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Gemstone List - Gemstone Lore and History

The story of gemstones is as old as the hills in which they formed, millions of years ago. Ancient burial sites show that gems were used for weapons as well as for adornment for 20,000 years. Folklore and legends about gemstones have been handed down throughout the centuries, and the beauty of gemstones have been revered for thousands of years.

The power of gemstones: the history, healing properties and lore of gemstones are fascinating. Gemstones have long been thought to have medicinal properties. Chinese, asian and the ancient Ayurvedic ('knowledge of life') medicine still involves therapies of healing with gemstones. (Also see List of Birthstones)

We carry a wide selection of gemstones (list at left) in our sterling silver jewelry designs... we're sure you'll find something you'll love!

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Amber

Amber is an organic gemstone and a natural wonder. Ancient conifers produced resin... and amber gemstones are from fossilized resin. Amber Jewelry

Amethyst

The royal purple amethyst gem is February's Birthstone. Amethyst is also the gem for the 4th (alt.), 6th and 17th wedding anniversaries as well as the zodiac sign of Aquarius. Amethyst is Wednesday's Day-Of-Birth gemstone. The color purple is traditionally the color of royalty and amethyst has been used since the dawn of history to adorn the rich and powerful monarchs and rulers. Leonardo Da Vinci wrote that amethyst was able to dissipate evil thoughts and quicken the intelligence. And, because amethyst was thought to encourage celibacy and symbolize piety, the amethyst gemstone was very important in the ornamentation in the churches in the Middle Ages. In the past, great importance was attached to protection against passion: people hoped that by wearing amethyst they could cool their passion. Amethyst was considered to be the stone of bishops and they still often wear amethyst jewelry. The amethyst gemstone is said to bring serenity and calm, to enhance one's ability to assimilate new ideas, and to assist during meditation. Amethyst Jewelry

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Black Onyx

Black onyx is the alternate birthstone for February, the mystical birthstone for December and a lucky charm for the astrological sign of Leo. It is also the gemstone for the 10th wedding anniversary. Black onyx has been used in jewelry for many years and it was extremely popular with jewelry designers in the Victorian and Art Deco periods where it was set in slabs in geometric jewelry designs. We've updated black onyx jewelry to modern-day in our unique custom designs. We have also paired onyx with pearls for a sophisticated style in black and white. Black onyx great with everything you'll wear from casual to dressy. Black Onyx Jewelry

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Blue Topaz

Blue Topaz is the birthstone of December and the Zodiac gemstone for Scorpio Blue topaz is said to enhance one's communicative abilities, helping to more easily and clearly express oneself. And it is believed that topaz will enhance one's spiritual potential, to increase intelligence and creativity, and to impart wisdom and wealth! View Blue Topaz Jewelry

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Carnelian

Carnelian is a transluscent gemstone in color from reddish orange to orange. Carnelian gemstones are in the quartz family of gems and are also sometimes referred to as red chalcedony and red agate. View our Carnelian Jewelry

 

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Citrine

Citrine is a beautiful soft gold-colored gemstone, and especially gorgeous when combined with sterling silver! The name citrine comes from the old French word citrin for this golden yellow gemstone and is said to be especially useful in stimulating one's mental capacities, enhancing creativity & intuition and bolstering one's self-confidence. View our Citrine Jewelry

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Coral Jewelry (Red)

Red coral (precious coral) is a marine coral and because of it's beautiful red color it's used in jewelry making. The natural coral can be polished to a high shine. And red coral has been worn throughout history, dating as far back as Egyptian and prehistoric European burial sites. Wear red coral all year long! From summer whites to beautiful blacks to tropical prints your red coral looks stunning with all! Visit Red Coral Jewelry

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Garnet Jewelry

Garnet is the modern January birthstone and the gem for the 2nd and 6th wedding anniversary - view all our Sterling Silver and Garnet Jewelry Beautiful, red garnets have been revered throughout history. The name Garnet originates with the Latin granatum malum which means pomegranate - a red fruit with beautiful red seeds. The inside of the pomegranate looks as if it is studded with small garnet gemstones. Garnet jewelry has been found in burial sites as early as 3000 BC and was thought bring protection in the after-life. Garnets are said to enhance creativity and understanding, and bring success in business.

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Green Quartz

Beautiful deep green quartz is believed to stimulate mental clarity, joy, positive attitude. We believe that wearing green quartz jewelry makes one feel beautiful! View our Green Quartz Jewelry

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Iolite Jewelry

Iolite is a lovely blue to violet blue gemstone, resembling Tanzanite. Iolite is also known as Vikings' Compass and is often called Water Sapphire. It's healing properties are said to bring harmony and well-being to personal relationships. Iolite is also said to help bring on visions. Iolite Jewelry

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Jade Jewelry

Jade is an interesting gem stone. The name is applied to two different silicate materials. It is a very tough material and was first used for axe heads, knives and weapons. It was only when other materials were found that could be used for these purposes that jade become a prized gem stone. Jade is either green or creamy in color, while jadeite comes in a variety of colors. In New Zealand, where nephrite jade is known as greenstone and not gem stone, the Maoris consider it a treasure. In traditional Maori designs, this gem stone is still widely used to make jewelry. Jade is the official gem stone of British Columbia. Jade has long been considered a very lucky gemstone and has been worn for luck. And jade was considered an esteemed royal gem representing wisdom and courage. In China the chinese word for jade means "most beautiful stone" and we heartily agree! Jade Jewelry

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Kyanite Jewelry

Green Kyanite is an exquisite, translucent green color and our Kyanite Jewelry has natural crystal patterns throughout the gemstone. Kyanite is a popular metaphysical gemstone and is used to enhance channeling, altered states, dreams, recall of dreams, visualizations and is said to have a powerful energy.

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Lapis Lazuli

Deep blue Lapis Lazuli dates back to the pharaohs of ancient Egypt and has been highly valued for many thousands of years. One of the most famous locality for fine quality lapis lazuli is the same ancient deposit high in the mountains of Afghanistan where it was originally mined at least 6000 years ago. It was said to impart ancient knowledge, and the wisdom to use it and to enhance one's awareness, insight and intellect. The name is a combination of the Latin word for stone lapis and the Arabian word azul, meaning blue. The value of this blue stone for the world of art was huge: in fact the ultramarine blue paint used by the Grand Old Masters was nothing else but pulverized Lapis lazuli - suitable for watercolors, tempera and oil paintings. Many portraits of the Virgin Mary would have been impossible to create without Lapis lazuli blue. View our Lapis Lazuli Jewelry

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Malachite

Malachite is a beautiful deep green carbonate mineral gemstone. It often has veins of lighter color green running through it which adds to its beauty. Early artists, until about 1800, used powdered malachite mixed with oils for the green in their paintings. The word malachite is derived from the Greek word mallow (green herb). Malachite and sterling silver jewelry is popular around the world. View our Malachite Pendant Necklace

 

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Moonstone

Moonstone is also known as Rainbow Moonstone. And it is the modern June birthstone and the gemstone for Aquarius. Iridescent rainbow moonstone: radiant with the "light of the moon", this lovely feldspar is white with flashes of blue and rainbow light and derives it's moon name from its blue-white sheen. It was once thought that the gem's luster waxed and waned just like the moon itself, and moonstones have always been used in jewelry by moon worshipers. Moonstones are generally set in silver, which brings out their characteristic bluish-silvery sheen. The Romans thought that the wearers of moonstone would receive wisdom, wealth and success in battle. In India, the moonstone is believed to bring good luck and is considered sacred. Moonstone is claimed to be the gemstone for lovers as it symbolizes passion. It is said that it enhances our ability for empathy and understanding and is believed to bestow the power of clairvoyancy. Moonstone Jewelry

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Pearl

Pearls represent innocence and a pure heart, and help us get in touch with the simple honest things of life and all the best within us: spiritual transformation, purity, charity, honesty, wisdom and integrity. Pearls also symbolizes love, success, and happiness - and a happy marriage. Pearl is the Modern June birthstone. View our Pearl Jewelry

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Peridot

Peridot is an ancient and yet currently very popular gemstone. It is so old that it can be found in Egyptian jewellery from the early second millennium BC. The early Egyptians claimed that peridot glowed by night but was invisible by day. In the Middle ages, peridot was believed to dispel the darkness and terrors of the night. King Edward VII wore a peridot for good luck. For centuries, peridot was found on the island of Zabargad, known as the "serpent isle" in the Red Sea. According to Greek legend vicious snakes lived on the island, guarding the precious stone and killing anyone who dared approach it. Today, peridot is found in the USA, Norway, Ethiopia, Pakistan and even in the Antarctic. The peridot gemstone is of a green color that is special among all gemstones and it has been said that it "shimmers like damp moss in the fall sunshine". Peridot was once known as the “Evening Emerald” and the beautiful green color of peridot gemstones made them the favorite gem of the Baroque period. Peridot is said to bring healing and vitality to the whole body. Peridot is the modern August birthstone. Peridot Jewelry

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Rose Quartz

Rose Quartz is the pretty pink gemstone known as the love stone! It adds positive energy to relationships and represents compassion, forgiveness and harmony. Rose quartz gems are said to be calming and to help clear stored anger, resentment, jealousy, fears. View our Rose Quartz Jewelry

 

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Turquoise

Turquoise is a beautiful gemstone in a wide range of blues and greens. The name is a very old word , probably derived from the French meaning Turkish stone, although turquoise was not found in Turkey, but was traded there. Iran and the Sinai Peninsula were sources of very fine turquoise. In the United States, the turquoise deposits were mined by pre-Columbian Native Americans. View our Turquoise Jewelry

 

 

How To Choose A Thoughtful Gift

If you're giving a gift of gemstone jewelry - you can certainly choose their birthstone, but don't forget their personality, their color likes and dislikes, and what they enjoy wearing. Choosing jewelry for them using that criteria will make their gift uniquely perfect - just for them. And they'll appreciate the thought behind the gift.

 

Silver Jewelry and Fashion

While fashion trends travel in circles, 925 silver jewelry never goes out of style! You may remember the cute plaids and preppy clothes of decades past? They're back again in chic styles of argyle weaves, cuffed trowsers and deck shoes.

Simply said, the silver jewelry you wore yesterday, last year or last decade still looks great as ever... and is in perfect style with current fashions. Bright, sparkling silver looks as good with contemporary, new vibrant plaids as it does with crisp whites, popular grays, classic blacks and winter jewel tones.

Give a gift of silver jewelry.... long lasting style and beauty and, in the current financial weather, it's affordable for every budget. And, it's an investment: the silver price is still on the rise. The price of gold has hampered jewelry purchases for many, and while silver costs have escalated, it's still quite affordable.

The beauty of sterling silver is it's dazzling shine. Polished silver sparkles so brightly in sunlight, reflecting the light, akin to the sun shining on the waves. Silver shimmers in candlelight and gleams in moonlight. Highly polished silver compliments everything you wear. Don a pair of silver earrings, add a silver bracelet and you're ready to go. Throw on a silver pendant necklace with that tee shirt or silk dress and your perfect look is complete. The cool, sublime glow of silver is oh-so-hot!

Silver is mined throughout the world and has been in use throughout history. It has been used as currency in Ancient Athens to precious artfacts in Rome. From the Conquistadors to the settlement of the western United States, silver has had a large impact around the world for thousands of years.

So, don't think of your silver jewelry as only a pretty bauble. It is a valuable commodity and a keepsake treasure, worthy of your devotion.

 

Our Newest Designs
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Gemstone Jewelry:

amethyst jewelry
amethyst (green)
baltic amber
beaded jewelry
black onyx jewelry
blue topaz jewelry
carnelian
citrine jewelry
coral (red)
garnet jewelry
green quartz
iolite jewelry
jade jewelry
kyanite
lapis lazuli
lemon quartz
malachite
moonstone jewelry
mystic topaz
multi-gemstone
peridot jewelry
pearl jewelry
rose quartz jewelry
smoky topaz jewelry
topaz (sky blue) jewelry
turquoise jewelry
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Bracelets
Earrings
Necklaces | Pendants
Rings
New:
Leather Bracelets

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Birthstones

Birthstone List
Birthstones, plus Anniversary,
Zodiac & Day-of-Birth Gemstones

Gemstone History
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Designer Gemstone Jewelry
some of our unique jewelry styles:

• Adopt-Pet Handstamped
• Abstract Art Jewelry
• Allure Silver Jewelry
• Birthstone Charms
• BRIDESMAIDS Sets
• Celtic Silver Jewelry
• Cherry Gemstone Pendants
• Classic Silver Jewelry
• Cluster Gem Jewelry
• CZ Silver Jewelry
  quality diamond-brilliant
  CZ sterling silver jewelry
• Diana Jewelry
• Elegance Designs
• Emerald-Cut Necklaces
• Heart Jewelry
• Isabella Ornate
• Jennifer Black Onyx
• Juliet Gemstone Jewelry
• Just Silver Jewelry
  jewelry w/out gemstones
• Kate Gemstone Jewelry
• Long Gemstone Earrings
• Melissa Earrings
• Natalie PEAR-CUT
• Nature Silver Jewelry
• Shell Jewelry
• Suffragette-Style Jewelry
• Trillion-Cut Gemstone Jewelry

925 sterling silver chains and more

• 16 to 30 inch
  Sterling Silver Chains
• Sunshine Silver
  Polishing Cloth
• Give A Gift Certificate