Amethyst-  

      Amethyst is a variety of quartz & one of the most popular colored gemstones. Amethyst is believed to bring a peaceful mindset to the wearer & and to prevent inebreation.

     Some of the finest rough is mined in Bolivia, Brazil & Russia. This amethyst has a slight reddish undertone. Amethyst is also mined in Australia, Canada, Germany, India, Madagascar, Nambia, Sri Lanka, Uraguay, USA and Zambia.

     Take care when storing your amethyst jewelry. Keep it out of sunshine & heat, as these conditions may fade the color over time. If taken care of amethyst will retain its color indefinitely.

Apatite

     Apatite occurs in an array of colors, including many shades of blue, green, yellow, purple & pink. The more intense & vivid the color is, the higher the price of the apatite. The most valuable apatites are neon greenish blue with excellent clarity.

     Apatite is abundant & found in several countries including Sweden, Spain, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Brazil, Russia, Canada, East Africa & Mexico. The blue colors of apatite have become very popular lately because of its similarity in color to Paraiba Tourmaline. It is also much more reasonable in price, whereas Paraiba tourmaline is rare & very expensive.

Aquamarine

     Aquamarine is a member of the beryl family which includes emerald, however aquamarine is more durable than emerald & is available with excellent clarity & in large quantity.

     The finest aquamarine is mined in Brazil & Brazil was previously the world’s biggest supplier of aquamarine, however, Nigeria & Madagascar currently provide a greater supply of aquamarine. Aquamarine is also mined in India, Afganistan, Russia & Pakistan.

     Aquamarine is said to bring youth, hope & health to those born in March.

Kunzite (Spodumene)

     Kunzite is the most popular variety of spodumene. Kunzite was first discovered in 1902 is named after an American gemologist, George Frederick Kunz, Tiffany's chief gemologist at the time.

     Kunzite occurs in light pink to lilac or violet shades of pink. The lithium in kunzite's chemical composition provides the beautiful pink purple color of this gemstone.

     Kunzite is mined in Brazil, Madagascar, Myanmar, Russia, Sweden, the US, Pakistan, among other locales.

     Kunzite is believed to emit powerful love energy, promote peace & repel negativity. It is also used for relaxation & meditation, peace & grounding. It is associated with reducing insecurity & addictiveness and aids with manic depression.

     Some precaution should be taken when storing your kunzite jewelry. Do not leave it exposed in prolonged periods of strong light because its color may fade. Because of this, kunzite has been referred to as the "evening" gemstone. Also, it should not be cleaned with an ultrasonic or steam cleaner. Ionic cleaners or warm, soapy water and a soft brush are the best ways to clean kunzite.

Morganite (Pink Beryl)

     Morganite is a member of the beryl family which includes emerald.

     It is primarily mined in Madagascar & Brazil. It has also been found in Italy, Africa, Pakistan & the US.

Diopside-

     Since diopside is soft, it needs special attention when being stored. Avoid storing it with other jewelry unless it is wrapped in a soft cloth because it may become dull or scratched from rubbing against other items.

Garnet-

Pyrope / Spessartite: magnesium aluminum

Almandine- iron aluminum silicate

Hessonite: calcium aluminum silicate

Tsavorite: calcium aluminum silicate

     Garnet is the birthstone for January, so January birthday babies have alot of choices since there are several varieties of garnet! 

     There are many types of garnet available, including rhodolite, mandarin, demantoid, grossular, hessonite, spessartite, malaya, almandine and combinations between these varieties. Garnet is found in many areas of the world & also in many colors & shades. There is a rare color change variety that appears mostly red in incandescent light & bluish or purplish in daylight.

     The green variety known as Tsavorite comes from Kenya and is named after Tsavo National Park in Kenya.

     Red garnets are known to promote sincerity, stop blood loss & cure anger & discord. It is also said to cure disease & guard from perils while traveling.

Rhodolite is the deep raspberry pink variety of garnet and many consider it to be the "Queen of Garnets"because of this gorgeous color, which is reminiscent to the rhododendron flower (a symbol of feminine beauty). Chemically, this Garnet's composition is a blend of Almandine and Pyrope. The most prized pink rhodolites are mined in Sri Lanka, Tanzania and Zimbabwe.

     Spessartine garnets, also known as spessartite, are the orange to red orange variety of garnet. The name is derived from Spessart, Germany, where this variety was first discovered. Today, Brazil, Madagascar and Sri Lanka are the primary locations where spessartite is mined.

Iolite-

     Iolite is a violet blue gemstone that is sometimes to referred to as water sapphire, though it so not as durable as sapphire.

     Iolite is mined in Finland, Africa, Norway, Sri Lanka & Tanzania.

Moldavite (Tektite)-

     Moldavite, a translucent green gemstone, is classified as a member of the Tektite family, and the word, Tektite, is derived from the Greek, tektos meaning molten and tekein to melt.

     Tektite is a type of natural glass formed by high temperatures and pressure when meteorites impact the earth. It is a translucent gemstone with characteristic bubbles.

     Moldavite has only been found in the Moldau in Germany and River Valley , Czechoslovakia.  These are especially prized for clarity and unique green color.

    Moldavite were formed from the impact of an intense meteorite shower between 15 and 20 million years ago in the area of Moldau, Czechoslovakia. The meteorite material were fused by the tremendous heat and pressure produced by the impact and then catapulted back into the Earth’s atmosphere. Once these meteorites began to fall back toward Earth, they began to fracture and scattered hundreds of kilometers within the Moldau River Valley . It has been suggested that the friction of atmosphere against the cooling magma of the meteorites created the unique surface sculpture found on moldavite.

    Additionally, Moldavite is the only known “gem quality” stone of extra-terrestrial origin.

     Moldavite has been treasured for thousands of years due to its powerful metaphysical energy & was limited to only the royalty and nobility during the Middle Ages.

     It is said that moldavite energy can assist you in breaking through limitations and past patterns. It can also accelerate the spiritual growth and psychic awakening. It is believed that sleeping with Moldavite activates the dream state & wearing it helps manifest positive life changes. It is an excellent meditation stone.

Opal-

     Opal is the birthstone of October & said to symbolize fidelity & assurance. It is said to have a theraputic value for diseases of the eye, & increases eye & mind power.

     Fire opal is a crystal or jelly opal with an intense red-orange color & many are mined in Mexico & Australia.

     Other opals such as white opal or black opal have an array of brilliant minature rainbow effects. This effect is created by opal's formation process. This type of opal is composed of hydrated silica spheres which create the rainbows caused by light interference by these spheres! The different arrangements & sizes of these spheres are responsible for all the different colors.

     All varieties of opal can be found in Africa, Brazil, Mexico, the US and the Czech Republic.

     Opal jewelry requires special care because opals may dry or crack if not maintained properly. You can immerse the opal in water for a few hours now & then to help preserve it. And also keep your opals away from oil because it may dull the fire.

Peridot-

     Peridot is the birthstone for August and is said to aid in friendship and is believed to rid the wearer's mind of negative thoughts such as envy. Since it has a yellowish green color it is also believed to help cure diseases that affect the liver. If worn on the left arm, it is said to protect the wearer from the evil eye.

     Peridot is a gemstone that is not often treated. It comes in various yellow/green shades to darker purer green colors. Peridot is found in Arizona, Mexico, Myanmar, Norway, Pakistan & Sri Lanka.

     Peridot is the birthstone for the month of August.

Smokey Quartz-

     Quartz includes among its members more variety and a larger number of gems than any other mineral family. Quartz comes in a wide array of colors , some of the most known as amethyst, citrine & rose quartz among many others. Smokey Quartz comes in a pale to rich brown color. This color is very plentiful and is often cut in large sizes to make brooches & other bold jewelry such as large dinner or cocktail rings.

Rose Quartz-

     Rose quartz can be found in light to dark pink shades. Rose quartz is most often found in cabochon cuts or carvings, however we have several pieces of jewelry in our store that include faceted rose quartz.

Ametrine-

     Ametrine is a popular & unusual variety of quartz that is "bi-color." This is a natural event in which amethyst (the purple variety of quartz) and citrine (the golden yellow variety of quartz) actually grow together! So both colors are present in the same stone. Most ametrines are cut in emerald shapes so the stone may be divided in color and pronounced more. Ametrine is mined in Bolivia.

Citrine-

     Citrine is the yellow variety of quartz and may be in any shade from lemon yellow, to orange or amber yellow to greenish yellow.

     Citrine is plentiful in all sizes and is used often to create large & bold pieces of jewelry. We have a large selection of citrine jewelry in our store.

     Citrine is one of two birthstones for the month of November.

      It is said that citrine provides a sense of stability, practical application of ideas, adds energy & emotional balance and can create a rational approach toward things. Citrine has been called the “merchants stone” because placing a citrine gemstone in your wallet or piggy bank has produced more income.

Spinel-

     Spinel is a lovely rare gemstone that is durable with excellent brilliance. It is usually not color enhanced and occurs naturally in many colors ranging from grayish blue, greenish blue, green, pink & red to shades of purple! The most prized of all the colors of spinel are the cobalt blue and the ruby red. These stones are quite expensive and have been compared to sapphire & rubies.

Tanzanite (Zoisite)-

     Tanzanite, a rich purple blue color of Zoisite, was first discovered in 1967 in Tanzania. Today, it is mined in Tanzania & Kenya. It is one of the most popular gemstones that can cost over $2,000 per carat in larger sizes today.

Topaz-  

Composition- aluminum fluorohydroxysilicate

Weight- heavy (Specific Gravity: 3.54)

Brilliance- moderately high

Hardness- 8.0

Wearability- good

     Topaz is considered to be a symbol of love & affection.

     Topaz occurs naturally in shades of yellow & brown, shades of red, blue & green.

     Much of the topaz sold today, especially the blue colors have been color enhanced to achieve a deeper more pronounced & pleasing color. Precious topaz which can be a pale yellow to a pinkish brown color is valuable & has not been color enhanced.

     Precious topaz is found in Africa, Australia, Brazil, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Tasmania, among other locales. Yellow Topaz is a birthstone for the month of November.

Tourmaline-

     Tourmaline is an October birthstone and occurs in every color, in every shade & tone and even with two or more colors in the same stone! There is an exciting tourmaline called "watermelon" tourmaline in which both red & green is present in the same stone. Tourmaline is considered one of the most colorful members of the gemstone family, sometimes with alternating colors in the same gem. Elbaite is the most popular variety of Tourmaline that occurs in several beautiful colors & shades. They are transparent to translucent and are highly prized gemstones. Rubellite is a type of tourmaline that has a gorgeous deep pink to red color like a ruby. Indicolite is a deep indigo blue tourmaline that may have green undertones. With a hardness of 7 to 7.5 on the Moh’s Scale, Indicolite is a very good wearing stone. Indicolite is the beautiful greenish blue to hot blue variety of Elbaite, which is member of the Tourmaline family. The blue tourmalines are said to have a soothing power and are worn to help relieve stress.

     Rubellite & Indicolite Tourmalines are valueable & very popular today. Rubellite & Indicolite Tourmalines are among the most valuable of tourmalines commanding anywhere from $300 to $1000 per carat or more.

     Scroll down to read about Paraiba Tourmaline, the most valueable of all tourmalines, and one of the most expensive & popular gemstones on the market today.

Paraiba Tourmaline-

     The Paraiba variety of Tourmaline, best known for its fascinating neon pool blue color is selling from $2000 to $4000 per carat for a quality one carat gemstone. Larger carat sizes can go up to $15,000 and more for quality stones.

     To date, there are only two places where Paraiba Tourmaline has been discovered.

     It was first discovered in the 1980s in the Federal Brasilian State of Paraiba, Brazil (hence the name) but later discovered in Africa.

     The mine in Brazil is said to be completely depleted, but they are still mining in Africa, though it is said that the supply is dwindling at this mine as well now.

     The Paraiba tourmaline gets it gorgeous color from copper, an element which has never before been seen in a tourmaline. A large proportion of its weight consists of copper & most often the Paraiba Tourmalines contain manganese as well.

     Paraiba Tourmaline also comes in pink & purple varieties which are very valuable as well.  These colors also contain copper & manganese.

    The Paraiba Tourmaline is said to be just as valuable as the African Paraiba Tourmaline because of the following natural phenomenon. Take a world atlas and have a look at the outlines of the South American continent of Brazil and of Africa. If you shift the coastline of South America eastward, you will find that it fits the west coast of Africa just like a piece of puzzle. Nigeria, where the Paraiba Tourmaline is mined today, nestles perfectly by the north eastern coast of Brazil! Probably the brilliant and bright copper Tourmalines from Nigeria were created under the same conditions as the Paraiba ones, before the continents drifted apart. This may be the explanation why the two are so difficult to tell apart!

Turquoise-

     Turquoise is a popular gemstone that is opaque and can be light to dark blue or greenish blue. The finest color is an itense blue.

     Among the most prized turquoise is the turquoise from the Sleeping Beauty Mine in Arizona and the Persian (Iranian) turquoise from Iran. These are very rare & valuable varieties of turquoise. Mexico also produces turquoise but it is typically greener in color.

     Turquoise is also found in Australia, Chile, China, Russia & Turkestan.

     Turquoise has been referred to as a "lucky" stone and is a symbol of courage, success & love. When worn it is said to protect the wearer from poison, reptile bites, eye diseases & the evil eye. Also, the drinking of water in which turquoise has been dipped is said to relieve bladder aliments.

     To care for your turquoise, be sure to keep it away from soap, grease & other materials because these could cause discoloration. Also keep it away from other jewelry when it is being stored because it can become dull or scratched.

Zircon- 
 

     Zircons are very brilliant & transparent gemstones, occuring naturally in many colors such as blue, orange, yellow, brown, red & green.

     Sri Lanka has been a source of "gem quality" zircon for hundreds of years.

     Zircon is also found in Australia, Brazil, Cambodia, France, Myanmar, Thailand, Tanzania & Vietnam.

     It is said that zircons ease a woman's childbirth. For men, zircons help to keep evil spirits & nightmares away, strengthen their bodies & hearts, restore appetite, banish grief & sadness and induce sleep.