Agate is a variety of crypto-crystalline quartz; Silicon Dioxide. Agate is a common term for a distinctly banded fibrous chalcedony. It is often found as layers lining Geodes. There are hundreds of names applied to the varieties of agate that are found throughout the world. While many of the names reflect the source of the […]
Amazonite, also called Amazon Jade or Amazon Stone, is a green to blue-green variety of Microcline, a Feldspar mineral that forms in short prismatic or tabular crystals or in masses. It ranges in hue from bright verdigris green to paler shades of turquoise, sometimes with white, yellow or grey portions, and can be translucent to […]
Whether its crystals are left natural, polished as tumbled stones, or faceted into magnificent jewels, Amethyst is a gem whose beauty transcends its commonality. It is a variety of Quartz found in many locations around the world, and forms as transparent, terminated crystals of all sizes in geodes, clusters and as long single terminations. It […]
The name of this crystal relates to a merging of the words Amethyst and Citrine, as this stone is alike both, and embodies the vibration of both of these quartz crystals. This crystal is usually transparent, and its color is an interesting mixture of the golden yellow color of Citrine blended with the lovely purple […]
Angelite is a variety of Anhydrite. It is a soft mineral which will convert into Gypsum if immersed in water, so DO NOT wear while bathing or swimming. Anhydrite is formed in places where gypsum stones that had previously been in contact with water, which then evaporates, leaving anhydrite crystals behind. While this can occur […]
Anyolite is the name used to describe the naturally occurring combination of Green Zoisite with deep red Ruby stone. The largest deposits of the lovely combination of Ruby Zoisite are in India, but it is also found in Zambia Africa. The Zoisite within the stone is primarily a clear medium green, and it combines well […]
Blue Apatite may be light, bright, or dark blue, sometimes within the same crystal. [Eason, 230] The name Apatite is derived from a Greek word meaning “to deceive” because the variety of colors and formations in which this stone occurs makes it easy to mistake for other minerals. It may be yellow, blue, green, brown, […]
The name Aquamarine comes from the Latin aqua marinus, meaning “water of the sea,” and refers to its sparkling ocean-like color. The pale blue, transparent crystal is a member of the Beryl family. Its color, sometimes bluish green, is caused by iron oxides within the chemical makeup of the stone. Aquamarine is the blue variety […]
Aventurine is a variety of Quartz characterized by bright inclusions of Mica or other minerals that give a shimmering or glistening effect to the stone, referred to as aventurescence, especially notable when tumbled or polished. Its name is derived from the Italian a ventura or all’avventura, meaning “by chance,” and refers to the Italian glass from the 1700s, […]
Azurite is a soft stone, named for its deep “azure blue” color. It is a copper carbonate mineral found in the upper oxidized portions of copper ore formed in masses, nodules, tabular or prismatic crystals, sometimes with a vitreous luster. The saturated color ranges from bright to deep blue into shades of indigo, and may […]