Quartz Stone

The quartz gemstone is probably one of the most popular and versatile gemstones that are available. Quartz is a rock crystal and has been in use since ancient times. Despite the most sought varieties of quartz like citrine, amethyst, rose quartz, agates, ametrine, chrysoprase, onyx and rutilated quartz, there are many other varieties available too. These gems are affordable and stand apart from expensive gemstones like jade and diamonds.

Quartz Gemstone
Quartz is said to be the second most common mineral found on the Earth’s crust after feldspar. Quartz is made up of silicon oxygen tetrahedra. The word quartz is derived from the German word ‘quarz’ which means ‘cross-vein ore’. In ancient times in the Middle East and Europe, quartz was used in jewelry. Quartz was not only used for jewelry, but was a major element to be used in scientific experiments.

Pearl

Pearls are exquisite to behold and have been used in jewelry for hundreds of years. Unlike other gems, the pearl is organic matter obtained from the living creatures of the sea like the mollusks and oysters. The pearl is actually formed as the mollusks or the oyster coats itself with layers of nacre to protect itself from unwanted materials that could damage them. The process is very delicate and it takes years for a pearl to be formed. Even a small disturbance or damage at any point of time, can change the whole shape and luster of the pearl. A pearl with no foreign matter inside is considered the finest pearl and is very rare.

Pearl Gemstone
There are a number of folklores about pearls. It was believed that pearls were first born when a drop of rain fell from the heavens and became the heart of the oyster. Pearls were also considered the teardrops of moon and they were believed to form when the angels passed through the clouds in the heaven. Today, pearls are considered as symbols of purity and are stitched in bridal gowns or added in bridal jewelry.

Opal Stone

The Opal is considered a symbol of clarity, optimism and confidence. Any jewelry designed with opal gemstone adds beauty to the ornament. There are numerous myths enveloped with this enchanting gemstone. According to the ancient dream of the Australian aborigines, the creator came down to the Earth on a rainbow to convey the message of peace to all the humans. As soon he stepped on the ground, the stones turned alive and started gleaming in all the colors of the rainbow. Hence the very moment the hypnotizing Opals were born.

Opal Jewelry Handicraft
The name Opal was probably derived from Sanskrit word ‘upala’, meaning ‘valuable stone’. It can also be derived from the Greek term ‘opallios’, meaning ‘color change’. The first Opal blocks were discovered on an Australian cattle station called Tarravilla in 1849. It is the most important classical supplier of fine opals worldwide. Almost 95 per cent of Opal stones are supplied from Australian mines. The remaining 5 per cent is mined from the countries such as Mexico, Brazil, and also in the states of Idaho and Nevada in the

Obsidian Stone

“Apache tears”, the other name given to obsidian is a natural volcanic glass which is formed by swift cooling of the glutinous lava inside the earth. This is made of rich silica without a trace of water. The making process of obsidian is the same as that of granite. However, it cools down so quickly that there is exactly no time to crystallize. Their luster looks amazingly glassy. They are jet-black in color, yet as hematite is present, the color varies from red to brown, green, gray, sometimes with snowflakes and at times very clear. It is said to be most challenging crystal and is very hard to identify the properties. At times the presence of the gas bubbles brings a golden or rainbow sheen to the stone which makes it really attractive.

Moonstone

The moonstone is named for its resemblance to the color of the moon. It owes its name to the soft milky white stone with a bluish or yellowish tint. It is also known as ‘Stone of Emotional Balance’ and represents the moon goddess. It is an excellent gemstone used in meditation to understand oneself. It is believed that the stone transmits lunar energy and helps soothe and balance human emotions. This is a considered a good gemstone for young women or teenagers. This gemstone is worn to unblock those feelings in a person who is afraid to acknowledge or experience consciously how they on a personal and internal level. Moonstone jewels make highly prized gifts for lovers as they arouse tender passions. These gemstones are considered protective stone for travelers, swimmers and sailors.

Moonstone Jewelry Handicrafts
Besides the romanticism of the night, it is believed that the stone is coupled with peace and tranquility. Hence from ancient times, the moonstone is associated with love, dreams and magic. It is considered as a

Moissanite Stone

Moissanite, the exact replica of diamond, is a distinctive mineral discovered by the Noble prize winner Dr. Henri Moissan in the year 1893. He found it as tiny bits of silicon carbide, inside a meteorite in canyon Diablo, Arizona. The stone was named after him. In the year 1959, moissanite was found with an inclusion of kimberlite in a diamond mine in Yakutia, Siberia and Wyoming- Western United States. It is said that the diamond is the hardest among all the minerals found on earth and moissanite is said to be the second hardest mineral.

Moissanite Gemstone
Now-a-days, synthetic moissanite is also made in labs. Nevertheless, synthetic moissanites aren’t considered true by the gemologists. Many jewelers find it very hard to identify a colorless diamond and colorless moissanite, and many worry of fraudulent sales. This stone is considered a rival to the diamond, ruby, sapphire and emerald, due to its brilliance and luster. However, lab instruments exist by which a good jeweler can detect synthetic moissanite from the original one.

Lapis Lazuli Stone

Lapis lazuli is a semi-precious gemstone which appears as though it might have come straight out of the ‘Arabian Nights’: ‘A deep blue background with golden insertions of pyrites which shimmer like little stars’. Lapis Lazuli is a semiprecious stone valued for its deep blue color, and one can often spot golden pyrite inclusions. Lapis Lazuli has a stretched history and has been considered precious by people around the planet for centuries. The Assyrians, Babylonians and the Egyptians originally used this ornamental gemstone. The Romans acknowledged Lapis to be an aphrodisiac gem. The Pharaohs of Egypt admired and used Lapis for making sculptures, jewelry and funerary death masks. It was considered a mystical stone with an excellent ability to attract anybody. Lapis are either cut as beads for necklaces and looks especially attractive when set with diamonds or pearls.

Kunzite Stone

Kunzite, the beautiful icy pink colored gemstone and was discovered in the year 1902 by the gemologist George Frederick Kunz in a place called Pala in California. It was named ‘kunzite’ after the discoverer. It is available in countries like Brazil, Canada, Afghanistan, USA, Mexico, Western Australia, Pakistan and Sweden. The specialty of kunzite is that it loses its color when exposed to sun or any other strong light and turns green in some time, but retains back its original hue as sun sets in and so the name ‘evening stone’. Kunzite is usually confused with rubies or morganites, rose quartz, topaz, tourmaline, etc.

Kunzite Gemstones
Kunzite is an inexpensive stone and complements any pastel colors and also looks amazingly stunning with black or navy blue. Kunzite is unusually used as a small sized stone in rings, necklaces or other jewelry. It is often used as a large stone in pendants and as a single large stone in rings.

Garnet Stone

Garnets belong to the semi-precious stone category. The name is derived from the Latin word “granatus” which was a reference to the fruit ‘pomegranate’ which has seeds similar to the shape, size and color of garnet crystals. Archeologists have discovered garnet jewelry dating back to 3100 B.C. Ancient cultures like the Sumerians and Egyptians have been said to have used the stone in making exquisite jewelry. This stone was considered lucky by warriors during medieval times. People also held the garnets as symbols of unrestricted love, relationships, happiness, romance and devotion, so hence used it in marriages as a primary jewelry gem stone.

Emerald Stone

Emerald is a much admired fantastic green stone. It is the green variety of the mineral beryl and one of the most well prized gems. All over history emerald has been one of the most preferred and popular gems. Due to its dazzling beauty, emerald jewelry such as earrings, finger rings, necklaces, pendants and bracelets are highly cherished. Emerald is associated with Venus, the Roman Goddess of love, and is believed to confer the wearer with faithfulness and pure love. These gemstones are often called healing stones for relationships, for the heart, and for health. Some traditions say that the emerald will help one to become more understanding in relationships and thus makes it a helpful addition to wedding rings. It is the birthstone for May and the Zodiac stone for those born under the Cancer sign.

Mystical Emerald Jewelry
Emeralds are widely used in jewelry such as engagement rings, anniversary rings and wedding rings; also in earrings, bracelets, necklaces, pendants etc.