Ontario is know for it diverse landscapes and rock compositions. The prominent feature in Ontario is the Niagara Escapement which is recognized as one of the world’s unique natural wonders. It is part of the Precambrian shield and starts in southern Ontario and continues right up through north central Ontario. This physical feature provides a variety of stones and minerals in Ontario. There are other areas with large deposits of gems/stones and that includes much of northern Ontario from Timmins to north of Thunder Bay as well as areas such as Bancroft in the eastern part of Ontario.
I am going to focus on the Hamilton area as we are known to have one of the best mines in Ontario. However, the Dundas Quarry is not know for an abundance of gems but is known for the aggregates that are needed for the local steel industry and other industries that are dependant on aggregates.
The Niagara Escarpment is recognized as one of the world's unique natural wonders and one of Ontario's most spectacular and well known geological features. The United Nations designated the Escarpment as a World Biosphere Reserve in 1990, one of only six in Canada, on par with other sites such as the Galapagos Islands in the Pacific, and the Serengeti Plain in Africa.
In the shape of a gigantic horseshoe, the Escarpment can be traced from upper New York state through Hamilton, around the tip of Lake Ontario, northwest to Tobermory, under Lake Huron and around the west side of Lake Michigan, and south into Wisconsin. With origins dating back into geological history some 450 million years, this massive formation is made up of layers of sedimentary rock originally laid down in ancient tropical seas which covered the area at that time. This rock is mostly buried beneath deposits of clay, sand, and gravel left behind by glaciers more than 12,000 years ago. The thin top layer is dolomite (hard limestone) with softer shale and limestone underneath.
Called “the Mountain” in Hamilton, this steep cliff cuts through the region at an average height of 90 metres above Lake Ontario and loops around the Dundas Valley as it winds around the edge of Lake Ontario. It offers breathtaking views of the entire region especially Hamilton Harbour, Cootes Paradise, Lake Ontario, and the surrounding communities. At its highest point, the escarpment rises to 110 metres. I live at the bottom of this mountain and daily trek on some of the Bruce Trial that runs along the mountain.
The walls of the Legislative Building at Queens Park (Toronto) and Whitehern Historic House in downtown Hamilton contain slabs carved from the Niagara Escarpment. The fact that the escarpment's stone and gravel is located close to the major construction markets of southern Ontario is a benefit to local industry. There are about 40 quarries and pits operating along the Niagara Escarpment. But quarrying is among the most controversial of escarpment issues. Environmentalists say no new quarries should be opened and no expansion of existing ones allowed to protect the escarpment.
So you can see that this area has some interesting and diverse geological features. These features contribute largely to the aggregates industry but we do find a few stones/gems that are fairly common amongst those who use stones/gems in their magick or collect them.
CELESTINE – Celestine is found in the local Dundas Quarry. It is not an abundant stone but it has been found.
Celestine also called Celestite is known as the “stone of heaven.” It helps us to reduce stress by helping us to relax and drawing peace of mind. It is a stone that is used to bring about spiritual growth by helping you to find your creativity as well as helping to know your higher self and other “divine awareness.” This stone is used for revealing truth, reliability, and clarity of thought and speech as well. This stone is believed to be the best stone for connecting with angels and diving beings.
FLUORITE
The Dundas Quarry near Hamilton has provided yellow-brown and blue specimens. As this is one of my favourite stones I was very pleased to find this stone was found in my area. Sometimes called the genius stones Fluorite has a beneficial effect on thinking processes and can often help in the creation of brilliant ideas. It is a great stone for improving ones mind and concentration. It helps to calm and brings a greater ability to concentrate while meditating and also to help you grasp and understand with the more abstract concepts of your inner self.
GRANITE
Granite is found all over Ontario in abundance. It is definitely not a rare specimen and it us used widely. I was unable to find any magical correspondences for granite. I think however from my personal experience that granite is a good stone for bringing strength to your efforts. Large items are made from granite and it is used for its sturdiness and strength. From my work in the area I think solidity, foundation, strength, power, steadfastness are all qualities of Granite.
GYPSUM – SUBSPECIES SELENITE
Our local quarry in Dundas has produces water-clear colourless gypsum and the more common milky coloured specimens. This is also not a rare mineral in the province. Selenite is a clear, transparent form of the mineral gypsum. It is commonly used in the construction of houses as drywall as it is known for its insulating and warming qualities. Selenite is named for Selene, the Moon Goddess and is associated with the moon. It is used for channelling, meditation, and aura work. It is also used for moving energy. It also draws clarity, peace and is good for purification and psychic development.
