Stones
Amazonite
Amazonite is a light green to a light blue gemstone, supposedly named after the blue Amazon River and the green Amazon Rainforest, but Amazonite is not actually found in the Amazon. Amazonite is less valuable than Jade but is sometimes mistaken for it.
Amber
Amber is the fossilized resin of ancient pine trees. It is a striking orange color and was historically thought to be linked to the sun due to this. Pieces and jewelry made from amber have been found in graves dated to as far back as 2000 B.C.
Ametrine
Ametrine is the combination of Amethyst and Citrine, and generally are partially purple and partially yellow/orange. It is a relatively new classification.
Amethyst
Amethyst is the birthstone for February and is a vibrant violet purple color. Amethyst belongs to the quartz group of minerals and is very valuable and precious. Amethyst receives its purple color from aluminum and iron impurities. Amethyst has many powers but especially to soothe and stimulate emotions and the mind. It allows the logic of sobriety and restraint but conveys the energy of passion and fire, spirituality and resourcefulness.
Aquamarine
Aquamarine is in the same family as beryl or emerald and is most well-known for its incredible range of beautiful blue colors. The name means seawater in Latin and that’s where it derives from. Dark blue is the most desirable color for aquamarine. It is a very hard gemstone as well. Aquamarine seems to be only growing in popularity and is a more moderately priced stone. It is also the birthstone for March. Aquamarine was used traditionally to purify water by the Romans. It is a conventionally soothing stone. It helps to keep your breathing tranquil and secure during stressful times.
Carnelian
Carnelian is another form of Chalcedony Quartz. It is orange-red to dark red and derives its name from cornel cherries, which share a similar color. There are written records showing knowledge of the stone that date back 4000 years.
Citrine
Citrine is a very popular gemstone that comes from a large family of quartz gemstones. “Citrine” derives from the French word, “Citron,” which means “lemon,” even though citrine is more golden than a lemon color. Citrine carries the power of the sun. It is heartening and warm, life giving and invigorating. The crystal itself has many key energies. It brings the influence of citrine to your exertions. Citrine is a premier stone of resourcefulness, personal will and manifestation.
Coral
Coral is organic, literally coming from the Coral in seas and oceans. Coral can come in a few different colors, but the most common color used as a semi precious stone is Red Coral.
Fluorite
Fluorite is a relatively popular gemstone and mineral, and the term ‘fluorescent’ was derived from the name of this stone. Colors vary widely, but the most typical color of Fluorite is blue.
Freshwater Pearls
Best known for their whimsical shapes and wide variety of sizes and colors, the character of a freshwater pearl is found in its distinctive surface texture and the warmth of its luster. The nacre of a high-quality freshwater pearl does not typically have the glossy, metallic finish found in akoya pearls, and they are evaluated on separate quality scales. One interesting piece of freshwater pearl trivia: a single freshwater pearl mussel is capable of producing up to 50 pearls at a time (although current production limits each shell to 24-32 pearls). Although most freshwater pearl information lists several areas of the world as home to pearl-producing mussels, the global freshwater market is overwhelmingly dominated by Chinese pearl farms, which account for nearly all freshwater pearls sold today.
Garnet
There are six common types of garnets in the gemstones family. They are spessartie, grossularite, almandine, pyrope, andradite and uvarovite. There are also some mixture of the garnets such as pyrope and almandite. All Mali Garnets derive from Africa. It received its name in 1994 when andradite and grossular garnet was found in the Mali, a West African country. It was then named the mali garnet. Garnet is the birthstone for January but that is a deep red color, and the most traditional for the gemstone. The most valuable are the andradite and the grossular garnets. Garnet is said to be useful in attracting thoughtfulness and commitment. It is a giver of happiness and an energy enhancer. It is the birthstone for January.
Jade
The term Jade encapsulates many things and covers a wide array of gemstones. The only pure forms of jade are nephrite and jadeite. Jade’s history dates back to several thousand years ago when it was used to make tools and weapons because of its strength. The name Jade originates from the Spanish term, “piedra de ijada.” The translation means, “stone for the pain in the side.” Jade is known to convey affluence and money, captivate affection and helps with self-healing. It also offers security from adversity and calamities.
Jasper
The term jasper derives from the Greek word for, “spotted stone.” Scientist put jasper in a group all by itself due to its grainy structure but it is usually considered to be chalcedony. It contains foreign materials that make up its streak, color and appearance and account for 20% of the stone itself. The rarest type of jasper is uniform. Jasper is essentially the gemstone of vivacity, security, and physical energy. It is good to keep in your home, work, or car for extra protection.
Lapis Lazuli
Lapis Lazuli has historically been used as a gemstone and remains well known today. It is an intense blue opaque gemstone, and it shimmers and has white spots and streaks. Historically was ground into a powder and used to create blue paint before a synthetic method for creating the same colors was invented.
Swarovski Crystals
Swarovski crystals are man-made gems manufactured in Austria. In 1892, Daniel Swarovski invented a machine for making precision-cut, beautiful, high quality lead glass crystals using quartz, sand, and minerals. The exact proportions of these raw materials has remained a company secret. This specialized manufacturing process ensures the highest possible degree of precision which produces brilliant crystals. For five generations, the Swarovski family has continued the tradition of making the most recognized crystals in the world out of their factory in Wattens, Austria.
Tiger's Eye
Tiger’s Eye is a golden brown gemstone from the Quartz family. It is known for its chatoyancy (Cat’s Eye effect). It shares a color with the Tiger, hence its name.
Topaz
There are wide arrays of colors that topaz comes in. They are orange, red, yellow, brown, clear, pink, and blue. Blue topaz with a medium hue is the most shared version of the gemstone and it can be found in huge sizes at inexpensive prices. It has a high refractive index and a very high hardness. The rarest form of it is moderately scarce and is called Imperial Topaz. Topaz surges your mindfulness of actions and judgments and their karmic properties. It cleanses engagements as well as feelings. It starts cosmic consciousness and eliminates motionless energy as well. It is a sympathetic and comforting stone.
Tourmaline
Tourmaline originates from the term, “turamali” in Singhalese which means, “stone of mixed colors.” It has a very exclusive spectrum of colors and stands alone by that fact in the world of gemstones. Tourmaline is a very adaptable gemstone and is available from the color black to being entirely colorless. Tourmaline is used in exertions to secure a sound monetary future. It also is used to develop physical strength.
Turquoise
Turquoise is an opaque, bluish-green mineral that derives its name from “Turkish,” which is the country that first brought the mineral to Europe from Iran. Turquoise was mined over 4,000 years ago in the Sinai Peninsula by the Egyptians and has been mined for at least 2,000 years in Iran. The Southwest United States is also a major source of turquoise and its use is very popular in Native Indian jewelry. As one of the earliest stones mined, turquoise was used an an amulet for protection and symbolized wealth in ancient cultures. As an amulet, it was believed to protect from harm and negative energy. It is a symbol of friendship.