Poets speak of the Language of Flowers, choosing specific blossoms flowers to represent special traits in their poems. Others use animals in their books. Some writers even assign flower-like similes or metaphors to their heroines, while their heroes and villains may embodify certain animal-like mannerisms. Gem stones also have their own secret language and I've used that fact in many of my stories--comparing them to some physical trait of my characters.
Sinbad sh'en Singh (Adventures of Sinbad), is part-feline, his eyes the pale jade of a cat's...mysterious, all-knowing. Jade is the stone of serenity and tranquility, nurturing, increasing love. In all the stories about Sinbad, these are the things he strives for. Granted, his years with his beloved Andi are sometimes anything but tranquil, but there is a serenity in his love for her, an assurance that it will last forever. All Sin wants is a den, a mate and cubs. The fortune he amasses is incidental. As with all Felidan males no matter what their previous disposition, once becoming a parent, he transforms into a nurturing, loving father, and a model mate--as Andi and his children learn.
Several gemstones play a part in the story of Marek Strigoi, vampiric hero of the Shadow Lord. A victim of extreme heterochromia, at the age of thirteen, one of his blue eyes turns a brilliant emerald green, signalling that he will be leader of his clan. The emerald is the stone of infinite patience, unconditional love, and loyalty. In his search for the murderer of his father, stepmother and little brother, Marek needs that patience, since his quest lasts two hundred and twenty-five years. Though it appears initially that he will never find love, his patience is rewarded when he meet the lovely Lily-Magda Vanator, she of the aquamarine eyes--the stone of courage (and Maggie will need it since she falls in love with a vampire). Malachite is Marek's clan gem, a psychic stone of transformation which teaches responsibility for one's actions. He learns this the hard way when his acts get him tossed into Hell for one hundred years, and his release into the contemporary world causes a transformation for which he is in no way ready. On his wedding day, he presents his bride with a ring adorned with turquoises, with the oath that he will be faithful until the day the stones lose their luster. Marek is married in 1810. The stones shine until 2008--very high fidelity! Likewise, his uncle Karl-Josef, Graf von Bliztzensturm, has garnets as his clan gem, the sign of marital fidelity and commitment. Karl-Josef's most scandalous trait is that he's madly in love--with his own wife!
Riven kan Ingan (The Chronicles of Riven the Heretic) is a barbarian bearing the genetic heritage of his family--golden eyes--variously described as amber or topaz. Amber brings wisdom, patience, and encourages decision-making. Topaz is a stone of love, good fortune and the attainment of goals, stabilizing the emotions and making one receptive to love. Riven yearns for recognition and when he falls in love with Barbara Llanginfiar, his emotions go into such a turmoil that every goal he set for himself is abruptly lost, as is he. Acceptance of that love brings not only peace to his emotions but accomplishment of things he never dreamed the child of a sellsword would ever gain. He becomes a Lord of the Realm, dispensing justice and making decisions which involve the welfare of many, eventually transforming the entire kingdom.
Semris the Second (Dark God Descending), ruler of the Mayan city of Nikte Uaxac, is adorned with the native stones of obsidian, jet, turquoise, jade and onyx when he appears before his people. As the reincarnation of Cama Zotz, the vampire bat god, the gems he wears denote the most human traits of this god who would be a man. Obsidian exposes flaws and weaknesses and reveals a person's true identity. Jet gives protection from the entities of darkness, something Semris needs since he's the son of the God of Death; it helps him take control of his life when he's abducted from his home. Like jade, it guards against violence and holds him in good stead as he fights to escape. Onyx gives support in difficult circumstances, while turquoise stimulates romantic love--something the vampire god has never experienced. It brings together male and female energies which are definitely in play after he meets the lovely human Shannon Leary.
Yes, gemstones have a language all their own, so if the hero in your next book has sapphire blue eyes or a gaze as black as jet, consider exactly what those stones represent, and have him act accordingly.
I loved your use of stones and your subtle explanations of their powers in your manuscripts. I have a friend in FL devoted to stones and their powers and have always found it fascinating.
Funny thing, I also have a friend in Florida who has the same fascination.
Fascinating about the meaning of the gemstones and how you've incorporated this knowledge into your writing.
I should be so creative with eyes and such. I did use cinnabar once though. Not for eyes, though.