Gemstones

Our unique pieces of sterling silver jewelry are designed around individually hand selected gemstones.

Many times we are asked “what is the difference between a semi precious stone, a gemstone or a ‘precious’ stone.

The answer often leaves people a bit surprised, as the answer is not as simple as you may think.

The short answer is there is no difference between a ’semi precious’ stone and a ‘precious’ one. The distinction is purely historical and was based at that time on the rarity and the religious or ceremonial significance of the particular stone.

To emphasize this point, you may be surprised to know that Amythest was once considered a precious stone. However, vast amounts of it were discovered, its symbolic religious use lessened over time and it eventually was considered semi – precious.

On the other extreme, there are stones which are considered semi precious that actally cost far more than diamonds – a stone which everyone considers precious!

The next question arises…how do you judge the value of a ’semi- precious’ stone?

Well, this is a very complex answer. It has to do with the color, size, inclusions, rarity, even the social popularity has a lot to do with the value . In-fact, the issue is further complicated by the differing opinions and the fact that there is not one international governing body that grades all semi precious stones.

However, an experienced eye can see the differences and you can be assured, when our stone are bought, they are bought solely by our designer. Yes, she personally handpicks every stone, spending weeks a year with wholesalers to pick through their collections and buy only the best examples of each stone.

There is another important point to raise and that is the discussion around natural stones, verses synthetic or man made stones.

Labratory created stones are chemically identical to their natural counterparts and in many cases, they can be more visually stunning than natural varieties. Natural gemstone will usually have some form of inclusion, whereas labratory created stones will not.

Then there are synthetic stones, these do not try to mimic natural stones, they are a whole new variety of stone, such as fibre optic, which is used in some of our heart pendants.

Obviously, man made stones will never have the rarity or the value of natural gemstones, however, they can create visually stunning pieces of jewelry.

Lastly, lets talk about treated stone.

The first time you hear about treated stone, you probably think it is a bit dodgy. But you need to know, treating stones is a centuries old practice! In fact, if it wasn’t for the heat from the earth, we would have no gemstones in the first place!

Stones can be heated to change their colour or remove inclusions, sometimes they are treated to fill fizzures and small cracks. It is all part of the magical and evolving process that creates gemstones!

All of the stones used in our collection are carefully hand selected, so you can be assured that you are receiving a unique piece of jewelry with the highest standard of gemstone.

When shopping for high quality sterling silver,inlaid with gemstones, you need to know how to judge the quality of the jewelry setting.

First of all, pay close attention to details. Is the metal holding the stone evenly and is there a smooth finish to the edges so it won’t catch on clothing? Is the stone held firmly and square in the setting? Is the metal well polished with no burrs of metal or pockmarks?

Ask if the piece is cast, or hand made. Cast pieces can be easily picked, especially when compared to a handmade piece and cast pieces are typically of a far lesser quality.

One trick is to see the back of the piece in question – a well finished handmade piece will have a well finished back, not always solid, but certainly quite obviously well polished and tidy. Any seam marks are a dead giveaway that the piece has been cast.

None of the pieces in our collection are cast and they are all handmade by highly experienced silversmiths.

Here is a list of the gemstones you will likely encounter in our collection from time to time. We are still putting the finishing touches to our website, so we hope the following information captures you imagination enough to return once we launch our full site!

Agate:

Energetic Properties:

Visual Properties:Agate is identified by banded white, gray, brown, grayish-green and grayish-blue hues. It can be translucent to opaque.

Origin: Agate is found worldwide and is formed by silica rich waters running through volcanic rock

Alexandrite:

Energetic Properties: Regeneration and Joy

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Amazonite:

Energetic Properties:  Peace and Clarity

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Amber:

Energetic Properties: Purification and Harmony

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Origin: Amber is created by the resin from trees. To be classified as Amber, it must be at least 1 million years old.

Amethyst:

Energetic Properties: a power stone, used to open up the spiritual and psychic centre and bring strength. It represents piety, humility, sincerity and spiritual wisdom ; a  stone of higher wisdom awakening, and creative inspiration.

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Amertine:

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Andalusite:

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Aquamarine:

Energetic Properties: Protection and alignment

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Aqua Aura:

Energetic properties: Calmness and light

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Beryl:

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Black Onyx:

Energetic Properties: A very powerful stone which helps to provide you a sense of centering and self-control

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Black Star:

Energetic Properties: Helps to bring you wisdom and truth

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Black Labradorite:

Energetic Properties : Aids in keeping you grounded and brings forth the ability to integrate various things more fully in your life.

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Bloodstone:

Energetic Properties:

Visual Properties:  Blue to green, flecked with spots of red

Origin:  Australia, Brazil, China, India, United States

Blue Fire Quartz:

Energetic Properties: Mystic eye of Success

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Blue Labradorite:

Energetic Properties: Integration, Fearlessness

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Blue Opal:

Energetic Properties: Helps to free up the past and associations with fear and loneliness

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Blue Obsidian:

Energetic Properties: Release of Fear and Grief

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Blue Sapphire:

Energetic Properties: Aids in bringing you integration and strength

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Blue Siberian Quartz:

Energetic Properties: An excellent stone for any healer and helps you to have focus and clarity.

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Blue Russian Crystal:

Energetic Properties: Release fear of moving forward

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Blue Tourmaline:

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Blue Topaz:

Energetic Properties: The stone of manifestation, balance and  leadership.

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Carnelian:

Energetic Properties: Perception

Visual Properties:  Translucent to opaque orange-red, brownish-red, pure red, or pale yellow

Origin: Worldwide, formed by silica rich waters running in volcanic rock

Carnelian has been used in jewelry for thousands of years, with examples dating back to ancient Sumeria, 3000BC.

Chalcedony:

Energetic Properties: Release of Fear and moving forward

Visual Properties:  When pure white, it is called Chalcedony. However, its color varies widely, and it is attributed different names based on color.

Origin: Worldwide

Cherry Quartz:

Energetic Properties: Renewed Passion

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Citrine:

Energetic Properties: clear thought and prosperity

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Clear Quartz:

Energetic Properties: Clarity, Magnification, a stone that increases energy, holds your thoughts and ‘crystallizes’ them.

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Chrysoberyl ‘cat’s eye’:

The cat’s eye most of all is seen as a particularly effective protective stone and talisman. It is also associated with wealth.

It aids discipline and self-control,  concentration and the ability to learn, and enables the wearer to think clearly and far-sightedly is also regarded as a gemstone which promotes tolerance and harmony.

Chrysoprase:

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Citrine:

Energetic properties:  Prosperity and clear thought

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Cherry Quartz:

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Coral:

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Crysolite:

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Dark Blue Obsidian:

Energetic properties: Courage and Release of fear

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Demantoid Garnet:

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Emerald:

Energetic properties: Successful Love

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Fire Opal:

Energetic properties: Triplet Energy and Passion

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Fluorite:

Energetic properties: Balance of Mind, Body, and Spirit

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Gaia:

Energetic properties: Clear channel for Earth magic

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Gaia Emerald:

Energetic properties: Abundance and Clarity

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Garnet:

Energetic properties: Sweet Passion & Wealth

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Green Agate:

Energetic properties:  Healing the heart and Centering

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Green Druzy Agate:

Energetic properties: Releasing fear of the future

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Green Gold Quartz:

Energetic properties: Grounding and focus

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Green Paua Shell:

Energetic properties: Healing

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Green Tourmaline:

Energetic properties: Purifies Blood & Heals the Heart

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Green Quartz:

Energetic properties: Release of fear

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Green Agate:

Energetic Properties: Healing the heart, Centering

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Green Tourmaline:

Energetic properties: Self confidence and balance

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Golden Topaz:

Energetic properties:  Helps to bring you a sense of lightness and peace

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Kunzite:

Iolite:

Energetic properties: Healing, Astral Travel

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Jade:

Energetic properties: Realization and devotion

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Jasper:

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Labradorite:

Energetic properties: helps with the harmonizing of Body, Mind & Spirit; Integration.

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Lapis Lazuli:

Energetic properties: Courage, Clairvoyance, also a stone of universal truth and friendship. It brings harmony in relationships and helps emotional clearing. Lapis Lazuli opens your throat chakra and makes yourself speak clearly and effectively.

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Lavender Jade:

Energetic properties: carries the frequency of gentleness

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London Blue Topaz:

Energetic properties :Manifestation, Balance

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Malachite:

Energetic properties: Transformation and Evolution

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Moonstone:

Energetic properties: Intuition and Perception

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Morganite:

Onyx:

Energetic properties: Centering, Self Control

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Opalized Ammonite fossil:

Energetic properties: Can assist with deep healing of past internal pain.

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Opal:

Pearl:

represents purity and integrity

Peridot:

Healing, Wisdom & Cleansing,

Pink Topaz:

Humor & Fantasy Pink Topaz which aids in manifesting your heart’s desire

Pink Tourmaline:

helps to purify the blood…the life force Pink Tourmaline: Devotion, Pleasure & Privilege,

Purple Fiber Optic:

Frequency of Balance & Harmony,

Quartz:

Rainbow Moonstone:

brings acceptance of your inner emotions ,assists with the healing of the inner child

Red Spinel:

Releasing fear of the future

Rose Quartz:

Forgiveness, Compassion Rock Crystal

Ruby:

Rhodochrosite:

Sacred Mystery & Recreation, is a stone that connects you more fully to the Sacred Mystery and teachings of the Divine Mother.

Sapphire:

Sapphire CZ:

provide you with courage while helping you to release fear.

Siberian Blue Quartz:

magnifies inner emotions so they can come forth and be cleared giving you focus and clarity.

Smokey Jade:

Positive Affection

Star Ruby:

A beautiful stone that brings more abundance and nobility into your life.

Star Sapphires:

Beautiful gemstones for jewelry.

Star sapphires derive their name from the star which can be seen within the stone when light catches the stone in a particular way. This is most evident when natural light catches the stone.

The star effect is caused by elongated crystals of rutile within the stone. The rutile is arranged in three directions parallel to the faces of the hexagonal prism.

This star effect is particularly pronounced when the  stone is cut in a dome shape.  A well cut stone can exhibit a six-pointed star or sometimes even  twelve-pointed star.

Strawberry Quartz:

focuses your mind, heart and brings passion and power to fruitful expression

Sun Stone: Originality & Leadership,

Spinel:

Tanzanite:

Topaz:

Tsavorite Garnet:

Tourmaline:

Turquoise:

Protection & Release of Negativity,

White Shell:

Integrity, Purity,

White Opal Triplet:

Victory over past pain,

Yellow Tourmaline:

Zircon:

Zultanite:

Symbolic designs incorporated into our unique pieces;

Omkara:

Seed sound of the universe

symbolizes the energy of creation and can assist you with creating your desired manifestations, bringing them into manifestation from the spirit realm.

Shankari’s Wings:

will bring you freedom on many levels.

Dragonfly:

Breaking through illusion,

Butterfly:

symbolizes the transformative, temporal energies of this world.

Double Wing:

Within Partnership,

Quan Yin:

Quan Yin bring the love of the Divine Mother