Jewelry Material: Gemstone

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.

Malachite

The swirling patterns of malachite have unmistakable, striking light and dark green marbling. The startling beauty of this stone has come to represent sensuality and beauty.

Feldspar

Feldspar comprises almost 60% of the Earth's crust, which makes feldspar the most common mineral. While it may be abundant, feldspar's metaphysical abilities are anything but ordinary.

Kunzite

The soft pink and purple hues of kunzite are well-suited for feminine jewelry designs and special occasion jewelry such as for Valentine's Day or Mother's Day.

Amphibolite

Amphibolite--sometimes also referred to as hornblende--is said to help balance the dual natures of individuals who wear jewelry featuring this metamorphic stone.

Goshenite

The colorless variety of beryl, goshenite is a beautiful, highly transparent gemstone that has been referred to as the "Mother of Crystals." A perfect gemstone for Mother's Day jewelry!

Morganite

With its soft pinkish hue, morganite is often associated with innocence, sweetness, romance and love, making it a perfect gemstone for special occasion jewelry like Valentine's Day.

Emerald

A mesmerizing green stone, emerald has collected numerous legends about its magnificence and power over the millennia, including stories from Biblical times and the ancient Egyptians.

Moldavite

Moldavite is said to bring good luck, according to Czech legend. It was also believed to help bring harmony in marriage and so was a common betrothal gift.

Gaspéite

Discovered in 1977, gaspeite is an intriguing rare mineral that is found in only a few places. Make sure one of those places is in your handmade jewelry designs!

Beryl

Beryl isn't so much a gemstone as it is a family of gemstones. While specific beryl varieties have their own properties, precious beryl tends to be affiliated by its color.

Charoite

Sources may disagree whether Charoite was named for the Chara River or the Russian word "chary" (meaning "charms" or "magic"), but we can agree it has a beautiful, striking appearance.

Hypersthene

The name "hypersthene" comes from the Greek word for "over strength," no doubt in reference to its hardness, but could also be related to the stone's protective metaphysical qualities.

Corundum

Corundum has been historically known as the gemstones ruby (red corundum) and sapphire (other colors). Corundum is very hard, tough and stable, making it ideal for a variety of uses.

Pietersite

How pietersite forms is an interesting process involving one mineral changing into another. Learn how this happens, why pietersite is called the tempest stone and more intriguing facts.

Hemimorphite

Hemimorphite gets its name from the Greek words hemi ("half") and morph ("shape") because each end has a different shape--a quite unusual behavior in crystal formation.

Opal, Peruvian

Peruvian opals were originally thought to be a gift from the Incan goddess Pachamama. Peruvian opal doesn't have the fiery play of light, but it does possess a beautiful iridescent quality.

Verdite

Verdite, sometimes mistaken for jade, can resemble an abstract canvas with varying earthy color patterns, making the gemstone a beautiful and unique addition to jewelry.

Seraphinite

Seraphinite is a soft gemstone, which can make designers nervous to use it, but the beauty of this greenish stone named after angels can't be emphasized enough for use in jewelry.

Pipestone (Catlinite)

Pipestone has a robust brick red color and can contain quartz or mica for a bit of sheen and shimmer, making this gemstone a favorite for both women's and men's jewelry designs.

Variscite

While variscite is mostly a collector's gem due to its rarity, the mineral is fabulous in jewelry with its vivid green color and intriuing array of associated metaphysical properties.

Sugilite

Sugilite offers lots of designing possibilities whether it's beads, cabochons, inlays and more. Like amethyst, sugilite's variety of purples makes it go well with just about everything.

Andesine

A fairly new gemstone, andesine is believed to have been discovered in 2003. You may be surprised to learn much of what was originally sold as andesine was actually enhanced labradorite

Jade, Mountain

Called mountain ''jade,'' this stone is actually high-grade dolomite marble from Asia. For jewelry, this material is frequently dyed rich, vivid colors, but its white form is also beautiful.

Calcite

In the metaphysical world calcite is believed to be a spiritual cleanser, helping change perspective and renew commitment to positive change. Learn more about this beautiful, golden-yellow stone!

Marble

Marble is viewed as a stone of potential. Marble has been used in architecture, decorative carvings and, of course, jewelry for centuries for its fantastic cutting and shaping properties.

Pinolith

How much do you know about pinolith? That it's a very rare semiprecious stone? That it's believed to be a gemstone of optimism and balance? Or how it's fantastic for jewelry-making?

Rainbow Calsilica

Rainbow calsilica is a man-made material created for the gemstone market from carbonate rock, which means this intriguing material still possesses perceived metaphysical properties.

Ammonite

Ammonites are eoliths of now-extinct marine molluscs called ammonoids. It's no surprise that ammonites, with their spiral shape, are symbols of change and positive motion.

Andalusite

According to metaphysical beliefs, andalusite is the seeing stone that promotes the desire for self-realization, helping one to rebalance and re-align.

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