Gemstone Glossary

All A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Welcome to the Tejas Beads gemstone glossary — a reference for every stone in our catalog, plus the gemological terms you'll see on our product pages. Use the A–Z filter to jump to a letter.

A note on lore: Metaphysical and folklore notes are shared for historical and cultural interest only. They reflect traditional beliefs, not scientific fact, and are not intended as medical, health, financial, or life advice. Gemstones are not a substitute for professional care.

Adularescence: An optical phenomenon in which a soft, billowy glow appears to float just beneath the surface of a stone and moves as the stone is turned. It is caused by light scattering between microscopically thin alternating layers of feldspar minerals. Moonstone is the classic example.

African Turquoise: A trade name, not a true turquoise. African Turquoise is a teal-colored jasper (silicified chert) from Africa whose dark matrix webbing resembles turquoise. It is harder and more durable than genuine turquoise, making it a practical everyday-wear alternative.

  • Mineralogy: Microcrystalline quartz (jasper) with iron and copper mineral staining
  • Mohs Hardness: 6 - 7
  • Specific Gravity: 2.58 - 2.64
  • Lore & Tradition: In modern crystal folklore it is often called the “stone of evolution” and associated with growth, change, and new beginnings.

Agate: A banded and often translucent form of chalcedony (microcrystalline quartz). Agates form when silica-rich water deposits layer after layer of chalcedony inside cavities in volcanic rock, producing the concentric banding the stone is famous for.

  • Mineralogy: Banded chalcedony (SiO2)
  • Mohs Hardness: 6.5 - 7
  • Specific Gravity: 2.60 - 2.64
  • Lore & Tradition: Agate has been carved into amulets and seals since ancient Mesopotamia and is traditionally associated with balance, stability, and steady confidence.

Amazonite: An intrusive igneous variety of microcline potassium feldspar that typically forms in association with granitic rocks. Its blue-green color comes from trace amounts of lead and water in the crystal structure. Amazonite is commonly found in China, Libya, Mongolia, South Africa, and in the USA in Colorado, Virginia, and Pennsylvania.

  • Mineralogy: Microcline feldspar (KAlSi3O8)
  • Mohs Hardness: 6 - 6.5
  • Specific Gravity: 2.56 - 2.58
  • Lore & Tradition: Despite the name, no deposits exist along the Amazon River; the name likely came from green stones traded in the region. Folklore ties amazonite to truthful communication and a calm, even temperament.

Amber: Fossilized tree resin, typically 25 to 40+ million years old. Amber is an organic gem rather than a mineral and frequently contains inclusions of ancient plant matter or insects. Baltic amber, the most commercially important variety, comes from prehistoric conifer forests around the Baltic Sea.

  • Mineralogy: Fossilized resin (organic; succinic acid content distinguishes true Baltic amber)
  • Mohs Hardness: 2 - 2.5
  • Specific Gravity: 1.05 - 1.10 (light enough to float in saturated salt water)
  • Lore & Tradition: Ancient Greeks called amber elektron; rubbing it produces static electricity, which gave us the word “electricity.” Amber has been worn as a talisman of warmth and vitality for millennia.
  • Care: Very soft and heat-sensitive. Keep away from solvents, perfume, and prolonged sun; store separately from harder beads.

Amethyst: A silicate mineral and a member of the quartz family. Amethyst contains small amounts of iron; natural irradiation within the host rock creates color centers responsible for the purple hue. Heating amethyst can turn it yellow-orange, which is the source of much commercial citrine.

  • Mineralogy: Macrocrystalline quartz (SiO2) with Fe impurities
  • Mohs Hardness: 7
  • Specific Gravity: 2.65
  • Lore & Tradition: The name comes from the Greek amethystos, “not intoxicated” — the ancients believed the stone guarded against drunkenness and carved wine goblets from it. February's birthstone, traditionally associated with clarity and calm.

Angelite: A trade name for a soft blue-gray form of anhydrite (anhydrous calcium sulfate) found primarily in Peru. Angelite forms where gypsum deposits lose their water content under heat and pressure; if re-exposed to water over geologic time it can convert back to gypsum.

  • Mineralogy: Anhydrite (CaSO4)
  • Mohs Hardness: 3.5
  • Specific Gravity: 2.9 - 3.0
  • Lore & Tradition: Named in 1987 for its serene sky-blue color, angelite is associated in modern folklore with peace, gentle communication, and tranquility.
  • Care: Soft and water-sensitive; avoid soaking, and string with soft spacers to prevent scratching.

Apatite: A phosphate mineral found in igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks. The most prolific deposits are found in ancient marine and lakebed environments and consist of mineralized debris from water-dwelling organisms. Apatite gemstones vary from translucent to opaque with vivid green, yellow, and blue colors depending on composition. It is used as an index mineral because pure apatite sits at exactly five on the Mohs scale.

  • Mineralogy: Calcium phosphate group, Ca5(PO4)3(F,Cl,OH)
  • Mohs Hardness: 5
  • Specific Gravity: 3.16 - 3.22
  • Lore & Tradition: Apatite is the same mineral family that makes up tooth enamel and bone. Its name comes from the Greek apate (“deceit”) because it was so often mistaken for other gems. Folklore links it to motivation and clear self-expression.

Aquamarine: The blue to blue-green variety of beryl, colored by trace iron. Aquamarine crystals grow in pegmatites and can reach remarkable sizes with excellent clarity. Major sources include Brazil, Pakistan, Nigeria, Madagascar, and Mozambique.

  • Mineralogy: Beryl (Be3Al2Si6O18) with Fe2+
  • Mohs Hardness: 7.5 - 8
  • Specific Gravity: 2.68 - 2.74
  • Lore & Tradition: Latin for “water of the sea.” Sailors historically carried aquamarine as a token of safe passage and calm waters. March's birthstone, traditionally associated with courage and serenity.

Aventurescence: A glittery, metallic sparkle caused by light reflecting off small plate-like mineral inclusions inside a stone. Seen in aventurine (mica flakes) and sunstone (copper or hematite platelets).

Aventurine: A form of quartzite containing tiny plate-like inclusions of mica — most commonly green fuchsite — that give the stone a subtle sparkle known as aventurescence. Green is the classic color, but aventurine also occurs in blue, red-brown, peach, and gray.

  • Mineralogy: Quartzite with fuchsite (Cr-mica) or hematite/goethite inclusions
  • Mohs Hardness: 6.5 - 7
  • Specific Gravity: 2.64 - 2.69
  • Lore & Tradition: Long considered a gambler's talisman, aventurine is traditionally associated with luck, opportunity, and optimism.

Azurite: A deep azure-blue copper carbonate mineral that forms in the oxidized zones of copper ore deposits, frequently intergrown with green malachite. Fine crystals are prized by collectors, while massive material is cut into beads and cabochons.

  • Mineralogy: Copper carbonate hydroxide, Cu3(CO3)2(OH)2
  • Mohs Hardness: 3.5 - 4
  • Specific Gravity: 3.7 - 3.9
  • Lore & Tradition: Ground azurite served as a blue pigment in European painting and in ancient Egypt. Folklore associates it with insight and clear thinking.
  • Care: Soft and heat/acid sensitive; wipe clean with a dry cloth only.

Beryl: A mineral classification that encompasses a number of precious and semi-precious gemstones including emerald (green, chromium/vanadium), aquamarine (blue, iron), morganite (pink, manganese), heliodor (golden, iron), and goshenite (colorless). Beryl crystallizes in six-sided prisms, most often in granite pegmatites.

  • Mineralogy: Beryllium aluminum cyclosilicate, Be3Al2Si6O18
  • Mohs Hardness: 7.5 - 8
  • Specific Gravity: 2.63 - 2.92
  • Of Note: Goshenite, the colorless variety, was first described from Goshen, Massachusetts — about 20 miles from our shop.

Bloodstone: Also called heliotrope; a dark green opaque chalcedony (or plasma jasper) flecked with red spots of iron oxide that resemble drops of blood. Classic material comes from India, with additional sources in Brazil, Australia, and the USA.

  • Mineralogy: Chalcedony/jasper with hematite inclusions
  • Mohs Hardness: 6.5 - 7
  • Specific Gravity: 2.58 - 2.64
  • Lore & Tradition: A traditional March birthstone, bloodstone was carried by ancient warriors and athletes and is associated in folklore with courage, vitality, and endurance.

Botswana Agate: A finely banded agate from Botswana featuring delicate parallel bands in shades of gray, pink, apricot, and white. Formed in volcanic rock cavities roughly 187 million years ago, its bands are typically finer and more regular than most agates.

  • Mineralogy: Banded chalcedony (SiO2)
  • Mohs Hardness: 6.5 - 7
  • Specific Gravity: 2.60 - 2.64
  • Lore & Tradition: Sometimes called the “sunset stone,” traditionally associated with comfort and quiet strength.

Bronzite: A magnesium-iron rich member of the pyroxene mineral group, similar to enstatite and hypersthene. Bronzite is abundant in mafic igneous and metamorphic rocks and is commonly metallic brown with a silky bronze-like schiller, but can appear greenish when associated with olivine.

  • Mineralogy: Enstatite-series pyroxene, (Mg,Fe)SiO3
  • Mohs Hardness: 5.5
  • Specific Gravity: 3.3 - 3.4
  • Lore & Tradition: Folklore treats bronzite as a stone of courtesy and composure — keeping a level head under pressure.

Calcite: A form of calcium carbonate that is the primary constituent of limestone and marble. Calcite is considered an “all-pervading” mineral, found almost everywhere on Earth. It can form from precipitation of calcium carbonate in seawater, in hydrothermal veins, or from the diagenesis of shells and skeletal parts of marine organisms. Bead-grade calcite comes in yellow, orange, green, blue, and white.

  • Mineralogy: Calcium carbonate (CaCO3), rhombohedral
  • Mohs Hardness: 3
  • Specific Gravity: 2.71
  • Of Note: Clear calcite (Iceland spar) displays strong double refraction — text viewed through it appears doubled.
  • Care: Soft and acid-sensitive; keep away from vinegar, citrus, and household cleaners.

Carnelian: A translucent orange to red-brown chalcedony colored by iron oxide. Color can be intensified by gentle heating, a practice dating back thousands of years. Major sources include India, Brazil, Uruguay, and Madagascar.

  • Mineralogy: Chalcedony (SiO2) with iron oxide
  • Mohs Hardness: 6.5 - 7
  • Specific Gravity: 2.60 - 2.64
  • Lore & Tradition: One of the oldest gem materials used by humans — carnelian beads appear in ancient Egyptian, Sumerian, and Indus Valley jewelry. Traditionally associated with vitality, motivation, and bold action.

Chalcedony: A microcrystalline type of quartz. Agate, jasper, carnelian, chrysoprase, and onyx are all forms of chalcedony. In the bead trade the name usually refers to the translucent, evenly colored blue-gray to lavender material.

  • Mineralogy: Microcrystalline SiO2 (intergrown quartz and moganite)
  • Mohs Hardness: 6.5 - 7
  • Specific Gravity: 2.59 - 2.64
  • Lore & Tradition: Traditionally associated with goodwill and calm, generous communication.

Charoite: A striking purple silicate mineral with swirling patterns of lavender, violet, and white, found only in the Chara River region of Siberia, Russia. Its chatoyant, feathery swirls come from intergrown fibrous crystals.

  • Mineralogy: Complex potassium-calcium silicate
  • Mohs Hardness: 5 - 6
  • Specific Gravity: 2.54 - 2.68
  • Lore & Tradition: Discovered in the 1940s and described in 1978, charoite is one of the newest gem minerals. Folklore calls it a stone of transformation and courage in change.

Chatoyancy: The “cat's-eye” effect: a band of reflected light that glides across a stone's surface, caused by light reflecting off dense parallel fibers or channels inside the material. Tiger's eye, eagle's eye, and pietersite are chatoyant stones.

Chevron Amethyst: A naturally banded combination of purple amethyst and white quartz in V-shaped (chevron) patterns, formed as alternating growth layers in quartz veins. Primarily sourced from India and Africa.

  • Mineralogy: Quartz (SiO2): amethyst and milky quartz layers
  • Mohs Hardness: 7
  • Specific Gravity: 2.65
  • Lore & Tradition: Folklore blends the traditional associations of its two components: the calm of amethyst and the clarity of quartz.

Chrome Diopside: A vivid green pyroxene mineral colored by chromium, mined mainly in eastern Siberia. Its rich green rivals far more expensive stones, making it a popular natural green gem.

  • Mineralogy: Calcium magnesium silicate, CaMgSi2O6 with Cr
  • Mohs Hardness: 5.5 - 6.5
  • Specific Gravity: 3.22 - 3.38
  • Lore & Tradition: Traditionally associated with renewal and connection to the natural world.
  • Care: Softer than quartz; store so harder beads don't rub against it.

Chrysocolla: A blue-green hydrated copper silicate that forms in the oxidation zones of copper deposits, often intergrown with malachite, azurite, and quartz. When naturally silicified by quartz (“gem silica”), it becomes hard enough for everyday jewelry.

  • Mineralogy: Hydrated copper phyllosilicate
  • Mohs Hardness: 2.5 - 3.5 (up to ~7 when silicified with quartz)
  • Specific Gravity: 2.0 - 2.4
  • Lore & Tradition: The name dates to ancient Greece (chrysos + kolla, “gold glue”), as it was used in soldering gold. Folklore associates it with soothed emotions and heartfelt communication.

Chrysoprase: A cryptocrystalline form of chalcedony, meaning its crystals are too small to be seen under normal magnification. Its minty to apple-green color comes from trace nickel. Top material comes from Australia; it varies from translucent to opaque.

  • Mineralogy: Chalcedony (SiO2) with nickel
  • Mohs Hardness: 6.5 - 7
  • Specific Gravity: 2.58 - 2.64
  • Lore & Tradition: A favorite of Frederick the Great of Prussia, who decorated buildings with it. Traditionally associated with joy, optimism, and new growth.

Citrine: The yellow to orange variety of quartz, colored by trace iron. Natural citrine is uncommon; much commercial citrine is produced by heating amethyst, which shifts its color centers from purple to golden. Natural stones tend toward paler, smoky yellows.

  • Mineralogy: Macrocrystalline quartz (SiO2)
  • Mohs Hardness: 7
  • Specific Gravity: 2.65
  • Lore & Tradition: November's birthstone, nicknamed the “merchant's stone” in folklore and traditionally associated with abundance, cheerfulness, and success.

Clear Quartz: The colorless, transparent form of macrocrystalline quartz, also called rock crystal. It is the reference standard for Mohs hardness 7 and among the most abundant gem materials on Earth, found on every continent.

  • Mineralogy: Quartz (SiO2)
  • Mohs Hardness: 7
  • Specific Gravity: 2.65
  • Lore & Tradition: The word “crystal” comes from the Greek krystallos, “ice” — ancients believed clear quartz was ice frozen so deeply it could never thaw. In modern folklore it is called the “master stone,” associated with clarity and amplifying intention.

Cleavage: A geological term describing a mineral's structural tendency to break along planes at certain angles. Cleavage is described by qualitative terms relating to how cleanly a break shows: perfect, good, poor, indistinct, and none. While Mohs hardness is the best indicator of scratch resistance, a mineral's cleavage plays the larger role in overall durability and resistance to cracks and breaks — diamond is the hardest mineral yet splits readily along its perfect cleavage, while nephrite jade is far softer but nearly unbreakable because it has none.

Coral: An organic gem material formed from the calcium carbonate skeletons of colonial marine polyps. Bead coral ranges from white and pink to salmon and red; bamboo coral is often dyed to achieve rich reds. As an organic material it is soft and warm to the touch.

  • Mineralogy: Calcium carbonate (calcite/aragonite), organic
  • Mohs Hardness: 3 - 4
  • Specific Gravity: 2.6 - 2.7
  • Lore & Tradition: Coral amulets appear across Mediterranean cultures going back to ancient Rome, where it was hung on children's cradles as a token of protection.
  • Care: Avoid acids, perfume, and prolonged soaking; wipe with a soft damp cloth.

Corundum: The crystalline form of aluminum oxide and the second-hardest natural mineral after diamond. Gem-quality red corundum is ruby; every other color — blue, pink, yellow, green, white — is sapphire. Opaque bead-grade corundum often shows attractive crystal structure and color zoning.

  • Mineralogy: Aluminum oxide (Al2O3)
  • Mohs Hardness: 9
  • Specific Gravity: 3.98 - 4.05
  • Of Note: Corundum defines 9 on the Mohs scale; only diamond (and a few synthetic materials) can scratch it.

Crazy Lace Agate: A wildly patterned agate from Chihuahua, Mexico, showing twisting bands, orbs, and zigzag “lace” in cream, gray, red, and gold. Formed roughly 65-90 million years ago in volcanic host rock.

  • Mineralogy: Banded chalcedony (SiO2) with iron and aluminum oxides
  • Mohs Hardness: 6.5 - 7
  • Specific Gravity: 2.60 - 2.64
  • Lore & Tradition: Nicknamed the “laughter stone,” traditionally associated with joy and lightness of heart.

Cryptocrystalline: Describes a mineral texture in which crystals are so small they cannot be distinguished even under a standard microscope. Chalcedony, jasper, and chrysoprase are cryptocrystalline forms of quartz; their tightly interlocked micro-grains make them tougher and less prone to fracture than single-crystal gems.

Cubic Zirconia (CZ): A synthetic material that looks similar to diamond, although it can come in a variety of colors. CZ is extremely heavy, with a specific gravity upwards of 6 g/cm³ — more than twice that of quartz. Commercial production began in 1976 as a diamond alternative.

  • Mineralogy: Synthetic zirconium dioxide (ZrO2), cubic
  • Mohs Hardness: 8 - 8.5
  • Specific Gravity: 5.6 - 6.0

Dendritic Agate: A translucent to opaque chalcedony containing branching manganese and iron oxide inclusions (dendrites) that resemble ferns, trees, or moss. Typically colorless to cloudy white with black to brown internal structures. Despite appearances, the “plants” are entirely mineral.

  • Mineralogy: Chalcedony (SiO2) with Mn/Fe oxide dendrites
  • Mohs Hardness: 6.5 - 7
  • Specific Gravity: 2.60 - 2.64
  • Lore & Tradition: Ancient Greeks associated tree-patterned stones with the tree spirits called dryads; in folklore dendritic stones are tied to growth, patience, and abundance.

Dendritic Opal: Common opal (also sold as merlinite or moss opal) containing black branching dendrites of manganese oxide within a white to cream body. Unlike precious opal it shows no play-of-color, but the fern-like inclusions make every bead one of a kind.

  • Mineralogy: Hydrated amorphous silica (SiO2·nH2O) with Mn oxide dendrites
  • Mohs Hardness: 5.5 - 6.5
  • Specific Gravity: 1.9 - 2.3
  • Lore & Tradition: Traditionally associated with growth and connection to nature.
  • Care: Opal contains structural water; avoid prolonged heat and harsh chemicals.

Dragon's Blood Jasper: A green and red ornamental stone from South Africa and Western Australia, composed of green epidote (or fuchsite-rich matrix) veined with red piemontite. The vivid contrast inspired its dramatic name.

  • Mineralogy: Epidote-group silicates with quartz
  • Mohs Hardness: 6.5 - 7
  • Specific Gravity: 2.8 - 3.0
  • Lore & Tradition: Local legend describes the stone as the remains of ancient dragons — green skin and red blood. Folklore ties it to courage, resilience, and personal strength.

Dumortierite: An opaque alumino-borosilicate mineral that forms naturally in fibers and columnar crystals in high-temperature metamorphic rocks. Colors vary from denim blue to violet-blue, brown, and green. It is relatively abundant, found across Europe, Russia, Namibia, Madagascar, Brazil, and Sri Lanka.

  • Mineralogy: Aluminum borosilicate, Al7BO3(SiO4)3O3
  • Mohs Hardness: 7
  • Specific Gravity: 3.3 - 3.4
  • Lore & Tradition: Often mistaken for lapis or sodalite at first glance. Folklore associates it with patience, discipline, and learning — it's sometimes nicknamed the “student's stone.”

Eagle's Eye: A blue-gray chatoyant quartz closely related to tiger's eye, also sold as hawk's eye or gray tiger's eye. It forms when quartz replaces fibrous crocidolite before the iron oxidizes, preserving the cooler blue-gray tones and a silky cat's-eye sheen.

  • Mineralogy: Quartz (SiO2) pseudomorph after crocidolite
  • Mohs Hardness: 6.5 - 7
  • Specific Gravity: 2.64 - 2.71
  • Lore & Tradition: Traditionally associated with perspective and keen observation — seeing the whole landscape the way a raptor does.

Emerald: The deep green variety of beryl, colored by trace chromium and/or vanadium. Emeralds typically form where beryllium-rich fluids meet chromium-bearing rocks — a rare geologic coincidence. Most emeralds contain natural inclusions (the “jardin”), accepted as part of the stone's character. Bead-grade emerald is typically opaque with rich color.

  • Mineralogy: Beryl (Be3Al2Si6O18) with Cr/V
  • Mohs Hardness: 7.5 - 8
  • Specific Gravity: 2.67 - 2.78
  • Lore & Tradition: May's birthstone, mined in Egypt as early as 1500 BCE and beloved by Cleopatra. Traditionally associated with love, rebirth, and wisdom.

Ethiopian Metal: Handcrafted white-metal beads made by Ethiopian artisans, often using traditional techniques passed down through generations of silversmiths. Frequently made from recycled metal alloys, each bead carries slight variations in shape and finish that reflect its handmade origin.

  • Mineralogy: White metal alloy (handmade, non-gemstone)
  • Of Note: Pairs beautifully with earth-toned gemstones and trade beads for tribal and boho designs.

Evaporites: Minerals and rocks that form when mineral-rich water evaporates, leaving crystallized deposits behind. Gypsum (including selenite), halite, and anhydrite are common evaporites. They tend to be soft, light, and often subtly luminous.

  • Mineralogy: Sulfates, halides, and carbonates (e.g., gypsum, halite, anhydrite)
  • Mohs Hardness: 2 - 3.5 (varies by mineral)
  • Specific Gravity: 2.2 - 3.0 (varies by mineral)
  • Care: Water-soluble or water-sensitive; keep dry.

Feldspar: The most abundant mineral group in Earth's crust, making up roughly 60% of it. Gem feldspars include moonstone, labradorite, amazonite, sunstone, and larvikite — a family famous for optical effects like adularescence, labradorescence, and aventurescence.

  • Mineralogy: Aluminum silicates of K, Na, and Ca
  • Mohs Hardness: 6 - 6.5
  • Specific Gravity: 2.55 - 2.76
  • Of Note: If a stone shimmers, glows, or flashes from within, odds are good it's a feldspar.

Fluorite: Also referred to as fluorspar; a mineral form of calcium fluoride and a member of the halide group, forming in areas containing felsic igneous rocks. Fluorite commonly develops in hydrothermal vein deposits, where neighboring crystals often include quartz and calcite. It occurs in nearly every color, frequently with multiple colors banded in a single stone.

  • Mineralogy: Calcium fluoride (CaF2)
  • Mohs Hardness: 4
  • Specific Gravity: 3.18
  • Lore & Tradition: Fluorite gave its name to the phenomenon of fluorescence — many specimens glow blue-violet under UV light. Folklore associates it with focus, order, and clear decision-making.
  • Care: Soft with perfect cleavage; protect from knocks and store separately from harder beads.

Fossiliferous: Stones containing visible fossils — the preserved remains or impressions of ancient life. Bead-grade fossil stones include ammonite (coiled cephalopod shells), crinoid marble (“sea lily” stems), fossil coral, orthoceras, and stromatolite. Each bead is a snapshot of deep time, often hundreds of millions of years old.

  • Mineralogy: Varies — typically calcite, aragonite, or silica replacing organic material
  • Mohs Hardness: 3 - 7 (varies by mineralization)
  • Specific Gravity: 2.6 - 2.9 (varies)
  • Lore & Tradition: Fossils have been treasured as talismans since prehistory; folklore ties them to ancestral wisdom, longevity, and connection to Earth's history.

Garnet: A family of metamorphic silicate minerals ranging in color from deep red (almandine, pyrope) through orange (spessartine, hessonite) to green (grossular, tsavorite, demantoid). Garnet is a metamorphic index mineral used by geologists to indicate high-grade metamorphism. In natural crystal form it is quite smooth; when crushed it is very abrasive and is used commercially for sandblasting and fine sandpaper.

  • Mineralogy: Silicate garnet group, X3Y2(SiO4)3
  • Mohs Hardness: 6.5 - 7.5
  • Specific Gravity: 3.5 - 4.3
  • Lore & Tradition: January's birthstone. The name comes from the Latin granatum (pomegranate) for its seed-like red crystals. Travelers historically carried garnet as a token of safe journeys and steadfast friendship.

Golden Obsidian: Also called golden sheen obsidian; a volcanic glass displaying a shimmering gold luster when light strikes it at the right angle. The sheen comes from layers of microscopic gas bubbles stretched and aligned while the lava was still flowing.

  • Mineralogy: Volcanic glass (amorphous SiO2-rich) with aligned gas bubble layers
  • Mohs Hardness: 5 - 6
  • Specific Gravity: 2.4
  • Lore & Tradition: Prized in Mesoamerican cultures, where obsidian mirrors were used in ritual. Folklore associates the golden variety with insight and personal power.

Green Apatite: The green variety of apatite, colored by trace elements within the phosphate structure. Cut into cubes, rounds, and rondelles, it offers a rich, mossy green rarely found in natural untreated stones at its price point.

  • Mineralogy: Calcium phosphate, Ca5(PO4)3(F,Cl,OH)
  • Mohs Hardness: 5
  • Specific Gravity: 3.16 - 3.22
  • Lore & Tradition: Folklore associates green apatite with renewal, healthy habits, and follow-through on goals.
  • Care: Softer than quartz; store thoughtfully to prevent scratches.

Green Jade: The classic green form of jade, a name covering two distinct minerals: nephrite (an amphibole) and jadeite (a pyroxene). Both are famed for exceptional toughness — their felted, interlocking crystal structure resists breaking better than almost any other gem material.

  • Mineralogy: Nephrite (Ca2(Mg,Fe)5Si8O22(OH)2) or jadeite (NaAlSi2O6)
  • Mohs Hardness: 6 - 7
  • Specific Gravity: 2.95 - 3.3
  • Lore & Tradition: Revered in China for over 7,000 years, where Confucius compared jade's qualities to human virtues. Traditionally associated with harmony, prosperity, and good fortune.

Hematite: An iron oxide mineral with a metallic silver-gray luster and remarkable heft. Hematite is Earth's most important iron ore and, when powdered, produces the red pigment ochre used in cave paintings for tens of thousands of years. Natural hematite is not magnetic; strongly magnetic "hematite" beads are a man-made ferrite.

  • Mineralogy: Iron oxide (Fe2O3)
  • Mohs Hardness: 5 - 6.5
  • Specific Gravity: 4.9 - 5.3 (notably heavy)
  • Lore & Tradition: The name comes from the Greek haima (blood) for its red streak. Roman soldiers reportedly carried hematite into battle; folklore associates it with grounding and steadiness.

Hematoid Quartz: Also known as fire quartz or red lepidocrocite quartz; clear to milky quartz shot through with red, orange, and golden inclusions of hematite and iron hydroxides. Each bead shows a unique cloudscape of mineral color.

  • Mineralogy: Quartz (SiO2) with hematite/goethite/lepidocrocite inclusions
  • Mohs Hardness: 7
  • Specific Gravity: 2.65
  • Lore & Tradition: Folklore blends quartz's clarity with iron's grounding — associated with focused energy and balanced drive.

Howlite: A borosilicate mineral found in evaporite deposits, often in association with gypsum. Howlite is naturally white with gray to black spiderweb veining. Because of its porous structure it takes dye readily and is commonly used to imitate turquoise and other stones — our howlite is sold in its natural white form unless noted.

  • Mineralogy: Calcium borosilicate hydroxide, Ca2B5SiO9(OH)5
  • Mohs Hardness: 3.5
  • Specific Gravity: 2.53 - 2.59
  • Lore & Tradition: Named for Canadian mineralogist Henry How, who identified it in 1868. Folklore associates howlite with calm, patience, and restful sleep.

Hypersthene: An inosilicate pyroxene mineral containing both magnesium and roughly 50% iron, forming in igneous and metamorphic rocks. Found in upstate New York and parts of northeastern Canada, among other locations. Quality material shows a silvery-bronze schiller across a dark charcoal body.

  • Mineralogy: Orthopyroxene, (Mg,Fe)SiO3
  • Mohs Hardness: 5 - 6
  • Specific Gravity: 3.4 - 3.5
  • Lore & Tradition: Sometimes nicknamed the “stone of rest” in folklore, associated with quiet reflection and problem-solving.

Iolite: A translucent gem form of the cyclosilicate mineral cordierite, displaying violet-blue color with a distinctive trait: strong pleochroism. Turn an iolite and it shifts from sapphire blue to pale gray-yellow depending on viewing angle. It occurs in metamorphic rocks and in association with granites and pegmatites.

  • Mineralogy: Cordierite, Mg2Al4Si5O18
  • Mohs Hardness: 7 - 7.5
  • Specific Gravity: 2.58 - 2.66
  • Lore & Tradition: Called the “Viking compass stone” — legend holds Norse navigators used thin cordierite slices as polarizing filters to locate the sun on overcast seas. Traditionally associated with vision and inner direction.

Jade: A name covering two tough, fine-grained minerals: nephrite (dense dark to mid green amphibole, often with black inclusions) and jadeite (a rarer pyroxene reaching vivid emerald “imperial” green). Both lack cleavage planes, making them extremely durable and resistant to breaking — jade was used for axe heads before it was used for jewelry.

  • Mineralogy: Nephrite (amphibole) or jadeite (pyroxene)
  • Mohs Hardness: 6 - 7
  • Specific Gravity: 2.95 (nephrite) - 3.34 (jadeite)
  • Lore & Tradition: Treasured across Chinese, Maori, and Mesoamerican cultures alike. Traditionally associated with harmony, protection lore, and good fortune.

Jasper: An opaque form of chalcedony (cryptocrystalline quartz). There are many types of jasper, commonly known for multiple intertwined color patterns, though solid colors occur as well. Its patterns come from mineral impurities — typically iron oxides — and from the sediments or volcanic ash the silica cemented together.

  • Mineralogy: Opaque cryptocrystalline quartz (SiO2) with up to ~20% impurities
  • Mohs Hardness: 6.5 - 7
  • Specific Gravity: 2.58 - 2.91
  • Lore & Tradition: The name traces through Greek and Hebrew to ancient Persian. Jasper appears in the breastplate of the high priest in Exodus. Traditionally called the “supreme nurturer,” associated with comfort and steady support.

Kambaba Jasper: A deep green and black orbicular stone from Madagascar, technically a fossiliferous rhyolite rather than a true jasper. Its swirling orbs are widely attributed to stromatolites — layered structures built by cyanobacteria among the oldest life forms on Earth.

  • Mineralogy: Rhyolitic volcanic rock with quartz, feldspar, and green amphiboles
  • Mohs Hardness: 6.5 - 7
  • Specific Gravity: 2.6 - 2.9
  • Lore & Tradition: Sometimes called “crocodile jasper” for its scaly pattern. Folklore associates it with tranquility and deep, ancient calm.

Kunzite: A delicate pale pink to lilac variety of the mineral spodumene, colored by manganese. First examined in 1902 by George Frederick Kunz, the distinguished mineralogist and chief gem expert at Tiffany & Co.; the mineral was named in his honor the following year. Found in North and South America, Europe, Australia, and the Middle East.

  • Mineralogy: Spodumene, LiAlSi2O6 (a lithium mineral)
  • Mohs Hardness: 6.5 - 7
  • Specific Gravity: 3.18
  • Lore & Tradition: Traditionally associated with gentle emotion and an open heart.
  • Care: Color can fade with prolonged direct sunlight; kunzite also has perfect cleavage, so protect it from sharp knocks.

Kyanite: A blue aluminosilicate mineral most commonly found in metamorphic rocks, often in association with schist. Kyanite forms naturally in columns, fibers, or blades and is used by geologists as an index mineral indicating high-pressure, low-temperature metamorphism. Uniquely, its hardness differs by direction — soft along the blade, hard across it.

  • Mineralogy: Aluminum silicate, Al2SiO5
  • Mohs Hardness: 4.5 - 5 along the crystal; 6.5 - 7 across it
  • Specific Gravity: 3.53 - 3.65
  • Lore & Tradition: The name comes from the Greek kyanos, “deep blue.” Folklore associates kyanite with alignment and calm, honest communication.

Labradorescence: The vivid internal flash of blue, green, gold, or violet seen in labradorite and larvikite as they move in the light. It is caused by light interference within microscopically thin, alternating feldspar layers (lamellae) inside the stone.

Labradorite: A plagioclase feldspar famous for labradorescence — brilliant flashes of blue, green, gold, and violet from within an otherwise gray stone. First described from Labrador, Canada in 1770; fine material also comes from Madagascar and Finland (where the intensely colorful variety is called spectrolite).

  • Mineralogy: Plagioclase feldspar (Ca,Na)(Al,Si)4O8
  • Mohs Hardness: 6 - 6.5
  • Specific Gravity: 2.68 - 2.72
  • Lore & Tradition: Inuit legend says the Northern Lights were once trapped in the rocks of Labrador, and a warrior's spear freed most of them — the light still inside became labradorite. Traditionally associated with intuition and transformation.

Lapis Lazuli: A deep blue metamorphic rock — not a single mineral — composed chiefly of lazurite with white calcite and glittering flecks of golden pyrite. The finest material has come from the Sar-e-Sang mines of Afghanistan for over 6,000 years.

  • Mineralogy: Rock: lazurite + calcite + pyrite
  • Mohs Hardness: 5 - 6
  • Specific Gravity: 2.7 - 2.9
  • Lore & Tradition: Ground lapis produced ultramarine, once the most expensive pigment in art, reserved for painting the Virgin Mary's robes. Cleopatra reportedly used powdered lapis as eyeshadow. Traditionally associated with wisdom, truth, and royalty.

Larvikite: An igneous rock (a monzonite) from the Larvik Fjord region of Norway, often sold as “black labradorite” or “black moonstone.” Its silvery-blue schiller comes from feldspar crystals exhibiting the same light interference as labradorite, set in a charcoal-gray body.

  • Mineralogy: Feldspar-rich monzonite
  • Mohs Hardness: 6 - 6.5
  • Specific Gravity: 2.70
  • Lore & Tradition: Norway's national stone, quarried since the 1880s and used to face buildings worldwide. Folklore associates it with grounding and adaptability.

Lava: Vesicular basalt (scoria) formed when gas-rich lava cools quickly, freezing thousands of tiny bubbles into the rock. Lava beads are naturally matte black, lightweight for their size, and pleasantly rough to the touch. Their porous surface is popular for diffusing a drop of essential oil.

  • Mineralogy: Basalt (volcanic rock rich in plagioclase and pyroxene)
  • Mohs Hardness: ~5 - 6 (porous texture makes beads feel softer)
  • Specific Gravity: bulk density well under 2.5 due to vesicles
  • Lore & Tradition: Born of volcanoes, lava stone is traditionally associated with strength, grounding, and rebirth in folklore across many cultures.

Leopard Skin Jasper: An orbicular rhyolite from Mexico patterned with rosettes and spots in tan, pink, red, and black that resemble a big cat's coat. The orbs form as minerals crystallize radially around nuclei in the cooling volcanic rock.

  • Mineralogy: Orbicular rhyolite (quartz + feldspar)
  • Mohs Hardness: 6.5 - 7
  • Specific Gravity: 2.5 - 2.9
  • Lore & Tradition: Folklore associates it with vitality, self-knowledge, and finding one's own rhythm.

Lepidolite: A grey to purple and sometimes pink member of the phyllosilicate mica group. Lepidolite is an abundant lithium-bearing mineral, occasionally used as an ore of lithium. Its subtle shimmer comes from its finely layered mica structure.

  • Mineralogy: Lithium mica, K(Li,Al)3(Al,Si)4O10(F,OH)2
  • Mohs Hardness: 2.5 - 3
  • Specific Gravity: 2.8 - 2.9
  • Lore & Tradition: Folklore associates lepidolite with calm and emotional balance.
  • Care: Soft and layered; store separately from harder beads and avoid soaking.

Llanite Rhyolite: A rare porphyritic rhyolite found only in Llano County, Texas, distinguished by opalescent blue quartz crystals scattered through a brown-red feldspar matrix. Blue quartz of this kind occurs almost nowhere else on Earth.

  • Mineralogy: Rhyolite with blue quartz and reddish feldspar phenocrysts
  • Mohs Hardness: 6 - 7
  • Specific Gravity: 2.6 - 2.65
  • Of Note: A true Texas stone — a fitting favorite for a shop named Tejas. The dike it comes from crosses Highway 16 north of the town of Llano.

Malachite: A banded green opaque copper carbonate mineral that forms naturally in botryoidal clusters resembling a small bunch of grapes. Like a pearl, botryoidal malachite grows radially around a nucleus such as a grain of sand; as the spheres grow together they create the ringed, banded patterns seen in cut stones.

  • Mineralogy: Copper carbonate hydroxide, Cu2CO3(OH)2
  • Mohs Hardness: 3.5 - 4
  • Specific Gravity: 3.6 - 4.0
  • Lore & Tradition: Mined for copper and pigment since ancient Egypt, where powdered malachite lined the eyes of pharaohs. Traditionally associated with transformation and protection lore.
  • Care: Soft and acid-sensitive; wipe clean with a dry or barely damp cloth and keep away from harder beads.

Mica: A family of sheet silicate minerals that split into thin, flexible, shimmering layers. Our biotite mica beads showcase the dark brown to black iron-rich member of the family, with a subtle sparkle along every cleavage face.

  • Mineralogy: Phyllosilicates (biotite: K(Mg,Fe)3AlSi3O10(OH,F)2)
  • Mohs Hardness: 2.5 - 3
  • Specific Gravity: 2.8 - 3.4
  • Of Note: Ground mica provides the shimmer in many cosmetics and automotive paints.
  • Care: Soft and layered; handle gently.

Mohs Hardness Scale: A qualitative scale characterizing the scratch resistance of minerals, devised by Friedrich Mohs in 1812. The scale runs 1 (talc) to 10 (diamond); each mineral scratches those below it. The scale is ordinal, not linear — diamond (10) is several times harder than corundum (9). Don't confuse hardness with resistance to breaking: a mineral's cleavage plays the larger role in overall durability. Handy reference points: a fingernail is ~2.5, a copper penny ~3.5, a steel knife ~5.5, and glass ~5.5.

Mookaite: An Australian radiolarite jasper from the Mooka Creek area of Western Australia, showing bold sunset colors — mustard yellow, brick red, cream, and mauve — often swirled in a single bead. It formed from silica-rich sediments of microscopic marine organisms (radiolaria).

  • Mineralogy: Silicified radiolarite (cryptocrystalline SiO2)
  • Mohs Hardness: 6.5 - 7
  • Specific Gravity: 2.58 - 2.64
  • Lore & Tradition: “Mooka” means “running waters” in the local Aboriginal language. Folklore associates mookaite with adventure, decisiveness, and living in the present.

Moonstone: An often translucent and sometimes cloudy feldspar composed of intergrown orthoclase and albite. Moonstone displays adularescence — a scattering of light between its thin internal mineral layers that produces a floating, moonlit glow that moves across the stone at changing angles. Colors range from white and cream to peach, gray, and the prized blue-flash material.

  • Mineralogy: Orthoclase-albite feldspar intergrowth
  • Mohs Hardness: 6 - 6.5
  • Specific Gravity: 2.56 - 2.59
  • Lore & Tradition: A June birthstone. Roman naturalists believed moonstone was solidified moonlight; in India it has long been considered a sacred and auspicious gem, traditionally associated with intuition and new beginnings.

Mother of Pearl: Nacre — the lustrous iridescent lining of mollusk shells, built from microscopic aragonite platelets layered with organic binder. The same material a mollusk uses to coat a pearl, cut instead from the shell itself. Natural colors span white, cream, golden, and gray-black.

  • Mineralogy: Aragonite (CaCO3) platelets + conchiolin (organic)
  • Mohs Hardness: 3.5
  • Specific Gravity: 2.7
  • Lore & Tradition: Used in adornment for over 5,000 years across nearly every coastal culture; traditionally associated with protection lore for travelers on water, calm, and maternal warmth.
  • Care: Organic and acid-sensitive; keep away from perfume and cleaners.

Nacre: The iridescent composite material — layers of microscopic aragonite platelets bound with organic conchiolin — that mollusks secrete to line their shells and form pearls. Its layered microstructure both creates pearl's iridescence and makes nacre remarkably crack-resistant for its ingredients.

Nephrite: A dense, dark green form of jade, often containing black inclusions. Nephrite, like its counterpart jadeite, lacks cleavage planes — its felted amphibole fiber structure makes it exceptionally durable and resistant to breaking.

  • Mineralogy: Tremolite-actinolite amphibole, Ca2(Mg,Fe)5Si8O22(OH)2
  • Mohs Hardness: 6 - 6.5
  • Specific Gravity: 2.95
  • Lore & Tradition: Maori toki (adze) pendants and Chinese ritual objects alike were carved from nephrite. Traditionally associated with harmony and steadfastness.

Obsidian: A naturally occurring volcanic glass resulting from rapid cooling of lava with minimal crystal growth. Because it is a glass rather than a crystalline mineral, obsidian breaks with a razor-sharp conchoidal fracture — ancient cultures made surgical-grade blades from it. Varieties include jet black, golden sheen, rainbow, mahogany, and snowflake.

  • Mineralogy: Amorphous volcanic glass (~70% SiO2)
  • Mohs Hardness: 5 - 6
  • Specific Gravity: 2.35 - 2.60
  • Lore & Tradition: Used for tools, mirrors, and ritual objects across Mesoamerica, the Mediterranean, and beyond. Traditionally associated with protection lore and honest self-reflection.

Ocean Jasper: A colorful orbicular chalcedony found only near Marovato on the remote northwest coast of Madagascar, where deposits were historically collectible only at low tide. Its bullseye orbs, botryoidal bands, and druzy pockets appear in greens, pinks, whites, and yellows — no two beads alike.

  • Mineralogy: Orbicular chalcedony/rhyolite (SiO2)
  • Mohs Hardness: 6.5 - 7
  • Specific Gravity: 2.58 - 2.64
  • Lore & Tradition: Folklore associates ocean jasper with joy, patience, and release of stress — the unhurried rhythm of the tides.

Onyx: A form of chalcedony with straight parallel bands, classically black and white; the solid black variety is the most popular for beads. Sardonyx is the same stone with red-brown sard bands. Onyx has been a carving and cameo stone since antiquity.

  • Mineralogy: Banded chalcedony (SiO2)
  • Mohs Hardness: 6.5 - 7
  • Specific Gravity: 2.60 - 2.64
  • Lore & Tradition: Roman soldiers wore onyx seals carved with images of Mars. Traditionally associated with strength, discipline, and composure.

Opal: A hydrated amorphous form of silica containing 3-21% water. Precious opal diffracts light into play-of-color through its ordered array of silica spheres; common opal (including pink, yellow, and dendritic varieties) displays soft body color without the fire. Australia supplies most precious opal; Peru is famous for pink and blue common opal.

  • Mineralogy: Hydrated amorphous silica, SiO2·nH2O
  • Mohs Hardness: 5.5 - 6.5
  • Specific Gravity: 1.98 - 2.25
  • Lore & Tradition: October's birthstone. The Romans ranked opal above all gems because it combined the colors of every other stone. Traditionally associated with inspiration and creativity.
  • Care: Contains structural water; avoid prolonged heat, sudden temperature swings, and harsh chemicals.

Peach Moonstone: Moonstone with a warm peach to soft orange body color from trace iron, glowing with the same adularescent sheen as its white counterpart. Most material comes from India and Madagascar.

  • Mineralogy: Orthoclase-albite feldspar intergrowth
  • Mohs Hardness: 6 - 6.5
  • Specific Gravity: 2.56 - 2.59
  • Lore & Tradition: Folklore associates peach moonstone with warmth, self-worth, and gentle emotional support.

Pearls: Organic gems grown inside freshwater mussels and marine oysters as the animal coats an irritant with layer upon layer of nacre. Our freshwater pearls are cultured on pearl farms, where each mussel can grow multiple pearls in shapes from near-round to baroque, rice, keshi, and coin. Natural colors include white, cream, peach, lavender, and pink.

  • Mineralogy: Nacre: aragonite (CaCO3) + conchiolin
  • Mohs Hardness: 2.5 - 4.5
  • Specific Gravity: 2.68 - 2.78
  • Lore & Tradition: June's birthstone and the world's oldest gem — requiring no cutting or polishing to reveal its beauty. Traditionally associated with purity, wisdom, and integrity.
  • Care: Soft and acid-sensitive: last on, first off. Keep away from perfume and hairspray; wipe with a soft cloth after wear. Silk-knotting protects pearls from rubbing.

Peridot: The gemstone-quality variation of the magnesium-iron silicate mineral olivine. While olivine is common on every continent, gem-quality peridot is rare because the mineral is not chemically stable at Earth's surface. It is found in mafic igneous rock deposits — and, remarkably, in some meteorites.

  • Mineralogy: Forsterite olivine, (Mg,Fe)2SiO4
  • Mohs Hardness: 6.5 - 7
  • Specific Gravity: 3.27 - 3.37
  • Lore & Tradition: August's birthstone, mined on Egypt's Zabargad Island for 3,500 years and possibly among Cleopatra's “emeralds.” One of very few gems that forms in only one color. Traditionally associated with positivity and renewal.

Petrified Wood: Fossil wood in which the original organic material has been replaced, cell by cell, with silica over millions of years — preserving growth rings, bark texture, and grain in stone. Iron, manganese, and other minerals paint the wood in reds, browns, yellows, and grays.

  • Mineralogy: Silicified fossil wood (chalcedony/opal replacing cellulose)
  • Mohs Hardness: 6.5 - 7
  • Specific Gravity: 2.58 - 2.91
  • Lore & Tradition: Traditionally associated with patience, ancestral roots, and slow steady growth — a tree's lifetime written in stone.

Phosphosiderite: A lilac to orchid-purple iron phosphate mineral, most bead material coming from Chile. Its dreamy purple is often crossed by pale yellow veins of the related mineral cacoxenite. The name combines phosphate with sideros, Greek for iron.

  • Mineralogy: Iron phosphate dihydrate, FePO4·2H2O
  • Mohs Hardness: 3.5 - 4
  • Specific Gravity: 2.74 - 2.76
  • Lore & Tradition: A relatively recent arrival to the bead world, associated in folklore with calm, rest, and gentle spiritual reflection.
  • Care: Soft; store separately from harder beads and avoid soaking.

Pietersite: A brown to dark blue brecciated form of tiger's eye with finer crystal structure and dark amphibole fibers — essentially tiger's eye and hawk's eye that was fractured and re-cemented by quartz, producing swirling, storm-like chatoyancy in gold and blue. Found in Namibia and China.

  • Mineralogy: Brecciated quartz pseudomorph after crocidolite
  • Mohs Hardness: 6.5 - 7
  • Specific Gravity: 2.66
  • Lore & Tradition: Discovered by Sid Pieters in Namibia in 1962 and nicknamed the “tempest stone.” Folklore associates it with courage through change.

Pink Opal: A common opal from the Andes of Peru in soft rose to bubblegum pink, its color linked to organic compounds and palygorskite. It shows a gentle porcelain glow rather than play-of-color.

  • Mineralogy: Common opal (SiO2·nH2O) with palygorskite
  • Mohs Hardness: 5.5 - 6.5
  • Specific Gravity: 2.0 - 2.2
  • Lore & Tradition: In Andean tradition pink opal is linked with the heart, compassion, and emotional renewal.
  • Care: Avoid prolonged heat and chemicals; opal contains structural water.

Pleochroism: The property of showing different colors when a crystal is viewed from different directions, caused by unequal light absorption along different crystal axes. Iolite, tanzanite, and kunzite are strongly pleochroic.

Prehnite: A translucent yellow-green to apple-green calcium aluminum silicate, often containing needle-like black inclusions of epidote or rutile that make each bead distinctive. Prehnite forms in cavities of volcanic rock, frequently alongside zeolites.

  • Mineralogy: Ca2Al2Si3O10(OH)2
  • Mohs Hardness: 6 - 6.5
  • Specific Gravity: 2.80 - 2.95
  • Lore & Tradition: The first mineral ever named after a person (Colonel Hendrik von Prehn, 1788). Folklore calls prehnite the stone of “dreaming and remembering,” associated with inner peace and preparedness.

Pyrite: An iron sulfide with a brassy metallic luster, famously nicknamed “fool's gold” for deceiving prospectors. Pyrite crystallizes in striking cubes and pyritohedrons and produces sparks when struck against steel — the name comes from the Greek pyr, fire.

  • Mineralogy: Iron disulfide (FeS2)
  • Mohs Hardness: 6 - 6.5
  • Specific Gravity: 4.9 - 5.2 (heavy)
  • Lore & Tradition: Used in early firearms (wheellock pistols) and polished into mirrors by pre-Columbian cultures. Traditionally associated with abundance, vitality, and confidence.
  • Care: Keep dry; prolonged moisture can tarnish the surface.

Quartz: Pure quartz is SiO2 (silicon dioxide), the most abundant mineral on Earth's surface. While quartz itself is a transparent material with a six-sided prism crystal habit, it is also the base material of a huge family of gems: amethyst, citrine, rose quartz, aventurine, tiger's eye, agate, jasper, and many more.

  • Mineralogy: Silicon dioxide (SiO2), trigonal
  • Mohs Hardness: 7
  • Specific Gravity: 2.65
  • Of Note: Quartz is piezoelectric — it generates a voltage under pressure — which is why quartz crystals keep time in watches and clocks.

Red Creek Jasper: A multicolored patterned stone from China's Gansu Province sold under names including red creek, cherry creek, and picasso jasper. Geologically it is a fine-grained sedimentary stone (an argillaceous, dolomite-rich rock) rather than a true silica jasper, so it is softer and deserves gentler treatment. Its landscapes of sage green, brick red, mustard, and slate make every bead a miniature painting.

  • Mineralogy: Fine-grained sedimentary rock with clay, carbonate, and iron minerals
  • Mohs Hardness: ~4 - 6 (softer than true jasper)
  • Specific Gravity: 2.6 - 2.9
  • Care: Store apart from harder beads; avoid soaking and harsh chemicals.

Rhodochrosite: A rose-pink to raspberry manganese carbonate, typically banded in scalloped pink and cream layers when it forms in stalactites — famously in the Capillitas mine of Argentina. Fine transparent crystals from Colorado's Sweet Home Mine are among the most valuable mineral specimens in the world.

  • Mineralogy: Manganese carbonate (MnCO3)
  • Mohs Hardness: 3.5 - 4
  • Specific Gravity: 3.45 - 3.70
  • Lore & Tradition: Argentina's national gemstone, nicknamed the “Inca rose” — legend held it was the blood of ancestral rulers turned to stone. Traditionally associated with love, compassion, and joy.
  • Care: Soft and acid-sensitive; wipe clean with a dry cloth only.

Rhodonite: A manganese silicate in rose to raspberry pink, characteristically crossed by black veins of manganese oxide that give it instant recognizability. Major sources include Russia's Ural Mountains, Australia, Brazil, and Massachusetts — where it is the official state gemstone.

  • Mineralogy: Manganese inosilicate, (Mn,Fe,Mg,Ca)SiO3
  • Mohs Hardness: 5.5 - 6.5
  • Specific Gravity: 3.57 - 3.76
  • Lore & Tradition: Named from the Greek rhodon (rose). Russian nobility favored rhodonite for decorative art in the 1800s. Traditionally associated with compassion, forgiveness, and emotional balance.
  • Of Note: Rhodonite is the Massachusetts state gemstone — a hometown favorite for us.

Rhyolite: A silica-rich volcanic rock, the extrusive equivalent of granite, whose flow banding and spherulites create striking patterns. Ornamental varieties include rainforest jasper (green rhyolite from Australia), leopard skin, and our Texas llanite.

  • Mineralogy: Volcanic rock: quartz + alkali feldspar
  • Mohs Hardness: 6 - 7
  • Specific Gravity: 2.4 - 2.6
  • Lore & Tradition: Folklore associates rhyolite with change, variety, and creative problem-solving.

Roman Glass: Genuine fragments of glass vessels from the Roman Empire, roughly 1,600-2,000 years old, recovered from ancient sites in the Middle East. Centuries of burial chemically weather the surface into a shimmering iridescent patina of blues, greens, and golds that cannot be replicated. Each bead is a one-of-a-kind artifact.

  • Mineralogy: Ancient soda-lime glass with natural weathering patina
  • Mohs Hardness: ~5.5 (glass)
  • Specific Gravity: ~2.5
  • Of Note: Because the patina is a surface layer, treat Roman glass gently and keep it away from abrasives and prolonged moisture.

Rose Quartz: The pink variety of quartz, colored by microscopic fibrous inclusions of a dumortierite-related mineral. Its color runs from the palest blush to deep rose, usually with a soft translucent haze. Major sources are Brazil and Madagascar.

  • Mineralogy: Quartz (SiO2) with fibrous inclusions
  • Mohs Hardness: 7
  • Specific Gravity: 2.65
  • Lore & Tradition: Beads of rose quartz have been found in ancient Mesopotamia dating to 7,000 BCE. In myth and modern folklore alike it is the stone of the heart, traditionally associated with love, compassion, and self-acceptance.

Ruby: The red variety of corundum, colored by chromium — the same element that makes emeralds green. Rubies commonly form in marble and in amphibole-rich host rock; opaque bead-grade ruby often shows its hexagonal crystal outlines and rich raspberry color.

  • Mineralogy: Corundum (Al2O3) with Cr
  • Mohs Hardness: 9
  • Specific Gravity: 3.97 - 4.05
  • Lore & Tradition: July's birthstone, called ratnaraj — “king of gems” — in ancient Sanskrit. Burmese warriors believed rubies granted invincibility. Traditionally associated with passion, courage, and vitality.

Ruby Zoisite: Also called anyolite; a natural combination rock from Tanzania in which raspberry-red ruby crystals are embedded in vivid green zoisite, frequently accented by black tschermakite amphibole. The three-mineral contrast makes it one of the most colorful natural bead materials.

  • Mineralogy: Zoisite + corundum (ruby) + amphibole
  • Mohs Hardness: 6 - 7 (zoisite matrix; ruby crystals are 9)
  • Specific Gravity: ~3.3
  • Lore & Tradition: Discovered near Longido, Tanzania in 1954. Folklore associates the pairing with the balance of passion (ruby) and growth (zoisite).

Rutilated Quartz: A form of quartz containing needle-like golden, copper, or silver inclusions of the mineral rutile (titanium dioxide). While the name refers specifically to rutile-bearing quartz, the term is often used alongside tourmalinated quartz — clear quartz shot through with black tourmaline needles — because of the similar appearance.

  • Mineralogy: Quartz (SiO2) with rutile (TiO2) needles
  • Mohs Hardness: 7 (rutile needles 6 - 6.5)
  • Specific Gravity: 2.65
  • Lore & Tradition: The golden needles are poetically called “Venus hair” or “angel hair.” Traditionally associated with clarity of purpose and forward momentum.

Sapphire: Every gem color of corundum except red (which is ruby). Blue is classic — from trace iron and titanium — but sapphires also occur in pink, yellow, green, violet, and white. Bead-grade sapphire is typically opaque with attractive multicolor banding.

  • Mineralogy: Corundum (Al2O3)
  • Mohs Hardness: 9
  • Specific Gravity: 3.95 - 4.03
  • Lore & Tradition: September's birthstone. Medieval clergy wore sapphire as a symbol of heaven; Persian legend held the sky was painted blue by reflections from a giant sapphire. Traditionally associated with wisdom, loyalty, and truth.

Sardonyx Agate: A banded chalcedony combining straight white onyx bands with red-brown to orange layers of sard. One of humanity's oldest gem materials, used for carved seals and cameos since ancient Rome, where the contrast of layers made crisp two-tone carvings possible.

  • Mineralogy: Banded chalcedony (SiO2) with iron oxides
  • Mohs Hardness: 6.5 - 7
  • Specific Gravity: 2.60 - 2.64
  • Lore & Tradition: An ancient birthstone for August. Roman soldiers wore sardonyx carved with Hercules; traditionally associated with courage, happiness, and clear communication.

Seed & Wood: Natural organic beads including bodhi seeds, rudraksha seeds, lotus seeds, and turned woods such as sandalwood and rosewood. Lightweight, warm-toned, and pleasantly tactile, they are the traditional material of malas and prayer strands across Buddhist and Hindu practice.

  • Mineralogy: Organic plant material
  • Lore & Tradition: The Buddha is said to have attained enlightenment beneath a bodhi tree, making bodhi seed malas especially meaningful in Buddhist tradition. Rudraksha seeds are sacred in Hindu practice.
  • Care: Keep dry; natural oils from handling deepen their patina over time.

Selenite: The colorless, transparent to pearly-white crystalline form of gypsum, often showing a silky internal glow (satin spar). Selenite crystals can grow enormous — the Cave of the Crystals in Naica, Mexico contains gypsum beams over 30 feet long.

  • Mineralogy: Gypsum, CaSO4·2H2O
  • Mohs Hardness: 2 (can be scratched with a fingernail)
  • Specific Gravity: 2.3
  • Lore & Tradition: Named for Selene, Greek goddess of the moon, for its lunar glow. In modern folklore selenite is associated with cleansing and calm clarity.
  • Care: Very soft and water-soluble — never soak; keep dry and store separately.

Serpentine: A group of green magnesium silicate minerals with a smooth, often mottled snake-skin appearance that inspired the name. Serpentine forms where oceanic rock is altered by water, and it polishes to a lovely waxy luster in yellow-green to deep forest tones.

  • Mineralogy: Serpentine group, Mg3Si2O5(OH)4
  • Mohs Hardness: 2.5 - 5.5 (varies by variety)
  • Specific Gravity: 2.44 - 2.62
  • Lore & Tradition: Romans carried serpentine as a talisman against misfortune. It is California's state rock. Traditionally associated with renewal and life-force in folklore.

Seven Chakra: Multi-stone strands and bead sets arranged to represent the seven chakras of Indian yogic tradition — typically red (root), orange (sacral), yellow (solar plexus), green (heart), blue (throat), indigo (third eye), and violet/white (crown). Stones commonly used include red jasper, carnelian, yellow aventurine or tiger's eye, green aventurine, lapis or sodalite, amethyst, and clear quartz.

  • Lore & Tradition: The chakra system appears in Indian texts over a thousand years old, describing seven energy centers along the spine. Chakra jewelry is worn as a colorful symbol of balance and mindfulness.

Sodalite: A royal blue tectosilicate, usually veined and clouded with white calcite, occasionally showing orange fluorescence under UV. Named in 1811 for its sodium content, with important deposits in Canada, Brazil, and Namibia. Distinguished from lapis by its lack of pyrite flecks.

  • Mineralogy: Na8Al6Si6O24Cl2
  • Mohs Hardness: 5.5 - 6
  • Specific Gravity: 2.27 - 2.33 (notably lightweight)
  • Lore & Tradition: Nicknamed the “poet's stone,” traditionally associated with logic, truth, and articulate self-expression.

Specific Gravity: A measure of density relative to water, expressed in g/cm³. These numbers serve as a reference for a gemstone's weight: the larger the value, the denser and heavier the stone at a given size. For beaders this matters — a necklace of 8mm hematite (SG ~5.1) weighs nearly twice as much as the same strand in quartz (SG 2.65), and amber (SG ~1.08) feels almost weightless.

Spinel: A magnesium aluminum oxide crystallizing in sharp octahedra, occurring in red, pink, violet, blue, and black. For centuries fine red spinels were mistaken for rubies — several famous “rubies” in crown jewels, including the Black Prince's Ruby, are actually spinel.

  • Mineralogy: MgAl2O4
  • Mohs Hardness: 8
  • Specific Gravity: 3.54 - 3.63
  • Lore & Tradition: Added as an official August birthstone in 2016. Traditionally associated with revitalization and setting ego aside.

Strawberry Quartz: Clear to milky quartz filled with red to pink flake- and needle-like inclusions of hematite, lepidocrocite, or iron-stained goethite — like strawberry seeds suspended in the stone. Natural material comes from Kazakhstan, Russia, Mexico, and Madagascar; be aware that much bright pink “strawberry quartz” glass exists in the wider market.

  • Mineralogy: Quartz (SiO2) with iron oxide/hydroxide inclusions
  • Mohs Hardness: 7
  • Specific Gravity: 2.65
  • Lore & Tradition: Folklore associates strawberry quartz with gratitude, generosity, and seeing the good in everyday life.

Sunstone: A feldspar (typically oligoclase) displaying aventurescence: a glittering copper-gold schiller from tiny platelets of copper or hematite that flash as the stone moves. Sources include India, Norway, and Oregon, whose copper-bearing sunstone is the official state gemstone.

  • Mineralogy: Oligoclase feldspar with Cu or Fe platelet inclusions
  • Mohs Hardness: 6 - 6.5
  • Specific Gravity: 2.62 - 2.65
  • Lore & Tradition: Viking sagas mention a “sunstone” used to find the sun in overcast skies. Traditionally associated with optimism, leadership, and personal power.

Synthetic: Man-made bead materials, clearly labeled as such in our catalog. The category includes cubic zirconia, goldstone (copper-flecked glass first made by Venetian glassmakers), cat's eye fiber-optic glass, and lab-grown quartz and opal. Synthetics offer consistent color and budget-friendly sparkle — and honest labeling is what separates a synthetic from an imitation.

  • Of Note: Goldstone's sparkle comes from suspended copper crystals; legend credits its invention to Italian monks, giving it the nickname “monkstone.”

Tanzanite: The blue-violet variety of zoisite, found in only one place on Earth: the Merelani Hills near Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania. Discovered in 1967 and named by Tiffany & Co., tanzanite is strongly pleochroic, shifting between blue, violet, and burgundy with viewing angle.

  • Mineralogy: Zoisite, Ca2Al3(SiO4)3(OH) with vanadium
  • Mohs Hardness: 6 - 7
  • Specific Gravity: 3.35
  • Lore & Tradition: A December birthstone. Maasai tradition associates blue with new life, and tanzanite is sometimes gifted at births. Estimated to be a thousand times rarer than diamond.
  • Care: Sensitive to thermal shock and ultrasonic cleaners; treat gently.

Tektite: Natural glass formed when meteorite impacts melt terrestrial rock and fling it across vast distances, where it cools in flight into aerodynamic shapes. Most tektites are black to deep brown; the translucent green variety moldavite formed in the impact that created the Ries crater ~15 million years ago.

  • Mineralogy: Impact glass (amorphous, silica-rich)
  • Mohs Hardness: 5 - 6.5
  • Specific Gravity: 2.34 - 2.51
  • Lore & Tradition: Born of a collision between Earth and space, tektites have been carried as talismans for millennia — a 25,000-year-old amulet was found at Willendorf. Folklore associates them with transformation.

Tibetan dZi: Patterned agate beads in the Himalayan tradition, decorated with “eyes,” stripes, and waves using an ancient alkali-etching technique. Authentic ancient dZi are among the most treasured heirlooms in Tibetan culture; modern dZi-style beads honor the same patterns and craft.

  • Mineralogy: Etched/treated agate (chalcedony, SiO2)
  • Mohs Hardness: 6.5 - 7
  • Specific Gravity: 2.60 - 2.64
  • Lore & Tradition: In Tibetan tradition, dZi (“shine, brightness”) beads are considered precious protective heirlooms, with the number of eyes carrying specific symbolic meanings.

Tiffany Jasper: A trade name for a purple-and-gray patterned jasper (also sold as purple imperial or porcelain jasper) with soft lavender, plum, and cream swirls. Like all jaspers, its patterns come from mineral impurities cemented within cryptocrystalline quartz.

  • Mineralogy: Opaque cryptocrystalline quartz (SiO2)
  • Mohs Hardness: 6.5 - 7
  • Specific Gravity: 2.58 - 2.91
  • Lore & Tradition: Folklore associates purple jaspers with calm dignity and quiet confidence.

Tiger's Eye: A metamorphic chatoyant ferro-silicate gemstone with golden to reddish-brown banding. Its silky cat's-eye sheen results from quartz replacing (or growing with) fibrous crocidolite; oxidized iron provides the golden color. Red tiger's eye is gently heated material; blue-gray material is hawk's/eagle's eye. Chief source: South Africa.

  • Mineralogy: Quartz (SiO2) after crocidolite fibers
  • Mohs Hardness: 6.5 - 7
  • Specific Gravity: 2.64 - 2.71
  • Lore & Tradition: Roman soldiers carried tiger's eye engraved with protective symbols. Traditionally associated with courage, confidence, and clear-eyed judgment.

Topaz: An aluminum silicate fluoride that grows in beautifully formed prismatic crystals, naturally colorless to golden, sherry, pink, and pale blue. Imperial topaz — the orange-pink variety from Ouro Preto, Brazil — is the most prized. Topaz defines 8 on the Mohs scale.

  • Mineralogy: Al2SiO4(F,OH)2
  • Mohs Hardness: 8
  • Specific Gravity: 3.49 - 3.57
  • Lore & Tradition: November's birthstone (with citrine). The name may derive from the Sanskrit tapas, “fire.” Traditionally associated with strength, honesty, and good fortune.
  • Of Note: Topaz has perfect basal cleavage — despite its hardness, protect it from sharp knocks.

Tourmaline: A complex boron silicate family with the widest color range of any gemstone — black (schorl), pink/red (rubellite), green (verdelite), blue (indicolite), and multicolor crystals, sometimes several colors in a single crystal. Tourmaline is both pyroelectric and piezoelectric: heating or squeezing a crystal gives it an electric charge.

  • Mineralogy: Complex boron cyclosilicate group
  • Mohs Hardness: 7 - 7.5
  • Specific Gravity: 2.9 - 3.2
  • Lore & Tradition: October's birthstone. An Egyptian legend says tourmaline passed through a rainbow on its way up from the Earth's heart, collecting every color. Traditionally, black tourmaline is associated with protection lore and grounding.

Trade Beads: Handmade glass beads in the tradition of the historic African trade, including recycled-glass Krobo beads from Ghana. Krobo artisans crush recycled glass, layer it into clay molds with mineral pigments, and kiln-fire each bead — a craft passed down for generations. Historic Venetian trade beads circulated across Africa for centuries as currency and adornment.

  • Mineralogy: Handmade glass (recycled and pigmented)
  • Lore & Tradition: Trade beads carry centuries of history across three continents; in Ghana, beads mark life milestones from naming ceremonies to weddings.

Turquoise: An opaque blue to green hydrated copper-aluminum phosphate that forms in arid climates where water percolates through copper-rich rock. Sky blue comes from copper; greener tones indicate iron or zinc. Classic sources include Iran (Persian turquoise), the American Southwest, and China. One of December's birthstones.

  • Mineralogy: CuAl6(PO4)4(OH)8·4H2O
  • Mohs Hardness: 5 - 6
  • Specific Gravity: 2.6 - 2.9
  • Lore & Tradition: Among the world's oldest gems — worn by Egyptian pharaohs and sacred across Native American, Persian, and Tibetan cultures alike. Traditionally associated with protection lore, friendship, and well-being.
  • Care: Porous; keep away from perfume, oils, and prolonged soaking.

Unakite: A metamorphic rock formed by hydrothermal alteration of granite, composed predominantly of pink orthoclase feldspar, green epidote, and quartz. First described from the Unaka Range of the Appalachian Mountains in North Carolina and Tennessee; it also turns up as beach and river pebbles around the Great Lakes.

  • Mineralogy: Altered granite: orthoclase + epidote + quartz
  • Mohs Hardness: 6 - 7
  • Specific Gravity: 2.85 - 3.20
  • Lore & Tradition: Folklore treats unakite's pink-and-green pairing as a symbol of balanced emotions and steady, patient growth.

Variscite: A green aluminum phosphate mineral that forms in aluminum-rich rocks from the precipitation of phosphate-bearing groundwater. Variscite is sometimes confused with turquoise due to its similar color and structure, but tends toward yellower greens and lacks turquoise's copper.

  • Mineralogy: AlPO4·2H2O
  • Mohs Hardness: 4.5
  • Specific Gravity: 2.57 - 2.61
  • Lore & Tradition: Notable material from Utah is nicknamed “utahlite.” Folklore associates variscite with ease, hope, and quiet encouragement.

Watermelon Tourmaline: A form of tourmaline whose crystals grew with a pink-red core surrounded by a green rind, resembling a slice of watermelon. The zoning records changing chemistry — manganese then iron — as the crystal grew. Often translucent, it is considered one of the most colorful tourmaline varieties.

  • Mineralogy: Elbaite tourmaline with Mn (pink) and Fe (green) color zoning
  • Mohs Hardness: 7 - 7.5
  • Specific Gravity: 3.0 - 3.2
  • Lore & Tradition: Traditionally associated with joy and the balancing of opposites — two colors, one crystal.

Yellow Opal: A common opal in sunny yellow to honey tones, colored by iron compounds. Like all common opal it glows with soft body color rather than play-of-color, cutting into warm, cheerful beads. Sources include Peru, Tanzania, and Madagascar.

  • Mineralogy: Common opal, SiO2·nH2O
  • Mohs Hardness: 5.5 - 6.5
  • Specific Gravity: 1.98 - 2.25
  • Lore & Tradition: Folklore associates yellow opal with cheerfulness, creativity, and confidence.
  • Care: Avoid prolonged heat and harsh chemicals; opal contains structural water.

Zebra Jasper: A trade name for boldly striped black-and-white (sometimes brown-and-cream) stone. Depending on origin the material may be a banded quartzite/jasper or a marble; the striping records alternating mineral layers folded during metamorphism.

  • Mineralogy: Banded quartzite/jasper or marble (varies by source)
  • Mohs Hardness: 3 - 7 (varies: ~3 for marble types, 6.5 - 7 for quartz types)
  • Specific Gravity: 2.6 - 2.9
  • Lore & Tradition: Folklore associates zebra stone with balance — black and white, yin and yang — and with motivation.

Zircon: A nesosilicate accessory mineral found in igneous and metamorphic rocks. Zircon is mostly colorless but also occurs in yellow, orange, red, blue, and green. Not to be confused with cubic zirconia — zircon is a completely natural mineral, and tiny zircon crystals from Australia are the oldest dated material on Earth at 4.4 billion years.

  • Mineralogy: Zirconium silicate (ZrSiO4)
  • Mohs Hardness: 7.5
  • Specific Gravity: 4.6 - 4.7 (very heavy)
  • Lore & Tradition: A December birthstone. Medieval lore held zircon brought restful sleep and prosperity to the wearer.