hours. You may have to do this for more than 1 night. In Scandinavia, summer nights are fairly short.

Smudging with sage is another method of charging healing stones. Start by lighting a stick of sage and blow it out so that it smoulders. Hold your bracelet in the smoke and turn it so that each bead gets enveloped.

The advantage of both of these methods is that they won’t damage the bracelet or discolour the beads.

1. Cost – Unless you’re strapping diamonds on your wrist, no gemstone should put you in debt. Most of these stones aren’t rare (despite their supposed power), so the cost shouldn’t keep you from finding the bracelet that works for you.

2. Fit & Lock – No matter how much power the stones are reported to have or how much hope you have that they’ll work, if the bracelet won’t fit or stay on your wrist, it’s not worth it. When shopping online for men’s gemstone bracelets or ones with healing stones, be sure to read the product reviews or contact Customer Support for more information on how to find the right fit and whether or not the lock is secure.

3. Authenticity – This is one of the most important factors to consider when shopping for a beaded bracelet with healing gemstones or crystals. The authenticity of the natural stones is what sets your bracelet apart from one that isn’t natural. A lot of stones that you find on the market have been heated and dyed to add more colour. While this practice isn’t uncommon, it is something to be aware of.

From the Middle Ages to Native Americans, precious and semi-precious stones have been used as objects of healing and power. While there are no scientific studies that prove the benefits of using crystals and stones for healing purposes, there are studies that point to the placebo effect that occurs when someone believes in and wears this type of jewellery.

Maybe that’s what wearing a healing gemstone bracelet is really all about – the story you tell yourself.

The bracelet that you choose and the stones it includes become a part of your journey. Whether you wear it for confidence or focus, that’s your business. The most important part is that you do it for yourself… magical powers or no.