North Dakota "Teredo Petrified Wood" ?

North Dakota falls in line with Pennsylvania in that it really does not have a State gem, stone, rock or mineral, but it also names a fossil as the State Symbol. Although many charts refer to the Teredo Wood as the state stone, in 1967, the South Dakota Legislature was the first State in the Union to name a Fossil for its Official State Symbol.

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Teredo Petrified Wood bears the boreholes of shipworms, genus Teredo, hence its name. Shipworms are actually a type of mollusc (not worms at all) that were the bane of mariners past and still wreak havoc today on wooden boats and dock posts. During the Paleocene Epoch, about 60 million years ago, North Dakota was partially covered by the last seaway to invade North America, the Cannonball Sea. The swamps and lowlands bordering this sea were home to 50 foot long crocodiles and giant predatory birds. The marine fauna includes bony fish and sharks, crabs, lobsters, snails, and clams. Trees that washed into the sea were frequently attacked by shipworms before they were fossilized, leaving them riddled with holes. This wood belongs to a variety of species, including bald cypress, ginkgo, redwood, and magnolia trees.

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Because of the uniqueness of this Petrified Wood, it is collected and worked on by lapidarists and collectors alike in making jewelry, bookends and paperweights. The best collecting sites are in the south-central portion of the state in the Bismarck-Mandan area.

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Massachusetts "Rhodonite" !

Rhodonite was recognized by Massachusetts State Legislature in 1979 as the state gem or state gem symbol. Rhodonite varies in hue from a light pink to a deep rose or reddish pink, and is considered the most beautiful gem type of material found in Massachusetts ..
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The best known Rhodonite in the world come from the Sverdlovsk district in the Ural Mountains of Russia, however massive deposities of Rhodonite has been found at Plainfield, Hampshire County, Massachusetts. Gemrock Rhodonite was recorded from these Berkshire Hills of western Massachusetts as early as 1825. In describing Rhodonite from one mine in Cummington, Kunz wrote: "Blocks were taken out weighing some hundreds of pounds each, having a rich pink and red color ... were equal in quality and beauty to the Russian Rhodonite, which is made into vases and also table-tops and mantels."

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There was a time in the 1950's when pink and black were so-to-speak fad colors, especially for men -- e.g., they/we wore pink shirts, black ties, etc. At that time, Rhodonite, with its pink and black colors, was popular for such things as tiepins and large cuff-links.
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Rhodonite is a manganese inosilicate and a member of the pyroxene group of minerals, crystallizing in the triclinic system. It commonly occurs as cleavable to compact masses with a rose-red color, often tending to brown because of surface oxidation. Rhodonite crystals often have a thick tabular habit, but are rare. It has a perfect, prismatic cleavage, almost at right angles. .

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Large pieces of Rhodonite have been carved into vases, plates and objects standing some 20 feet tall or 20-25 feet in diameter. Many can be seen at The Herimatage Museum in St Petersburg, Russia. One such bowl was an amazing site to view, carved out of a single block of Rhodonite.

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Caring for your Gemstone Jewelry !

OK, you broke down and went ahead and bought the most incredible piece of gemstone jewelry you have seen, now how to keep it that way! Caring for your gemstone jewelry is an essential necessity for any jewelry owner, as gemstones are a durable material, and they do require care, so that when handed down as heirlooms in the years to come, they are just as brilliantly remarkable as they are to you now, to be cherished forever.

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Most transparent and hard gemstones can endure being cared for by simply cleaning the jewelry with mild nonabrasive hand detergent and a soft bristled toothbrush; then dried with a soft clean cloth. It is wise to place a soft washcloth in the sink covering the drain, as doing so will aid in preventing any gemstones from becoming chipped or falling down the drain while you are cleaning your jewelry. Some would suggest using ultrasonic cleaners, while this may be the fastest method for cleaning your jewelry; it is also the quickest way to damage your gemstones. Be very careful when using an ultrasonic cleaner, make sure that your gemstones is one that can withstand such cleaning before using this type of method.

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Here are some suggestions for cleaning and caring for your gemstone jewelry----
1) Use 2 cleaning bowls. One that has warm water plus the cleaning liquid and one that has only warm water to rinse. Note: If you are using sinks, place a soft washcloth over the drains, this will help to keep stones from going down the drains and also help to prevent possible chipping.
2) Use lukewarm water, never use hot water.
3) Use a mild dishwashing liquid or mild jewelry cleaning solution. One that is safe for your specific jewelry gemstones and metals.
4) Several soft, clean, dry cloths (1-for cleaning and 1-drying)
5) Small, unused soft bristled toothbrush

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The process is simple, fill your sink with warm water, add a little drop of mild dishwashing liquid and swish around to make bubbles. Carefully, place a few pieces at a time in the sink allowing them to soak a few minutes (don’t overload the sink as this may cause jewelry to hit against each other causing chips, cracks and/or damage). Then take each piece out and carefully clean with the soft bristled toothbrush. Caution, you only need to use a toothbrush if you have a piece of jewelry that has tiny cracks, holes, and small places where dust and dirt can get in; otherwise, there is really no need to use a toothbrush. Rinse in a separate sink that only contains warm water. Place the jewelry on a soft cloth and carefully dry your jewelry pieces. As a side note, allow an hour or so for your jewelry to 'air dry' to make sure that all water is gone before placing back into their jewelry box or containers.

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Cleaning your jewelry doesn’t have to be done often, but several times a year to protect your gemstones. As a rule of thumb and if in doubt, clean your gemstone jewelry with warm, soapy water. Avoid harsh chemicals or high heat which can cause gemstones to fade or crack. And try to store your gemstone jewelry in a clean jewelry case out of the reach of harsh light or sun to prevent fading and possible damage to your gemstones.

As a last note, it is also wise to have a jeweler check any gemstones that have been put in settings at least once a year. This is to make sure that the prongs are secure and your gems are safe. When in doubt, ask a professional jeweler about the care and cleaning of your new gemstone jewelry.

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Oh and one last guide line, if you have Opals, don't store them in a dry location. You might even place a small jarlid of water in the drawer where Opals are kept, this will keep them from drying out and cracking.

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