Tiger's eye is a variety of quartz that is well known for its silky luster and beautiful striations. It has inclusions of iron and quartz, which give the stone its striped appearance and an optical effect that's called chatoyancy ("chat" is French for cat). This effect can be seen...
Summer is in full swing, which means traveling to the beach, camping, and going on vacation is here. When I travel, I love an activity to do in transport or at the location, and sometimes it is difficult to find what I need in my bag. Below are five...
1. Lapis Lazuli
It is a beautiful blue stone that has been prized throughout history. The rich celestial shade of Lapis Lazuli remains a symbol of deep honor and royalty. The reason it is so prized is down to the stunning color and the valuable ultramarine dye that can be...
Although African Turquoise is called Turquoise, it is actually not turquoise in the traditional sense. Rather, it is a form of jasper that is mined in Africa, and is often treated to give it that rich blue-green color we love about traditional turquoise. The matrix of the stone with...
Metal allergies can take a variety of different forms. Some people are only allergic to nickel, while others are allergic to copper, yet still others may be allergic to any non-pure metal. Metal allergies often manifest as itchy skin, a rash, even blisters. For less pure metals and lesser...
Hematite is a form of iron oxide that is usually a dark gunmetal color, though it can also be found in brown, silver-grey, or red. It has been used as a pigment since the 15th century, creating a red color we know as Rouge. This is actually how the...
Jasper is an amazing gemstone that appears in a huge variety of colors and patterns. It is a variety of Silicone Dioxide that usually features opaque and neutral colors, including brown, yellow, red, green, and black. It is considered a type of chalcedony, but is set apart from other...
Lava Rock beads are, as their name suggests, a type of igneous rock. These beads are becoming very popular among beaders today, as they are irregular in shape with sponge-like textures, making them an interesting element in jewelry design.
Lava Rock beads are also deceptively lightweight too, so they are...
Jade is a beautiful and durable material that has been around since pre-historic times. It’s often used in jewelry-making for pendants, earrings and bracelets. Jade is often cut in cabochons for this type of jewelry, but is also seen in beads or tumbled stones too.
History of Jade
As well...
Magnesite is a beautiful gemstone that looks similar to Turquoise or Howlite. When cut and polished into beads, it features a dark thread of veins or a web-like matrix across its surface, making it an attractive gem to use for jewelry-making projects.
In this post, we’ll explore some key facts...
