About the Gemstones

Amethyst

The most valuable form of quartz. Medium to dark purple color of natural amethyst is due to iron or manganese impurities in the mineral. Mohs Hardness: 7

Black Onyx

Onyx is an opaque variety of chalcedony. The black color allows it to go well with any color of clothing. Mohs Hardness: 6.5-7.0

Chinese Turquoise

Chinese turquoise is very different from sleeping beauty turquoise. It's color can vary more often with a certain degree of blue-greens to sky blue to yellow greens. It contains a rock matrix with varying dark veining. No two stones will match perfectly. It has a beauty that to me is captivating. Mohs Hardness: 5-6

Chrysoprase

The most valuable form of chalcedony, the beautiful green chrysoprase is sometimes mistaken for jade. The vivid color comes from nickel silicate. The entire world's supply is mined only in Australia. Mohs Hardness: 6.5

Citrine

Citrine belongs to the quartz family. The yellow color is due to the presence of iron. Mohs Hardness: 6.5

Jade

Green Nephrite Jade is tough and fine-grained. It has an aggregate of interlocking fibrous crystals. This is why it carves well. Mohs Hardness: 6.5

Lapis Lazuli

This stone has been the source of French Ultramarine paint pigment for centuries. The deep vivid blue is composed of lazurite, pyrite, and calcite. Mohs Hardness: 5-6

Peridot

The yellowish to vibrant gren color of peridot is caused by iron in the gem-quality form of the mineral olivine.

Mohs Hardness: 6.5-7.0

Rhodolite Garnet

Garnet is rich in iron and chromium, and the rodolite variety has a rose to lavender hue. This form of garnet is more costly then other garnets. Mohs Hardness: 7.0 - 7.5

Sleeping Beauty Turquoise

This stone comes from Arizona and has a rich sky blue color. Turquoise is a fairly soft opaque gemstone that polishes well. The blue color comes from the presence of copper. Mohs Hardness 5-6