Many of my pieces feature naturally occurring semi-
The agate obtains its typical banded appearance through the deposition of other quartz substances within the layers. It enjoyed a high reputation as a protective stone in the ancient world. The tradition still holds strong today as agate is widely used in spiritual healing, believed to balance and harmonise the body and mind.
A type of variegated chalcedony, more specifically a variety of quartz. This type of agate is most notably recognized by its predominantly light blue banded layers that have also been known to include bright blue, white and brown hues. Agates typically form as nodules or geodes in igneous rocks. When an empty pocket or hole inside a porous rock fills layer by layer and the molecules begin to crystallize, bands of agate form. The color and banding patterns vary depending on pressure, temperature and the mineral content. Blue lace agate was discovered in Namibia, originally South West Africa. Small amounts have also been found in Brazil, China, India and various places in the United States. Agates in general are found alongside multiple other rocks and minerals, including amethyst.
This is a unique and extremely rare form of fossilized dinosaur bone that is only found within the Brushy Basin Member of the Morrison Formation, located on the Colorado Plateau. The latest dating of the Morrison Formation identifies it as approximately 146 to 156 million years old. The Brushy Basin was the last member of the Morrison Formation to be deposited, correlating with the Late Jurassic Age. The dinosaurs represented here include Allosaurus, Apatosaurus, Brachiosaurus, Camarasaurus, Diplodocus, Stegosaurus, and Torvosaurus (a theropod nearly the size of Tyrannosaurus), to name just a few!
This is a beautiful piece of Late Jurassic, agatized dinosaur bone which has been cut and polished to reveal the wonderful internal cell structure.
Agatized dinosaur bone is a rare form of fossilized dinosaur bone where the original fossilized bone has been re-
Legend has it that this stone was named by the South American Indians in the 18th century who said it came from a land of women without men and so called it “amazon stone”. Formerly amazonite was mined almost exclusively in Russia, but Colorado in the USA is now a major source. Amazonite is a member of the feldspar family and owes its greeny-
Amber was believed to be a powerful talisman by the Vikings. Stories of the magical powers of this fossilised tree resin, washed up on the shores of the Baltic, go back to pre-
Mosaic amber is made from small pieces of natural amber fused together with an amber powder as the binding agent.
The stone of contentment, said to bestow stability, serenity and peace. Amethyst belongs to the quartz family and its variation in colour is largely due to the traces of iron it contains. Amethyst was highly prized in antiquity for its calming effect and the name derived from the Greek amethustos or “non-
Amethyst is also the birthstone for February.
Ametrine is a colour-
Although amethyst is very abundant,
Apatite is the most common type of phosphate in the world and it is the main source for phosphorus, a chemical essential to bioenergetics and photosynthesis. Apatite is composed of calcium phosphate, which is the same material that makes up teeth and bones.
Although apatite is a very common mineral, transparent gemstone-
The word 'apatite' was derived from a Greek word meaning 'cheat'. The name was given to apatite because of its close resemblance to several other precious gemstones. As a result of many people being 'cheated', apatite became unfairly labeled as the 'deceitful stone'. Amblygonite, andalusite, brazilianite, precious beryl, sphene, topaz and tourmaline can all be confused with apatite.
Aventurine is most commonly green, though it also forms in blue, red to reddish-
Bronzite is sometimes cut and polished, usually in convex forms, for small ornamental objects. It often has a more-
A stone from the quartz family, cornelian is found all over the world but it is widely held that the best stones come from India. The name is derived from the Latin word for horn. Cornelian is said to help the wearer “live in the moment” as well as restoring the natural energy flow of the body.
A variety of the quartz family, chalcedony can either be blue, green or pink in colour. Considered a sacred stone in some cultures, chalcedony is thought to nurture and create goodwill in relationships. The name is derived from the ancient Greek town of Chalkedon in Asia Minor.
Citrine is a variety of quartz. In ancient times it was believed to strengthen the intellect while in modern spiritual healing it is thought to fortify the nerves, aid digestion and encourage self-
Citrine is one of two traditional birthstones for the month of November, the other being Topaz.
Created stones, as the name implies, are man-
Diamonds are formed at depths of around one hundred miles beneath the Earth’s surface and, as pure carbon, is the hardest mineral known to man. The name diamond is derived from the Greek adamas meaning “invincible” -
As the birthstone for April it represents eternity and abundance.
Emeralds are fascinating gemstones. They have the most beautiful, most intense and most radiant green that can possibly be imagined: emerald green. Inclusions are tolerated. In top quality, fine emeralds are even more valuable than diamonds. The name emerald comes from the Greek 'smaragdos' via the Old French 'esmeralde', and really just means 'green gemstone'. Innumerable fantastic stories have grown up around this magnificent gem. The Incas and Aztecs of South America, where the best emeralds are still found today, regarded the emerald as a holy gemstone. However, probably the oldest known finds were once made near the Red Sea in Egypt. Having said that, these gemstone mines, already exploited by Egyptian pharaohs between 3000 and 1500 B.C. and later referred to as 'Cleopatra's Mines', had already been exhausted by the time they were rediscovered in the early 19th century.
Ammonites were free-
Fossil coral is a natural stone that is formed when ancient coral is gradually replaced with agate. The proper name for this material is agatized coral or agatized fossil coral. The fossilized coral typically appears as small flower-
These are natural pearls that are formed inside a freshwater mussel. The pearls grow in a baroque or irregular shape as distinct from their rounded saltwater cousins, known as cultured pearls. In ancient mythology pearls were thought to be heavenly dewdrops caught by shells rising from the sea bed. Believed to be sacred to the Roman moon goddess Diana.
Pearl is the birthstone for June and is thought to symbolise peace, beauty and friendship.
The name garnet is believed to have derived from the Latin granatum, meaning pomegranate and referring to its deep red coloured seeds. Garnet has been used in jewellery since ancient times and was thought to have great curative powers, protecting the wearer from harm. It is believed that garnet energises the emotions, promoting confidence and strength of character.
Garnet is also the birthstone for January, symbolising eternity and truth.
The name hematite is derived from the Greek word for blood (haima). It can sometimes be red in colour as well as metallic grey. Hematite is the mineral form of iron-
An ancient stone, jade has been seen as a good luck charm for thousands of years, especially in the East and when worn as jewellery. Spiritually jade is thought to encourage self-
Jasper is usually formed from old sediments (or volcanic ash flows) that have been glued (and at times replaced) with silica. Flow patterns of the original material are often easy to see. Many jaspers are known as picture jasper because they contain what appear to be small scenes of sand dunes, mountains, plains, and even sky. Since the original materials were probably cross bedded sediments, they often contain the structure they mimic.
Indian Paint Stone is classified as a jasper, formed from sedimentary material (sandstone) that is at least partially silicified. Originally found in Death Valley, California before it became a national park, it is now sourced from old collections as no new material can be taken. It is debatable that this is a true jasper, but may be considered a ‘work in progress’.
It is softer than most jaspers and does not take a high gloss polish, the resulting matt finish giving it a soft muted appearance. The interesting patterns and colours are created by trace amounts of red iron and black manganese being drawn into the rock by capillary action through minute cracks in the stone. There are veins of hematite that run through some of it and the hematite will polish to a mirror finish.
This Australian jasper was first found on Mooka Station – a sheep farm of around 700,000 acres in Western Australia.
Mookaite comes in a rainbow of warm, earthy colours: reds, magentas, yellows, browns, purples, creams, black, white and few dendrites. It is a jasper after a very fine siltstone, and often has some broad flow patterns. It takes a very high polish and the top quality material rings when tapped.
Kunzite is usually pale but it can sometimes be bright and quite intense. Kunzite colours range from light pink to saturated pink; lilac to lavender, and from light violet to pink-
Kyanite
Kyanite is named for the Greek word for blue, Kyanos. And what a blue! Nepali kyanite resembles the finest sapphire. Kyanite was a gem far better known to mineral collectors until more recent finds in Kali Gandaki river region of west central Nepal. Nepal is the first source to produce a significant amount of facet grade kyanite. Prior to the Nepal discoveries, Brazil was a major source of mineral specimen material, but kyanite also occurs in a variety of locations around the world. The powerful blue hues of kyanite have long been thought to inspire calmness, composure, serenity, loyalty and respect.
Labradorite gains its wonderful iridescent colours from a mineral structure which bends incoming light. Labradorite was found for the first time in 1770 on the Labrador Peninsula in Canada. Known as a power stone, it is believed to build inner strength and conviction, as well as bestowing depth of feeling.
Malachite, copper carbonate, is most often found in massive forms with various patterns. It is often found in botryoidal masses that produce bulls-
Malachite often results from weathering of copper ores and is typically associated with copper deposits around limestones, the source of the carbonate. This opaque, green banded mineral crystallizes in the monoclinic crystal system, and most often forms botryoidal, fibrous, or stalagmitic masses, in fractures and spaces, deep underground, where the water table and hydrothermal fluids provide the means for chemical precipitation. Individual crystals are rare but do occur as slender to acicular prisms. Pseudomorphs after more tabular or blocky azurite crystals also occur.
Moonstone is a type of feldspar. It is unique because of the rainbow colours that can be seen playing inside it.
Formed from the iridescent inside of a pearl oyster, mother-
Valued for its strong lustre and colour, onyx has been used in jewellery and ornamentation since pre-
Opal is often described as "Nature's fireworks” due to its iridescent rainbow flashes through the white gemstone. It’s popularly thought that the name derives from the Sanskrit word for precious stone: upala. Most opal is more than 60 million years old and generally dates back to when dinosaurs roamed the earth. Opal is the birthstone for October and it is considered a stone of happy dreams and good changes. It is thought to be the most powerful of healing stones. African opal is often referred to as milk opal and is a more common, less prized variety.
Opalite is a man-
Deriving from the Arabic faridat, meaning gem, peridot was used in ancient Egypt as a stone for jewellery. It is said to alleviate anxiety and fear and to relieve insomnia.
Peridot is thought to bring joy and good fortune as the birthstone for August.
Petrified wood is a fossil. It forms when plant material is buried by sediment and protected from decay by oxygen and organisms. Then, groundwater rich in dissolved solids flows through the sediment replacing the original plant material with silica, calcite, pyrite or another inorganic material such as opal.
Prehnite was not discovered until the end of the eighteenth century in South Africa by Colonel Von Prehn, an early Dutch governor of the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa. It was the first mineral to be named after a person. Prehnite is believed to improve mental sharpness and to help dissolve unpleasant memories.
Pyrite means "fire stone" as it creates sparks when struck, and has been used for thousands of years as a means of starting fires, by knocking it against flint. Historically it was considered a magic stone and a stone of protection, and was worked into amulets.
Spinel
Spinel is a gemstone that comes in a variety of colours. Pure Spinel is colourless, but impurities are responsible for the wide range of colours. The most valuable and desirable Spinel colour is a deep blood red, though blue, yellow, orange, pink, and purple colors also make fine gemstones. Spinel is often fluorescent in ultraviolet light, and this can be helpful in its identification.
Fine red Spinel is actually rarer than Ruby of equal colour. However, it is an undervalued gemstone, with its cost about 30% lower than comparable Ruby. The scarcity of good Spinel is the reason for its lack of demand and popularity.
Pure quartz, traditionally called rock crystal, is colourless and transparent or translucent, and has often been used for stone carvings. Common coloured varieties include citrine, rose quartz, amethyst, smoky quartz, milky quartz, and others. Other opaque gemstone varieties of quartz, or mixed rocks including quartz, often including contrasting bands or patterns of colour, are agate, sard, onyx, carnelian, heliotrope, and jasper.
Rhodonite is well known among collectors for its beautiful pink and red colour. The red variety can be so deep red that it rivals the colour of Ruby. The large crystals once found in Franklin, New Jersey, are classic rarities that make magnificent reference pieces. Rhodonite often has black manganese oxide veins running through a specimen, giving it the distinct appearance of pink with black crisscrossing lines and flower-
Ruby is distinguished for its bright red colour, being the most famed and fabled red gemstone. Beside for its bright colour, it is a most desirable gem due to its hardness, durability, lustre, and rarity. Transparent rubies of large sizes are even rarer than Diamonds. Ruby is the red variety of the mineral Corundum. Sapphire, the other gem variety of Corundum, encompasses all colours of Corundum aside from red. In essence, Ruby is a red Sapphire, since Ruby and Sapphire are identical in all properties except for colour. However, because of the special allure and historical significance, Ruby has always been classified as an individual gemstone, and is never identified as a form of Sapphire (though some purplish-
The colour of Ruby is usually caused by minute inclusions of the metal chromium. These impurities are often responsible for causing a Ruby to fluorescent, which can be helpful in its identification. Ruby is also pleochroic, and will sometimes display a lighter and more intense color when viewed at different angles. Though Ruby can be one the most expensive gemstones, it also comes in more dull opaque forms that are fairly inexpensive, and are often polished into cabochons. A unique gemstone form composed of opaque red Ruby in contrasting green Zoisite is well known from Tanzania, and is used as a minor gemstone and can be carved into ornaments.
Seraphinite is a member of the Chlorite group of minerals, found in the Lake Baikal region of Siberia, Russia which is considered the oldest lake in the world. Its name is derived from ‘Seraphim’, the Hebrew word that refers to the highest order of angels, considered the guardians of God's throne. This could be due to the silvery feather-
For centuries rose quartz has been considered to be a fertility crystal. Known as the “love stone”, it is thought to attract and strengthen love as well as heal emotional wounds. Most rose quartz is mined in Brazil.
This is a man-
A unique stone as hard as diamond, Silex is striped flint and can only be found in the Sandomierz region in Poland. It is popularly thought to be formed 150 million years ago, as a result of a colony of sea sponges dying out.
A member of the quartz family this stone obtains its brown colour from traces of aluminium within the mineral. It is believed to have a relaxing effect on the wearer as well as increasing tolerance to stress and reducing negative emotions.
Named because of its high sodium content, sodalite was discovered in Greenland in 1806. It is believed to encourage idealism and the drive for truth. In spiritual healing it is thought to purify the aura and to protect from negative energy.
Tanzanite is the blue to violet gem variety of the mineral Zoisite. Since its relatively recent discovery in 1967, it has become a mainstream and popular gemstone, and is used extensively in jewellery. To date, Tanzanite is found only in the Arusha region of the African country of Tanzania, and it was named after its country of origin.
The name Tanzanite was coined in 1969 by Henry Platt, the vice-
A member of the quartz family, tigers eye has a fibrous composition which creates a silken sheen giving rise to its name. In ancient times tigers eye was used to make amulets that protected the wearer against spells. It is now believed to help maintain a balanced view on life and to combat stress by enabling the wearer to gain courage and confidence.
Tiger Iron is a composite stone of golden tiger eye, hematite, and red jasper. More than 2 billion years ago, deposits of these three materials were slowly pushed together as tectonic plates shifted. The tremendous pressures on the original crystals resulted in the intricate, banded designs of tiger iron. Wearing Tiger Iron is widely thought to promote self-
The name topaz is derived from the Sanskrit word tapas. In ancient cultures topaz was considered to be the stone of Jupiter, representing rule over one’s own life, self-
Topaz is one of two traditional birthstones for the month of November, the other being Citrine.
Thought to bring balance and focus to the wearer, tourmaline was known in Arabic traditions as a stone that strengthened the heart and protected the wearer from nightmares. Tourmaline has a wide variety of colours from black to pink and green. Today gem quality tourmaline is mined chiefly in Brazil and Africa.
Named after Turkey where European crusaders first came into contact with the stone in medieval times. In many cultures, turquoise was valued as a protection against evil spirits and was worn as an amulet for strength and prosperity. It is particularly valued in the Native American community and made into beautiful jewellery, often combined with silver.
Turquoise is the birthstone for December.
Turquoise is found in only a few places on earth: dry and barren regions where acidic, copper-
Turquoise deposits usually form in iron-
Several varieties of turquoise contain complete secondary minerals like pyrite or other metal sulfides. The composition of the turquoise can often be used to place it to a particular mine.
Kingman Turquoise
This turquoise is from the Mineral Park Mine near Kingman, Arizona, and is known for its good colour.
Genuine Swarovski crystals give a wonderful sparkle. These high quality Austrian cut glass crystals are probably the best in the world. They are expertly faceted and polished to produce the finest quality crystals available.
To keep your silver shiny, gently wipe with a silver polishing cloth, avoid contact with perfumes and store in an airtight bag with an anti-