Gunmetal

Synonymous with the color purple, this quartz variety is among the most valued of its kind. Mined in localities around the world such as Brazil, Madagascar & Russia, its deep purple hues have for centuries found its place as adornment.

Known for its Yellow-Orange to deep fiery red color, this lovely variety of chalcedony receives it’s color from its unique iron content. As such, even by exposure to the natural heat of the sun can it form more deep, darkened natural red tones.

Is it Snowing!? When explaining dendrite this might cross your mind especially when adjectives such as “snowflake” & “frost” are used to describe this formation and it’s snowy white appearance. The reality is that “dendrites” are iron or manganese inclusions found on these white & colorless agates to create a wonderfully unique look that reflects the beauty of winter time. The term "dendrite" comes from the Greek word dendron, which means "tree".

(Nephrite)

This natural occurring ornamental mineral has found its way into many forms over the centuries. Historically it has been formed into weapons, tools, ornaments, and art. In fact, what’s commonly known as “Jade” actually refers to either of two different minerals. Nephrite or Jadeite. Colorful varieties of Jade usually refer to varieties of Nephrite.

Some stones do not require excessive explanation, their natural brilliance and presence in itself speak volumes. Even in a rough state Labradorite’s strong play of iridescent blue, green, red, orange, and yellow colors is striking to the eye. “Labradorescence”, the term coined in the 20’s by Ove Balthasar Bøggild to describe it’s effects illustrates how this feldspar mineral lives in a class in of itself with its “peculiar reflection” and beauty.

Few stones have a storied history as long as Lapis Lazuli pointing toward its value as a unique antiquity. The etymology of its name will take you on a journey through Latin -> Medieval Latin -> Arabic -> and Persian. It is no surprise that it’s strikingly intense blue color has found its way into art and jewelry for thousands of years across many cultures. Presently Lapis Lazuli can be found in Northeast Afghanistan, Lake Baikal Russia, and the Andes Mountains of Chile.

Beautiful La República Dominicana, the only place where natural Larimar is formed and mined. In 1974 a Dominican resident Miguel Méndez and U.S. Peace Corps volunteer Norman Rilling learned that amidst the stunning waters at the base of Bahoruco Mountain Range a beautifully unique stone thought to have come from the sea could be found. Once found, Miguel took the name of his daughter, “Larissa” and the Spanish word for sea “mar” and penned the name “Larimar”.

Revered for its deep concentrated green color, Malachite has found itself at the center of many gorgeous works of art, museums & royal homes. It’s crystal structure sets it apart in appearance from the transparent, iridescent minerals most commonly associated with gemstones. But when solid it can take on a polish that shows a beauty between its bands of green like no other mineral.

You never quite know exactly what your seeing when you look into the glow of a moonstone. This Feldspar mineral has captivated the hearts of many cultures with its unique adularescence. The Romans, Greeks, & French have all historically used this mineral in their art and jewelry. It’s optical presence has been poetically described as capturing the glimmer of the aurora borealis with a single turn of this exciting stone.

In it’s raw uncut form, Onyx displays high contrast bands of color that range from black to almost every color imaginable. The result when cut, carved, and engraved are stunning pieces of art that have unmatchable depth and layers of contrast. This Silicate Chalcedony has found many uses throughout history, as far back as the the second Egyptian dynasty Onyx was used as utensil and pottery.

Quartz is a crystalline mineral that is composed of silicon and oxygen atoms. It is also the underlying category that so many of our loved stones fall. However, the draw to stones of this variety, of which behold this namesake is how effortlessly they seem to hold their structure. Roman natural philosopher Pliny the Elder thought quartz to be water ice, permanently frozen over.

Some stones seem to glow in their iridescence, others “color change” and “color shift”. The optical effects natural gemstones create keep us intrigued and constantly in awe. But it can’t be said of any other stone variety that it has the “Aventurescence”, “Schiller” and “Glitter” of natural Sunstone. The presence of red copper inclusions make sunstone a unique example of the diversity of color & effect found in natural material.

The silky-lustre and sharp bands of golden brown render this stone immediately recognizable. Tiger’s Eye, like many other gemstones finds itself placed perfectly among quartz crystals best suited as adornment. We find this stone often represented with vibrant yellow to dark brown parallel bands, but don’t be surprised if you find hints of darkened teal.

A Mineral, color, and storied antiquity, Turquoise can be found in every form - from modern small costume jewelry, to the gold burial mask of Pharaoh Tutankhamun of Ancient Egypt. There are many hues of blue, both light in color and dark that many stones achieve. But there will always only ever be one group of Turquoise that define this uniquely revered hue.