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Gemstone Glossary

Lapis Lazuli 

Lapis Lazuli has been used since ancient times. This deep blue stone has properties that are reminisecent of a starry night sky. It is a rock containing multiple minerals: lazurite,calcite, pyrite and more. The colour and look of a lapis stone is dependent on the concentration of minerals within. More calcite will give it a lighter mottled look. While more pyrite will give it more sparkley flecks. Some prefer dark lapis as it is considered higher grade. While others prefer the lighter coloured version.

We love all of the colours of the lapis rainbow and use them all! Lapis can be dyed to make it appear darker blue and of higher quality. We only use natural un-dyed lapis. Even our most vivid lapis stones are natural and authentic. 

 

Labradorite

Labradorite is named after the place where it was discovered in  Labrador, Canada. It was first discoverd by the Inuit people. They called it "fire stone", no doubt because of the flash of fire like colour within. At first glance this stone appears to be an ordinary grey stone, but once  illuminated by the light it flashes just like the northern lights. This stone is truly magnifecent and it's one of our personal favourites. 

 

Rainbow Moonstone

Rainbow moonstone is a translucent white stone from the same geological family as labradorite. They share many of the same properties including their brilliant flashes of colour. Rainbow moonstone features occasional iridescent or multicolored  flashes with transparency that ranges from opaque to semitranslucent. These flashes of colour, often blue, are best seen in natural light. 

 

Amethyst

Amethyst is a variety of quartz that ranges from light to dark purple. In modern times it is commonly known. Amethyst was used  by only the wealthy in ancient times. This stone comes in many shapes and sizes. We prefer to use raw amethyst crystals in our store. They are truly beautiful!

 

Rutilated Quartz

Rutilated quartz is a variety of quartz with needle like inclusions called rutile. The most beautiful variety of this stone is clear or semi translucent, revealing the beautiful golden rutile within. Rutile can also be dark brown or black. 

 

Pyrite

A brilliant brassy coloured mineral. Most commonly known as "fools gold". This stone is incredibly full of lustre and shine. It's easy to see why some were fooled to belive this stone was mistaken as unrefined gold. 

Sodalite

 At first this stone may appear to be lapis lazuli. But there are a few differences. Although blue in colour, the shade of blue this stone has  is closer to royal blue. There is no pyrite found in sodalite. White viens of calcite are commonly  rippled throughout sodalite stones. All of our stones are natural and undyed.