GEMSTONE JEWELRY - Mixing Materials Again !

Glass, Crystals and Gemstones ! Not a combination one would automatically think of, but when the glass is cut or formed correctly, and the crystals and gemstones have been cut and polished also, you have a unique combination for the “discerning” jewelry wearer.
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This unique design incorporates light blue and green Sonoran Glass leaves in two sizes, with large clear crystals inbetween and then the necklace is completed with Lotus Jasper puff oval beads and small clear crystals. A silver plated toggle clash completes the necklace. Matching blue glass leaves and clear crystals dange from French Hook earrings to complete the set.
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Sonoran Leaves are a specially fired glass that is made into the shape of leaves in different sizes for use in pendants and earrings. Boro glass is a particular type of glass, better known under the brand name of Pyrex. It was first developed in the late 19th century and was used primarily for scientific glass due to its strength and durability. Artists have started to use boro glass for bead making even though it is a very hard glass and requires high heat to form a bead. Boro glass has a very distinctive range of colors from varions other minerals or impurities, often much more vibrant than the softer European glass. Sonoran Leaf pieces are made one at a time, in a flame. Because they are made by hand there may be slight variations in color from one batch to another. Do not confuse these Sonoran Leaves with other types of poured or fused glass leave made in bulk.
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Lotus Jasper -- Jasper, a form of chalcedony which is an opaque impure variety of silica, usually red, yellow, brown, or green in color. Blue is rare. This mineral breaks with a smooth surface, and is used for ornamentation or as a gemstone in jewelry. It can be highly polished and is used for vases, seals, and statues. When the colors are in stripes or bands, it is called striped or banded jasper. Lotus Jasper, a specifically named variety first found in Japan, is a milky white somewhat opaque gemstone with green blotches or patches following on the ancient name which means "spotted or speckled stone".
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Sonoran Leaves are an exclusive of Sonoran Bead Inc.

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GEMSTONE JEWELRY - Agate & Jasper or Agate or Jasper ! !

Sometimes we have an Agate, sometimes we have a Jasper, sometimes we have a name and not sure which exact gemstone we have. Many times we try to find an "easy answer" where there isn't one. The basic difference between Agate and Jasper is a structural one - at the microscopic level. It has nothing to do with the color or pattern. Agate is composed of microscopic 'fibers' of crystalline quartz. Jasper is composed of microscopic 'grains' of crystalline quartz. Jasper has less-regular patterns and is less defined than the Agates. Another subtle difference between the two is that Agates tend to be translucent (or at least contain translucent bands), while Jaspers are generally opaque.

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This is a warm and comfortable design that incorporates Autumn colors - orange brown, red and rust. By using a colorful Agate/Jasper pendant, Breciated Jasper carved twists, Carnelian rounds and Antique Brass beads with crystal highlights, we make a smooth transition from the warmth of Summer to the coolness of Autumn. Matching French Hook earrings complete the set.

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Agate - No gemstone is more creatively striped by nature than agate. This distinct and dramatically banded variety of Quartz comes in layers. Agate composition varies greatly and can be of many colors. Each individual Agate forms by filling a cavity in a host rock. As a result, Agate often is found as a round nodule with concentric bands like the rings of a tree trunk. It is said to be named for the place it first was found along the River Achates (now called the River Drillo) in Sicily.

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Jasper coming from Greek origin, "iaspis", means "spotted stone." This form of semiprecious microcrystalline Quartz is usually red, brown or green. Its patterns are much less regular and defined than those of its sister variety, Agate. Although the term Jasper is often applied to unidentified stones, true Jaspers are metamorphic rocks. Jasper derives its colorful patterns from other minerals present, and is often named according to its pattern. It has a dull luster but takes a fine polish, and its hardness and other physical properties are those of Quartz. Jasper is often sealed with petroleum products. Its polish might wash away in water, so clean with a soft, dry cloth.

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Carnelian is an A-grade Agate. What a lot of people call "true carnelian" is the fiery red/orange color, and in theory, Carnelian is naturally that color. However, most of that fiery red/orange "true" Carnelian is heat-treated in secret before it reaches the gemstone-cutting factory. This apparently has been a secret for thousands of years; each part of the world thought everyone else's Carnelian was naturally red, but they were heating theirs, too. When held against the light, the color-treated Carnelian shows its color in stripes, while natural Carnelian shows a cloudy distribution of color. The name Carnelian is said to be derived from the Latin word 'carnis' ("flesh") due to its color. Deposits of Carnelian are found in Brazil, India, Australia, Russia, Madagascar, South Africa, Uruguay and the U.S.A.

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GEMSTONE JEWELRY - Amber & Turquoise !

Initially the Indians of the Southwest used shells, spiny oyster and some corals to add color to their Turquoise, Magnesite and Agate jewelry. From time to time traders would provide them with Amber, which was quickly incorporated into designs.

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This design incorporates Baltic Amber and stabilized Arizona Turquoise chips with a turquoise colored Howlite tear drop pendant and Black Agate (Onyx) barrels with a silver toggle clasp. Matching French Hook Amber and Turquoise chip earrings complete the set.

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To help understand the types of Turquoise on today's market. the following is provided----

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Natural - This comes directly from the mine. It is cut shaped and polished and set into jewelry. It has no man made treatment or additives other than a polishing compound that adds to its luster. Several pieces of natural Turquoise from Arizona, can be seen to the right and are beautiful with very little polishing. Most stones in this state are very close to gem quality. The coloration of natural Turquoise can darken as oils from the skin work its way into the stone over the years, especially of not properly cleaned.

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Stabilized – This is a natural turquoise usually in nugget form, but does not hold a luster. It is submerged into a stabilizing compound and dried, cut and prepared for jewelry. The turquoise has not been altered. The pores of the stone have been filled with a clear resin that makes the stone usable. This process allows for diversity of shapes and possibilities in jewelry making. Color Stabilized stones are considered altered and sometimes color has been added in this process. This in not necessarily bad, but it has less value than a piece that is naturally colored. Stabilized Turquoise usually does not change color with wear and because of its hardness, wears better in jewelry.

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Treated - This form of color enhancement has been used for thousands of years. It is done as discussed earlier by submerging Turquoise stones into animal fat or vegetable oil and later air dried. Normally the color will not last very long. A new variety on the market, called "Motaska" and "Majave" Stone is much more stable and retains its color as well as being infused with gold, silver and copper.

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Fake and Synthetic – Ceramics, bone, celluloid and plastic are used to imitate turquoise. Synthetic turquoise has a very natural matrix that is produced by placing stones in the synthetic “batter”.

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Imatations - Then there are the imatations, in many cases natural gemstones that are beautiful in their own right, but due to the fact they accept dyes, many times are dyed the various turquoise colors and then are sold by unscrupulous dealers as real Turquoise. Price becomes the real determining factor when it comes to seperating real Turquoise from dyed Howlite, Magnesite or Ivoryite.

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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 at the left. 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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Amber - The Baltic region is home to the largest known deposit of Amber, called Baltic amber, with about 80% of the world's known amber found there. It dates back some 44 million years ago. It has been estimated that these forests created over 105 tons of amber. Because Baltic amber contains about 8% succinic acid, it is also termed succinite. It was thought since the 1850s that the resin that became Amber was produced by the tree Pinites succinifer, but research in the 1980's came to the conclusion that the resin originates from several species. Numerous extinct genera and species of plants and animals have been discovered and scientifically described from inclusions in Baltic Amber. Do NOT confuse Amber with Copal. Copal is not the fossilized, but rather an immature recent resin. Increasingly, Copal is being offered for sale, via the online auction services, gem shows, and shops, misrepresented as "Amber." The commercial value of Amber is related to its scarcity, age, inclusions of extinct species, and durability. Unfortunately, some dealers are more preoccupied with high economic returns, rather than whether or not their resin is fossil or recent. The age of Copal can vary from 50 years to 1.6 million years in age. It can be considered a semi-fossilized resin or an immature amber.

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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 colored Howlite is dyed, it also can become a very bright red color to mimic red coral, or any other color in the rainbow.

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GEMSTONE JEWELRY - new Find, old Stone !

First we need to thank the International School of Gemology for the information about this gemstone. It is unusual to find new gemstones on the market but this new find, or not so new, has only been around for over 500 years. Sounds kind of confusing !

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Leopard Opal has only been widely seen on the modern market for a couple years, but it first appeared at the Tucson Gem Show in 1996 displayed by R T Boyd Ltd., but it is reported to have been mined by the Aztecs in Mexico over 500 years ago. The recent re-discovery of this mystical gemstone is causing a lot of excitement in the market. Leopard Opal is an opalized vesicular basalt or Matrix Opal where the vesicles in the basalt have been filled with precious opal showing a strong colour pattern. Leopard Opal is a term that was coined during its reintroduced to the world gemstone markets. Prior to the mid 1960s Leopard Opal was sold as Basalt Opal with modest acceptance by the North American gem and mineral community. The matrix is a basaltic black rock from Zimapán, Hidalgo State, Mexico. This opal was formed as abundant amounts of silica was chemically broken down by layers of volcanic ash in this area of Mexico. The location was known to have been mined by the Aztec Indians in pre-Columbian times based on jewelry items found in ancient tombs. This location was recently re-discovered and now the renamed Leopard Opal is available to the market today. The hardness of the black basaltic rock makes Leopard Opal a very durable gemstone, while the formation of opal in the small pockets that are throughout the stone make for one of the most beautiful plays of color of any opal around.

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Durable, beautiful, affordable....all of the things we are looking for in the way of colored gemstones these days. In Mexico it is erroneously referred to as 'Opalo Negro' or 'Black Opal' but is not at all like Australian Black Opal, so do not confuse the two.

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Thanks again to Robert James at the ISG for the majority of this information and the alert to it's existance.

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GEMSTONE JEWELRY - Black and Blue !

Very simple and little discussion needed when it comes to this Black and Blue design.
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This very simple design uses only Turquoise, Howlite, Black Agate (Onyx) and Silver beads to obtain a total look. Turquoise colored Howlite free form mini-slabs highlight this necklace that has several sizes of Black Agate (Onyx) rounds, stabilized Turquoise rounds and silver plated barrels. French hook earrings containing stabilized Turquoise, Black Agate (Onyx) rounds and silver round beads complete the set.
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Howlite, named for its discoverer Henry How 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 colored Howlite is dyed, it also can become a very bright red color to mimic red coral, or any other color in the rainbow.
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Stabilized turquoise - Turquoise that is soft or normally referred to as "chalk" Turquoise is infused with a clear epoxy resin. This resin, under pressure, is absorbed into the rock, which permanently hardens the rock and deepens the color. Unlike the collectible natural Turquoise which deepens in color over time by gradually absorbing oils from the skin as it is worn, the colors in stabilized Turquoise are permanent. Most of the Turquoise on the market today is stabilized and should not cost as much as natural Turquoise. Stabilized turquoise can be very beautiful, and is a good buy. Because of it's hardness and consistant color, stabilized Turquoise wears much better in Jewelry.

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 at the left. 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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GEMSTONE JEWELRY - A Crazy Stone !

In this case not a 'crazy stone' but the name applied to one of the more colorful stones in the Agate family. Agates come in all colors and designs within the stones, but one of the most popular is called "Crazy Lace Agate", coming out of the Sierra Santa Lucia and Durango areas of Mexico.

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In this design, we actually used two gemstones to highlight the piece. Three of the five puff oval Stabilized Arizona Turquoise beads make up the pendant with two more inbetween the four squares of Mexican Crazy Lace Agate. Additional stabilized Turquoise rounds and barrels and an extender with a Lobster clasp complete the necklace. Matching dangle leverback earrings finish the set.

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Crazy Lace Agate, also known as Mexican Agate, is an attractive, white, opaque stone, patterned like a beautiful, multicolored paisley cloth. It is a cryptocrystalline quartz, found in Mexico. It is almost always found composed of multicoloured twisting and turning bands and thus fits into the microcrystalline quartz family. It can range in color from brown, through the reds and yellows, to purples and even blues. Many time it is named based on its color, ie., Blue Lace Agate.

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Stabilized turquoise - Turquoise that is soft or normally referred to as "chalk" Turquoise is infused with a clear epoxy resin. This resin, under pressure, is absorbed into the rock, which permanently hardens the rock and deepens the color. Unlike the collectible natural Turquoise which deepens in color over time by gradually absorbing oils from the skin as it is worn, the colors in stabilized Turquoise are permanent. Most of the Turquoise on the market today is stabilized and should not cost as much as natural Turquoise. Stabilized turquoise can be very beautiful, and is a good buy. Because of it's hardness and consistant color, stabilized Turquoise wears much better in Jewelry.

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GEMSTONES - Texas Favorites !

West Texas is famous for its wide variety of unique and beautiful Agates and Jaspers. Some types are highly prized by collectors all around the world. 35 million years ago, volcanic activity in the Big Bend area produced the environment for these beautiful gemstones. Quartz crystallizing as nodules inside gas pockets, or in cracks to form vein type agate, delicate plumes, bands, moss or bouquet patterns of different colors are actually crystals of impurities such as iron oxide, other oxides, hematite, etc. Agates and Calcedony are widespread throughout this region, but only a small amount it is of lapidary interest. Agate has been found south of Sierra Blanca, all the way down the Rio Grande, past Del Rio. Texas has no public lands to collect on, so there is still a lot to explore, if permission can be obtained from the ranchers. Just remember, don't go past a fence line without a ranchers permission, you might regret it !

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One of the most famous is Red Plume Agate made famous by the Woodward Ranch. The ranch, located south of Alpine, offers Agate collecting for a fee. There are also trips out of Alpine to the Walker ranch for a daily fee. Although Red Plume is found only on the Woodward Ranch, there are several other types of Agates to be found on the Woodward Ranch, as well on other ranches in the Alpine and Marfa areas. Black and Brown Plume Agate are the most common lapidary grade. Banded Agate is also fairly common and near Alpine it is usually white, nearly clear, but can be shades of red, purple or pink, often surrounding a plume. Yellow Plume Agate can be found in the area but is difficult to cut. There is a type of Orbicular Agate found south of Alpine called Peanut Agate which can be quite beautiful. Most of the lapidary grade Agate found south of Alpine is found in biscuit shaped nodules with a dark red skin.

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Marfa Texas has some of the most beautiful Bouquet Agate in the world that come in pastel colors in "bouquet" patterns and are the most sought after by collectors. The bouquet pattern can be found with black plume in both white skin and black skin Agate. A lot of this Agate is egg shell, thin coating of Agate lining the gas pocket, often with the botryoidal crystals. This usually is a good sign of quality plumes or bouquet. Black skin egg shell typically is black or blue and white banding. Balmorael Agate is famous for its blue color, banded often with black plumes. The skin is usually black with a white patina on the surface. It appears to be fairly wide spread in isolated pockets northwest of the Davis Mountains.

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Topaz, the state gem of Texas, is found within the borders of the state only in Mason County. It occurs in granite outcroppings principally in the Streeter, Grit, and Katemcy areas. It is usually found in streambeds and ravines but occasionally can be located atop the ground. Topaz resembles quartz and ranges in color from clear to brown to yellow to sky blue. The blue stones are especially beautiful and extremely rare, and most interesting when faceted in the Lone Star cut.

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Llanite is a hypabyssally intruded Rhyolite with phenocrysts of microcline and euhedral Quartz. The quartz crystals are blue hexagonal bipyramids. The unusual blue coloration of the Quartz is thought to be due to ilmenite inclusions. This gemstone is named after Llano County, the only place in the world where Llanite is found. A dike of Llanite outcrops in the Texas Hill Country north of the town of Llano. Rough, especially older material will have a definite reddish cast, but newer finds and finished and polished stones tend more towards the gray tones, but the blue Quartz stands out no matter when dug. Then in the Marble Falls and Burnett areas one can find all kinds of Granite and Marble. These are primarily used for counter tops and building construction.

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We have just barely scratched the surface of the various unique as well as common gemstones and rocks that can be found within the State of Texas. Several books are available and many sites can be Googled on the Internet to obtain the names of the ranches that allow rock collecting as well as groups and persons who will act as guides. In winter, be prepared for a cold and wet trek, in summer a scortching hot, dusty and windy trek. Just remember, many great finds have been made along the highways cuts and grades as one drives this very large and diverse State. Here is a short list of what can be found in Texas:::

[number in ( ) is identified specific varieties]

AGATE (some 17+)

AMETHYST

AMMONITES

ANDRADITE

ARTHROPODS

BASALT

BRACHIPODS

CALCITE

CELESTITE

CEPHALOPODS

CHALCEDONY (some 9+)

CINNABAR

DOLOMITE

FELDSPAR (some 4+)

FLINT

GALENA

GARNETS (some 6+)

GASTROPODS

GEODES (unknown number)

GOETHITE

GRANITE (some 26+)

HEMATITE

JASPERS (some 21+)

LIMESTONE

LLANITE

MANGANITE

MARBLE (some 14+)

MICA

MOONSTONE

OLIVENE

OPAL

PALM WOOD

PEGMATITE

PERIDOT

PETRIFIED PALM

PETRIFIED WOOD

PYRITE

QUARTZ (some 8+)

RHYOLITE (some 3+)

SAGENITE

SELENITE

SERPENTINE

SPHALERITE

TEKTITES

TOPAZ (some 7+)

TRILOBITES

WONDERSTONE

WULFENITE

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GEMSTONE JEWELRY - From the Sea !

"From the Sea, From the Sea, From the Beautiful Sea" or however that song goes and depending on where one travels, it is possible to find jewelry that comes totally from the sea. Most is faily inexpensive, but designs that contailn items such as Black Coral can run hundreds, even thousandss of dollars.
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In this design, shells from the sea that have been cut into large 30mm rounds highlight a necklace of Poppy Jasper ovals, Black Agate (Onyx) barrels and heishi shell beads. A copper lobster clasp can connect to a copper chain to allow for varying necklace lengths. Two styles of French Hook dangle earrings complete the set.
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Seashell - Jewelry made from seashellsd are absolutely stunning, and so calming. Seashell jewelry continues to grow in popularity, especially since no two shells are alike, so each piece is as unique as you are! There are millions out there to choose from, so getting some to even match a little bit can be an exciting discovery and bit time consuming.Seashell necklaces and Mother of Pearl (MOP) are quite the favorites, along with some pretty Sand Dollars. Shell jewelry tells everyone you love nature.
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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 at the left. 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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Poppy Jasper is found in two places - Spain and the Morgan Hill area of California. Poppy Jasper exhibits stones of brick red mingling with shades of brown or black. These beautiful gemstones also often show shades of golden yellows, cream, or white in a single bead. Poppy Jasper is a famous, but increasingly rare orbicular jasper with red and yellow dots of "poppy flowers". It is a brecciated jasper, meaning it probably came from sun-dried and oxidized iron-rich clay. The cracks were filled in by other substances. Jasper, a form of Chalcedony, is an opaque impure variety of silica, usually red, yellow, brown or green in color. Blue is rare. This mineral breaks with a smooth surface, and is used for ornamentation or as a gemstone. It can be highly polished and is used for vases, seals, jewelry and at one time for snuff boxes. When the colors are in stripes or bands, it is called striped or banded jasper. When the colors are in circles or long tubes it is called plume jasper. Jasper is basically chert which owes its red color to iron inclusions.
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Heishi - The literal meaning of heishi is "shell" and specifically refers to pieces of shell which have been drilled and ground into beads and then strung into necklaces. More and more frequently, however, heishi (pronounced hee-shee) has come to refer to hand-made tiny beads made of any natural material. The origin of heishi is fascinating indeed, and is inescapably linked to the ancient history of the people most proficient in its making, the Santo Domingo and San Felipe Pueblo Indians. It is safe to say that this is the oldest form of jewelry in New Mexico (and perhaps in North America), pre-dating the introduction of metals. Centuries ago, the shells used by the Pueblo Indians to make beads were obtained in trade from the Gulf of California. When one looks at a string of heishi, the first reaction is frequently "how on earth can a person do that?" or "to be so perfect, it must be done by machines." The truth is, if it seems exquisitely perfect, it was most likely made by the hands of a highly-skilled, extremely patient craftsperson. Knowing the steps involved in the creation of a good string of heishi can help a potential buyer distinguish—and appreciate the difference— between excellent hand-made jewelry and imitations. First, the raw materials are chosen. The most commonly used are seashells of all kinds—dark and light olive shells, spiney oysters, mother-of-pearl, melon shell. Coral and stones such as lapis, turquoise, jet, pipestone and serpentine are also used to create exquisite contemporary heishi necklaces.
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GEMSTONE JEWELRY - A Woody Look ? Yes, Maybe and No !

Although not really wood, and not even what is called 'Wood Jasper', in small sizes this particular Jasper can many times pass for pieces of wood. It was well liked and used often along with Petrified Wood, since both were readily available all over western America, and even more widespread today.

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In an attempt to keep prices a bit lower, this design incorporates turquoise colored Howlite free form nuggets and chips along with spikes of Picture Jasper. A lobster clasp with an extender completes the necklace. French hook earrings of Picture Jasper rounds and turquoise colored Howlite chips make up the matching earrings to complete the set.

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Picture Jasper - Jasper, a form of chalcedony. It is an opaque impure variety of silica, usually red, yellow, brown or green in color. Blue is rare. This mineral breaks with a smooth surface, and is used for ornamentation or as a gemstone. It can be highly polished and is used for vases, seals and in jewelry. Picture Jaspers, just one of many varieties, exhibit combinations of patterns (such as banding from flow or depositional patterns (from water or wind), dendritic or color variations) resulting in what appear to be scenes or images, on a cut sections. Wood Jasper, another variety, not only offers natural wood texture but also the feel of natural stone. Wood jasper combines natural beauty of both wood and stone. Although similar, Wood Jasper does not produce the pictures Picture Jasper is noted for when sliced.

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Howlite, named for its discoverer Henry Howl 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 colored Howlite is dyed, it also can become a very bright red color to mimic red coral, or any other color in the rainbow.

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GEMSTONE JEWELRY - A misnamed Gemstone ? Not Really !

In the Lapidary and Gemstone world, nothing is exact in the names of the various stones because of languages, regions and personal observations, unless you are down at the mineral level and even then sometimes language differences can effect that basic identity. Two such gemstones that are based historically on language and today on fancy market naming, are what is called Peruvian Turquoise and African Turquoise. Neither are Turquoise, but Chrysocolla and a Japer that look very similar to Turquoise in color.
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Here we have a necklace set designed and constructed out of several different materials. We start with three large stabilized Arizona Turquoise Matrix nuggets, highlighted with white Coral rondel beads. The necklace is then completed with Sardonyx twists, Peruvian Turquoise rounds and more white Coral rondels interspersed with open globe gold plated beads and a Hook and Loop clasp. French hoo earrings with stabilized Turquoise rounds and Sardonyx dangles complete the set.

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Stabilized turquoise - Turquoise that is soft or normally referred to as "chalk" Turquoise is infused with a clear epoxy resin. This resin, under pressure, is absorbed into the rock, which permanently hardens the rock and deepens the color. Unlike the collectible natural Turquoise which deepens in color over time by gradually absorbing oils from the skin as it is worn, the colors in stabilized Turquoise are permanent. Most of the Turquoise on the market today is stabilized and should not cost as much as natural Turquoise. Stabilized turquoise can be very beautiful, and is a good buy. Because of it's hardness and consistant color, stabilized Turquoise wears much better in Jewelry.

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Peruvian Turquoise (Chrysocolla) is as old as the ancient cultures of the Incas and Aztecs. It is also known as Mesoamerican Torquoise. Peruvian Turquoise is actually "Chrysocolla", a semi-precious gemstone that comes in a wide range of appearances and colors. It is the copper in this silicate based stone which gives it the intense blues and greens. When it has been intermixed with chalcendony and or opal, it forms a stone hard enough to be cut and polished. It is in this rare form that it becomes suitable for use in high quality jewelery. A more common low grade chalky and soft chrysocolla can be dyed or painted to look like high quality chrysocolla. Beware these stones scratch easily and they look cheap when examined closely, they also lack the stunning veins seen in high grade Chrysocolla stones. Chrysocolla often can be found to have a similar colour to genuine Turquoise. It has been valued in jewelery by the Incas, Aztecs and other ancient cultures for its colour and beauty. High grade Crysacolla or Peruvian Turquoise can look absolutely stunning.

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Corals are marine organisms typically living in compact colonies of many identical individual "polyps". The group includes the important reef builders that inhabit tropical oceans, which secrete calcium carbonate to form a hard skeleton which is used in the production of jewelry. Currently many species of Coraals, especially reef building varities, are being considered "endangered" and are under consideration for banning for use in jewelry and other decorative uses, following in the footsteps of Ivory. Sponge Coral, however, is not on the endangered species list, plus it is a sustainable product. Sponge Coral is a farmed product and thus is not removed from the Coral Reef and does not cause the environmental damage associated with traditional corals.
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Sardonyx is a variant of Onyx or Agate in which the colored bands are Sard in shades of red rather than black. Pure black Onyx, which is truely a died black Agate, is more common and perhaps the most famous variety, but not as common as natural Onyx with its banded colors of browns, whites and black. Onyx is usually called Sardonyx when the bands of red vary all the way from a light brown to almost black. When backlighted, and the stone is not too thick, one will see a reddish glow through the stone.

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GEMSTONE JEWELRY - an old Southwestern Combination !

Due to the limited availability of certain materials, the Indians of the American Southwest were somewhat limited in the colors that they used with the Turquoise and Silver that they dug locally. These same colors, with a few new added, are the basis of Southwestern Jewelry to this day.

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This particular design incorporates the main Southwest Indian colors, Turquoise, Red, Black and Silver. A stabilized Arizona Turquoise in free form shape is strung with Silver Beads, Turquoise rondels, black Agate (Onyx) rondels and red Sponge Coral barrels. A two inch extender gives the necklace extra length if needed. A choice of two styles of coordinating silver French Hook earrings complete the set.

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Stabilized turquoise - Turquoise that is soft or normally referred to as "chalk" Turquoise is infused with a clear epoxy resin. This resin, under pressure, is absorbed into the rock, which permanently hardens the rock and deepens the color. Unlike the collectible natural Turquoise which deepens in color over time by gradually absorbing oils from the skin as it is worn, the colors in stabilized Turquoise are permanent. Most of the Turquoise on the market today is stabilized and should not cost as much as natural Turquoise. Stabilized turquoise can be very beautiful, and is a good buy. Because of it's hardness and consistant color, stabilized Turquoise wears much better in Jewelry.

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Sponge Coral is a natural organic substance that is considered a newcomer to the jewelry industry. It is related to the more traditional red/pinkish coral, thus Sponge Coral is not on the endangered species list, plus it is a sustainable product. Sponge Coral is a farmed product and thus is not removed from the Coral Reef and does not cause the environmental damage associated with traditional corals. Traditional coral is usually used in its natural shape which resembles a twiglet whereas Sponge Coral is reconstituted into different shapes. These shapes can either then be used as they are or used to produce a mosaic effect or other patterns. Sponge Coarl is used extensively in Silver Inlay and Intarsa products. Sponge Coral must be stabilized. Without the stabilising and polishing the sponge coral would be very brittle and dull in appearance. Sponge coral should not be placed in hot water or come into direct contact with perfumes or other chemicals. When wearing sponge coral, perfume should be applied prior to wearing so that you are not applying perfume directly on to the sponge coral. Sponge Coral may be cleaned by using a moist soft cloth and do not use any abrasive or chemical cleaners. Some dealers confuse Spiney Oyster with Sponge Coral, which ar two totally different items.

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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 at the left. 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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GEMSTONE JEWELRY - a substitute for Turquoise

For ages, due to the high price of certain gemstones, cheaper substitutes have been used to provide a like end result. Howlite, colored as turquoise is one such substitute. You cannot call Howlite a fake however, because it is a real gemstone in its own right. It just so happens that when colored blue, blue-green or green that many times it mimics real Turquoise, right down to the veining. Just watch out for sellers who do not advertise the fact that they are selling this turquoise colored Howlite, and not real Turquoise.
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This necklace set combines turquoise colored Howlite half-moon beads, red colored Howlite rounds, Carnelian barrels and stabilized Arizona Turquoise discs. A 3 inch antique copper extender combines with a lobster clasp for closure. French hook dangle earrings complete the set.
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Howlite, named for its discoverer Henry How 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 colored Howlite is dyed, it also can become a very bright red color to mimic red coral, or any other color in the rainbow.
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Stabilized turquoise - Turquoise that is soft or normally referred to as "chalk" Turquoise is infused with a clear epoxy resin. This resin, under pressure, is absorbed into the rock, which permanently hardens the rock and deepens the color. Unlike the collectible natural Turquoise which deepens in color over time by gradually absorbing oils from the skin as it is worn, the colors in stabilized Turquoise are permanent. Most of the Turquoise on the market today is stabilized and should not cost as much as natural Turquoise. Stabilized turquoise can be very beautiful, and is a good buy. Because of it's hardness and consistant color, stabilized Turquoise wears much better in Jewelry.
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Carnelian (also spelled cornelian) is a reddish-brown mineral which is commonly used as a semi-precious gemstone. Similar to Carnelian is Sard, which is generally harder and darker. The difference between the two is not rigidly defined, and thus the two names are often used interchangeably. Both Carnelian and Sard are varieties of the silica mineral called Chalcedony and are colored red by impurities of iron oxide. The color can vary greatly, ranging from pale orange to an intense almost-black coloration.
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GEMSTONE JEWELRY - an old stone Revisited !

Using unique or unusual one-location gemstones allows one to create a one-of-a-kind piece of jewelry, especially when the history of the gemstone can be traced back to the Vikings.

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Being able to acquire the unusual gemstone known as Labradorite, allowed for the creation of this necklace set. Pieces of Labradorite cut into puff-rectangles as highlight gemstones are combined with Mother-of-Pearl rondels and silver plated -chain links to form the necklace. French hook earrings with rondel Labradorite and MOP beads completes the set.
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Labradorite is a feldspara intermediate to calcic member of the plagioclase series. Streak seen within the stone is white, like most silicates. Twinning is common. As with all plagioclase members the crystal system is triclinic and three directions of cleavage are present, two of which form nearly right angle prisms. Labradorite occurs as a nearly clear, white to grey rocky to lath grained rock. Labradorite is found on Paul's Island near the town of Nain in Labrador, Canada. It occurs in large crystal masses in anorthosite and shows a play of colors called labradorescence. The labradorescence, or schiller effect, is the result of light refracting within lamellar intergrowths resulting from phase exsolution on colling in the Boggild

Labradorite................................Larvakite

miscibility gap. Gemstone varieties of labradorite exhibiting a high degree of labradorescence are called Spectrolite: Moonstone and Sunstone are also commonly used terms, and high-quality samples with good qualities are desired for jewelry. A variety of Labradorite that comes from Norway is called Larvakite. Larvakite originates from the town of Larvik in Norway, where this type of igneous rock is found. The crystallisation of this ternary feldspar indicates that Larvakite began to crystallise under lower crustal conditions than did Labradorite. Larvakite posses the same labradoresence characteristics as Labradorite and the two can eaasily be confused.

Mother of pearl, also called nacre, is an iridescent layer of material which forms the shell lining of many mollusks. Pearl oysters and abalone are both sources of mother of pearl, which is widely used as an inlay in jewelry, furniture, and musical instruments. Mother of pearl comes in several natural colors, and is often bleached and dyed for decorative use. The dye retains the shimmering layers which make mother of pearl so sought after. Depending on the shell the Mother of Pearl is taken from, it may be processed into large flat or curved pieces, small pieces sometimes call nuggets or processed as polished beads. Two substances actually combine to create mother of pearl. The first is plates of aragonite, a material which is secreted by the mollusk. Aragonite contains calcium carbonate and conchiolin, a natural protein. Alone, the plates are very hard, but also very brittle. As a result, the organism also secretes an organic material similar to silk to layer between the plates. The result is a strong, flexible material which can withstand hard use.

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GEMSTONE JEWELRY - a man-made Gemstone !

Not all gemstones seen on the market are from Mother Nature. There are a few, that are called gemstones despite the fact they are not, they are creations of man. A few of these are quite beautiful and very pretty when combined and used in jewelry.

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It so happens that this jewelry set is constructed out of one of these man-made stones - Goldstone. Flat Goldstone discs form the center and highlight the sides of this necklace. Round Blue Goldstone combined with black Agate (Onyx) are used to complete the necklace along with a copper toggle clap. French hook dangle earrings with matching Blue Goldstone and Onyx finish the set.

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Goldstone is a type of glittering glass made in a low-oxygen reducing atmosphere. The finished product can take a smooth polish and can be carved into beads, pendants, figurines or other artifacts suitable for a semiprecious stone, and in fact Goldstone is often mistaken for or misrepresented as a natural material. The most common form of Goldstone is reddish-brown, containing tiny crystals of metallic copper that require special conditions to form properly. The initial batch is melted together from silica, copper oxide, and other metal oxides to chemically reduce the copper ions to elemental copper. The vat is then sealed off from the air and maintained within a narrow temperature range, keeping the glass hot enough to remain liquid while allowing metallic crystals to precipitate from solution without melting or oxidizing. After a suitable crystallization period, the entire batch is cooled to a single solid mass. The best material is near the center or "heart" of the mass, ideally with large, bright metal crystals suspended in a semitransparent glass matrix. Goldstone also exists in other color variants based on other elements. Cobalt and manganese can be substituted for copper; the resulting crystals have a more blue or silvery appearance and are suspended in a strongly-colored matrix of the corresponding ionic color, resulting in Blue Goldstone or Purple Goldstone respectively. Green Goldstone forms its reflective particles from chromium oxides rather than the elemental metals, but is otherwise fairly similar.

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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). 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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GEMSTONE JEWELRY - Howlite, what color do you Want ?

Bright and vivid colors. What we have here is Howlite, a white or ivory natural colored gemstone that is pretty in its natural coloration, but can be dyed every color in the rainbow and thus can immitate other gemstones, a main one being Turquoise.

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This particular necklace set uses the natural white Howlite in half-moon and rounds, along with turquoise colored Howlite half-moons and rounds and finished with red colored Howlite rounds. A silver 2 inch extender and Lobster clasp complete the set. Silver French Hook dangle earrings with white and turquoise Howlite colored half-moons and red Howlite colored rounds finish up the set.

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Howlite, named for its discoverer Henry How is one of those gemstone that is more famous for imitating another gemstone than being used for itself. In most cases the other mineral is Turquoise, a phosphate gemstone. Although natural Howlite is always white or gray and many times has various darker matrixes within in structure, it can accept dyes fairly easily and is most times dyed various shades of turquoise blues. The look of turquoise colored Howlite is so good that dishonest dealers have been unfortunately successful in this hoax for many years and it has gotten worse in the past few years. 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 colors that Howlite is normally dyed, it also can become every and any color one can think of. The matrix in the natural Howlite, as seen at the right, makes for a very interesting gemstone to use.

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