Agate
Numerous forms of Agate exist in a wide variety
of colors and patterns. Banded Agate has distinct
stripes, while Moss Agate shows green mosslike colors
within the translucent agate. Fire Agate shows the
bright orange color its name implies. Usually considered
a lucky stone, Agate can protect and calm you. It was
often used to cure headaches and eye diseases, as well as
for scorpion and spider bites! |
Andalusite
Named for Spain's southern province of Andalusia,
the Andalusite stone shows a unique
cross pattern in black crystals within a brownish red cut.
This variety is called Chiastolite, from the Greek for
X-marked . Early Christians wore this stone as an amulet,
and it has been found in northern Spain along the
Camino de Santiago , an important pilgrimage route. |
Fossil Coral
Fossil Coral has starlike patterns, and is also known
as agatized coral. It is petrified coral and is as hard as agate.
Many believe that Coral amulets protect the wearer from other's envy.
If you dream of coral, you might recover from an illness! |
Jasper
Jasper is found throughout the world with many
different markings. Often in a spotted pattern
it can be a deep red color as Brecciated Jasper,
a green-blue with black markings as Sesame Jasper,
or as the black and white striped Zebra Jasper.
Ocean Jasper has circular patterns in a variety of colors.
Autumn Jasper, in shades of green and orange, is pictured.
Jasper is said to cure stomach problems, and represents strength and fortitude. |
Labradorite
Labradorite is a gray feldspar mineral--the most
abundant mineral in the Earth's crust--that refracts
light through its layers to produce
intense colors from red to blue, green, and violet.
Discovered in 1770, it is mined mainly in Canada's
northeastern Labrador Peninsula. Labradorite can
banish fear and insecurity, bring clarity of thought,
and attract success. |
Onyx
Onyx is a form of quartz; Black Onyx
is the most common and well known.
Onyx is believed to help overcome grief
and to bring good fortune, but it also can attract
family problems, nightmares and sadness. Black Onyx,
however, is seen as a protective stone that blocks negative energy.
Some believe you will have a happy marriage if you dream of onyx. |
Pearls
Pearls have long enjoyed a valuable and exotic fame,
and continue to offer a classic and elegant look to the wearer.
Created by the layers of nacre produced by the oyster when an
irritant is in its shell, Pearls are organic matter that are difficult
to find naturally, and thus rare and expensive. They also are cultured and harvested
in both sea and fresh water, which has created
an extensive industry. Traditionally, Pearls represent innocence
and fertility. Thought to cure depression and bring long life, they are
considered an introspective gem, and influential on moods. |
Prehnite
The first mineral to be named after a person,
Prehnite was named after Hendrik Von Prehn (1733-1785),
a colonial governor of the Dutch colony at the
Cape of Good Hope. A member of the Garnet family,
Prehnite is commonly a light green to yellow
color, and often has narrow black or white inclusions. |
Quartz
Another common mineral in the Earth's crust is Quartz.
Colorless transparent rock crystal is its the purest form,
but many varieties exist, including the brown Smoky Quartz, the yellow
Citrine and the purple Amethyst. The value of different Quartz
stones varies widely, led by the expensive Amethyst and
Lemon Quartz to less costly Rose Quartz. |
