AGATE: In ancient times, agate was seen as being empowering and healing, effective against threats of many kinds. The colorful appearance of the stone is waxy and soft. Agate is almost always translucent and occasionally transparent. Agates are one of the oldest good luck stones. Agate enables the person wearing it to choose their friends carefully. Agate is said to bring prosperity.
AMAZONITE: A mineral that is visually soothing and can instill confidence. It works for self-expression, artistic creativity and healing. Contrary to what many people think, amazonite gemstone does not come from the Amazon. It is actually found right here in the good old USA and in Madagascar and parts of Russia too.
AMETHYST: Royalty & regal splendor of those who serve God.
AQUAMARINE: "The stone of courage" accelerates spiritual and intellectual development. A good stone to get you through difficult situations. Said to aid the immune system, helping ward off infections. Believed by some to bring foresight, happiness and courage. Many believe it’s a stone to make or keep one youthful and to increase your intelligence.
AZURITE: Some cultures call azurite crystal the gemstone of heaven because it helps to increase your desire to seek your higher self. Azurite Crystal is found around the world almost anywhere copper is present. Cuprite, Chrysocolla, Malachite, Turquoise and Wulfenite are all grown from the same base of copper, which is why they tend to form in the same locations.
BLACK ONYX: Leadership: varied in its character, diversified in its expressions.
BLUE LACE AGATE: Especially suited to people of a gentle nature. Very calming and uplifting, blue lace agate is great to use in any situation where tensions may reside. Brings out your more personable side allowing you to let problems and irritations slide off your back rather than internalizing and dwelling on them.
BOTSWANA AGATE: Enhances creativity. Can be used to help find solutions to problems. Good for the nervous system. The stone is said to provide self-satisfaction and protection from hurt.
CARNELIAN: It brings energy and fire, enhancing physical energy and personal power and invoking joy, laughter and warmth as it opens the heart. It installs a feeling of well-being. The Carnelian gemstone is known as the self-esteem gemstone because it is such a powerful motivator.
Found around the world but mainly in Australia, Brazil, Madagascar, India, California, Oregon, Washington, Nevada, and Idaho in the U.S.A.; Russia and parts of Africa. Most of the stones on the market today are mined in Brazil.
CHALCEDONY: #3 Foundational Stone of Heaven. A balancing stone that also helps mental stability.
Chalcedony gemstone is found in various places around the world including Brazil, India, Madagascar, Namibia, Sri Lanka, Uruguay, Zimbabwe and in California and Nevada in the United States of America.
CORAL: Can be polished to a deep glassy shine, and was prized by ancient Greeks, Romans, and Egyptians. In fact it may well be the most ancient of gemstones. Coral is not really a 'stone' although it is used in pieces of jewelry. It was once a living creature, and therefore carries a different kind of energy with it.
CHRYSOCOLLA: A Beautiful Blue/Green stone. These colors represent a stone of creative expression and communication. Chrysocolla brings joy, certainty, and peace. It is an excellent stone for supporting the process of letting go of pain and worry. In the United States the Chrysocolla gem is mined in Arizona and New Mexico. Outside the United States, the most common places where it is mined is in Australia, Chile, China, England, Greece, Israel, Namibia, Russia and Zaire.
The Chrysocolla gem is a fantastic mixture of colors. The gem itself can range from a blue green shade similar to turquoise all the way to a robins egg blue. Most of the time however it will be mixed with other gemstones such as malachite and turquoise, making a wonderfully shaded mixture of blues and greens that swirl and mix to form one of the most breath taking gems on the market.
CHRYSOPRASE: #10 Foundational Stone of Heaven. A vibrant green stone. Green is about healing on all levels. This stone activates, opens, and energizes the heart.
DALMATIAN JASPER: Acquired its name due to the similarity of spotted markings with the Dalmatian breed of dog. Jasper helps us release our tendencies to over think or over analyze things. It allows us to see beyond our disillusionment toward a brighter future, bringing a sense of fun. Dalmatian Jasper is just the stone you need when you want a pick-me-up. Make sure you wear it to places you are expecting to have a dull time.
DUMORTIERITE (Blue Quartz): The stone was named in the 1880's for Eugene Dumortier, a French paleontologist. Tiny Dumortierite crystals grow in the Quartz giving it a blue hue. Known as the 'Stone of Patience' this stone is said to promote a positive attitude in all life situations. Dumortierite can also assist in verbalizing spiritual thoughts and ideas. In the United States, Dumortierite has been mined in mainly in California and Nevada, but it is found in many areas around the country. The most commons places where it is mined in the rest of the world include Brazil, Canada, France, Madagascar, Norway, Poland, Russia and Sri Lanka.
JADE: Has been used as a sacred stone for centuries. Used for serenity, wisdom, balance, all things associated with the best of spiritual practices. This gemstone is the ultimate symbol of calm and serenity. It helps bring serenity to the mind by releasing negative thoughts. A stone of balance and healing, it alleviates anxiety and fear based emotions. Helps the wearer to sense the truth in all situations.
JASPER: #1 Foundational Stone of Heaven and mentioned in Rev 4.3- as God's nature & appearance.
It is said to enable you to work under heavy negativity, stabilizes emotions, grounding & healing.
The Bible compares the heavenly Jerusalem, the city of God, to Jasper; and it was part of the breastplate of the High Priest. It is clear that jasper was highly prized in biblical times.
KYANITE: Never needs cleansing and has a tranquil and calming effect. It helps the user to perceive. Great for people who find it difficult to relax sufficiently and can help them to meditate.
LABRADORITE: Helps one work around changing situations. Relieves insecurity apprehension and reduces stress. Brings patience to the holder. It is reputed to energize and help in the achievement of mental and physical balance. Labradorite with its flash of color is mined mainly in Africa, Australia, Canada, Finland, India, Madagascar, Newfoundland, New South Wales, Romania, Russia and Scandinavia.
LEOPARD SKIN JASPER: Known as the 'Stone of Happiness.’ It is revered as sacred and protective and is also good for healing, balancing and bringing joy and freedom.
OBSIDIAN: Obsidian is actually a type of glass and is literally lava that cooled from its molten form so quickly there was not time for any crystals to form. The actual composition of the rock is dependent on what minerals, gases and such were in the immediate area when the lava cooled.
PYRITE: The ancients used this mineral as a fire starter and as a mirror. It is particularly symbolic of our connection to the sun. Nick named “fools gold” for its metallic reflection, you’d be no fool to wear this stone because it shows so well with gold, silver or pewter accessories.
QUARTZ: Goes by a variety of names, depending on its color and other properties, and many of his forms are used in making rosaries (amethysts, rose quartz, carnelian, and jasper are all forms of quartz). In its clear form it can split light into a spectrum, creating a rainbow. The most abundant mineral in the Earth’s crust, it is also one of the most beautiful. Also known as Rock Crystal, Clear Quartz, Crystal Quartz: Considered by many to be the best all purpose crystal or stone. Receives, transmits, stores and amplifies energy. Gives Strength and Energy.
RHODONITE: A stone for activating love energies in one’s self and others and said to promote friendship and goodwill. It is sometimes referred to as the 'stone of peace' and may help resolve conflicts. The Rhodonite gemstone is a stone of grace and elegance.
RHODOCHROSITE: Specimens can be shades of pink to pale brown with white and grey bands running in three directions through the stone. Colorado officially named Rhodochrosite as its state mineral in 2002. The reason for this lies in the fact that while the mineral is found worldwide, large red crystals are found only in a few places on earth, and some of the best specimens have been found in the Sweet Home Mine near Alma, Colorado.
ROSE QUARTZ: Balancing the emotions it brings peace and calm. Rose Quartz is also a good stone for love, to increase self-love and feelings of self worth. Wear this and open yourself to love. Rose quartz gemstone, much like all other forms of quartz gemstone, started life within the molten lava that swirls within the earth to this day. The pressure within the earth pushes the liquid lava into every tiny crack and crevice it can find and it is within this inner kingdom where the minerals start to mix with other minerals and healing rose quartz gemstone starts to grow.
SODALITE: Provides for rational thought by eliminating confusion. Alleviates fear and calms and clears the mind. Enhances communication and aids in verbalizing one's true feelings. Sodalite is an excellent stone for use in groups providing fellowship and solidarity and a common goal and purpose. It encourages self-esteem, self-trust and trust in others.
THE METAL - SILVER: Silver has often been regarded as a holy metal. Though not as precious as gold, it has had healing properties attributed to it, and is a symbol for purity.
TURQUOISE: Not a foundational stone of Heaven, but mentioned as meaning: ‘Worship & praise of God’.
Turquoise keeps one in the feeling of unconditional love and connection to all, and it also assists in digestion of proteins both animal and vegetable. The turquoise stones with the black lines in them are called Navajo turquoise and helps you to stay in a place of love and connectedness with others. It is a combination of turquoise and sard (sard being the lines). American Natives as well as indigenous Asian tribes consider the stone highly spiritual and it is regularly used in religious and cultural ceremonies across the world. Inspires friendship and loyalty.
This page is a collection of names of semi-precious stones, not all of the semi-precious stones I choose to work with, but it’s pretty thorough. I also make notes here and helpful tips pertaining to silver jewelry. I have no claim to what the stones are said to mean, as I acquired every word in this section from more than ten sources and chose to share the high lights with you. This section is meant to entertain and inspire…I’m an artist, so my intension is not to educate rather I just wanted to cause a spark. Please enjoy what you read and take with you what you find valuable.
Cleaning Sterling Silver Jewelry: I do not recommend any of the instant liquid cleaners “AS SEEN ON TV”.
These cleaners give you instant gratification and a piece of very shiny silver in seconds after you dip…but almost as instantly, you will have an even more tarnished mess on your hands! Please trust me when I tell you, I know from experience and I’m the master of learning everything ‘the hard way’.
A jewelry polishing cloth and some good old-fashioned elbow grease is the very best way to clean and care for your silver.
Storing Your Jewelry: When you receive your Rock Candy jewelry, enclosed inside the pretty wrapping is a zip lock bag…this bag is not an accident, it is actually the best way to store your piece. Air Tight. Air is the element that tarnishes the Silver. Tarnish is basically oxidized dirt, fingerprints and oils from your skin. If you choose not to use the little baggy, just be sure to store your jewels in an air tight drawer or special non-tarnishing box.
(Taken from the Bible)
Jasper
Sapphire
Chalcedony
Emerald
Sardonyx
Ruby
Chrysolite
Beryl
Topaz
Chrysoprase
Amber
Amethyst
One of my very favorite sayings is “God is in the details”…I’m not sure who said it and mean no disrespect for not giving credit here… it just truly underlies my whole existence, so I had to include it.
For me, designing jewelry and working with semi-precious stones is the most amazing career I’ve ever taken on. I’m literally surrounded with God’s love of beauty. It’s been told to me that God loves beauty so much that He decorated Heaven with gold and gems and then placed them here on earth for us to discover and enjoy. I believe that He not only gifted us with an immense variety in gemstones, but just look around you…there are thousands of types of animals, birds, butterflies and tiny living creatures…all of them continuously boggle my comprehension.
I have a salt-water tank. Every day I sit in front of it and stare at the creatures and coral life in awe. I just take it all in and get swept away by the thought of the massive creativity and awesome sense of humor it must have taken to literally create every moving part. There is not a day that I don’t see something new or learn something from this amazing little universe trapped in glass.
I enjoy making beautiful things with God’s gift of gems. I feel blessed to be able to contribute to women in a way that accentuates their own beauty with the handy work of God.
