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GEMSTONES
| Shell |
ABALONE |
| Description |
Abalone shells are members of a large class (Gastropoda) of
mollusks having one-piece shells. They belong to the family
Haliotidae and the genus Haliotis, which means sea ear, referring
to the flattened shape of the shell. . |
| Color |
It varies |
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| Gemstone |
BLACK ONYX |
| History |
Black Onyx is a type of opaque chalcedony. Chalcedony is a stone that dates back in popular history all the way to biblical times. In Revelations, the sixty-sixth and last book of the Bible, the third foundation of the walls of the heavenly New Jerusalem are said to be garnished with chalcedony (Chapter 21, verse 19). Onyx was found in the fourth row of the High Priest Aaron’s breastplate (Exodus 39:10-13). In Ezekiel 28:13 Ezekiel mourns the waste of the king of Tyrus who had been blessed with so much, and in Job 28:15-19 Job points out that wisdom is more precious than all precious stones—to include onyx. Black Onyx is known to occur naturally in black; however, it is almost always dyed to achieve a more uniform color. It is also often subjected to high temperatures to enhance the richness of its color. It is the back-up birthstone for February and the 10th anniversary gemstone. Although it is eminently affordable, it is known for giving a look of great affluence to its wearers. It contrasts very well with pearls, and it matches silver and gold jewelry perfectly. |
| Color |
Usually opaque black with white bands. It is heated and dyed to give it a uniform bright black color. |
| Chemical Composition |
Silicon dioxide (SiO2) |
| Hardness (Mohs scale) |
7 |
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| Gemstone |
CHRYSOCOLLA |
| History |
Chrysocolla forms in the oxidation zones of copper rich ore formations. It is a mineraloid rather than a pure mineral. In its purest form it is too soft to be used in jewelry. However when it is found "agatized" in chalcedony quartz, it has the requisite strength to be used in beautiful jewelry of a blue-green hue. Occasionally, it has such a pure turquoise color that it is fraudulently substituted for the more precious stone. |
| Color |
See above |
| Chemical Composition |
Hydrated copper silicate (CuSiO3-nH2O). |
| Hardness (Mohs scale) |
2 to 4 |
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| Seed |
HUAYRURO |
| Description |
Grows in a pod on tall trees in the rainforest. Even though it is
very poisonous if chewed, it is popular as a good luck seed. Its
natural bright red and black coloring and hard, long-lasting
character make it a great eye-catcher. It is sometimes even mounted
in silver and gold settings. |
| Color |
See above |
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| Gemstone |
LAPIS LAZULI |
| History |
Lapis Lazuli gets its name from a combination of languages. Lapis is Latin for stone, and lazuli is an extract from the ancient Arab word allazjward which means heaven, sky or merely the color blue. This stone has been highly prized throughout history. On the subcontinent of India it has been mined and treasured for millennia. In fact, in a grave unearthed in the Indus valley the lapis lazuli jewels unearthed were dated to be 9,000 years old. Lapis powder was used as a paint on wealthy women’s eyebrows in the Persian, Roman and Chinese civilizations. Until the nineteenth century when viable substitutes were discovered, this stone was pulverized to make the pigment base for the intense blue hues needed to imitate nature in all its endless variety and intensity. Lapis Lazuli is also an alternate December birthstone behind turquoise and rubies. |
| Color |
Usually opaque black with white bands. It is heated and dyed to give it a uniform bright black color. |
| Chemical Composition |
(Na,Ca)8[Al6Si6O24]SO2 + calcite + pyrite + others (micas, etc.,) |
| Hardness (Mohs scale) |
5-6 |
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| Shell |
MOTHER OF PEARL (Nacar) |
| Description |
Shells could be regarded as a symbol of longevity since they
survive for millions of years as fossils. At the same time certain
mollusk shells, principally the pearl oyster but also many other
species are the source of pearls and mother of pearl, the iridescent
inner layer below the horny exterior. The use of mother of pearl
dates back to antiquity since it has been found in tombs dating back
to the Sumerian civilization. |
| Color |
Light cream |
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| Gemstone |
OBSIDIAN |
| History |
Obsidian results when volcanic lava comes in contact with water under the right conditions. When the lava pours into a body of water and is cooled quickly a glassy texture often results in the resulting rock. A high iron and magnesium content will give the stone a dark green to black color. Since ancient times obsidian has been used for tools, weapons and other implements as evidenced by the artifacts found in many archaeological digs. |
| Color |
Dark green to dark brown and black. There are also variations that include blue or purple colorations, and a yellow, gold or green sheen can be present depending on other mineral inclusions. Occasionally, small white crystals are also present. |
| Chemical Composition |
SO2; largely silicon dioxide with great amounts of impurities. |
| Hardness (Mohs scale) |
5-5.5 |
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| Gemstone |
OPAL |
| History |
The Roman historian Pliny was very lavish in his praise of opals:
"There is in them a softer fire than the ruby, there is the brilliant purple of the amethyst, and the sea green of the emerald—all shining together in incredible union. Some, by their splendour, rival the colours of the painters, others the flame of the burning sulphur or fire quickened by oil." Opals are formed through mineral sedimentation over millennia, and they still contain 6-10% water—the remains of ancient oceans"
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| Color |
When warmed by the hand or the sun, the water in an opal changes its colors—like a rainbow—making it especially beautiful. |
| Chemical Composition |
SiO2 – nH2O; hydrated silicon dioxide |
| Hardness (Mohs scale) |
5-5.5 |
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| Gemstone |
QUARTZ |
| History |
Quartz is the most common mineral on the face of the earth. Amethyst, Citrine, Rock Crystal, Rose Quartz and Smoky Quartz are all variations of this mineral. The quartz crystal forms as a six-sided prism with pointed ends. The ends, in turn, look like six-sided pyramids. Most quartz crystals are not used as gemstones but are used as raw materials in industry. Quartz is used as an ingredient in glass, ceramics, paints, abrasives and the components of watches, radios, oscillators and wave stabilizers. Quartz is highly valued for its hardness and durability. |
| Color |
Colorless or many different colors. Rose quartz is a popular form of jewelry-grade quartz. |
| Chemical Composition |
SiO2 , Silicon dioxide |
| Hardness (Mohs scale) |
7 |
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| Gemstone |
SERPENTINE |
| History |
Serpentine is a major rock forming mineral that is found as a component in many different rock formations. Most rocks that have a green color probably owe their hue to the elements of serpentine that they contain. The name comes from the association of this mineral’s appearance to a serpent’s skin. |
| Color |
Olive green, yellow or golden, brown, or black. Serpentine often resembles jade and can be difficult to distinguish from it. |
| Chemical Composition |
(Mg,Fe)3Si2 O5(OH)4, Magnesium Iron Silicate Hydroxide |
| Hardness (Mohs scale) |
3-4.5 |
| Gemstone |
SODALITE |
| History |
Sodalite is a scarce mineral that can be rock forming. Its name is due to its sodium content. Its light to dark blue color is very well known to traders of semi-precious stones. Sodalite is hard to distinguish when it has other colors. The easiest way is by subjecting it to a dilute solution of HNO3. It will then give a positive chlorine test (Obtained from some swimming pool test kits). |
| Color |
Blue, white, gray, or even green. |
| Chemical Composition |
Na4Al3 (SiO4)3Cl, Sodium Aluminum Silicate Chloride. |
| Hardness (Mohs scale) |
5.5-6.0 |
| Gemstone |
SPONDYLUS |
| History |
Spondylus was a sacred shell among the ancient peoples of Peru and the Andean region. The mollusk is found in the coastal waters off of Central and South America, but is usually found at such great depths that only the most experienced and hardy divers could hope to recover them. The Inca and Maya peoples used Spondylus in their barter trade, in jewelry and in their religious ceremonies. |
| Color |
Red |
| Chemical Composition |
Largely calcium. |
| Hardness (Mohs scale) |
Since it is not a mineral or stone, Spondylus is not rated on the Mohs scale. |
| Gemstone |
TIGER’S EYE |
| History |
A member of the quartz family and the accepted stone for the ninth anniversary |
| Color |
Usually yellow to red-brown. |
| Chemical Composition |
Largely, SiO2, Silicon dioxide |
| Hardness (Mohs scale) |
6-7 |
| Gemstone |
TURQUOISE |
| History |
This mineral has been mined for millennia—at least since 6000 B.C. when the Egyptians had fully recognized its value. The Persians and early Native Americans also heavily mined it. The name is derived from a French term meaning "stone of Turkey" because earlier Persian product passed through Turkey on its way to the European markets. |
| Color |
Turquoise (Greenish blue to sky blue shades). |
| Chemical Composition |
CuAl6(PO4)4(OH)8*5(H2O), Hydrated Copper Aluminum Phosphate. |
| Hardness (Mohs scale) |
5-6.0 |
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