charmstone, charm-stone or charm stone is a term for types of stone or mineral artifact associated with various traditional cultures, including those of scotland and the native cultures of california and the american southwest. typically they are elongated or cylindrical and have been shaped by grinding or other human activity, and may be perforated and/or grooved. they are thought to have been regarded as having some religious or magical function, including being talismans, amulets or charms. typically, but not always, references to american examples use "charmstone", and to scottish ones "charm-stone" or "charm stone". ==scotland== scottish charmstones are typically large smooth rounded pieces of rock crystal or other forms of quartz. they were credited with healing or quasi-magical powers, and often worked through water that the charmstone had been dipped into, which was considered efficacious against various ills of both humans and farm animals. the brooch of lorn is an example of a charmstone set into a very elaborate brooch in the late 16th century, and worn by clan chiefs.the brooch of lorn, dunollie.org it is likely that scottish painted pebbles, which have been dated to the period 200 ad to the eighth century ad (the pictish period) also functioned as charm-stones, often known as 'cold-stones'. such stones were used within living memory (1971) to cure sickness in animals and humans. robert burns's highland mary is said to have been treated using charm-stones when she lay dying at greenock in 1786. some superstitious friends believed that her illness was as a result of someone casting the evil eye upon her and her father was urged to go to a place where two streams meet, select seven smooth stones, boil them in milk, and treat her with the potion.annandale, charles (editor) (1890). the works of robert burns. london : blackie & son, v.1, page 175 in the life of st. columba it is recorded that he visited king bridei in pictland in around the year 565 ad and taking a white stone pebble from the river ness he blessed it and any water it came into contact with would cure sick people. it floated in water and cured the king from a terminal illness. it remained as one of the great treasures of the king and cured many others. the belief in charm-stones is also well documented in medieval [[ic
American_Indian_relics Amulets Medieval_Scotland