AB Finish: Named for the Northern Lights. In costume jewelry, a term for crystal stones
that have a highly iridescent surface. The effect is achieved by vapor blasting the facets of
the lower part of the crystals with an invisible, micro thin metal sheet. This stone was
created by Swarovski® in 1955 in collaboration with Christian Dior. Also known as AB, the
term now refers to any iridescent finish.
Abalone Shell: Mollusk family of shells. They have a beautiful iridescent finish.
Agate: Noted for it's banding (quartz layers) and translucency. Types: Arizona Striped,
Blue Lace, Botswana, Butterscotch, Condor, Crazy Lace, India, Fossil, Montana, Moss,
Natural (carnelian), Tree.
General Lore: Cure insomnia, protect against danger, promote strength and healing and
ensure a healthy life. Moss: enhance love of nature, cleanse the soul and restore wit.
Tree: encourage inner peace through certainty and bring awareness of personal strengths
creating security and stability.
Alexandrite: The most sensational feature about this stone is its surprising ability to
change its colour. Green or bluish-green in daylight, alexandrite turns a soft shade of red,
purplish-red or raspberry red in incandescent light. This unique optical characteristic
makes it one of the most valuable gemstone of all.
General Lore: Considered a stone of very good omen. In critical situations it is supposed
to strengthen the wearer’s intuition, and thus help him or her find new ways forward in
situations where logic will not provide an answer. Alexandrite is also reputed to aid
creativity and inspire imagination.
Amazonite: Opaque blue/teal stone that can have white, yellow or grey inclusions. Clean
with soapy water, never with an ultrasonic cleaner.
General Lore: Improve your skin, marriage, clarity of thought, and social interactions.
Alleviate muscle spasms, stress and exhaustion.
Amber: Fossilized tree resin of now-extinct conifer trees and ancient pines. Can be easily
scratched, clean with soapy lukewarm water and rub on a little vegtable oil.
General Lore: Bring luck, improve eyesight, ease glandular swellings of the throat and
lungs. Balance endocrine and digestive systems.
Amethyst: FEBRUARY BIRTHSTONE
Amethyst is a member of the quartz family. Some beads may have some white or grey
inclusions. Keep out of direct sunlight, as they Amethyst can lose it's color.
General Lore: Sobriety Stone, thought to protect from drunkenness. Encourage celibacy
and symbollize piety. Amethyst was very important in the ornamentation of the Catholic
and other churches in the Middle Ages. DaVinci wrote that that it had the power to
dissipate evil thoughts and quicken intelligence.
Aquamarine: MARCH BIRTHSTONE
Member of the beryl gemstone family. Very hard gemstone, the more intense the color the
higher the value.
General Lore: The lucky stone for sailors (legend says it was found in mermaids'
treasure chests). Protect from the peril of the sea and seasickness. Heal nerve pain,
glandular problems, toothaches, and disorders of the neck, jaw and throat.
Aventurine: Member of the quartz family with small inclusions of shiny minerals. It is
found naturally in reddish brown and yellow. Blue and Greens are probably dyed to
achieve the color.
General Lore: Calm a troubled mind, bring inner peace, increase confidence and
gratitude, promote emotional tranquility and positive attitudes. In addition, green is said
to strengthen blood and muscle tissues and lends itself to prosperity meditations. Blue is
said to help remove toxins from the body, decrease negative emotions and stimulate
creativity and intellect.
Bali Beads: Bali beads are handcrafted in Bali, Indonesia and are exceptionally detailed.
All my Bali beads are genuine and most are bought directly from Indonesia from reputable
dealers. All are guaranteed to be .925 sterling.
Baroque: Term used to describe irregular shaped stones or pearls.
Bloodstone: Dark green variety of quartz dotted with nodules of bright red jasper.
General Lore: Greatly prized in the Middle Ages as the spots were thought to be the blood
of Jesus Christ, so it was used in sculptures representing martyrdom.
Carat: The unit of weight used for precious stones. One carat equals one-fifth of a gram.
Also a measurement of fitness in gold. Pure gold is expressed as 24Kt.
Carnelian: Agate of fiery red/oranges.
Cat's Eye: Glass that reflects light in a way reminiscent of a cats eye.
General Lore: Stop the flow of blood (nosebleeds, etc.). Help physical wounds and blood
disorders. Recommended for infertility, impotency.
Celtic: The Celts are identified as people from Ireland and the Scottish Highlands. The
Celts are noted for their knotwork, nature themes and crosses. Their work represent trees,
plants and animals. They believe that all of life is interconnected, therefore knots are to
have a complete loops with no beginning and no end. The most popular is the spiral, used
in their jewelry for centuries. It is the celtic symbol of eternal life. Their designs are still
renowned today and never lose popularity.
Chalcedony: Chalcedony is a catch all term that includes many well known varieties of
cryptocrystalline quartz gemstones. It's a form of quartz where the crystals are too small
to be seen without high magnification. Translucent, single color types are sold as
"chalcedony" whereas the rest of this group are sold under individual variety names, or as
jasper or agate.
Charoite: Unusual mineral of rare occurence, found in Russia. Colors range from bright
lavendar, violet and lilac to dark purple with white gray and black veining. Warm soapy
water recommended.
General Lore: By putting it under your pillow it will release the fears that surface in your
dreams.
Cherysoberyl: "Cat's-eye" - This gem is really something special with its narrow, bright
band of light on a shimmering golden background, which seems to glide magically across
the surface when the stone is moved. Most "Cat's-eye" is man-made, as the natural form is
rare.
General Lore: On account of its golden tones, chrysoberyl is often also associated with
wealth. Chrysoberyl is said to promote concentration and the ability to learn, and to enable
the wearer to think clearly and far-sightedly. Negative thoughts are said to be transformed
into positive energy. It is also regarded as a gemstone which promotes tolerance and
harmony, and it is one of the lucky stones for those born under the sign of Leo.
Chrysoprase: Quartz family, prized for it's rarity and opalescent apple-green color. May
fade in sunlight. You can wear in the shower, as it can dehydrate.
General Lore: Sooth heartache and loneliness, promote emotional balance, relieve gout,
eye problems and mental illness.
Citrine: Citrine includes yellow to gold to orange brown shades of transparent quartz.
Maderia citrine refers to the darker, orange citrine colors and are generally more valuable.
Today's most popular citrine color is a bright lemon color.
General Lore: Known as the "success stone" because it promotes success, prosperity,
abundance and particularly promotes success in business, earning it another nickname,
"merchant's stone". It is said to bring business if put in the cash-box of a shop or carried.
It also can bring good fortune in unexpected ways. It imparts generosity, making one want
to share the wealth. Said to be beneficial for digestion, stomach, eliminating nightmares
and other sleep disturbances, thyroid, general health, heart, kidney, liver, muscles,
strength, endocrine system, circulatory system, tissue regeneration, urinary system,
immune system, Fibromyalgia. Citrine is also good for removing toxins, and overcoming
addictions.
Cloisonné: Enamel with surface decorations set in hollows formed by strips of wire welded
to a metal plate.
Coral: Build up of skeletal materials of small animals. Wide ranges of colors. (Coral is not
taken from threatened reefs and research indicates it is plentiful and harvesting levels are
at a rate equal or greater than what is collected). Types: Apple, Black, Blue, Gold,
Natural, Bamboo, Pink, Red, Tiger.
General Lore: Calm and improve life for people living in the 'fast lane'. Protect children,
used for difficulties in the lungs, digestion and blood circulation. Restore harmony in
emotional conflict, work against nutritional deficiencies, depression and lethargy. Cure
madness and gives wisdom.
Crystal, Swarovski: The highest quality crystals on the market, nothing else compares.
Also known as Austrian Crystal.
Cubic Zirconia: Synthetic gemstone developed in 1977 to simulate a diamond.
Dalmation Jasper: (named for the breed of dog that it resembles).
General Lore: Increase patience. Lessen or remove disillusionment and protect against
nightmares, depression and negative thinking.
Diamond: APRIL BIRTHSTONE
Dumortierite: A glassy pink, green, violet, or blue aluminum borosilicate mineral,.
General Lore: Enhance organizational abilities and self-discipline. Release fear, bring
courage to one's life and be a boost for creativity and expression.
Emerald: MAY BIRTHSTONE
Green variety of beryl. Clean with a soft dry cloth, never an ultra-sonic cleaner.
General Lore: Drive away evil spirits, preserve chastity of the wearer, bring wisdom,
faith, success in love. Helps one discover false friends. When worn it is suppose to prevent
an epilepsy attack. Said to assist women in childbirth. Strengthens memory, quicken the
intelligence, and assist in predicting the future.
Enamel: Colored, opaque glassy material fused onto metal, pottery or glass.
Eye Beads: Decorated to resemble an eye, these beads date back to antiquity and have
symbolic meanings. Often used in amulets.
Fluorite: Pastel mineral occurs in vein deposits. This gemstone is fluorescent in
ultraviolet light. The stone comes in colors of green, white, purple and lavender. Will fade
with prolonged exposure to sunlight. Clean with warm soapy water, never in an ultrasonic.
General Lore: Help the evolution of harmonious, peaceful and organized spiritual
growth. Help clear the mind and heighten mental achievement while increasing the ability
to concentrate. Help one see the truth behind illusion. It has been used on the body as well
in the treatment of bones, teeth and cell structure. Help eliminate the discord that causes
infection and disease. Used to assist in the prevention and repair of RNA and DNA damage.
Garnet: JANUARY BIRTHSTONE
Most commonly looks like pomegranite seeds. Garnets can also appear in yellow, pink,
green, white and gray.
General Lore: Written that Noah used a lantern of garnet to safely steer his ark through
the dark night. Best known as the warrior's stone. Soldiers wore garnet to ward off death
and injury. Symbolizes fire, faith, courage, truth, grace, compassion, constancy and
fidelity. Said to stimulate the bloodstream and pituitary glands and to combat depression
and lethargy.
Goldstone: Man made gemstone of glass and copper flecks. Types: Gold and Blue.
General Lore: Store the energy of those who touch it, making an excellent gift for those
who are far away. Deflect unwanted energies. Mystics use it as a nervous system
stimulant to enhance transmission of healing energies from the hands. Cooper within the
stone makes it helpful for inflammation and increasing one's blood flow.
Heishi: thin, uniform disk-shaped shell, gemstone and metal beads that are center drilled
and strung in a row.
Hematite: Gemstone that looks like metal. Mostly all hematite is simulated, however the
chemical composition is the same as the naturally occurring substance.
General Lore: Inspire inner life and help keep inward peace. Called the "stone of mental
mastery", said to aid clarity, balance and calm reason. Dissolve negativity and transform it
into love. Assist in the creation of peaceful, loving and kind relationships. Enhance
memory and intellect, strengthen the circulatory system and help in the treatment of blood
and kidney disorders.
Howelite: Naturally white in color with a dark gray or black spider web matrix. Easily
dyed many colors, therefore made to imitate other stones.
General Lore: Stone of memory, knowledge and progress. Encourage reasoning,
observation, discernment, patience and tact. Believed to eliminate pain, stress and anger.
Help balance calcium levels in the body, aiding absorption and distribution.
Iolite: Violet/blue (ability to change color) color found in water deposits of a blue silicate
mineral.
General Lore: Open one to psychic talents and expand them. Believed to enhance
curiosity, stimulate visions and help the wearer deal with addictions, including alcoholism
(assist in detox as well as maintaining sobriety). Used to help heal sore throats, varicose
veins and blisters.
Jade: Defines actually two different minerals. First Nephrite, only comes in white or
green and the second Jadeite, which comes in a full range of colors.
General Lore: Encourages practicality, wisdom, mental peace and tolerance of others.
Rejuvenates during periods of stress, reduces fears, banishes negative thoughts and
increase a person’s capacity for giving and receiving love. Jade makes a good worry stone
and is often used in rosaries. Crystal healers associate Jade with ailments of the immune
system, thymus, heart, kidney and nervous system. Nephrite is actually derived from the
Greek word for kidneys and is still a remedy among healers for Nephritic Colic. Believed to
stimulate white blood cell and adrenaline production, which could account for its long
association with sports. Eastern athletes believe it can darken in times of superior fitness
and lighten when illness comes.
Jasper: A form of microcrystalline quartz comes in many different patterns and the
different patterns are so named from their markings. Clean with a soft, dry cloth. Types:
Bruneau, Fancy, Flower, Green, Green Zebra, Gray, Imperial Purple, Landscape,
Leopardskin, Mexican Zebra, Ocean, Picture, Poppy, Rainbow, Red, Red Ocean, Rose, Silver
Leaf, Snakeskin, Tigerskin, Turtle, White, Yellow, Zebra.
General Lore: Jasper is a stone of gentleness and relaxation. It enhances one's ability to
relax and brings tranquility, comforting, wholeness, healing, and gentle endings. It is
sometimes called the nurturing stone for its nurturing and protective energies. Psychically,
jasper is used to assist with astral travel. In the physical realm, jasper is used for the liver,
gallbladder, soothing the stomach, and balancing yin/yang energies.
