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Labradorite
Labradorite is the plagioclase feldspar that is most commonly faceted as a gemstone. It may be orange, yellow, colorless, or red, but the material that shows a play of
color is the most popular for use in jewelry.
Found in Labrador (Canada), Finland, Norway, and the former USSR
Lapis Lazuli -
Mohs Hardness: 5-6 - Treatment: polished with paraffin wax - Color: Royal blue to Denim blue (Denim Lapis
Lazuli.) Lapis Lazuli is a blue rock made up of several different minerals, including
Azurite, Sodalite,
Hauyne, calcite, and pyrite. The composition and color of lapis lazuli varies, but it is the intense dark blue, with minor patches of white calcite and brassy yellow
Pyrite, that is considered to be the best quality.
Found in Afghanistan, Argentina, Russia (Lake Baikal), Angola, Pakistan, Chile, Canada and the USA (California and Colorado)
Lapis lazuli has been worn in the belief that it will protect the wearer from evil.
Malachite -
Mohs Hardness: 3.5-4 - Treatment: None - Color: Green with color banding
Malachite is usually found in opaque green masses, its color derived from copper. Crystals are too small for faceting, but the massive material is carved or polished in many ways to reveal the alternating bands of light and dark green. In the past, malachite was worn to ward off danger and illness.
Found in small quantities worldwide, and in larger quantities in copper-mining areas. Zaire is the most important producer.
Malachite was considered an appropriate talisman for children. Evil spirits were kept at bay and babies slept soundly if a malachite were attached to the side of the infants cradle. Germans believed that the malachite would protect them against falling; it was thought to warn the wearer of impending disaster by cracking into several pieces prior to the incident. Because of the swirling patterns inherent in the stone, malachite was also popular in Italy as protection against the Evil Eye.
The Egyptians used malachite as early as 4000 B.C. for amulets, jewelry and cosmetics (powdered eye shadow.) - During the Middle Ages, malachite was worn for
protection from sorcery and black magic.
Moldavite -
Also called Bouteille Stone, Water Chrysolite
Moldavite is a Tektite that is found in Czechoslovakia and was formed during meteoritic action which produced a "strew field" of this beautiful green stone. It is one of the rarest varieties of
Tektite, was formed over 15 million years ago, and is the only known "gem quality" stone of extra-terrestrial origin.
Moonstone -
Mohs Hardness: 6-6.5 - Treatment: None - Color: Soft milky white with grey and blue iridescence
Moonstone is the opalescent variety of orthoclase, with a blue or white sheen like the shine of the moon. This is caused by the reflection of light from the internal structure, made up of alternating layers of albite and orthoclase feldspar.
Found in Myanmar, Sri Lanka, India, Australia, Madagascar, Brazil, Mexico, Tanzania, European Alps, and the USA
Many in Asia believe moonstone to be a "good luck" stone. In medieval times, Moonstone was a popular gift for lovers.
Moss Agate (see also
Chalcedony)
Mother of Pearl -
Mohs Hardness: 3.5 - Treatment: None (see Pearls)
The inner nacreous layer of a mollusk, or sometimes of a snail shell which has an iridescent play of color. The mother-of-pearl of the pearl mussel is most often used. Accordingly, the main suppliers are the pearl farms. The basic color is usually white; it is naturally dark in the mother-of-pearl from Tahiti.
Obsidian
Obsidian is a natural glass. It is formed from volcanic lava that cooled too quickly for significant crystallization to occur. The color may be uniform, striped, or spotted. Some inclusions give obsidian a metallic sheen, while internal bubbles or crystals produce a "snowflake" effect (called snowflake obsidian) or an iridescence seen as flashes of color.
Found in Hawaii, Japan, Java, Iceland, Hungary, Lipari Islands of Italy, the former USSR,
USA, Mexico, Ecuador, Guatemala. Dark nodules found in Arizona and New Mexico are called "Apache tears."
Obsidian has been used since prehistoric times for making tools, weapons, masks, mirrors, and jewelry. The very sharp shards of the natural glass have been fashioned as blades, arrowheads, and daggers. Today most obsidian jewelry comes from North and Central America.
Here is a list of various types:
Apache Tear, Black, Grey, Brown, Blue, Blue/Green, Electric-Blue Sheen, Gold Sheen,
Green, Mahogany Purple, Rainbow, Red, Black, Snowflake, Silver Sheen.
Opal -
Mohs Hardness: 5-6.5 - Treatment: None - Color: Multicolor (AAA-Grade), blue/green (AA-grade), red/green (A-grade) or white-based (B-grade)
Wide range of colors. Opal is admired for its distinctive play of color, is a semi-transparent solidified mineral composed of silicon and water. Ancient Romans believed opal to be a symbol of hope because it contains the colors of the
rainbow. Arabs thought opals obtained their fiery colors while falling from heaven in flashes of lightning.
GILSON created opals - Mohs Hardness: 7 - Laboratory grown - color: Black body color with varying degrees of red, blue, yellow and green.
These precisely calibrated, durable opals have no residual water content, can withstand heat and are safe for stone-in-place casting.
Opalite - see chalcedony
Pearls -
Mohs Hardness: 2.5-4.5 - Treatment: most are bleached then dyed
Pearls are formed in shellfish - especially oysters and mussels - as a natural defense against an irritant such as a piece of grit. Layers of aragonite, known as nacre, are secreted around the irritant and gradually build up to form the solid pearl. Light reflecting from these overlapping layers produces a characteristic iridescent luster, also known as the "orient of pearl." Pearls vary in color
from white, or white with a hint of color (often pink) to brown or black, depending on the type of mollusk and the water. They are sensitive to acids, dryness, and humidity, and so are less durable than many other gems.
Natural pearls have been harvested from the Persian Gulf, the Gulf of Manaar (Indian Ocean), and the Red Sea for thousands of years. The coasts of Polynesia and Australia produce mainly cultured pearls. Both freshwater and saltwater pearls are cultivated in Japan and China. Freshwater pearls occur in the rivers of Scotland, Ireland, France, Austria, Germany, and the USA (Mississippi)
Pearls were once thought to be the tears of the gods.
A pearl water tonic can be made to increase vitality, relieve eye strain, and soothe burning urination: place several small pearls in water overnight and drink the following day. This tonic is a natural antacid and anti-inflammatory.
Peridot -
Mohs Hardness: 6.5-7 - Treatment: None - Color: Medium green
Yellow-green, olive-green, brown. Also known as Olivine or Chrysolite.
Petrified Wood
Fossilized trees. Grays, reds, browns. Associated with stability, security, strength, longevity, grounding, calmness and wisdom.
It is thought by some to help teach respect for the elderly and ancient knowledge.
Vibrates to the master number 77.
Pietersite
Pietersite crystallizes in the form of masses, the structure a result of inclusions in jasper where the inclusions are
pseudo morphs after asbestos. The color is blue/black and the mineral exhibits a chatoyant quality. It was discovered by
Sid Pieters, Windhoek, Namibia. and is truly lovely.
This mineral is thought by some to help stimulate the pituitary gland to provide the proper regulation of the other endocrine glands and to produce, in the proper quantity, the hormones concerned with growth, sex, metabolism, blood pressure, and body temperature.
Prehnite
Color: Yellow-green, brown-yellow. Transparent, translucent. Named after Dutch colonel. It has a vitreous to mother-of-pearl luster. Prehnite cats eye occurs. Deposits are found in Australia, China, Scotland, South Africa, and the USA.
It is thought by some to help in the treatment of disorders of the kidneys, the bladder, and the connective tissues, and for gout and anemic disorders of the blood.
Pyrite (also called Fools Gold)
With its brassy yellow color, pyrite is often mistaken for gold. It occurs as cubes that have twelve faces, each with five edges. Pyrite has been used in jewelry for thousands of years, and examples from the ancient civilizations of the Greeks, Romans, and Incas have been found.
The name comes from the Greek work pyre, meaning fire. If you strike Pyrite with a hammer, you will cause sparks.
Pyrite is found in North America, Chile, and Peru. It is used for divination and healing by the medicine people of some North American Indian tribes. Mexican Indians make beautiful pyrite mirrors, which like the Mexican obsidian
mirrors.
Polished pyrite is an excellent divinatory tool. It may also be used to focus the attention, transmit healing energy, or to attract money and good health.
Healing PROPERTIES: Brings strength, awareness of inner self. Conveys inner peace. Stimulates emotional body. Aids cleansing process. Promotes communication. Protects from illness. Improves circulation. Beneficial for digestion, oxygenating blood.
Quartz (Rock crystal)
Colorless and transparent, rock crystal is the most widely distributed variety of quartz, one of the most common minerals of the Earths crust. The crystals are usually found as colorless hexagonal prisms, with pyramidal ends and striations perpendicular to their length; they are often twinned.
Found worldwide, but the most important sources of rock crystal are in Brazil. Other localities include the Swiss and French Alps, Madagascar, Russia, and the USA (the most beautiful from Arkansas).
The name "quartz" comes from the G reek word krustallos, meaning ice. It was thought that quartz was ice formed by the gods. Since the Middle Ages, crystal balls made of rock crystal have been used to predict the future. Today, rock crystal is used in lamps, lenses, and the manufacture of glass and precision instruments.
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