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Our Stones

Amazonite

Sometimes called the “Amazon Stone” is a green feldspar. It is a mineral of limited occurrence. Formerly it came exclusively from Russia. More recently it has been found at Pikes Peak and other places in Colorado and Virginia, and in Madagascar and Brazil. It ranges in color from bright verdigris green to a turquoise green. It is said to enhance creative expression and improve self-worth.

Amethyst
The most highly valued of the quartz family, amethyst is a popular stone for healing, cleansing, purifying, strengthening the immune system and for meditation. During the Middle Ages, it was a stone of royalty, far more valuable than diamonds. Amethyst ranges from pale lavender to deep purple. It is the birthstone of February. Amethyst is mined in Brazil, Uruguay, Sri Lanka, Siberia, Canada, India, Bolivia, Zambia, Argentina and the U.S.

Blue Topaz
Blue topaz is the state gem of Texas and the birthstone for the month of December. Blue topaz is rare in nature. Most blue topaz on the market today is enhanced by irradiation to bring out its color. Topaz is found in Brazil, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Russia. It is thought to be a protecting and healing stone for its wearers.

Citrine
Almost all citrine that is available on the market today is heat-treated amethyst. Natural citrine is pale yellow to pale orange. Citrine is found in Brazil, Russia, France and in Madagascar. Darker colors are considered more valuable, including the medium golden orange and dark sherry-colors. Due to is lovely color it is recognized as a stone of happiness, joy, sunshine, light and life. Citrine is the alternate birthstone of November.

Gaspeite
Gaspeite is a very rare mineral, found only in a few localities. Its light green, almost apple green color is quite unique and some varieties are almost a neon green. It may contain brownish patches which can give it a distinctive character. It is thought to bring good fortune and spirituality. Gaspeite is named for the locality of Gaspe Peninsula in Canada where it was originally found. It is also found in Western Australia.

Iolite
Comes from the Greek word “ios,” meaning “violet. Fine iolite comes by its beautiful blues and violets naturally. Its freedom from enhancement, other than normal cutting and polishing, is a selling point when customers consider that most blue gems, from inexpensive blue topaz to fine sapphire, receive routine treatment of one type or another. Some believe that the gem aids sleep and helps to unlock creativity. Iolite is often cited as the twenty-first wedding anniversary gemstone. The Vikings used thin pieces of Iolite as the world's first polarizing filter. It is abundantly found in Australia (Northern Territory), Brazil, Burma, Canada, India, Madagascar, Namibia, Sri Lanka, Tanzania and the United States (Connecticut).

Jet
Jet, sometimes called Black Amber, is carbonized wood (lignite coal). Some jet is polished and some has an opaque appearance. Jet became fashionable for mourning jewelry in the nineteenth-century when Queen Victoria went into mourning after the deaths of her husband and mother. It is said to absorb the negative energies that cause illness.

Lapis
Lapis combines various minerals, mostly lazurite, but also white calcite, blue sodalite and pyrite (fool’s gold, a metallic yellow). Top quality lapis lazuli comes from Afghanistan, but is also found in Siberia, Chile,  the U.S., Pakistan, and Canada. A strong blue, sometimes with a hint of violet; small veins of pyrite are prized. A lighter shade of lapis has been trade-named denim lapis. Lapis is an alternate birthstone for December.

Onyx
Onyx is a chalcedony quartz that is mined in  Brazil, India, California and Uruguay. It has a fine texture and black color. Legend says that one day while Venus was sleeping Eros/Cupid cut her fingernails and left the clippings scattered on the ground. Because no part of a heavenly body can die, the gods turned them into the stone known as onyx.

Peridot
Peridot is the gem variety of olivine. It comes from Arizona, Burma, Norway, islands in the Red Sea, Hawaii and sometimes is found in meteorites. It is mentioned in the Bible under the name of Chrysolite. Peridot was one of the favorite gemstones of Cleopatra and some of the “emeralds” worn by her were actually peridot. It’s the August birthstone.

Prehnite
Occurs in a range of green colors, including pale green to dark green and yellow to brown-green, but the most desirable color is a soft apple green. Prehnite is a protective stone and it is also known as a stone of prophesy. This green stone has been found in Australia, South Africa, China, Scotland and the USA.

Rhodochrosite
The pink color of rhodochrosite is caused when manganese is dissolved by ground water and combines with a carbonate material, then dripping off the ceiling of caves and crevices deep underground. It is found in Argentina, Peru, and Colorado and Montana. Rhodochrosite (meaning rose-colored) often  forms pink and white bands. It is the “stone of love.”

Rosarita
is a by-product of gold smelting. When gold-bearing ore is heated to high temperatures in a kiln, the gold sinks to the bottom and the non-metals solidify into boulders of brilliant red (Rosarita) and orange (Tequila Sunrise). Rosarita is a glass-like material similar to obsidian that is formed in a volcanic reaction. The material is durable and readily polishes to a beautiful shine. Rosarita, with its intense red color and nearly perfect clarity is a gorgeous alternative to the scarce and endangered coral. Our Rosarita is sourced from the Western United States.

Ruby Fuchsite or Ruby-in-Fuchsite
Fuchsite gives the colorful stone its blue-green to emerald-green color, while ruby inclusions provide attractive pink and red highlights. The combination makes a powerful balancer for the emotions and the immune system. This stone is a powerful influence on the heart. Largely found in Brazil, India, Zimbabwe, Russia, Pakistan and in the Alps.

Smoky Topaz (Smoky Quartz)
Smoky quartz, a dark brown variety of quartz, is the preferred gemological name for smoky topaz. It can be found in Brazil, Madagascar, Switzerland, Australia, Spain, Scotland–where it is called cairngorm and Colorado in the U.S. It is said to alleviate stress and transform fear, anger and other negative emotions into positive energies, thus having a comforting and calming effect.

Spiny Oyster
Spiny oyster shell is the shell of the spondylus which means “spines on the back.” This is a colorful but very spiny shell. The color ranges from red, orange and purple, to white and even yellow. Generally, the more vibrant the hue, the more valuable. It is found in the Sea of Cortez off Baja California, Mexico. Native Americans popularized this shell when they started to import it in 1976 for jewelry. It is thought to bring comfort, peace, patience and a sense of understanding.

Tequila Sunrise
is a by-product of gold smelting. When gold-bearing ore is heated to high temperatures in a kiln, the gold sinks to the bottom and the non-metals solidify into boulders of orange (Tequila Sunrise) and brilliant red (Rosarita). Tequila Sunrise is a glass-like material similar to obsidian that is formed when a volcano erupts. The material is durable and readily polishes to a beautiful shine. Our Tequila Sunrise is sourced from the Western United States.

Turquoise
Turquoise was one of the first gems to be mined. It was used by the Egyptians thousands of years ago and by the Aztecs and Anasazi in North America. The color varies from green and greenish blue to sky blue. Color, matrix and the mine from which it comes determine the value. Turquoise is found in Iran, Sinai, China and the southwestern United States–Arizona, California, Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada and Utah. It is the alternate birthstone of December. It is known for its purification and healing powers.

Turquoise Mines

#8
Number 8 turquoise mine in Eureka County, Nevada was discovered in 1925 and first mined in 1929. Some of the largest turquoise nuggets in the world were found there. The mine was depleted in 1961. Number 8 turquoise is famous for its golden, red, brown and black distinctive spider matrix varieties. It is bright powder blue or green in color. Number 8 is a rare and valuable turquoise.

Campitos
is mined at Campitos Mountain outside of Cananea, Sonora, Mexico. The Campitos mine has been in production since the 1980s. The turquoise has a brilliant, very blue color and has been compared to the shade of Sleeping Beauty’s soft yet intense blue. Campitos turquoise can range in shades of light or medium blue to a vibrant blue-green. Turquoise from the mine often contains traces of pyrite, which gives Campitos turquoise an extra luster and sparkle.

Campo Frio
is a mine in Sonora Mexico. The turquoise is a olive green to light blue color with caramel or gold matrix.

Cripple Creek
The Cripple Creek turquoise mine is located near the town of Cripple Creek, Colorado. Miners were searching for gold when they discovered turquoise. There are several mining claims in the district and most of the turquoise comes from the Bad Boys of Cripple Creek. Cripple Creek varies from greenish to light or dark blue. Some of the turquoise has natural gold ore in it.

Emerald Valley
is a sought-after turquoise from an active, small-scale mine located in southwestern Nevada near the Royston deposits. The color varies from a deep forest green to a greenish blue with a complicated matrix.

Kingman
Kingman turquoise from Arizona is bright blue with black and iron pyrite matrix. The terms “high blue” and “Kingman” refer to the bright blue that has become a color standard in the industry. The Kingman mine is one of the largest in North America. It was first mined by the ancient Hohokam Indians. High quality Kingman turquoise is still being mined today. Natural Kingman is highly collectible.

Manassa (King’s Manassa)
Mined at Manassa in south central Colorado, it is known for its blue-green to green color with a golden or brown, non-webbed matrix. The Manassa mine is still in production and is owned by the King family. The Manassa mine used to be call the Lickskillet Mine in the old days. This turquoise was originally mined by the Ancestral Pueblo peoples.

Monte Cristo
a medium blue or blue-green turquoise which has a light to medium brown matrix. The Monte Cristo min is one of the old claims in the Pilot Mountain Mining District of Nevada.

Morenci
was mined in Southeastern Arizona. It is highly prized for its blue colors and the “fool’s gold” (iron pyrite) matrix. It is difficult to obtain because the mine is depleted. Morenci turquoise is very collectible.

Nacozori
is a mine in Sonora, Mexico south of Bisbee, Arizona and located in the same mountain range. It is bright blue with very little matrix. The mine closed in 2011.

Royston
Royston, originally known as Royal Blue, is a mine in NevadaRoyston is known for its beautiful colors ranging from deep green to rich, light blues set off by a heavy brown matrix. The Royston district is still producing some turquoise of high quality.

Sleeping Beauty
Some Sleeping Beauty turquoise is noted for its solid, light blue color with no matrix. It has been a favorite of the Zuni Pueblo for use in petit point and inlay jewelry. Another variety of Sleeping Beauty is a deeper blue with a black matrix. It was once widely available, but the Sleeping Beauty turquoise mine outside Globe, Arizona, has been shut down. The turquoise is now rare and very collectible.

Turquoise Mountain
Turquoise Mountain mine is in northwestern Arizona. Although near the Kingman mine, it is a classic mine in its own right because its turquoise is so different in appearance. The mine was closed in the 1980s. The turquoise is light to high blue, with both webbed and non-webbed matrix. "Birdseye" describes stones from this mine that show areas of light blue circled with dark blue matrix, resembling the eye of a bird.