About the Stones

Turquoise has been used for ornamental purpose for many years, it is referenced over 2,000 years ago in the Bible.

Exodus 28:18 The second row shall be a turquoise, a sapphire, and a diamond. (describing jewels on Aaron's breastplate)

Amber

Amber is the fossilized resin of trees, formed tens of millions of years ago, and has been used as an ornamental material since Neolithic times. The stone is lightweight, and ranges from translucent to semi opaque. Its color comes in shades of yellows, oranges and greens. The location of its origin is from the Baltic and also the Dominican Republic.

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Amethyst

Amethyst is crystalline quartz and comes in shades of purple, lilac or mauve. The name arrived from the Greek word meaning "not drunken". It was traditionally worn to install a sober and serious mind, and to guard against drunkenness. The stone is found in geodes in alluvial deposits from Brazil, Russia, Sir Lanka, India, Uruguay and USA.

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Black Onyx

Onyx is a variety of chalcedony. In its original form chalcedony is blue white. Since Egyptian times, onyx has been dyed to improve or change its color. Chalcedony is dyed in many colors, black being the most popular. Black onyx is used in many types of jewelry and is known for its durability. Found worldwide, much of it comes from Uruguay and the bordering regions of Brazil.

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Coral

Coral is the skeletal remains of marine animals that have grown together forming reefs. The most valuable coral is deep red, which is found in the warm waters of the Mediterranean Sea. Its oldest known findings are from about 3,000BC. It was believed to bring protection, and was given as a gift by parents to their young children.

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Denim Lapis

Denim Lapis once was the cast off material from cutting blue lapis lazuli, and it is now prized in its own right. Its color both resembles and compliments denim clothing.

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Gaspeite

Gaspeite has a distinctive yellowish-green color, contributing to its popularity with those seeking a different look.

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Jet

Jet is a coal that has been formed by wood and is generally black in color. It is used as a gemstone because of the velvety luster that it gives off when polished. Jet is found in Canada, England, France, Germany, Spain, and the United States.

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Lab Opal

Lab Opal is made from silica and epoxy and will not crack as the natural stone sometimes does. There is often more evenly dispersed "fire" in the imitation opal than in the natural stone.

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Lapis

Lapis Lazuli is composed of several minerals, including lazurite, mica, pyrite, hornblende and calcite and is an intense blue in color. The best quality lapis comes from Afghanistan and has been mined there for 6,000 years. It has been used in many famous art pieces, including the mask of Tutankhamen. Lapis was worn by some who believed that it would protect them from evil.

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Malachite

Malachite is famous for its deep green color and radial banding and is found near copper ore deposits. It is mined in Zaire, Australia, South Africa and Arizona. Popular with ancient Egyptians, Greeks, Romans and Russian Tsars have used in decorating their palaces.

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Mother of Pearl

Mother of Pearl is the inner layer of the mollusk shell and is a fragile stone. It is prized in many forms of jewelry for its iridescent "pearly" color.

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Tiger's-Eye

When quartz is appropriately cut, a cat's eye effect is created. A golden yellow reflection on a brown ground color is known as tigers'-eye. Iron oxide staining gives tiger's-eye its yellow and golden brown stripes. The most important source of tiger's-eye is in South Africa, but it is also found in California, India, Australia and Myanmar.

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Turquoise

Turquoise got its name from traders called Turks who brought the stone to Europe from Persia via Turkey centuries ago. It is mined in Nevada, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona and California in the US, it is also found in China and the Middle East. Only 25% of turquoise is usable or desirable in its natural form. Most untreated turquoise is a fragile, porous stone with a tendency to undergo changes in color when exposed to light, perspiration, oils and detergents. Even though it is hard enough to be a gemstone, it is comparatively soft. The following are various treatments used to keep it from fading or crumbling: enhanced, stabilized, compressed or fracture-sealed.

Turquoise is the one of the official birth stones for the month of December. Also known as the "sky stone" legend has it that turquoise attracts money, success and love. Its powers include protection, healing, courage, friendship, and luck. Relaxes the mind, and eases mental tension. The coloring of turquoise ranges from royal blue to green with various variations in between. The most valuable is Lander Blue, which came from a small deposit that was found in Nevada.

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