Did you know there are ruby-like spinels in the English Crown Jewels? How about that spinel can be red, pink, blue, purple and even black?
Ring Mount Instructions
Learn how to glue a cabochon into a closed-back ring setting with this tutorial. Clear images demonstrate each step in this how-to.
Jasper, Autumn
Autumn jasper is the variety known for its mottled warm brick red and avocado green appearance: imagine pumpkins, red maple leaves and a long leisurely walk through the country.
Jasper, Tigerskin
Tigerskin "jasper" is a perfect choice for earthy jewelry styles. Its contrasting swirls and stripes of tan, yellow and yellowish brown create a tawny stone that's so rich looking its decadent.
Tiger Iron
Tiger iron is actually three gemstones in one. With the associations of the three component stones, tiger iron is ideal for men's designs, without reducing popularity in women's jewelry.
Onyx, Striped
Combine the richness of cream and a whisper of green, then swirl golden tan and brown tones in, and you'll have the delectable look of striped onyx. A stunning stone for autumn jewelry!
Sardonyx
Used as a stone of strength and protection since ancient times, sardonyx is associated with courage, happiness and clear communication. It's a favorite for men's and autumnal jewelry, too.
Tanzanite
Rarer than diamonds and almost as famous, tanzanite has skyrocketed in popularity. You'll want to learn about the gem and start designing now as deposits could run dry!
Agate, Tree
Just as dappled forests may bring calmness, it's said tree agate can bring a sense of peace and inner tranquility to those who wear jewelry featuring the gemstone.
Quartz, Tourmalinated
You know quartz is a gemstone, but what does tourmalinated mean? It's what gives this gemstone its distinct and sophisticated color scheme that's loved in women's and men's jewelry designs.
Aventurine
Though there isn't a "D" in the name, aventurine gemstones makes wearers think "adventure." Think optimism. Think bountiful. Think jewelry-making opportunity!
Agate, White
White agate is believed to be a stone of balance and release. According to metaphysical beliefs, this agate gemstone helps harmonize feminine and masculine sides.
Jasper, White
White jasper has a bright, clean opaque white appearance. According to metaphysical properties, white jasper lifts spirits and brings joy, nurturing our inner desire for calmness.
Mother-of-Pearl, White
Especially popular in Victorian-inspired jewelry designs, mother-of-pearl shell is often seen as cameos, but it isn't just for feminine jewelry, as it is a favorite for cuff links and tie tacks.
Moonstone, White
Beneath the soft shimmering surface of moonstone gemstones surges a deeper, lovelier beauty: a white "moon"-like sheen that rolls over the stone as it is rotated or catches the light.
Quartz, Yellow "Jade"
Yellow "jade" is not a true jade or jadeite stone. Instead, it is a trade name for a cloudy quartz with a pale to mid-dark yellow coloration—sometimes all in the same piece—and it is beautiful!
Single-Strand Necklace
Let the sky-blue beauty of trolleite—accented with curled copper Zebra Wire—create a sense of sophisticated simplicity with this pendant necklace.
Jasper, Zebra
It's time to get designing! Zebra jasper motivates us to move out of apathy into action. It helps us avoid over-thinking and encourages us to just enjoy the experience of living.
Azurite-Malachite
Azurite-malachite is a blend of two distinct and popular gems: azurite and malachite. United as azurite-malachite, the gemstone is said to calm anxiety in wearers.
Zoisite
A perfect gemstone for artists, writers and jewelry designers, zoisite is said to have creative energy. Ruby in zoisite varieties especially are said to help artists and their art become one.
Septarian
Each septarian specimen is unique with a joyous, ancient quality. They look fantastic and are thought to have beneficial metaphysical abilities, too.
Quartz, Solar
Solar quartz is a rare formation of white crystalline quartz with some druzy inclusions and beautiful natural orbicular patterns that may have green or brown moss-like inclusions.
Chrysanthemum Stone
Chrysanthemum stone blends the beauty of both earth and moon. It contains the rich dark brown color of soil and the golden glow of moonlight.
Obsidian, Golden Sheen
Black and gold are a timeless pairing--and golden sheen obsidian proves their elegance. Additionally, the reflective nature of obsidian makes it a favorite for self-reflective meditation.
Rhyolite
Rhyolite gets its name from the Greek words for "stream" and "stone," which may seem like counterintuitive concepts, but how this gemstone forms actually makes sense with its name.
Riverstone
Riverstone is light tan to light brown and is a favorite neutral in jewelry. The stone takes pigment well and is often dyed. Luckily, the dyed stone still retains perceived metaphysical properties.
Opal, Ethiopian
Ethiopian opal has a milky white to light amber base coloring and displays the play of color that makes opals both famous and highly desired for jewelry.
Unakite
Unakite is a great stone for men's and unisex jewelry styles. It's a colorful choice that works with a range of metals and other materials due to its mix of cool and warm hues.
Prehnite
The gemstone with a dozen names, prehnite has been given numerous other names over the years. Whatever you call it though, the soft, soothing green gemstone is a delight for jewelry.
Pyrite
Due to pyrite's color, luster and high specific gravity, it has been mistaken for gold, hence the nickname: fool's gold. But don't be fooled into thinking pyrite isn't perfect for jewelry!
Tektite
Looking to design with a gemstone that's out of this world? Tektite is a form of natural glass that forms not from the heat of volcanoes, but from atmospheric friction on meteorites.
Vesuvianite
Vesuvianite jewelry has been used as a gift to newlyweds due to its connotations as a cooperative stone that facilitates awareness of one's heart and an ability to express love.
Angelite
With "angel" in its name, it's no surprise soft-blue angelite gemstones have perceived metaphysical abilities related to improving spirituality and bringing about a peaceful energy.
Soapstone
Soapstone is incredibly soft, which makes it a perfect stone for carving. Natural soapstone tends to have light shades of gray, green or brown, making it ideal for autumn-themed jewelry.
Jet
Jet is an ideal addition to feminine, masculine and unisex jewelry. Black has been fashion's staple color for a reason. It's smart, sophisticated and goes with literally everything.
Cinnabar
Cinnabar is an ore and a crystal, a variant of quicksilver--what medieval alchemists called the element mercury. Cinnabar is considered a powerful stone both physically and metaphysically.
Zirconia, Cubic
Cubic zirconia (referred to as CZ) is a lab-grown gemstone, but don't let that taint your feelings on this gorgeous diamond simulant that actually is said to still possess metaphysical traits.
Autumn Hickoryite
According to metaphysical beliefs, autumn hickoryite stimulates imaginative thinking and a desire for adventure. Perhaps a desire for jewelry-making adventures?
Selenite
Selenite gemstones are the perfect addition to any jewelry palette. Need an angelic-looking stone for bridal jewelry? Evening wear jewelry? Maybe Christmas? Selenite does it all!
Mica
In jewelry-making, mica is most commonly found in a powder form used to create colorful, pearly and beautifully shiny accents on polymer clay, resins or other surfaces.
Crazy Horse™ Stone (Calcite)
Crazy Horse™ stone is the trade name for a calcite showcasing a distinct appearance of brown, grey and tan with some mauve and pink color combinations.
Kyanite
Kyanite gets its name from the Greek term for blue, which it certainly is! Kyanite is one of the most attractive blue minerals, exhibiting intense blue or multiple shades in a single crystal.
Lepidolite
With its variety of pinkish rose to purple hues along with other shades, lepidolite offers incredible tonal flexibility in jewelry designs, pairing well with other gemstones and metal tones.
Cuprite
If Cuprite had a theme song, it would be "I Will Survive" by Gloria Gaynor since this intriguing green and deep-red gemstone is the stone of survival due to its metaphysical abilities.
Black Silk Stone
Black silk stone is an onyx marble with a beautiful, silky-smooth surface and satin finish. According to metaphysical beliefs, black silk stone is a nurturing gemstone.
Bronzite
While bronzite may appear mundane when not polished, bronzite is a truly beautiful gemstone that can display chatoyancy and contain bright golden flecks.
Diopside, Chrome
With a green brilliance rivaling that of emerald, chrome diopside does not receive enhancements to increase color or clarity, making it a naturally lovely stone option for jewelry.
Malachite, Red
While malachite gemstones are renowned for their rich green color, red "malachite" is just as loved for its warm terra cotta color and metaphysical associations of energy and courage.