Agate: Agate is a variety of Chalcedony and part of the quartz family. Chalcedony is transparent quartz that often looks milky or grayish. Chalcedony is of uncertain origin -- from the Greek word khalkedon, a mystical stone, or perhaps originating from Chalcedon, a port in Turkey where the first stones were said to be found....more

Amber: Often regarded as a gem, Amber is actually the sap from ancient trees that has fossilized over many years into a hard resin....more

Amethyst: Amethyst is part of the quartz crystal family. The word Amethyst originated from the Greek word "amethystos" which translates to mean, “not intoxicated” and in ancient times was worn to aid in sobriety, celibacy and piety. Throughout history, Amethyst was particularly important to early Christians and it is still the traditional stone in the ring worn by Catholic Bishops....more

Citrine: Named from the French word for lemon, “citron”, Citrine is part of the quartz crystal family. Citrine was reportedly carried in ancient times as a protection against snake venom and evil thoughts. It's been known as the “merchant stone", and is said to assist in acquiring and maintaining wealth....more

Emerald: The Emerald is said to be the sacred stone of the goddess Venus and was believed to sustain love and to also reveal the truth of a lover's pledge. Derived from the French word "esmeraude”, which goes back via Latin to "smaragus”, translates into "green gemstone”....more

Garnet: The Garnet is actually a family of gems rather than a single gemstone and comes in wide range of colors. In more recent years, the rhodolite, with its rich, violet-red hue, has been the most widely recognized and popular variety of Garnet....more

Jade: The term Jade was originally used to describe the ornamental stones that were being brought into Europe from Central America and China. In the late 1800's, it was discovered that the Jade was actually being used to describe two different stones, Jadeite and Nephrite, due to their close resemblance. Today, Jadeite is seen as the real Jade, fetching much higher prices than Nephrite due to its intense color and finer translucency...more

Lapis Lazuli: Lapis Lazuli has a long history and was a beloved gemstone to the ancient cultures of Mesopotamia, Persia, Rome, Greece and Egypt. The name originates from the Latin word “Lapis”, which means stone, and from the Arabic word, “azul”, which means blue...more

Obsidian: Formed from volcanic lava, Obsidian's glassy luster is created by the speed in which the lava cools. Obsidian has been valued in ancient cultures and has been used to make tools, weapons and jewelry, as well as used for ceremonial purposes. It was also a primary barter material for many people...more

Onyx: Onyx is actually a type of chalcedony quartz that historically included almost all colors from white to dark brown and black. Today, the most common variety is known as Black Onyx...more

Opal: Opals are part of the Quartz family and the name is derived from several origins. Some suggest it came from the: the Sanskrit word “Upala”, meaning "precious stone"; while others believe it derived from the Latin word Opalus and /or the Greek word Opallios, which both mean "to see a change of color"...more

Pearl: The Pearl is a perfect symbol of femininity, purity, light and wisdom. An organic gemstone, Pearls are created when a foreign object becomes embedded in the tissue of an oyster. In response, the oyster produces a layer of nacre, or Mother of Pearl, that surrounds the object and forms a Pearl...more.

Quartz Crystal: Quartz is the most common and abundant mineral found on the Earth. Quartz Crystals, coming from deep within Earth's core, take over 10,000 years to form.

Crystal originates from the Greek word “crystallos” which means “clear ice”, since the ancient Greeks believed the clear rock crystals to be frozen water that came down from Mount Olympus that had turned to stone. ...more

Tiger Eye: Tiger-Eye is a chatoyant gemstone, meaning that it shines with a wavy band of light such as a cat's-eye, and is part of the Quartz family.

South Africa is the main location where Tiger-Eye forms, and in one region, there are mountains that are made up almost entirely of this gemstone. Tiger-Eye was once as high-priced and regulated as diamonds, before competing dealers overloaded the market...more.

Turquoise: Turquoise is believed to have originated from the French word, “Turquie” which means Turkish Stone in the mistaken belief that that it came from Turkey. ..more

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