Glossary
Amethyst
Amethyst is an ancient talisman believed to keep its wearer clear headed and quick witted in business affairs and battle. It was also believed that wearing amethyst prevented drunkenness. Amethyst is the birthstone of February.
Aquamarine
It is the stone of the sea, evoking calm, purity and truth. It was believed to be the treasure of mermaids and worn by sailors to protect them when traveling the sea. It is the birthstone of March.
Brass
Brass is a metal alloy made of copper and zinc and can be made with various proportions to make assorted properties such as color and hardness. Copper and zinc alloys were first seen in China in the 5th century BC and more widely used throughout Asia in the 2nd and 3rd centuries. The Romans later made a similar alloy later in the 1st century B.C. Brass has been used throughout history to make armor and ornamentation and everything in between.
Bezel Setting
One of the most classic and widely used types of setting, a bezel setting is created using a thin wall of metal surrounding the gemstone and gently pushed over the stone to secure it in place.
Bronze
Bronze is an alloy primarily made from copper with a small percentage of tin or aluminum. These additions create an alloy much harder than copper alone making it a great metal for weapons, armor, small structures and ornamentation. The earliest bronze alloy dates back to 4500 BCE.
Citrine
Carrying the power of the sun, citrine is warm, energizing and encourages fullness of life and fresh beginnings. It is the birthstone of November.
Diamond
Diamonds are believed to enhance the wearer's creativity, imagination, and opening the mind to the new and possible. Diamonds the strongest natural stones and were known in antiquity as the “stone of invincibility”, bringing strength, victory and courage to its wearer. In their raw form, thought to bring healing and clarity. In their faceted form, believed to be the King of Gems. Both are symbols of everlasting love. It is the birthstone of April.
Embedded Stones
These stones are cast in place, meaning that molten metal forms around the stones and solidifies as one, creating a permanent bond between the two and representing a marriage of materials.
Emerald
Emeralds are believed to embody youth, renewal and growth. It is also called the “stone of successful love” for its soothing energy and healing power, bringing freshness and vitality to the spirit. It symbolizes unity, compassion and promotes friendship and balance between partners. It is the birthstone of May.
Faceted Stones
Gemstones can be cut and polished from their raw form in a variety of ways to bring out the unique features of precious and semi precious stone.
Fluorite
Fluorite carries calm energy, supporting focus, concentration and balance. Known as the “genius stone” fluorite represents mental achievement, boosting aptitude and the absorption of new information.
Garnet
Said to get its name from a seed- (Granate)- like the deep red of a pomegranate’s fruit. Garnet a is re-energizing stone, it brings courage and hope, while balancing energy and bringing serenity and passion. Garnets also inspires love and devotion. It is the birthstone of January.
Geode
Geodes are formed from water and minerals evaporating over millions of years inside of a hollow rock, which can be formed from an air bubble inside volcanic rock, animal burrows or tree roots. As rain pelts down on hot volcanic rock, the minerals in the rock are released into the water and form crystals as the water moves through the pores.
Gold
In ancient civilizations gold was associated with the Gods and rulers, beauty and power. It was used in a vast variety of ways including making shrines, decorating leaders, money and even dishwear. It is one of the easiest metals to work with because of its soft nature in its pure form. Gold can be found in a variety of colors and compositions.
Gold Filled
Gold filled material is composed of solid gold mechanically bonded to a base metal. Unlike plated gold it does not rub off.
Kyanite
Said to have a very high vibration and rapid energy transfer and is a promoter of psychic abilities and opening of the mind. Kyanite is an aluminum silicate mineral, often occurring as long, striated bladed crystals that may be transparent or translucent with a pearly sheen.
Labradorite
Lore of the Inuit peoples claim Labradorite fell from the frozen fire of the Aurora Borealis, an ordinary stone that transforms to the extraordinary, shimmering in a mystical light that separates the waking world from unseen realms. Labradorite is known for its transformation from an ordinary stone to a stone with a shimmering flash from within. It is excellent for awakening one’s own awareness of inner spirit and intuition.
Malachite
Malachite is a very pleasing stone with it's movement of bands of color. Malachite is the stone of protection. It absorbs negative energies and pollutants in the atmosphere.
Moonstone
Filled with a light that glows from within, Moonstones are an ancient talisman of protection, love, and a tangible connection to the magic of the moon. It is the birthstone of June.
Obsidian
Obsidian is known as the protection stone and for shielding the wearer from negativity. It is formed from felsic lava extruding from volcanos and cooling quickly with minimal mineral growth. It is hard and brittle which when fractured forms sharp edges, which made them useful in the past for cutting and piercing tools.
Opal
Opal is the stone of inspiration, enhancing imagination and creativity, while also inspiring love and hope. It was also believed in the ancient world to be bewitching and mysterious, worn for its strengthening of sight and providing luck. Opal is the birthstone of October.
Oxidation
The darkening of sterling silver occurs when the metal is exposed to sulfides. This can be done with the mineral liver of sulfer that has a high sulfide content which causes a natural chemical reaction which darkens the surface of the material.
Prasiolite
Prasiolite is believed to be the stone of originality and courage while also helping to strengthen emotional expression. It is the green form of Amethyst and can be used as the birthstone for August.
Prong Setting
Prong setting is one of the most common form of stone setting, it uses metal claw like projections that are then pushed over the stone to secure it in place.
Quartz
Believed to have healing properties and and promote harmony. It can come in a huge variety of colors from transparent, to purple, rose, browns and greens. Quartz can be used as the birthstone for April.
Rose Cut / Checkerboard Cut
Rose cut, on the right, has triangles cut on the surface where as the checkerboard cut, on the left, has diamonds cut on the surface of the stone.
Rough Gemstones
Gemstones can be found all over the world in the ground, in caves or even inside rocks. The rough stones refer to the stones that are just rinsed or cut from another rock and left in their natural form before it is faceted if it gem quality.
Ruby
Revered in many cultures throughout history, Ruby has always been a talisman of passion, protection and prosperity. Ruby is the birthstone of July.
Sapphire
Traditionally symbolizes nobility, wisdom, sincerity and faithfulness. Sapphires can be found in a rainbow of colors. Pink sapphires encourage love, forgiveness and brings the wisdom of resilience. Yellow sapphires bring the wisdom of prosperity, assisting in financial abundance and stimulating the inner will to manifest one’s goals and ambitions. Sapphire is the birthstone of September.
Silver
Pure silver was first mined in modern day Turkey about 5,000 years ago. Sterling silver is very common today, consisting of 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% of copper creating a much harder alloy ideal for making jewelry and objects that are able to hold its shape. Sterling silver made in the United States pieces are typically found with a stamp “.925” for this reason.
Spinel
Spinel is often confused with ruby because of its similarity in colors, ranging from yellow to blue, but also its luster, hardness and density. Many famous rubies throughout history have later proven to be large spinels, including “The Black Prince’s Ruby” which is set in England’s Imperial State Crown.
Tanzanite
A stone of transmutations - shifting in a rainbow of colors. This stone was discovered in Tanzania, East Africa and named for this place of origin. It is said to be a facilitator of communication and protection and promotes calming energy.
Tourmaline
Found in a range of shades from green to brilliant pink, these stones said to bring enlightenment and open up the pathway to artistic endeavors. Black tourmaline is believed to the premier talisman of protection, dispelling of negative energies. It is also believed to guard against environmental pollutants, and can be used to turn negative thoughts into positive usable energy.
Turqouise
Turquoise represents protection and is a talisman of luck, success, ambition and creativity. It is the birthstone of December.
