Collection of Facts
Gemstones are believed to have been first discovered around 27,000 years ago. The first stones known to man were Amber, Amethyst, Emerald, Garnet, Jade, Lapis Lazuli and Turquoise.
Most gemstones are composed of an assortment of minerals. These various minerals growing together determine the crystal’s chemical makeup, structure, color and properties. Many stones (such as quartz) always contain the same elements; silicon and oxygen. Other stones may have a vast assortment of minerals. Exposing minerals to a flame is one way to determine its chemical composition. Different elements affect the color of the flame. ie The presence of calcium will turn a flame orange and sodium will turn it yellow. Another way is to determine the crystal’s content is to pay alot of money and have it chemically analyzed.
One way of classifying minerals is by using the Mohs scale of hardness. Every crystal has it’s own hardness (or range of hardness). The hardness is determined by how easily the mineral can be scratched. The hardness range is from 1 – 10 with Talc being # 1, Diamonds # 10 and Quartz somewhere in between… #7
Often, similar or compatible elements grow together. Such is the case of azurite and malachite, both copper carbonate minerals.
When minerals contain oxygen, they are classified as oxides. Oxides consist of metal (s) with oxygen and / or hydrogen. Hematite is an iron oxide. Chrysoberyl is a beryllium aluminum oxide.
A Sulfide is a metal combined with sulfur. Pyrite is an iron sulfide because it consists of iron and sulfur.
Many years ago, azurite, lapis lazuli and malachite were made into a powder and used as eye shadow and paint.
Alexandrite is a rare and expensive form of Chrysoberyl. Alexandrite appears green under an ultraviolet light and red under artificial light.
Tape a piece of Amazonite to your cell phone for protection from radiation. You can also place Amazonite near your computer, tv or microwave to protect you from the electromagnetic field.
Amber (fossilized tree sap) and Jet (fossilized wood) together can create a powerful energy.
Need motivation? Put Orange Calcite, Vanadinite, Pietersite and Smokey Quartz together in a pouch and carry it on you.
Cat’s Eye is a honey / yellow colored Chrysoberyl.
Cerussite that is dark in color is caused by the presence of Galena.
Chrysoberyl is a beryllium aluminum oxide and there are 3 types of Chrysoberyl. “Chyrsos” in Greek means “golden” and the most common type of Chrysoberyl is yellow, yellow brown or yellow green. Cat’sEye (AKA cymophane) is another form of Chrysoberyl. Alexandrite, the most expensive form of Chrysoberyl is green under an ultraviolet light and red in artificial light.
The prefix “chrysos” means golden in Greek.
We have heard that CITRINE and GREEN TOURMALINE together can be helpful in losing weight. Please click on the link to read an article.
http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/none/weight-loss-cellulite-386730/
According to “Love Is In the Earth” by Melody …if you attach a piece of clear quartz to your car’s fuel line, you will get better gas mileage. Thank you, Melody, for this valuable piece of information!
Corundums are crystalline forms of aluminum oxide (AL1O3) which often contain minute amounts of iron, chromium and titanium. Corundums without impurities are transparent. Rubies are a result of corundum with a high amount of chromium without much of the other minerals, if any. Dark red rubies contain a higher amount of chromium. Padparadscha is a pinkish orange corundum caused by less saturation of chromium along with some titanium. All other corundums which are not red or pinkish orange are considered sapphires.
Danburite was originally discovered in Danbury, CT, hence the name..
The chemical symbol for Diamond is “C” which stands for the element “Carbon.” Diamonds are made up of repeating units of 8 carbon atoms. Diamonds are #10 on the Mohs scale of hardness, the hardest mineral on the planet. Diamonds are 4 times harder than corundums which are #9 in hardness.
Dream Quartz is a quartz that contains green to bluish green inclusions of epidote.
An Eilat stone is a gemstone that comes from copper mines. It is a mixture of several different copper minerals, which include Chrysocolla, Turquoise, Malachite and Azurite. Eilat is the national stone of Israel and is also known as the King Solomon Stone.
Elestial Quartz is a Quartz (often Smokey Quartz) which has a step and faceted appearance. Elestials often contain shiny pieces of mica.
A rock composed of Quartz and Epidote is known as Epidosite.
Healer’s Gold is a combination of pyrite and magnetite.
Iolite is the beautiful deep blue gem form of Cordierite, a mineral which is found in metamorphic rock.
The brilliant blue of Lazurite comes from sulfur atoms, which are a main part of its composition.
Mica is easily identified by it’s flaky, practically transparent layers. Lepidolite, Biotite, Muscovite and Phlogopite are all forms of Mica.
Minerals that contain natually occurring lithium are lepidolite, tourmaline and spodumene.
Milky Quartz (aka Snow Quartz) is an opaque variety of quartz caused by very tiny bubbles that got trapped within the crystal.
Pearls are made by mollusks (primarily oysters and mussels and sometimes snails). Pearls are formed when an irritant gets in the shell. The longer the irritant stays, the larger the pearl becomes. While beautiful, pearls are not gemstones.
Phenomenite is a combination of Sandstone and Quartz which is found in India.
Pyrite has masculine energy and Hematite has female energy. When these two stones are combined, they give off a nice balance of both male and female energies. For very strong grounding, keep Pyrite in the company of Hematite.
Pyrite and Marcasite have the same chemical composition, however their structures are different. Marcasite can crumble with age.
Quartzite is tightly compressed grains of quartz.
Rutile is a mineral composed of titanium oxide.
Sardonyx is a form of Onyx that contains Carnelian. Sardonyx can bring happiness into your love relationships.
Sunstone and Moonstone are both Oligoclase feldspars. Oligoclase minerals have light refecting properties which cause a shimmering effect.
The blue variety of Zoisite is Tanzanite which was discovered in 1967.
More facts can be found on the write-up for each stone in the STORE.