About Stones

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Hematite-Happiness    Citrine-Joy     Turquoise-Health     Lapis-Clarity   Carnelian-Energy

Amber-Amber, the hardened, fossilized sap or resin from ancient pine trees, is an organic gem.  Amber has been treasured and used for centuries.  Amber often contains bubbles and other inclusions such as small plant or animal fossils. Its color and transparency can vary, but the most common colors are orange, yellow and brown.

Amethyst-Amethyst, the deep purple stone, is the best known and most valuable form of quartz. It's name is derived from the Greek Amethustos (not drunken); ancient belief held that anyone wearing amethyst could not become intoxicated.  Available in both faceted and cabochon stones.  9th wedding anniversary stone.  February birthstone.

The Amethyst Lore-According to Greek legend, Bacchus, the god of wine, created this beautiful purple stone.  To avenge an insult, he vowed to have a tiger devour the first person he met.  That person happened to be a beautiful young maiden named Amethyst. The maiden cried out for the goddess Diana to save her and was turned into a brilliant white crystal.  When he saw what he ahs done, Bacchus, was full of remorse.  He poured wine over the stone maiden, turning her a lovely violet.

Blue Topaz-The name toapz is most likely derived from the old Sanskrit word tapaz (fire).  A common misconception is that al topaz is yellow.  Pure topaz is colorless, but this well-loved gem occurs in a broad range of colors.  

The Blue Topaz Lore-Ancient Greeks called topaz the "Stone of Strength." During medieval times, topaz was thought to heal both physical and mental disorders and prevent death.

Citrine- Citrine belongs to the quartz family, although it is often mistakenly called topaz. The name citrine comes from the French citron (lemon), which refers to it's color.  11th wedding anniversary stone.                      

The Citrine Lore-The Greeks and Romans used citrine for intaglios and cabochons during the first and second centuries.  This gemstone was worn as a protective talisman and used for medicinal purposes; it was thought to aid in digestion and cleanse toxins from the body.  To some, citrine symbolized lightheartedness and joy.

Garnet-The name garnet is derived from the Latin word granatum (pomegranate); this alludes to the garnet's color and seed-like crystal formation.  Garnet comes in many forms.  2nd, 15th and 19th wedding anniversary stone.  January Birthstone.                                                                                                                                                 

The Garnet Lore-Garnet has been treasured fro thousand of years.  This lovely red stone was once thought to cure fever and promote good health, and it was worn for protection when traveling.  Over the years this gemstone has symbolized many things to many people: fire, faith, truth, grace, constancy, and fidelity.

Iolite-Iolite, the violet-blue stone is sometimes called dichroite, alluding to it's dichroic properties: it shows two or more colors according to the direction in which it is viewed through transmitted light.

Peridot-Before the advent of modern chemistry, stones were classified by color only: all red stones were rubies and all green stones were emeralds.  "Emeralds," which we now know to be peridot, were mined on St. John's Island (also called Zebirget) in the Red Sea as early as 1300 B.C.  At that time the island was known as Topazios and the green gems were called topaz.  1st wedding anniversary stone.  August birthstone.

Smokey Quartz-Quartz is a common mineral with valuable electrical and optical properties.  People have long believed in it's healing powers, and it is still thought capable of divine and clairvoyant inspiration.  Smoky quartz is often incorrectly called smoky topaz.  70th wedding anniversary stone.