Jewelry Material: Gemstone

Amazonite has been a stone treasured since the time of the ancient Egyptians. There are even stories of ancient Amazonian women warriors using amazonite to adorn their shields.

Just because rhodonite is a pink stone, doesn't mean it's off limits for men's jewelry. The warm hue still has a masculine appearance, especially with its black dendritic inclusions.

While some may think pink gems are for women's jewelry, the warm red undertones of rhodochrosite will change your mind. And the metaphysical properties can help with that change!

The ancient fossilizing qualities of aragonite are especially interesting. The perceived metaphysical properties are no less interesting, fostering truth, understanding and nurturing.

With "sun" in the name, it's no surprise that sunstone is associated with the radiance of the sun. This brilliant stone has a number of metaphysical properties.

Learn about red jasper, from its physical properties to its place in legend and history.

Once thought to be eternal ice sent by the gods and fossilized ice, quartz crystal is actually a mineral that is prized for the belief in its magical, mystical and metaphysical healing powers.

One of the four precious stones, ruby has been treasured for centuries. Those born in July are lucky to have ruby as their birthstone and ruby is also the 40th wedding anniversary stone.

Apatite was named from the Greek word apate, meaning "to deceive" because people were confusing it with more expensive gemstones. But it's not the gemstone's fault!

Peridot jasper is like rich cream with a hint of cool mint blended into it. These creamy, gleaming beads combine the best of both worlds: peridot's delicate beauty with jasper's low cost.

Peridot, the evening emerald, is unique for a number of reasons. It has a unique green hue, it has been mined for almost 4000 years, and can be found inside meteorites to name a few reasons!

When life has you down, design with rainbow jasper. Rainbow jasper is called a "sustaining stone" in metaphysical beliefs and thought to be helpful in times of emotional fatigue or stress.

Unearth the beauty of rainbow moonstone and learn its history, geological properties, design uses and proper care in this Gem Note.

Sodalite is sometimes considered a guardian for heroes and heroines with the ability to unite logic with intuition and the drive for truth with the rise of idealism. Plus it's gorgeous!

Natural sophistication. That's what Mother Nature got when she combined grey, black and white in a beautifully swirling pattern to create the distinctive silver leaf jasper.

Smoky quartz is said to be a protection stone and prized by those who use gems for metaphysical purposes for its ability to ward off stress and encourage resolution to difficult situations.

Nothing says subtle sophistication like grey or silver. Silver moonstone is a tantalizing silvery-grey translucent stone with a sheen that enhances just such a sense of sophistication.

Snowflake obsidian is striking in its appearance and is also a durable gemstone--making the spotted obsidian popular for use as a "worry stone" as well as a beautiful addition to jewelry.

Snow quartz looks pure and fresh as newly fallen snow. Snow quartz is associated with innocence, which is why wearing it is said to help give a child-like perspective free of cynicism.

Did you know spinel was thought to be a ruby? Or that there are two spinel gems in the English crown of jewels? How about that spinel can be red, pink, blue, purple and even black?

Learn how to glue a cabochon into a closed-back ring setting with this tutorial. Clear images demonstrate each step in this how-to.

Autumn jasper is the variety known for its mottled warm brick red and avocado green appearance: imagine pumpkins, red maple leaves and a long leisurely walk through the country.

Tigerskin "jasper" is a perfect choice for earthy jewelry styles. Its contrasting swirls and stripes of tan, yellow and yellowish brown create a tawny stone that's so rich looking its decadent.

Tiger iron is actually three gemstones in one. With the associations of the three component stones, tiger iron is ideal for men's designs, without reducing popularity in women's jewelry.

Combine the richness of cream and a whisper of green, then swirl golden tan and brown tones in--you'll have the delectable look of striped onyx. A stunning stone for autumn jewelry!

Used as a stone of strength and protection since ancient times, sardonyx is associated with courage, happiness and clear communication. It's a favorite for men's and autumnal jewelry, too.

Rarer than diamonds and almost as famous, tanzanite has skyrocketed in popularity. You'll want to learn about the gem and start designing now as deposits could run dry!

Just as dappled forests may bring calmness, it's said tree agate can bring a sense of peace and inner tranquility to those who wear jewelry featuring the gemstone.

You know quartz is a gemstone, but what does tourmalinated mean? It's what gives this gemstone its distinct and sophisticated color scheme that's loved in women's and men's jewelry designs.

Though there isn't a "D" in the name, aventurine gemstones makes wearers think "adventure." Think optimism. Think bountiful. Think jewelry-making opportunity!

White agate is believed to be a stone of balance and release. According to metaphysical beliefs, this agate gemstone helps harmonize feminine and masculine sides.

White jasper has a bright, clean opaque white appearance. According to metaphysical properties, white jasper lifts spirits and brings joy, nurturing our inner desire for calmness.

Especially popular in Victorian-inspired jewelry designs, mother-of-pearl shell is often seen as cameos, but it isn't just for feminine jewelry, as it is a favorite for cuff links and tie tacks.

Beneath the soft shimmering surface of moonstone gemstones surges a deeper, lovelier beauty: a white "moon"-like sheen that rolls over the stone as it is rotated or catches the light.

Yellow "jade" is not a true jade or jadeite stone. Instead, it is a trade name for a cloudy quartz with a pale to mid-dark yellow coloration--sometimes all in the same piece--and it is beautiful!

Let the sky-blue beauty of trolleite—accented with curled copper Zebra Wire—create a sense of sophisticated simplicity with this pendant necklace.

It's time to get designing! Zebra jasper motivates us to move out of apathy into action. It helps us avoid over-thinking and encourages us to just enjoy the experience of living.

Azurite-malachite is a blend of two distinct and popular gems: azurite and malachite. United as azurite-malachite, the gemstone is said to calm anxiety in wearers.

A perfect gemstone for artists, writers and jewelry designers, zoisite is said to have creative energy. Ruby in zoisite varieties especially are said to help artists and their art become one.

Each septarian specimen is unique with an ancient quality that makes them a joy to use in jewelry. They look fantastic and have a plethora of beneficial metaphysical abilities, too.

Solar quartz is a rare formation of white crystalline quartz with some druzy inclusions and beautiful natural orbicular patterns that may have green or brown moss-like inclusions.

Chrysanthemum stone blends the beauty of both earth and moon. It contains the rich dark brown color of soil and the golden glow of moonlight.

Black and gold are a timeless pairing--and golden sheen obsidian proves their elegance. Additionally, the reflective nature of obsidian makes it a favorite for self-reflective meditation.

Rhyolite gets its name from the Greek words for "stream" and "stone," which may seem like counterintuitive concepts, but how this gemstone forms actually makes sense with its name.

Riverstone is light tan to light brown and is a favorite neutral in jewelry. The stone takes pigment well and is often dyed. Luckily, the dyed stone still retains perceived metaphysical properties.

Ethiopian opal has a milky white to light amber base coloring and displays the play of color that makes opals both famous and highly desired for jewelry.

Unakite is a great stone for men's and unisex jewelry styles. It's a colorful choice that works with a range of metals and other materials due to its mix of cool and warm hues.

The gemstone with a dozen names, prehnite has been given numerous other names over the years. Whatever you call it though, the soft, soothing green gemstone is a delight for jewelry.

Due to pyrite's color, luster and high specific gravity, it has been mistaken for gold, hence the nickname: fool's gold. But don't be fooled into thinking pyrite isn't perfect for jewelry!

Looking to design with a gemstone that's out of this world? Tektite is a form of natural glass that forms not from the heat of volcanoes, but from atmospheric friction on meteorites.

Vesuvianite jewelry has been used as a gift to newlyweds due to its connotations as a cooperative stone that facilitates awareness of one's heart and an ability to express love.

With "angel" in its name, it's no surprise soft-blue angelite gemstones have perceived metaphysical abilities related to improving spirituality and bringing about a peaceful energy.

Soapstone is incredibly soft, which makes it a perfect stone for carving. Natural soapstone tends to have light shades of gray, green or brown, making it ideal for autumn-themed jewelry.

Jet is an ideal addition to feminine, masculine and unisex jewelry. Black has been fashion's staple color for a reason. It's smart, sophisticated and goes with literally everything.

Cinnabar is an ore and a crystal, a variant of quicksilver--what medieval alchemists called the element mercury. Cinnabar is considered a powerful stone both physically and metaphysically.

Cubic zirconia (referred to as CZ) is a lab-grown gemstone, but don't let that taint your feelings on this gorgeous diamond simulant that actually is said to still possess metaphysical traits.

According to metaphysical beliefs, autumn hickoryite stimulates imaginative thinking and a desire for adventure. Perhaps a desire for jewelry-making adventures?

Selenite gemstones are the perfect addition to any jewelry palette. Need an angelic-looking stone for bridal jewelry? Evening wear jewelry? Maybe Christmas? Selenite does it all!

In jewelry-making, mica is most commonly found in a powder form used to create colorful, pearly and beautifully shiny accents on polymer clay, resins or other surfaces.

Crazy Horse™ stone is the trade name for a calcite showcasing a distinct appearance of brown, grey, tan with some mauve and pink color combinations.

Kyanite gets its name from the Greek term for blue, which it certainly is! Kyanite is one of the most attractive blue minerals, exhibiting intense blue or multiple shades in a single crystal.

With its variety of pinkish rose to purple hues along with other shades, lepidolite offers incredible tonal flexibility in jewelry designs, pairing well with other gemstones and metal tones.

If Cuprite had a theme song, it would be "I Will Survive" by Gloria Gaynor since this intriguing green and deep-red gemstone is the stone of survival due to its metaphysical abilities.

Black silk stone is an onyx marble with a beautiful, silky-smooth surface and satin finish. According to metaphysical beliefs, black silk stone is a nurturing gemstone.

While bronzite may appear mundane when not polished, bronzite is a truly beautiful gemstone that can display chatoyancy and contain bright golden flecks.

With a green brilliance rivaling that of emerald, chrome diopside does not receive enhancements to increase color or clarity, making it a naturally lovely stone option for jewelry.

While malachite gemstones are renowned for their rich green color, red "malachite" is just as loved for its warm terra cotta color and metaphysical associations of energy and courage.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Calcite is an effective abrasive cleaning agent and in the metaphysical world is believed to be a spiritual cleanser, helping change perspective and renew commitment to positive change.

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

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

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

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

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