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Amethyst
Amethyst is the most valuable forms of quartz and is a very popular gemstone. If
not for a generous supply of this gemstone, it would be very expensive.
Amethyst's name comes from the Greek with the meaning "not drunken" which was
possibly due to the belief that anyone wearing Amethyst could not become drunk.
To be Amethyst, the color must be purple however heat can affect the color. When
heated, Amethyst will loose its color and turn gray or white. Caution should be
taken in exposing our amethyst jewelry to too much sunlight or heat. The picture
to the left is an excellent amethyst because of its perfect clarity and
excellent cut (the quality of the cut is such that it reflects the maximum
light). The color is deep and dark. When shopping for amethyst jewelry, this
would be most valuable.CharoiteCharoite is a
relatively new gemstone and one of the rarest available today. With its intense lavender to purple
color, with an almost translucent swirling marbling, no other gemstone is comes
close to the unique properties of Charoite.
Although discovered around 1940, this rare gemstone mined only in Siberia,
Russia and having fairly prohibitive export restrictions, was not introduced as
an ornamental stone or as setting for Native American jewelry until about 1978.
Due to its rarity and unique coloring, the stone is said to be a symbol of
individuality. It is also believed that the stone bestows deep sleep and
powerful dreams and is a natural cure for insomnia.ChrysocollaChrysocolla is often mistaken for turquoise with its variegated green and blue
properties. The gemstone is a mixture of chrysocolla and copper minerals found
in the Gulf of Aqaba, near the Red Sea. The name comes from the Greek chrysos
translated means gold, and kolla translated means glue. Pure Chryscolla is too
soft for jewelry settings, but when mined from quartz deposits it is hard enough
to be polished into a gemstone. The metaphysical properties of this gemstone are
believed to help with meditation and communication and is also referred as the
Stone of Peace by reducing destructive emotions.Lapis Lazuli
Lapis is a somewhat rare semi-precious gemstone found most commonly in intense
blue colors often with small veins of gold and white pyrite inclusions. The blue
color is derived from the sulfur content which can range from a brilliant deep
blue to lighter blue. Lapis is among the first gemstones to ever be worn as
jewelry. Ancient excavation sites in the Mediterranean have discovered jewelry
and figures made of Lapis indicating that the gemstone was popular dating
thousands of years ago by the people of Egypt, Persia, Greece and Rome. Lapis is
the Latin for stone and azula comes from the Arabic meaning blue. The best Lapis
gemstones are mined from Afghanistan and Argentina but can also be occasionally
found in the United States, Canada, Russia and Chile. Lapis is said to the
gemstone of friendship and truth by encouraging harmony in relationships. Lapis
is the birthstone for December.LarimarBlue pectolite or Larimar is a highly sought after rare gemstone that is found
only in the mountainous and mostly inaccessible area in the Dominican Republic
in the Caribbean. Larimar was first mined in 1916 but it was not until 1974 that
it began appearing in Native American jewelry and Caribbean jewelry. The
transparent to translucent blue color of Larimar is distinct from any other
gemstone resembling the blue color of the sea and sky in Caribbean destinations.
Among forklore, Larimar is considered a healing stone. In fact, even today many
of the naturalists and those practicing alternative and holistic healing
methods, use Larimar to assist in healing processes. MalachiteMalachite is a brilliant green gemstone with beautifully banded shades of green
swirls. Malachite’s spectacular coloration is a result of varying copper levels
in the gemstone. Malachite is a copper ore found in copper producing regions of
Russia, Australia, England, Mexico, in the Southwest U.S, and also in Zaire. The
mineral given Malachite’s name is derived from the Greek molochitis which means
“mallow green stone. Malachite is believed to from illness and danger. It is
also considered in bringing harmony into one's life, and for enhancing knowledge
and patience. You never want to use an ammonia cleaning products on Malachite.Mother of PearlMother of Pearl is the iridescent inner layer commonly found inside the shells
of abalone, pearl oysters and mussel. Mother of pearl can be found in a variety
of shades of white, yellow, pink. Care should be taken not to expose Mother of
Pearl to chemicals.Rhodochrosite
Rhodochrosite is mostly found in lighter shades of red and pink and appears
almost transparent to translucent. This gemstone was first discovered in 1813 in
present day Romania but in 2002 Colorado officially named rhodochrosite as its
state mineral with some of the best jewelry quality gemstones having been found
in the Sweet Home Mine near Alma, Colorado. This mine produces some of the
rarest highest quality red crystals found in very few places on earth. In Native
American cultures, the stone is worn to give energy and soothe emotions, give
acceptance and forgiveness as well as cleanse the subconscious. It is also
referred to as the stone of creative thinking.
Seraphinite
The Seraphinite gemstone stone is striking with its beautiful white streaking
patterns throughout its sea green background. Seraphinite is a much sought after
gemstone as it is only found in the Lake Baikal region of Siberia. The
gemstone’s name comes from the Greek Seraphim which interpreted means Angels of
the highest order. This stone is believed to provide healing powers of restoring
health and balance by connecting one between the physical and angelic realm.
Spiny OysterSpiny Oyster is found off of Baja, Mexico in the Sea of Cortez. Spiny Oyster has
been used in Native American jewelry making since 1976. This shell is mostly
found in reds and oranges, but also purple and sometimes white and yellow. The
Latin for Spiny Oyster is Spondylus which means “spines on its back”.
Turquoise Jewelry Gemstones
Bisbee TurquoiseThe Bisbee Turquoise mine near Bisbee, Arizona is now closed, making the Bisbee
turquoise jewelry one of the most sought
after and expensive turquoise gemstones due to it's rarity, high density and
extremely good character. When shopping for Bisbee turquoise jewelry, look for
it's famous high-grade blue color and its smoky chocolate matrix.Blue Gem TurquoiseThe main Blue Gem Turquoise mine located near Battle Mountain, Nevada began
production in 1934 but is now closed. The Blue Gem turquoise is one of the most
valuable because of its rich color and hardness. The colors range from every
shade of green and blue from intense blues to deep green combinations with a
hard, irregularly distributed matrix. Blue Gem turquoise jewelry was very
popular in the late 1930's and 40's and was commonly referred to as "tourist
jewelry" that is greatly desired by collectors today.Carico Lake TurquoiseCarico Lake turquoise is named after a dry lakebed in a cooler higher elevation
of Lander County, Nevada. The Carico Lake mine is primarily a gold producing
mine, which is from time to time leased to individual turquoise miners. It's
clear, iridescent, spring-green color is due to its zinc content, but it is also
found in dark blue as well as a blue-green color with a black, spider web
matrix. The limited amount of Carico Lake turquoise and the limited amount of
time allowed to mine it though make Carico Lake turquoise jewelry a valuable
addition to anyone's collection.Kingman TurquoiseThe Kingman Turquoise mine in Northwestern Arizona has produced one of the
largest supplies of turquoise throughout the years. The terms "high blue" and
"Kingman" refer to the vibrant blue color associated with Kingman Turquoise,
which has set the color standard for turquoise jewelry. About 95% of Kingman is
stabilized which makes it very affordable. The Kingman mine reopened in 2004
since closing in the 1970's.Number 8 Turquoise
The Number 8 Turquoise mine in Carlin, Nevada was active from the 1930's through
the early 1950's. The mine however was depleted in 1961 subsequently making the
Number 8 Turquoise jewelry quite valuable. In its prime, the Mine produced some
of the largest turquoise nuggets ever found including a specimen that weighed
150 pounds. It was of good color and hardness and classified as gem quality. The
color of Number 8 Turquoise varies from light blue, blue with shades of green to
a striking dark blue. The most valuable is found with a black, golden, red or
brown matrix, with the black and red spider webbing.Royston TurquoiseRoyston Turquoise is mined from the southwestern part of Nevada from several
mines including Royston, Royal Blue, Oscar Wehrend and Bunker Hill. The first
known mine was discovered in 1902. Today the Royston mines are still producing
high quality turquoise but in limited amounts making Royston Turquoise jewelry
quite collectable. Royston is a good producer of high quality gemstones and is
known for is known for its beautiful colors from a beautiful soft blue to
emerald greens, often running together in the same stone, displaying both dark
and light green and sometimes blue. Royston has a heavy matrix ranging from dark
brown to gold in color, making for beautiful combinations with the color
variations of the stone.Sleeping Beauty TurquoiseThe Sleeping Beauty Turquoise mine located near Globe, Arizona is one of the
largest in North America still in operation, and one of the most affordable in
making turquoise jewelry. Sleeping Beauty is the favorite by the Zuni's for use
in their inlay technique, petit point and needlepoint. It is most widely known
for its solid light blue color with no matrix.
Turquoise Mountain and "Birdseye" TurquoiseTurquoise Mountain Turquoise comes from the same area as Kingman Turquoise in
Northwestern Arizona but was closed in the 1980's. Turquoise Mountain turquoise
is known for its light to high blue, many times with a golden or brown web but
also in a non-webbed matrix making it some of the most highly sought after
turquoise jewelry. "Birdseye" describes stones from this mine that show areas of
light blue circled with dark blue matrix, resembling the eye of a bird.White BuffaloWhite Buffalo, although not turquoise as some sellers of Native American jewelry and Southwestern jewelry represent, is sometimes called Sacred Buffalo Turquoise or White Buffalo Turquoise because of its discovery in a turquoise mine. White Buffalo was discovered in the Dry Creek mine near Battle Mountain, Nevada in 1993. Its formation is the same mineralization process except that White Buffalo does
not contain heavy copper, iron or zinc that make-up the traditional blues and greens of turquoise. The Dry Creek mine where White Buffalo was discovered is the only known mine with limited quantity of the gemstone yet to be mined therefore making it quite valuable and highly sought after due to its rarity.Wild HorseWild Horse, also referred by some as Crazy Horse is a combination of magnesite
and hematite and is mined in the Gila Wilderness area of Southern Arizona. The
name is believed to be derived from the spotted brown and with pinto horse due
to its resemblance. This gemstone is generally white with a brown to purple hue
matrix running through the white magnesite. You will not find any two Wild Horse
gemstones alike
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