Agate - Agate is a quartz crystal and a subvariety of chalcedony. It is found in a wide range of pale colors including green, yellow, red, reddish-brown, white and bluish white. The use of agate spans across time reaching all the way back to ancient Egyptians and Indians.

Amber - Amber is a fossilized, organic mixture of pine resins, acids and volatile oils dating back at least 30 million years. It comes from the tree sap of the pine trees, pinus succinifera. It is predominantly found in yellow and brown colors. Treasured since the dawn of civilization, amber has enjoyed at least 70 centuries of popularity and has played a key role in the development of multiple societies.  The Baltic Sea is the primary source for amber. It washes ashore along the edge of the Lithuania or it is found through pit mining.

Amethyst - Amethyst is the most highly valued and recognizable gemstone of the quartz family. Its affordable pricing makes it a perennially popular choice. It is found in a range of colors from violet to pale red-violet. Ancient Romans believed that if one drank amethysts with their wine, they would not become inebriated, and many of the small goblets from that era are made from amethysts.  Valued by the ancient Egyptians, the Hebrews and even the Christian Church, amethyst has played a key role in cultures throughout history.

Apatite - Apatite is not well known by the general public but is a frequently sought after choice for collectors.  Apatite is a naturally occurring beautiful gemstone. While it is known for its asparagus green hues, apatite actually can be found in a wide variety of colors ranging from colorless to pink, yellow, blue and violet.  The name apatite comes from the Greek word “apate,” meaning “to deceive,” because it can be easily confused for a variety of other stones such as tourmaline, peridot and beryl.  Some believe apatite fosters communication, concentration, clarity of thought and intellect.

Aquamarine - Aquamarine is a member of the beryl family. It is known for its clear sky-blue color but is also found in a range of dark blues to blue-greens.  Aqua means water, marine means blue in latin.  Capture the vibrant blues of the sea in a stone and you have Aquamarine. From light blue to bluish green to deep blue, Aquamarine offers irresistible ranges of sea blue colors.  Ancient sailors traveled with aquamarine crystals, believing that it would insure a safe passage, and often slept with the stones under their pillow to insure sound sleep. They believed the siren’s (mermaid) fish-like lower body was made of aquamarine.

Aventurine - Aventurine has a shimmering iridescence and a semi-translucent appearance. Aventurine is a metamorphic rock, meaning it is made up of more than one mineral. Green aventurine is mostly quartz with the glistening effect coming from tiny inclusions of shiny mica minerals.

Carnelian - Carnelian is a quartz crystal and a sub-variety of chalcedony. It is found in flesh-color to reddish brown to a uniform red.  Its durability, beauty and abundance made chalcedony one of the earliest raw materials used by humans. 

Chalcedony - Chalcedony represents a family of fine-grained (cryptocrystalline) quartz crystals including agate, chyrsoprase, bloodstone, jasper, carnelian, moss agate, onyx, and sard, as well as one variety known specifically as chalcedony.  Chalcedony is listed as one of the stones in the foundation of the city walls of the New Jerusalem in Revelation (21:19).

Chrysocolla -   Chrysocolla is attractive blue-green stone that provides a unique color to the mineral world.  It is often confused with turquoise.  It is known as a healing stone among Native American Indian cultures where it was used for strengthening the body's resistance and bringing about calm feelings where there is upset.

Citrine - Citrine is a quartz crystal. While its name refers to a lemon yellow color, citrine can be found in a range of yellows from light yellow to dark yellow and golden brown.  Gloria Swanson and other great old film stars of Hollywood brought citrine to the public awareness in the late 30's. She wore her own flamboyant citrine jewelry in her films. At that time, it was so unavailable to the general population, that it cost a fortune. Today we can have the same beautiful stones for affordable prices. 

Coral - Coral is among the most ancient of gem materials, used for adornment since prehistoric times. Coral inlays and ornaments have been found in Celtic tombs from the Iron Age. It's also the height of fashion today; its bold tones, so flattering against the skin, add a modern shot of strong color that adds drama to everything you wear.  Coral is an organic gem, calcium carbonate with a trace of carotene, deposited by tiny sea creatures living in the depths of warm seas in huge colonies. It grows in branches that look like underwater trees. Most coral used in jewelry is found in the Mediterranean Sea or in the Pacific off Japan and Taiwan. Coral was long thought to be a powerful talisman that could stop bleeding, protect from evil spirits, and ward off hurricanes. The ancient belief in the protective and invigorating powers of coral lives on in the traditional present of red coral necklaces for small children. Coral is one of the seven treasures in Buddhist scriptures and Tibetan Lamas use coral rosaries.

Emerald - Emerald is the most precious member of the Beryl family. It exhibits a distinct and recognizable pure green hue but can also be found in a bluish-green hue.  This glorious stone was traded in one of the earliest known gem markets in Babylon around 4000 B.C.  According to legend, the Emperor Nero watched the gladiator fights through an emerald.  Cleopatra's emerald mines were world-famous in 2000 BC. Emerald is considered a symbol of immortality and faith, and an aid to eyesight, insight, and intelligence.

Fluorite - Fluorite or fluorspar is a mineral gemstone. Its wide range of colors includes the popular purple, blue, green, and yellow. It also comes in colorless, brown, pink, black and a rare reddish orange. 

Garnet - Garnet is a the name given to a group of minerals which have in common a crystal structure and similar (but not exact) chemical composition.  Malum granatum , Latin for garnet, refers to red pomegranate seeds.

Iolite - Iolite is a gemstone with a slight variability in chemical composition between stones. It exhibits a blue-to-violet range of colors and sometimes shows a brownish streak.  The Vikings used iolite as a light polarizer, using it to see through the haze and determine the exact location of the sun on overcast days.

Jade - Called the stone of heaven, jade is a hard stone that has been treasured by the Chinese for over 7,000 years. Jade actually comes from two different mineral species with similar appearance: nephrite and jadeite.  In ancient China and Europe, jade made ideal weapons, tools and ritual ornaments.  For ancient Chinese emperors, jade provided the cosmic link for communicating between Heaven and Earth.

Jasper - A fine-grained quartz, jasper is opaque and most commonly exhibits a brownish-red color, but it can also appear in green, yellow, brown or black.  Fine grained and dense, jasper is a spotted or patterned stone due to the significant mix of other materials.  Some ancient cultures believed that jasper had the power to bring rain and to protect its wearer from the poisonous bites.

Labradorite - Labradorite is a gemstone in the feldspar family. It is known for a brilliant play of color and exhibits lustrous metallic tints of blue, green, yellow, red, gold and purple.  Labradorite is named after the peninsula of Labrador in Canada.

Lapis Lazuli - Lapis lazuli is a gemstone that appears like it might have come straight out of the Arabian Nights: a deep blue with golden inclusions of pyrites which shimmer like little stars. The name is composed from 'lapis', the Latin word for stone, and 'azula', which comes from the Arabic and means blue.  Lapis lazuli is regarded by many people around the world as the stone of friendship and truth. The blue stone is said to encourage harmony in relationships and help its wearer to be authentic and give his or her opinion openly.

Lepidolite - Lepidolite is not technically a gemstone, but a very beautiful purplish type of mica. It is often referred to by healers as a stone of peace.  Lepidolite was discovered in the eigtheenth century and was originally known as lilalite (from the Hindu word 'lila' meaning play, game).  The stone is said to attract good luck to those who carry it, and it drives away negativity.

Moonstone - Moonstone owes its name to the white, enchanting play of light that resembles moonshine.  It is often colorless, with a yellow, pale sheen. Rainbow moonstone has the addition of a pinkish-purple color, sometimes with touches of blue and green, hence the reference to "rainbow".  With its soft shimmer, it strengthens our emotional and subconscious aspects. The associations connected with that make it a "lovers' stone", evoking tender feelings and safeguarding the true joys of love. It is also said that wearing a moonstone strengthens our intuition and our capacity to understand. This gemstone was extremely popular in the times of "Art Nouveau", more than 100 years ago. It used to decorate a striking amount of pieces of jewelry created by the famous French master-goldsmith René Lalique and his contemporaries.

Obsidian - With its glassy luster, obsidian is a distinctive stone. it's most common color is black, but can also be found in light brown, brown mottled with black, and black with a beautiful golden or silvery sheen.  Obsidian is formed as lava from volcanic eruptions cools within the earth. The speed at which it cools prevents crystallization and the rock forms as solid volcanic glass.  Obsidian was revered by ancient cultures. It was one of the major barter materials, and prized for its ability to be worked to razor-sharp edges for arrows and spears. It has been used since prehistoric times for making tools, masks, weapons, mirrors and jewelry. This is a stone known to help with depression.  Use obsidian to help block negativity of any kind. As a black gemstone, it symbolizes self control and resilience.

Onyx - Onyx is a chalcedony quartz that is mined in  Brazil, India,  California and Uruguay. It has a fine texture and black color.  Onyx is said to help in releasing negative emotions such as grief and sorrow. It is also used to terminate troublesome or unhappy partnerships and relationships. Onyx also guards the user against negative vibes. Onyx jewelry is worn in order to defend oneself against negativity. Black gemstones are said to have protective energies because black is known as the absence of light, and so it can be utilized to create the illusion of invisibility. Onyx was very popular with the ancient Greeks and Romans. The name comes from the Greek word 'onyx', which means nail or claw.

Opal - Opal is a unique gemstone with a beautiful play-of-color display. It can exhibit a full range of hues from the color wheel set against a light or dark background.  Opal was once considered a symbol of fidelity, assurance, and religious devotion.    While there are many different types of opal, the three most popular are black opal, white opal and fire opal. Black opal is the rarest, most expensive and considered by many the most beautiful. It displays a brilliant array of color on a black background. Black opal is popular in Japan and China, and is now beginning to generate excitement in America. The majority of black opal comes from Lightening Ridge, Australia. White opal displays a play-of-color across a light or white background. Fire opal comes from Mexico or Brazil and is fast becoming a popular stone. Looking almost like a burst of flames, it comes in yellow, red, or orange, and may or may not have play-of-color. When it has play-of-color, it is called “precious Mexican fire opal.”  Opals were probably first mined around 4000 B.C. in Ethiopia, but their popularity did not grow until the Romans embraced them around 100 B.C. By then, the majority of opals were mined in Hungary. For over a 1,000 years Hungary supplied European rulers and churchmen with the treasure of opals.

Pearls - A pearl is a lustrous, organic gem produced by saltwater oysters, freshwater mussels and occasionally by some shellfish. It exhibits a range of colors from white to pink, silver, cream, peach, gold, green, blue and black.  Once the price of pearls was so extravagant they caused wars and even funded a war, but today cultured pearls have made this “queen of gems” available to everyone.  Once, all pearls were only natural, most recovered from the Persian Gulf, occurring once in every 15,000 oysters.  Pearls form in the mollusk in a variety of shapes, including: round (spherical), off-round, semi-baroque, baroque, rice shaped, button or disk, and many fancy shapes created by the insertion of specially shaped nucleus beads.  Many royal families had an obsession with pearls. Some ancient Romans covered whole pieces of furniture in pearl, and in some monarchies only members of the royal were legally allowed to wear pearls.  When light touches the pearl, it travels through all the layers of nacre, and each tiny crystal reflects the light like miniature prisms. The end result? A lustrous, breathtaking pearl.

Peridot - Peridot is a gemstone in the Olivine mineral family. It exhibits a range of vibrant greens from yellow-green to olive green to brownish green.  Peridot has also been referred to as olivine,chrysolite, evening emerald, fosterite, and fayalite.  Forged in fire, peridot is literally created by volcanoes and has even been found in meteors falling to the earth.  Once called the “gem of the sun,” this yellow-green stone glitters like golden light reflecting across the ripples of green sea water. Peridot’s vibrant color has caught the eye of many fashion designers, appearing in a variety of fashionable clothing and jewelry designs.  In the 10th century, Andreas, Bishop of Caesarea, wrote a treatise connecting the stones of Revelation with the 12 apostles. He suggested that “The chryrsolite (peridot), gleaming with the splendor of gold, may symbolize Barthlomew, since he was illustrious for his divine preaching and his store of virtues.” (from Gems in Myth, Legend and Lore by Bruce G. Knuth, Jewelers Press: Thornton, CO, 1999, page 140.)   Over the years, peridot has been considered a healing stone that could help lungs, heart, spleen, stomach ulcers, intestines and even eyesight. Associated with the sun, peridot supposedly had the power to drive away all darkness and evil spirits.

Quartz - Quartz is one of the most common gem families and can be found all around the world. Quartz comprises several different groups of gems from crystalline quartz (crystals viewable by the naked eye) and crypto-crystalline (microscopic crystals). Crystalline quartz includes amethyst, aventurine, rock crystal, blue quartz, citrine, hawk’s eye, prasiolite, quartz cat’s eye, smoky quartz, rose quartz, and tiger’s eye. Crypto-crystalline quartz is also known as chalcedony and includes agate, bloodstone, carnelian, chyrsoprase, jasper, moss agate, onyx and sard.  Throughout history, quartz was considered to hold the power of communication or divination. Interestingly, quartz was used in the development of modern radio frequencies.  The Greeks believed quartz was clear ice that over time had hardened into stone.

Rhodocrosite - Rhodochrosite comes in a variety of shades from bright red to soft shades of pink, and opaque forms with swirling patterns.  Because it formed as stalagmites in Inca silver mines abandoned in the 13th century, it is sometimes called Inca rose.  Rhodochrosite welcomes all change. It urges us to pay attention to our hearts and those things we hunger for. It brings out the adventuresome qualities in us. It gives us new chances. When change calls to you or falls into your life, rhodochrosite can help you open your arms and embrace it.

Sodalite - Sodalite is a dark blue stone with white calcite interspersed. It is sometimes confused with lapis lazuli as it also has small specks of pyrite in it.  Sodalite is named in reference to its sodium content.  Sodalite is the stone of athletics, as it stimulates endurance. It is said sodalite will harmonize the inner being or the conscious and subconscious mind. Sodalite promotes peace and harmony.  It is a stone said to help with weight loss. 

Topaz - Topaz is a gemstone of all colors, and its most valuable color is a golden orange-yellow.  It also is available in blue, pink and green colors.  The name topaz is derived from the Indian Sanskrit word tapas, meaning fire. In ancient times, a figure of a falcon carved on a Topaz was thought to help earn the goodwill of kings, princes and magnates. Topaz is Stone of Strength noted by Greeks. During medieval days it was thought to heal physical and mental disorders as well as prevent death.  Topaz balances emotions and calms passions. It releases tension and gives feelings of joy. Topaz is known as spiritual rejuvenation gemstone.

Tourmaline - Tourmaline gemstones possess a variety of colors. The reason, according to an old Egyptian legend, is that the tourmaline, on its long journey up from the center of the Earth, passed over a rainbow. In doing so, it assumed all the colors of the rainbow.  The name tourmaline comes from the Singhalese words 'tura mali'. In translation, this means something like 'stone with mixed colors', referring to the color spectrum of this gemstone, which exceeds that of other precious stones.  During medieval days tourmaline was thought to heal physical and mental disorders as well as prevent death.  Tourmaline calms nerves, regulates hormones, fights against genetic disorders. Tourmaline induces a tranquil sleep. It relieves arthritis pain, and helps in fighting heart disease. Tourmaline is said to dispel fear, negativity and grief.  According to legend, the tourmaline of all colors protects the wearer against many dangers and misfortune.

Turquoise - Turquoise is a translucent to opaque gemstone. It exhibits a range of blue and green colors from sky-blue to blue-green to apple-green.  Literally meaning “Turkish stone,” Turquoise once came to Western Europe through Turkey.  Some cultures consider it a “lucky stone” and a symbol of courage, success and love.

Unakite - Unakite, also called epidote, derives its name from the Greek epidosis, meaning "growing together". It is a combination of red jasper and green epidote solidly bound together.  Unakite is said to lift your spirits when you are feeling down - this is the gemstone to help you to see the beauty in life. It is also used to uncover deception.