Agate - A member of the quartz family usually with colors arranged in stripes, blended in clouds or showing moss like forms. Formed by water seeping into cavities in volcanic rock and depositing mineral salts in layers, which over the centuries have hardened into varied colored bands of chalcedony. It has been used as a cure for insomnia and to alleviate sickness.

Amber - An organic gem, which is the fossilized resin from prehistoric pine trees. One of the first substances used by men for amulets, medicine and decoration.

Amethyst - Crystalline quartz linked to the Greek god of wine, it was said to prevent drunkenness. Ranging in color from wine-purple to pale lilac, it is the chosen stone of kings and popes, the birthstone of February, and the state gem of South Carolina. In healing folklore it calms while keeping awareness sharp and focused.

Aquamarine - A member of the Beryl family and gets its name from two Latin words that mean "water" and "sea". This pale greenish-blue or various tints of blue gem has been popular since 400 BC and was used to guard against injury during battle. It is also known to calm nerves and make wishes come true.

Azurite – Know as the “stone of Heaven” because of its unparalleled color, a deep blue called "azure", hence its name. It was a sacred stone of the Native American Indians and was used to contact spiritual guides. It is believed to encourage intuition and intuitive communication.

Blue Chalcedony - An agate mostly found in Namibia, Turkey or the U.S. It ranges from shades of light milky blue to blue-gray, while some of the bluer and more intense colors are achieved by heat treatment. The gemstone of Nebraska, where a very unusual and attractive deposit can be found. In healing folklore it is believed to encourage acceptance, light-heartedness and aid in communication.

Carnelian – Known for thousands of years before Christ, it has been used extensively in Jewelry for signet rings, seals, cameos and scarabs because of its warm, bright colors—light peach to vivid orange to red-orange and brownish red and it’s hardness. Heat treatment produces the brightest hues. In healing folklore it is good for courage and motivation and protects the wearer of tricks of the envious.

Chalcedony - A variety of quartz that comes in many colors and variations: onyx is a chalcedony with parallel layers of different colors; apple green chalcedony is called chrysoprase; dark red or orange red is carnelian; dark green spotted with red is bloodstone; variegated banded stones are agates; and mottled yellow, red, brown, or forest-green chalcedony is jasper.

Chrysoprase – Called the “Stone of Venus” by the Romans. An opalescent, apple green variety of chalcedony quartz. It is found in Australia, Brazil, and the U.S., and is the rarest of the chalcedony group. Chrysoprase was used by the Greeks, Romans, and the Egyptians in jewelry and other ornamental objects and because of its semi-opaque green color. In healing folklore it prevents depression, increases grace and equilibrium.

Chryscolla - is a stone of peace, wisdom, serenity, tolerance, patience, and love. It promotes gentleness and sensitivity. It is also said to dispel fear and unreasonable emotions. It was sacred to many Native American peoples. It is found in Australia, India, and the United States.

Citrine - This birthstone for November is a variety of quartz. Ranging in color from light gold to dark honey-gold hue, the hardness of this stone is very acceptable for everyday wear. In ancient times citrine was used in the breastplate of the High priest and carried as a protection against snake venom and evil thoughts.

Coral – Most coral comes from the Mediterranean, although some jewelers also buy Japanese coral. Coral ranges in color from white to pale pink to blood red. Genuine coral will bubble slightly if a drop of lemon juice is placed on it. A highly regarded symbol of vitality by the Tibetans.

Crystal - Because quartz transmits heat it is cool to the touch and crystal was originally believed to have been ice that lost it’s ability to melt. It has been used extensively for centuries for healing.

Freshwater pearl - Cultured pearls that are grown in freshwater mussel-type mollusks that live in lakes and rivers. The leading produces are Japan and China. They come in a rainbow of colors, some natural, some dyed, and the Chinese symbol of wealth, power, and longevity. Birthstone for June.

Garnet - Very Fashionable during the Victorian era, rich, red garnets are said to lift spirits and warm the heart. When worn attracts true love and faithfulness. Also called the “stone of commitment.” The name "Garnet" comes from the Latin word for pomegranate—its crystals resemble the fruit's color and "garnet-colored" seeds—but garnets actually come in a much wider array of color variations: reds, red-pinks, oranges, greens, yellow-browns, and color change. Birthstone for January.

Iolite - Violet-blue color that is unlike other gemstones. Because it is dichroic, it sometimes shows two or more colors according to the direction in which it is viewed through transmitted light. Ancient Nordic people used iolite as a compass. Although it has been compared to a light blue sapphire, it's for this reason sometimes called "water sapphire."

Jade - Used in Ancient times for weapons, utensils and ornaments. It is one of the toughest minerals known and was one of the most revered in Ancient China. Almost all Chinese wore it in one form or another for protection against accident or illness.

Labradorite - A special iridescent variety of feldspar whose color is caused by light refracting from microscopic crystals of ilmenite, hematite, magnetite, and from fine intergrowths of Labradorite crystals. In healing folklore it prevents many kinds of energy drain and reduces codependency.

Lapis – Lapis is a gemstone straight out of fairy tales of the Arabian Nights: deepest blue with golden shining Pyrite inclusions which twinkle like little stars. This opaque, deep blue gemstone looks back at a long history. It was one of the first stones ever to be used and worn for jewellery. Excavations in the antique cultural centres all around the Mediterranean provided archeologists with samples for jewellery which was left in tombs to accompany the deceased into the hereafter. Again and again this jewellery consisted of necklaces and objects crafted from Lapis lazuli – the clear indication that thousands of years ago the people in Mesopotamia, Egypt, Persia, Greece and Rome cherished deep blue Lapis lazuli. It is reported that at the legendary city of Ur situated on the Euphrat river, there was a busy trade in Lapis lazuli as early as four thousand years BC. In those days the stones were mined in the famous occurrences in Afghanistan. But in other cultures Lapis lazuli was also worshipped as a holy stone. Especially in the oriental countries it was considered as a gemstone with magical powers. Numerous seals, rings, scarabs and objects were crafted from the blue stone, which was introduced to Europe by Alexander the Great. Here the colour was called "ultramarine", meaning "from beyond the seas".

Mother-of-Pearl (shell) - Comes from the iridescent shell lining of large oyster pearls, abalones, and top shells. It is fashioned into beads, buttons, pendants, cameos, hair combs, pillboxes, and other decorative items.

Peridot - Also known as olivine, peridot ranges in color from light yellow-green to the intense bright green of new grass to olive. It is described as having a "velvety, sleepy appearance - a shining rich glow, and a slightly greasy luster." In gem folklore peridot is considered talismans of protection, power, and courage.

Peruvian Opal - Relatively rare, it comes from the Andes in Peru. It is a very translucent stone with color similar to the Caribbean Sea. Depending on how the stone is cut it can be clear, show varying degrees of color, or dendritic, which has black fern like inclusions. In healing folklore it is great for quieting the mind in mediation and as an aid to sleep.

Pietersite was first discovered by Sid Pieters in 1962 while prospecting farm land. He registered the find in the mineral records of Britian, which was published in 1964 naming the site "Pietersite" after the discoverer. He came across a rather heavy small stone covered in white limestone. As he could not see what was in the stone, he took it back to his work shop in Windhoek, where he cut it open to discover the beautiful blue and gold colored patterns of the stone which he later named after himself. He returned to the farm in Namibia where he began mining the stone, but after a short period of time, due to most of the material being stolen, he abandoned the mine. In the meantime however, he registered the find in the mineral records of Britain, and it was published in 1964 as Pietersite. A similar material was found and mined in China for several years, however, the mine flooded and has been abandoned.

Pietersite - Pietersite is formed from crocidolite type asbestos or a variety of Riebeckite. The process begins with Hawk Eye, the name given to the blue variety of Tiger Eye. This opague aggregate is formed when quartz replaces the blue/green mineral crocidolite creating iridescent planes or fractures with a silky luster. Tiger Eye is created when the iron from the decomposed crocidolite oxidizes changing it to a golden brown color. Pietersite is then formed by a process known as brecciation. This occurs when the fibrous structure of both Tiger Eye and Hawk Eye are broken via the earths geologic process. The tiny fragments are later naturally cemented together by quartz creating a finished product with multiple hues and superb chatoyancy.

This stone has a very high hardness of 7 due to its toughness from lack of cleavage. It has a specific gravity of 2.7. Rough Pietersite may contain pockets of pure unadulterated rock wool so caution should be taken while cutting and polishing your own stones. Use respiratory protection when working with this material bringing it to a polished condition.

Pietersite is extremely rare and found in only two locations world wide: Hunan, China and Swakopmund, Namibia, Africa. The Chinese mine has been flooded and is non-operable as has been the case for years. Thus the worlds single remaining mine is run by the African site. The price of Pietersite has risen in the past several years due to the closing of the China mine, limited production from the Africa mine, an increase in demand, and difficulties in export.

Quartz - A family of stones: amethyst, ametrine, "rock crystal", milky quartz, citrine, lemon quartz, smoky quartz, rose quartz, rutilated quartz, tiger's eye, star quartz, etc.

Rhodochrosite – Known as the “Inca Stone” known for love and balance, it is a gem loved for its creamy-white swirls and varying pinks: baby pink, hot pink, deep rose. The most commonly mentioned and massive deposit is from Argentina. In healing folklore it is beneficial for the heart disorders and strep throat infections.

Ruby - The ruby is the red form of the mineral corundum and mined primarily in Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Burma. The reddish color sapphires are known as ruby. Ruby is the second hardest gemstone after the diamond. The color can vary from a faint pink to deep, unforgettable red. Ancients believed that one who possessed a ruby was granted wisdom, health, wealth, and love.

Serpentine - Occurs in several varieties: bowenite, a yellow-green color, williamsite, a dark green with black spots, and verd antique, which looks like dark green marble that often contains veins of calcite. Found in Afghanistan, China, New Zealand, Russia and the US.

Shell Pearl - The shell pearl is a man made pearl. The raw material for the base of the pearl is the seashell, which is coated and polished to the final shape of the pearl. In order to produce a good quality pearl, a key ingredient is what we call a 'mother of pearl bead'. This element adds weight, value and durability to the pearl. In fact, the materials used in order to make shell pearls are the same materials from which cultured pearls are made.

Thai Silver - Handcrafted by the various hill tribe people of Laos, Burma, Viet Nam and Thailand, Hill Tribe Silver a.k.a. "Thai Silver", is composed of .955% silver making it more pure than sterling silver, which is .925% pure. The remaining percentage is a silver alloy. This high grade of silver is used because it is extremely soft and malleable allowing these ancient people to use hand tools to etch, carve and shape each piece individually. These pieces are extremely rich and detailed in their coloration and design.

Tourmaline - Comes in all spectrums of color, the most common being green and pink. Many refer to tourmaline as the "muses' stone," for they believe that its imaginative colors contain inspirational powers which enable the mind of its beholder to bring forth illimitable vision and creativity.

Turquoise – The name of the gem apparently relates to the fact that it was brought to Europe from the Eastern Mediterranean by Levantine traders, generally known as Turks. Hydrous phosphate of copper and aluminum, turquoise ranges in color from sky blue, bluish green, and apple green to a very pale green. Indigenous to the Southwest, turquoise is mined in Arizona, Nevada, Colorado, and New Mexico, and it is often identified by the mine from which it came. However, today many of the mines of the SW are no longer active and so much of the turquoise used today is imported from Asia.