ROUGH STONE INDEX

AMETHYST
Amethyst is a transparent purple gemstone.  It is a variety of Quartz whose color can range from pale lilac to a deep purple with red or blue undertones.  Amethyst is considered a semi-precious gem.  The color is caused by the presence of iron compounds in the crystal structure.  
AMBER
Amber is a hard translucent fossilized resin produced by extinct carnivorous trees of The Tertiary Period.  They are typically yellow to brownish in color.  Certain trees, especially conifers, produce a sticky substance called resin to protect themselves against insects.  Normally, it decays in Oxygen through the action of bacteria.  However; if resin happens to fall into wet mud or sand containing little oxygen, it can harden and eventually fossilize, becoming the yellowish translucent substance known as Amber. 
ROSE QUARTZ
Rose Quartz is the name used for the pink specimens of the mineral quartz. It usually occurs as massive, anhedral occurrences in hydrothermal veins and pegmatite's. The pink color of Rose Quartz is attributed to microscopic inclusions of a pink variety of the mineral Dumortierite. These inclusions are usually abundant enough to make the Rose Quartz translucent instead of transparent. Is a 7 on Mohs Hardness scale.
APACHE TEARS

Apache Tears are rounded pebbles of Obsidian or "Obsidianites" composed of black natural volcanic glass.  They are also known by the lithologic term Marekanite.  This variety of Obsidian occurs as sub-rounded to sub-angular bodies up to about 2 inches in diameter, often bearing indented surfaces.  

The name Apache Tear comes from a legend of the Apache Tribe.  About 75 Apache and the US Calvary fought on a mountain overlooking what is now Superior, Arizona in the 1870's.  Facing defeat, the outnumbered Apache warriors rode their horses off the mountain to their deaths rather than be killed.  The wives and families of the warriors cried when they heard of the tragedy; their tears were said to turn to stone as they hit the ground. 

 

 

BLUE LACE AGATE

Blue Lace Agate  is a variety of banded chalcedony, a mineral of the Quartz family.  It was named for the white and blue lines that form a lace- like pattern.  Blue Lace Agate was originally discovered in Africa.  Small quantities have also been found in the US, Brazil, China and India. 

 

ROSE CALCITE

Rose Calcite is a carbonate mineral. It is a 3 on Mohs Hardness scale. Calcite is a Sedimentary related crystal.

 

BLUE QUARTZ

Blue Quartz is a variety of the mineral quartz, distinguished by its beautiful blue color.  It gets its blue color from microscopic inclusions of other minerals like Magnesiorie Beckite, Crocidolite, or Tourmaline.   Blue Quartz is found in pockets across the globe, most notably; Spain, Namibia, Madagascar, US and Sri Lanka.

 

 

BLACK TOURMALINE

Black Tourmaline is a crystalline silicate mineral in which Boron is compounded with elements such as Aluminum, Iron, Magnesium, Sodium, Lithium or Potassium.  This gemstone comes in a wide variety of colors.  It is most commonly black.  Black Tourmaline is found mostly in Brazil, Africa and Asia.

 

GREEN OPAL

Green Opal is a hydrated amorphous form of silica. It has about the same chemical composition as minerals like quartz, but with a more disorganized internal structure. Additionally, Green Opals often include nickel in their formation which creates their characteristic green hue. It is a 5.5 - 6 on Mohs Hardness scale.

 

 

GREEN CALCITE

Green Calcite is a mineral belonging to the Carbonate group and is primarily composed of Calcium Carbonate.  It is commonly formed in sedimentary rocks through the accumulation and consolidation of Calcium Carbonate rich sediments.  It is characterized by its vibrant green color which is typically caused by the presence of trace amounts of various impurities.  Green Calcite often has a translucent to opaque appearance with a shiny luster.  It is found in various locations around the world but is particularly abundant in Mexico and Brazil.

 

ORANGE CALCITE 

Orange calcite is formed through the process of sedimentation, where crystalline deposits accumulate over millions of years. It is mainly found in countries such as Brazil, Mexico, and the United States.

 

CITRINE 

Citrine is a transparent variety of quartz. It's color ranges from yellow, to orangey yellowish orange, to brownish orange. The name citrine is used for any transparent quartz in that color range - regardless of its saturation. One of the most impressive specimens of citrine that you might encounter is a large citrine geode from Brazil. 

 

 

YELLOW CALCITE

Yellow Calcite is a carbonate mineral. It is a 3 on Mohs Hardness scale. A bright yellow stone that can feature a range of gold hues with white binding. Yellow Calcite is a waxy feeling stone when not highly polished. 

 

 

SODALITE

Sodalite is a tectosilicate mineral, with royal blue varieties widely used as ornamental gemstone. Although massive Sodalite samples are opaque, crystals are usually transparent to translucent. Sodalite is a member of the Sodalite group with Hauyne, Nosean, Lazurite, and Tugtupite. A 5.5 - 6 on Mohs Hardness scale.

 

RED JASPER

Red Jasper is an aggregate of micro granular quartz and cryptocrystalline chalcedony. The red color is due to iron inclusions. Red Jasper rates a 6.5 -7 on Mohs Hardness scale. 

 

SNOWFLAKE OBSIDIAN

 A volcanic glass that has a smooth, glossy appearance. Obsidian is formed as lava from volcanic eruptions cools within the earth. The snowflakes in Snowflake obsidian form when lava cools more slowly, allowing crystals to form. The snowflakes are spherulites, composed of needle-like cristobalite, a type of quartz.

 

 

FLUORITE

Fluorite primarily occurs as a pore-filling mineral in carbonate rocks (limestones and dolostones), as low temperature hydrothermal vein deposits associated with lead and silver ores, and less often as an accessory mineral in pegmatites and granites. It is sometimes even precipitated at hot springs.

Limestone and dolostone rocks through which low temperature hydrothermal fluids have moved may be particularly rich in fluorite.  In the past, carbonate rocks of the Mississippi River Valley hosted some of the world’s richest fluorite deposits, but most of these have since been mined away. When fluorite occurs as a cavity fill in carbonate rocks it is usually associated with calcite, dolomite, anhydrite, gypsum and sulfur. In hydrothermal vein deposits, fluorite may be found with calcite, dolomite, barite, galena, sphalerite, and even silver ores.

 

BLOODSTONE

 Bloodstone is a type of Quartz that is characterized by its dark green color with red inclusions.  These inclusions are typically Jasper or Chert which give the stone its name.  Bloodstone comes from the Greek word for "sun" and "blood".  The geological origins of this stone are closely tied to volcanic and hydrothermal processes.  The formation of the stone involves a combination of geological events and conditions that contribute to its unique composition and appearance. 

 

 

CHEVRON AMETHYST

Chevron Amethyst is a combination of milky white Quartz crystal and Amethyst (purple Quartz).  It is found in India, Russia and Brazil.  

 

DALMATIAN JASPER

Dalmatian Jasper, also known as Dalmatian stone, is found and mined in Chihuahua, Mexico. Named for the spotted dog breed Dalmatian. It is an igneous rock called perthite. The stones black spots are composed of amphibole arfvedsonite. It's lighter color is from the presence of granite. This variety of crustal sedimentary rock comes from the volcanic history of Mexico.

 

RAINBOW MOONSTONE

 Rainbow Moonstone is a transparent labradorite, a feldspar mineral with sheen in a variety of iridescent colors. The sheen is caused by light diffraction within layers of feldspar. Generally a creamy translucent white stone, it occasionally features iridescent or multicolored flashes.

 

LEPIDOLITE

Lepidolite is the name of a rare lithium rich mica mineral that is usually pink, red or purple in color.  It is the most common lithium bearing mineral and serves as a minor ore of lithium metal.  When impregnated with Quartz, Lepidolite is used as a minor gemstone.  Flakes of Lepidolite are sometimes responsible for the color of pink and red Aventurine.  It is found in Brazil, Canada, Japan, Madagascar, Russia, Mexico and the United States. 

 

 

PETRIFIED WOOD

Petrified wood is the name given to a special type of fossilized wood and fossilized remains of terrestrial vegetation. petrification is the result of a tree or tree-like plants having been replaced by stone via a mineralization process that often includes permineralazation and replacement. The organic materials making up cell walls have been replicated with minerals, mostly silica in the form of opal, chalcedony, or quartz. unlike other plant fossils, which are typically impressions or compressions, petrified wood is a three-dimensional representation of the original organic material.

 

GREEN AVENTURINE

Green Aventurine belongs to the chalcedony family.  It  is a micro crystalline that contains Quartz.  It is usually formed in magmatic rocks such as Pegmatities and hydrothermal veins.  A common inclusion that can be found is Fuchsite.  Green Aventurine ranges in color for a translucent and somewhat clear to nearly opaque.  It is usually found in light to medium shades of green to rarely very dark.  It is found in Brazil, Russia, Spain, Tanzania, and India.  

 

BLUE CALCITE 

Blue Calcite is a Calcium Carbonate crystal in pale to dark blue and blue green with white streaks. 

 

PEACOCK ORE

Peacock ore is a sulfide mineral composed of copper, iron, and sulfur. The name comes from its iridescent colors that resemble a peacock's feathers. Colors range from bright iridescent blue and purple to green, gold, and blue.

 

POLYCHROME JASPER

Polychrome Jasper was discovered in Madagascar.  It is also called desert Jasper.  It is a microcrystalline form of Quartz that comes from sedimentary rock.  It has unique colors and patterns.  Colors include shades of red, orange, yellow and brown.  These colors come from the mineral content and composition of the stone which includes Iron, Hematite, and Goethite.  It is considered rare due to its limited geographic distribution.

 

CLEAR QUARTZ

Quartz is a hard, crystalline mineral composed of silica.  The atoms are linked in a continuous framework of silicone-oxygen tetrahedra, with each oxygen being shared between two tetrahedra.  Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust, behind Felspar.  It is a mineral with a value of 7 on the Mohs scale of hardness.  

 

GREEN TREE AGATE

Green tree agate is a type of chalcedony that has inclusions of dark, branching lines that resemble tree or plant branches. Tree agate is a beautiful white and green stone. The stone also has a waxy luster and does not contain cleavage. It's tree like inclusions are caused by iron and manganese oxides.  Tree agate does not have the banded patterns or parallel lines unique to agates, but it does belong to the same group of banded chalcedony. Green tree agate is rated 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale.

 

LEOPARD SKIN JASPER

Leopard skin jasper is a beautiful stone with many colors and a distinct spotted pattern. It is a silicon dioxide with various inclusions. Found in Mexico, Brazil, and some areas of Africa. 

 

RED TIGER EYE

Red Tiger Eye is a member of the Quartz family and has a hardness of 7  on the Mohs Scale.  The stone is usually brownish red in color.  The red markings running through it are the result of oxidation of iron within the crystal.  Sometimes it is referred to as Dragon's Eye.  It is a deep burgundy red style of the common Tiger's Eye which is brown to golden in color.

 

LEMON QUARTZ

Lemon Quartz is a member of the Quartz family, a silicon dioxide mineral with a hardness of 7. Its yellow color comes from the inclusion of iron in the Quartz. Lemon quartz has also been called the coyote stone, sunstone, and light stone.

 

 

DESERT ROSE

Desert Rose is a mineral formation that takes the shape of a rose.  It is made up of gypsum or baryte crystals that have been deposited in a circular pattern around sand grains.  Desert Roses  typically form in arid, desert regions where the evaporation of water leaves behind minerals.  They are found in arid regions around the world including The Sahara Desert, The Namib Desert, and The Mojave Desert.  The largest Desert Roses in the world are found in The Sahara Desert where they can grow up to several feet in diameter.

 

SELENITE

Selenite is a transparent to slightly tinted form of gypsum. This mineral is very soft and only rates a 2 on the Mohs scale of hardness. It's soft enough to be scratched with your fingernail. Selenite is often found in Mexico, Russia, Greece, Japan, Argentina, Brazil, and the United States.

 

 

BLUE APATITE

Apatite is a common accessory mineral in igneous rocks such as granite, syenite, and carbonatite. It can occur as small crystals or grains, or as large masses or veins. Apatite can be found in sedimentary rocks such as phosphorites, which are rocks that are rich in phosphates. These rocks often form in marine environments where organic matter accumulates and decays, releasing phosphates into the surrounding water. Apatite can occur in metamorphic rocks such as marble, schist, and gneiss. During metamorphism, apatite can be recrystallized or transformed into different mineral phases, depending on the conditions of metamorphism.

 

BIRDS EYE RHYOLITE

Rhyolites erupt from the Earth’s surface at temperatures of 1382 to 1562 degrees Fahrenheit. The crystals are formed depending on the speed of the lava as well as the cooling period when it reaches the surface. Most rhyolites are uniform in texture, and their color ranges from gray to light-pink, depending on the striations made by the lava flow. These rocks have many shapes, ranging from pumice to porphyritic.

 

SMOKY QUARTZ

Smoky quartz is a captivating variety of the mineral quartz, celebrated for its enchanting smoky-gray to brown coloration. This gemstone derives its name from its appearance, resembling the hues of smoke-infused crystal. Composed of silicon dioxide, like other quartz varieties, smoky quartz acquires its distinct color through the presence of natural irradiation and trace elements within its crystalline structure.

 

SPIDER JASPER CHRYSANTHEMUM

Chrysanthemum stone is a unique and captivating mineral with a rich history, valued for its striking appearance and intricate patterns. This stone is not a true mineral in the geological sense, but rather a rock composed of several different minerals, primarily calcite and dolomite, with the occasional presence of andalusite, celestite, or feldspar. It gets its name from the distinctive floral patterns that often resemble chrysanthemum flowers, making it a sought-after gemstone and collector’s item.

 

CARNELIAN 

Carnelian is a captivating gemstone renowned for its warm and vibrant colors, ranging from light orange to deep reddish-brown. It belongs to the chalcedony family, which is a type of microcrystalline quartz. With its rich history, cultural significance, and various practical applications, carnelian has captivated human attention for centuries. Carnelian is a translucent to opaque gemstone with a distinct vitreous luster. It is composed primarily of silicon dioxide and exhibits a hardness of 6.5-7 on the Mohs scale, making it durable enough for various uses. The gemstone’s vibrant colors are due to the presence of iron oxide impurities.

 

GARNET

Garnet refers to a group of minerals that share a common crystal structure but come in a variety of colors and compositions. These minerals belong to the nesosilicate family and have a general chemical formula of X3Y2(SiO4)3, where X and Y are elements that can vary. The most commonly found garnets are typically red to reddish-brown in color, but they can also occur in shades of orange, yellow, green, purple, and even colorless varieties. The diverse range of colors is due to the different elements present in the crystal structure. Garnets form under specific geological conditions that involve high temperature and pressure environments. They are typically found in metamorphic rocks, which are rocks that have undergone significant changes due to intense heat and pressure, as well as in some igneous and sedimentary rocks. The exact conditions under which garnets form can influence their composition, color, and crystal structure.

 

MAHODANY OBSIDIAN

Mahogany Obsidian is a type of volcanic glass that is formed during the cooling and solidification of molten lava. It belongs to the broader category of obsidian, which is a naturally occurring glass with a smooth, glossy texture. What sets Mahogany Obsidian apart is its distinctive coloration, characterized by rich, deep brown and reddish-brown hues. The name “Mahogany” is derived from the wood of the mahogany tree, which is known for its reddish-brown color. Similarly, Mahogany Obsidian exhibits a similar color palette due to the presence of iron and other mineral impurities during its formation. This type of obsidian is valued for its aesthetic appeal, as well as its potential use in various forms of jewelry and ornamental objects.

 

APATITE W/ ORANGE CALCITE

Apatite is a common accessory mineral in igneous rocks such as granite, syenite, and carbonatite. It can occur as small crystals or grains, or as large masses or veins. Apatite can be found in sedimentary rocks such as phosphorites, which are rocks that are rich in phosphates. These rocks often form in marine environments where organic matter accumulates and decays, releasing phosphates into the surrounding water. Apatite can occur in metamorphic rocks such as marble, schist, and gneiss. During metamorphism, apatite can be recrystallized or transformed into different mineral phases, depending on the conditions of metamorphism.

 

GOLDEN PINEAPPLE CALCITE

Golden Pineapple Calcite Crystals come from Mexico. Calcite is a carbonate mineral with a Mohs hardness of 3. Calcite is a sedimentary related crystal.