PIETERSITE - stone of many colors !

Pietersite was discovered by Sid Pieters in 1962 while he was prospecting some farmland in Namibia, Africa. After his discovery, he registered the find in the mineral records of Great Britain. His discovery was published in 1964, and the material was named Pietersite. Currently there are only two known sources of Pietersite; Namibia and China. The Chinese form of pietersite is said to have been discovered in 1993, but did not come to market until 1997. The Chinese Pietersite exhibits slightly different color variations from Mr. Pieter's original mineral, but both are beautiful and are now universally recognized as Pietersite. Both are a magnificent, rare, colorful, semi-transparent gem stone.

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These two forms of pietersite are similar but still somewhat different from each other. The original African (Namibian) variety is mainly Crocidolite. The Chinese Pietersite's fibrous mineral Torendrikite is a magnesium-rich alkalic amphibole.

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Africa Pietersite colors include various blues, golds and reds, that may appear together or alone. Blue is the rarest color, followed by red. The blues range from a baby blue to dark midnight hue. Golds can be light to very deep and rich, sometimes having a reddish hue. All fibrous 3color variations will have a superb and striking chatoyancy, the bright and subtly changing shimmer of color that moves along the surface of a gemstone as it is viewed from varying angles. Chinese Pietersite has striking combinations of gold, red and blue color segments which sometimes also includes a deep golden brown color.

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Pietersite Pendants

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Regardless of the source, Pietersite will always have brecciated, fibrous bands of blue, gold and/or red tiger eye type fibers in quartz. The fibrous structure in Pietersite has been folded, stressed, even fractured and/or broken apart via the earth's geologic processes. The fibrous materials have then been reformed and naturally recemented together by quartz. Stones and crystals that go through this process are referred to as brecciated, creating a finished product with multiple colors, hues and superb chatoyancy. While Pietersite has the lovely chatoyancy of Tiger Eye, it is not found in continuously structured bands or fibers, more in swirls, swathes and fibrous (sometimes linear) segments. Thus the structure of the fibrous streaks in Pietersite may appear rather chaotic, and can flow or exist in many directions side-by-side like bold paint strokes. All fibrous color variations will have a superb and striking chatoyancy, the bright and subtly changing shimmer of color that moves along the surface of a gemstone as it is viewed from varying angles.

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Jewelry made from Pietersite can be as striking as it can be different with the many available colors.

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CARIBBEAN DELIGHTS - Blue as the Sea !

As Blue as the Sea ! A metalic and blue enamel circle 1 3/4 inch diameter pendant highlight this necklace. The pendant is hung on blue and clear foil beads with blue crystals and silver roap accents. The 20 inch long necklace is completed with a silver Toggle Clasp.

A chandeler style 2 inch dangle earring completes the set.

Crystals are also used in this set.

TEKTITES - from out of this world ?

Tektites (from Greek tektos, molten) are natural glass rocks up to a few centimeters in size, which most scientists argue were formed by the impact of large meteorites on the Earth's surface. Tektites are typically black or olive-green, and their shape varies from rounded to irregular. Tektites are still poorly understood. They are irregularly- and at times intricately-shaped nodules and blobs of a glassy substance. They have no crystal structure, and are therefore similar to Obsidian, but are not associated with volcanic processes.

This impact theory of Tektites relies on the observation that Tektites cannot be found in most places on the Earth's surface. They are only found in four strewnfields, three of which are associated with known impact craters. Only the largest and geologically youngest Tektite deposit in Southeast Asia, has not been definitively linked to an impact site, probably because even very large impact structures are often not easy to detect. Also, the bigger the strewnfield, the bigger the area to search for the crater. Since several new craters are identified every year, this is not really regarded as a problem by proponents of the Tektite impact theory.
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The age of Moldavites, also miss-spelled Maldavite, a type of Tektite found in the Czech Republic, has been determined to be 14 million years. This age also exist for Tektites from the North American strewnfield and the Chesapeake Bay impact crater and Tektites from the Ivory Coast strewnfield and the Lake Bosumtwi-Crater.

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Tektites are among the "driest" rocks, with an average water content of 0.005%. This is very unusual, as most if not all of the craters where Tektites may have formed were underwater before impact. Also, partially melted Zircons have been discovered inside a handful of tektites. This, along with the water content, suggests that the tektites were formed under phenomenal temperature and pressure not normally found on the surface of the Earth.

The various known Tektites are:

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European strewnfield:
--Moldavites (Czech Republic, green)

Only Tektites from this area are clear or large enough to be faceted.
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Australasian strewnfield:
--Australites (Australia, dark, mostly black)

--Indochinites (South East Asia, dark, mostly black)

--Chinites (China, black)

North American strewnfield:
--Bediasites (USA, Texas, reddish-black)

--Georgiaites (USA, Georgia, brownish-green)

Ivory Coast strewnfield:

--Ivorites (Ivory Coast, black)

Though the meteorite impact theory of Tektite formation is widely accepted, minority theories propose alternate ideas of Tektite formation.

Also do not confuse Tektites with Meteorities, which will be discussed in a later Blog.

Pictures of Tektites from those owned or from friends collections.

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SOUTHWESTERN FLAIR - Bold Metalic Look !

SOLD This bold modern southwestern look necklace set has a dramatic 2 inch foiled dichroic glass teardrop pendant in copper and silver as the central piece. It is highlighted with charmed crystals, pipestone Jasper and Cat-eye beads. Large Turquoise colored Magnesite and Ivoryite stones are complemented by rondels of Ivoryite, Cats-eye and pepermint Jasper. The necklace with a silver Toggle Clasp is 21 inches with the 2 inch drop of the pendant.

Matching French Hook dangle earrings complete the set.

Magnesite occurs as veins in and an alteration product of ultramafic rocks like serpentinite, turquoise and other magnesium rich rock types in both contact and regional metamorphic terranes. These Magnesites often are cryptocrystalline and contain silica as opal or chert. Magnesite is also present within the regolith above ultramafic rocks as a secondary carbonate within soil and subsoil, where it is deposited as a consequence of dissolution of magnesium-bearing minerals by carbon dioxide within groundwaters. Some of the best Magnesite deposits that can produce gemstone quality material are co-located with Turquoise deposits in the southwestern United States. Magnesite like Howlite, can be died to look like actual Turquoise.

Dichroic glass is glass containing multiple micro-layers of metal oxides which give the glass dichroic optical properties. The invention of dichroic glass is often erroneously attributed to NASA and its contractors, who developed it for use in dichroic filters. However, Dichroic glass dates back to at least the 4th century AD as seen in the Lycurgus cup. Dichroic glass is an example of thin-film optics.

Ivoryite is a great substitute for ivory. It is a sedimentary precipitate of magnesium, calcium and silica. It is 5 to 5-1/2 on the Moh's scale, which makes it slightly harder than ivory. Ivoryite can be worked with metal tools, but cuts effortlessly with diamond tools. Polishes well with diamond, tin oxide, cerium oxide or white rouge. Excellent material for inlay, cabochons and small carvings. Do not confuse Ivoryite with Ivorite, whic is a black tektite material from Africa. The majority of Ivoryite currenly comes from the western United States, especially Colorado and California.

Jasper, a form of Chalcedony, is an opaque, impure variety of silica, usually red, yellow, brown or green in color; and rarely blue. This mineral breaks with a smooth surface, and is used for ornamentation or as a gemstone, especially in jewelry. It can be highly polished and is used for vases, seals, and at one time for snuff boxes. When the colors are in stripes or bands, it is called striped or banded Jasper. Jaspilite is a banded iron formation rock that often has distinctive bands of Jasper. Jasper is basically Chert which owes its red color to iron inclusions. Peppermint Jasper is a named variety of brown, tan and white striped banded Jasper.

Crystals and cat-eye beads are also used in this set.

ONYX or BLACK AGATE ?

Black Agate (Onyx) which is truely a died black Agate, is more common and perhaps the most famous variety, but not as common as natural Onyx. Onyx is a crypyocrystalline form of Quartz. The colors of its bands range from white to almost every color (save some shades, such as purple or blue). A picture of a true Black Onyx specimum is seen below. True specimens of Onyx contain bands of colors of white, tan, and brown. As stated, the pure black form which most people know as Onyx, is not a naturally occuring variety. Black Agate or poorly colored Onyx is heated and dyed black to come up with the pure black form so well liked within the jewelry industry.

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Striped Onyx is a cryptocrystalline form of Quartz. Striped Onyx is a redundant statement since true Onyx will have color bands that range from white to almost every color (save some shades, such as purple or blue). Commonly, specimens of Onyx that are seen in the market place contain bands of colors of white, tan, and brown. Pure black Onyx is actually Dyed Agate or poor grades of Onyx where the stripes, as seen below, have been dyed to black.

Agate is a microcrystalline variety of quartz, chiefly Chalcedony, characterised by its fineness of grain and brightness of color. Although agates may be found in various kinds of rock, they are classically associated with volcanic rocks but can be common in certain metamorphic rocks. White Agate or probably better known as Greek Agate, is a name given to pale white to tan colored Agate originally found in Sicily back to 400 B.C. The Greeks used it for making jewelry and beads. Today almost any agate of this white color is called Greek agate. Yet the stone had been around centuries before that and was known to both the Sumerians and the Egyptians, who used the gem for decoration and religious ceremony. True White Greek Agate comes only from Sicily, once a Greek Colony.

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SOUTHWESTERN FLAIR -- Wild Horse Magnesite and Ivoryite !

From the deserts of the Southwesten United States comes a exciting gemstone called by many Wild Horse Turquoise. Although coming out of the same mines as Turquoise, its characteristic is a reddish-brown matrix surrounding a snow white background. This is a beautiful and very extraordinary combination. However, the correct identification of the material is Magnesite, not Turquoise since there is no cupric in it to give the blue, blue-green or green coloration that makes Turquoise so famous. But wheather called Wild Horse Magnesite or Wild Horse Turquoise, it is from the same locations and is extremely hard to find but make beautiful jewelry.

You are looking at true Southwest. The colors of the desert - tans and browns - are predominent in the Sterling Silver bezel set Wild Horse Magnesite triangular pendant. Magnesite barrels and Ivoryite rondels are interlaced with sterling silver and chain links to give this 19 inch necklace with 2 inch extender its fantastic look. Magnesite and Ivoryite are further paired in teh 1 inch long Leverback earrings that complete the set.

Magnesite occurs as veins in and an alteration product of ultramafic rocks like serpentinite, turquoise and other magnesium rich rock types in both contact and regional metamorphic terranes. These Magnesites often are cryptocrystalline and contain silica as opal or chert. Magnesite is also present within the regolith above ultramafic rocks as a secondary carbonate within soil and subsoil, where it is deposited as a consequence of dissolution of magnesium-bearing minerals by carbon dioxide within groundwaters. Some of the best Magnesite deposits that can produce gemstone quality material are co-located with Turquoise deposits in the southwestern United States.

Ivoryite is a great substitute for ivory. It is a sedimentary precipitate of magnesium, calcium and silica. It is 5 to 5-1/2 on the Moh's scale, which makes it slightly harder than ivory. Ivoryite can be worked with metal tools, but cuts effortlessly with diamond tools. Polishes well with diamond, tin oxide, cerium oxide or white rouge. Excellent material for inlay, cabochons and small carvings. Do not confuse Ivoryite with Ivorite, whic is a black tektite material from Africa. The majority of Ivoryite currenly comes from the western United States, especially Colorado and California.

SOUTHWESTERN FLAIR - Bold and Dynamic !

In order to help the Turquoiise lover and wearer keep the price down, this 20 inch necklace is constructed of Turquoise colored Howlite. The highlight dangle pendant is 2 1/2 inches long hanging from a strand of Turquoise colored donut beads, Chalcedony beads, Smoky Quartz beads and ivory shell coin beads with silver accents. A Silver Toggle clasp completes the necklace. French Hook matching earrings of Chalcedony and Smoky Quartz complete the set.

Howlite, named for its discoverer Henry How, who found it in Tick Canyon, California in 1868. Howlite is one of those minerals that is more famous for imitating another mineral than being used for itself. In most cases the other mineral is Turquoise, a phosphate gemstone. Although natural Howlite is always white or gray, it can accept dyes fairly easily and be dyed a turquoise blue. The look of turquoise is so good that dishonest dealers have been unfortunately successful at this hoax. In more honest circumstances, dyed howlite is an affordable substitute for turquoise carvings, beads, polished stones and cabochons. It accepts a nice polish and its porcelaneous luster is attractive and enhances even undyed beads and carvings. Unfortunately it has low hardness, but it still has a distinct toughness. California is the source for most all of the howlite trade where nodules of up to one hundred pounds have been found. In addition to the famous turquoise color Howlite is dyed, it also can become a very bright red color to mimic red coral, or any other color in the rainbow.

Chalcedony is a cryptocrystalline form of silica, composed of very fine intergrowths of the minerals quartz and moganite. These are both silica minerals, but they differ in that quartz has a trigonal crystal structure, while moganite is monoclinic. Chalcedony has a waxy luster, and may be semitransparent or translucent. It can assume a wide range of colors, but those most commonly seen are white to gray, blue and grayish-blue or a shade of brown ranging from pale to nearly black. Chalcedony occurs in a wide range of varieties. Many semi-precious gemstones are in fact forms of chalcedony.

Smoky Quartz is many times incorrectly called Smoky Topaz, this brown transparent Quartz is sometimes used for unusual faceted cuts and is quite popular in many types of jewelry. Smoky Quartz has an unusual color for a gemstone and is easily recognized and is well known by the general public. Only a few other brown or black minerals are ever cut for gemstones such as black Diamond, smoky Topaz, the very rare black Beryl or brown Corundum. Smoky Quartz is also popular as an ornamental stone and is carved into spheres, pyramids, obilisks, eggs, figurines and ornate statues. The cause of the color of Smoky Quartz is in question but it is almost certainly related to the amount of exposure to radiation that the stone has undergone. Natural Smoky Quartz often occurs in granitic rocks which have a small but persistent amount of radioactivity and/or high hot therma fissures. Most Smoky Quartz that makes its way to rock shops and to some gem cutters has been artificially irradiated to produce a dark black color. Natural Smoky Quartz comes from many sources around the world, a few of the more noteworthy locations include Brazil, the world's largest supplier; Pikes Peak area of Colorado, USA, where it is associated with green Amazonite; Arkansas, USA in the Quartz rich area around Hot Springs, and the Swiss Alps, which has produced many tons of fine specimens. Smoky Quartz is found throughout Quartz deposites found in the Granite fields of New Hampshire. It is also know as Cairngorm, as when found it reminded the early settlers of their Scottish homeland.

Shell coin beads are also used in this set.

SUMMER SENSATIONS - Cloisonné and light weight !

The lilac Cloisonné and fabric knit beads are very light weight and comfortable to wear. They are combined with Amethyst rondells, Rose Quarts beads, Amethyst and Citrine chips, Crystals and Silver accents. This 18 inch necklace with a 2 inch extender is finished with a S-hook clasp. Matcing French Hook earrings complete the set.

Cloisonné is an ancient technique for decorating metalework objects, but in recent centuries using vitreous enamels, and also inlays of cut gemstones, glass, and even linen. and other cloth materials, has become common place, especially in jewelry beads.

Amethyst is a violet variety of quartz often used in jewelry and decorative statues and lapidary displays. Amethyst is composed of an irregular superposition of alternate lamellae of right-handed and left-handed quartz. It has been shown that this structure may be due to mechanical stresses. Because it has a hardness of seven on the Mohs scale, Amethyst is suitable for use in jewelry. Amethyst occurs in primary hues from a light pinkish violet to a deep purple. Amethyst may exhibit one or both secondary hues, red and blue. Green quartz is sometimes incorrectly called green Amethyst, which is an actual misnomer and not an acceptable name for the material, the proper terminology being Prasiolite.

Citrine is a variety of quartz whose color ranges from a pale yellow to brown. Natural Citrines are rare; most commercial Ctrines are heat-treated Amethyst or Smoky Quartz. It is nearly impossible to tell cut Citrine from yellow Topaz visibly, but they differ in hardness. Citrine has ferric impurities, and is rarely found naturally. Brazil is the leading producer of citrine, with much of its production coming from the state of Rio Grande do Sul. Sometimes Citrine and Amethyst can be found together in the same crystal, which is then referred to as Ametrine.

Rose Quartz is a type of Quartz which exhibits a pale pink to dark rose red hue. The color is usually considered as due to trace amounts of titanium, iron, or manganese, in the massive material. Some Rose Quartz contains microscopic rutile needles which produces an asterism in transmitted light. In crystal form (rarely found) it is called Pink Quartz and its color is thought to be caused by trace amounts of phosphate or aluminium. The color in crystals is apparently photosensitive and subject to fading. The first crystals of Rose Quartz were found in a pegmatite dike near Rumford, Maine, USA, but most crystals on the market today come from Minas Gerais, Brazil. Rose Quartz is not popular as a gem because it is generally too clouded by impurities to be suitable for faceting. Rose Quartz is more often carved into figures such as people or animals. Hearts are also commonly found because Rose Quartz is pink and an affordable mineral for Valentines Day.

Cord beads and Crystals are also used in this set.