A Different Type of Jasper

This pendant is a really different type of jasper from the United Kingdom, it is called snail jasper. The background is a shade of gray with some white mixed in; then ‘snail marks’ are the black lines throughout the pendant. It has been cut in a large round, with a smooth back and slopped sides with a high polish on both sides.

I’ve mixed the pendant with smooth round black agates that are caged in silver wire; between are a mixture of black and clear faceted rondelle and bicone crystals. This is a lovely design in the fashion staple black/white mixed with grays; wear it to dress up that little black dress, an evening out or casually with any outfit.



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Jaspers: Protection, nurturing, joy, awareness; balancing of physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual energies.

Exotic Rare Caribbean Larimar

Exclusively found in the Dominican Republic, the elusive stone of Larimar comes in various shades of blue ranging from pale blue to whitish-blue, and very rarely with a little green or red; the palette of colors embodies the vastness of the sky and sea. The reserves of this stone have almost been depleted, causing it be very rare and hard to come across.

The American Indians believed that Larimar brought luck and also had healing properties. The inhabitants of the Caribbean also believed it to be a lucky stone with healing properties. According to legend it is associated with lost paradise. It was subsequently thought to be the only remaining vestige of the legendary island Atlantis.

Larimar, said to be the stone of protection against negative energy and also known as the Atlantis stone; symbolizing boundlessness and immensity. It is the star sign stone linked to Leo and should be discharged once a week under warm running water. After cleansing it must recharge in the sun for at least one hour, either in the morning or evening. The stone is known for good self-development, helping to break old thought patterns to free and open up new ways of thinking and acting.




This new piece has a center pendant from Larimar; surrounded by Denim Lapis, Carnelian, and Smoky Crystals. Unique custom designs like this are available on the website.




*Sources from various crystals/gem books & websites.

Heard of Polyhedral Agate

My father-in-law at Jewelry by CnC researches and collects some of the most unusual, unique and awesome mineral and rock specimens. Here is one that he found at Tucson a few years back and is now hitting the market at incredible prices, due mostly in part because it difficult to get and also for its unusual form and uniqueness.

A very unusual form of Agate comes from Minas Gerais, Brazil. It is known as a Polyhedral Agate and is formed by silica replacing the normal calcite resulting in a highly angular form within the rocks instead of the usual sub-spherical forms as normally seen.

These polyhedral quartz pseudomorphs without calcite were mined during the 1970’s and have since then become increasingly uncommon in today's market, with most examples appearing as thin slabs, normally polished front and back to show off the natural beauty of the agate. It's sharp polyhedral form is entirely natural in origin.

Many of the beautiful Agates coming from Minas Gerais today, like the one seen here to the right, will have some slightly pointed sections to their designs, indicating that there is still some silica within the calcite in the Agate itself.

Collectors scramble to obtain samples of a Polyhedral Agate, especially one that still is made up of most of the rock as in this example to the right from an upcoming Australian mineral auction.


Thanks to Lee at Jewelry by CnC for the research and pictures.

Calming Labradorite

The Calcic, middle-range member of the plagioclase feldspars, labradorite seldom forms crystals, but when crystals do occur, they are tabular. It most often occurs in crystalline masses that can be microscopic or up to a meter or more across, and is commonly characterized by its ‘schiller’ effect – a rich play of iridescent colors, principally blue, on cleavage surfaces. Crystals that display this effect are used as gemstones, cut as cabochon.


The ‘schiller’ effect is caused by the scattering of light from thin layers of a second feldspar that develops through internal chemical separation during the cooling of what was originally a single feldspar. The base color of labradorite is generally blue or dark grey, but can be colorless or white.

Historically, labradorite was discovered at the end of the eighteenth century on a Canadian peninsula of Labrador after which it was named. It is said to be very effective in alleviating bone problems, disorders of the spinal column, and wear and tear of the joints.

Psychologically, labradorite has a calming, harmonizing effect, spiritual connection, transformation, brings clarity, peace and progression to the wearer. Labradorite improves intuition and clarifies the possessor’s own views and objectives.

The stone is the linked to the star sign of Aquarius and is most commonly found in Finland, United States, Canada, Madagascar, Australia, Russia, and Mexico.

*Reprinted from various rock/mineral & crystal books, websites.

Goniatites from Morocco

Goniatites are extinct ammonoids, which flourished from the mid-Devonian to the Late Permian (251.4 to 390 Ma). These shelled cephalopods related to squid, octopus and belemnites forming the order Goniatitida. The Gonatitida originated in the Middle Devonian 390 Ma and survived the Late Devonian extinction. The goniatitids flourished during the Carboniferous and Perian and became extinct at the end of the Permian 251.4 Ma. They were survived by their cousins the ceratite ammonoids.

The goniatites all possessed an external shell, which is divided internally into chambers. The animal lived in the largest of the external chambers, and the internal chambers would have been filled with gas, making the animal buoyant in the water.

The general structure of the goniatites would have been similar to that of their relatives the ammonites, being a free swimming animal possessing a head with two well developed eyes and arms (or tentacles).

Goniatites provided by Panther Creek Minerals, San Antonio, Texas.

Visit our website for many unusual and uniquely handcrafted designs.

Mystery Gem or Mis-Mash

I found this to be an interesting tidbit from the Color Stone Newsletter’s ‘mystery gem game’; is it a mis-mash or astronomy phenomenon? To find out more, read on……

Suddenly gems with multiple personalities are becoming all the rage and gemologists are as baffled by their identities as psychologists might be by patients with multiple personalities. This gem displays evidence of at least eight distinct mineral strains in its complex makeup. What is this gem’s marketing name, and why are we featuring it? Here’s a clue: study the picture of the gem and determine what sky-watcher’s phenomenon it reminds you of.

If you’re familiar with astronomy, you’ll notice a more than subjective resemblance between the black body color and orb-covered patterned surface of this gem and what are known as spiral nebulae. Hence the stone was named "nebula stone" by its discoverers Karen and Ron Nurnberg, who lucked upon it during a camping trip in southern Mexico in 1994. To this day, theirs is the only known deposit of this ornamental rock. So don’t ask them for directions to the mining site. We had to beg for the vague locality information contained here. Of course, you’re wondering about the stone’s gemological identity. Well, so are the mineralogists who have studied the stone and found traces of quartz, four feldspars (riebeckite, arfedsonite, anorthoclase and aegirine), acmite, calcite and zircon. No wonder an undecided classification debate is on for this gem. Is it, like unakite, a partial feldspar that acts as a kind of foster father for this material? We thought so, and decided to use it as a poster child for the very strange alkali branch of the feldspar family—a huge, sprawling gem group.

Reprinted from Colored Stones Newsletter

Stones Misidentified or New Name

Nature gives us some of the most incredible stones, fossils and minerals. How they are identified, classified and names remains a mystery to some sorts. Many stones are called by several different names; is it really a new find or is it just a matter of the miner or lapidary cutting the stone on a different plane or grain that gives it a new name? Though it is rare to have new finds these days, some experts will say that many stones are ‘re-born or re-invented’ 5-10 years later with different names. And just like everything else, this gives the stone new life under a different name.

The question being asked is “Is it right or wrong in naming the stone differently?” Again, that depends on which person, expert or source you ask. From what I’ve learn, as long as you keep it within the family, such as agates to agates, jaspers to jaspers, and all the mineral make-up is the same, etc., is there really harm done to the stone to as they say ‘re-invent the stone and give it a new name’.

Here’s what I’ve found so far…..

These stones to the right I purchased from a reputable dealer that I’ve done business with for some time. When purchased, they were sold as Dragon Skin Jasper. True, they are jasper; however, they have also been sold by many other vendors as Variscite, Dragon Skin Jasper, and Sea Sediment Jasper in varying colors of red, pink, purple, green and blue.

These stones to the left are sold quite often as Turquoise. While this is true to some extend, they are at not natural stones, but man made beads. Researching them, they are actually composites of all the tiny fragments left of Turquoise, combined together and molded into a mosaic bead. Giving this bead a very unique effect with a mosaic look, it is what I call a ‘half-n-half’ meaning, it is bits and pieces of actual stone all rolled into one by man.

Lastly, I have yet to see these in bead form, but these pendants referred to as Turquoise Copper to the right have recently made an entry onto the scene. Inquiring about them, what I’ve found is that the jury is still out on this one. Some experts say this is a man made stone by mixing copper and turquoise together and getting this distinctive look; others say this is a true natural stone that was mined back in the 1960-70’s only to die out and then recently reappear today.

So, is it a new find, man made, or an old find getting a new name; just like everything it is re-born, re-packaged and re-marketed to the world. Just remember to ask questions, do your research and make sure to purchase from reputable dealers, vendors, miners and minerals companies.

Smooth Silky Rich Pietersite

Known in the Pagan community as Tempeststone, Pietersite is a soft, smooth, silky beautiful gemstone and one of my all time favorites. The stone is named for its discoverer, Sid Pieterse, who first discovered it in 1962 while prospecting farmland in Namibia, Africa. He registered the find in the mineral records of Britain and the discovery was later published in 1964, when it was named Pietersite.

There are only two known locations for pietersite, China and Africa; the Chinese pietersite’s fibrous mineral is often called ‘Golden Eagles Eye’ ranging in colors from rich deep red, blackish blue and most noted gold, almost resembling Tigers Eye. The African Pietersite is most rare because of the blue tones, deep midnight navy, and baby blue, with a hint of cream and reddish hues. All the brilliant color variations give it a subtle, yet strikingly richness, like fine silk.

Pietersite gemstones crystallize in the form of masses; the structure is a result of inclusion in Jasper. The Pietersite stones mineral exhibits an energetic quality like the quartz. The gemstone beads have been said to contain the ‘keys o the kingdom of heaven’, dispelling illusion and assisting one in the recognition of the beauty of the soul.

Wearing or working with the gemstone brings with it a particular calm and joyous peacefulness, helping to dissolve confusion and fear about what lies ahead in life. It will help a person relax and release limits placed on the person’s creativity and allow them to recognize their divine potential.

Most common cuts are in cabochons; this is because a tall, round cut is required to maximize the chatoyancy effect most brilliantly. If the cut is but a little off, the stone will end up lifeless, with little or no chatoyance or no play of color.

If you are lucky enough to own a piece of Pietersite jewelry, clean it with a simple polishing cloth; do not clean with household chemicals and keep it from prolonged exposure to extreme heat and temperatures.

What is Rhodonite

Old world folklore legend has it that the gemstone Rhodonite was once used to make service platters in Russia, often being given as a gift during royal czarist weddings. The word Rhodonite comes from the Greek word rhodon, meaning ‘rose’. In antiquity it was given to travelers as a protection stone. It was said to warn them from imminent danger by causing the heart-beat to accelerate suddenly.

Physical and healing powers of Rhodonite are believed to decrease and increase attention to detail and have a calming effect and cope with changing circumstances, it is thought to be helpful during examinations and prevents mental blocks. It increases language skills and raises self-esteem.

It is normally created by metamorphosis in manganese ore mines where it forms chain silicate triclinic crystals, with black flecks formed by inclusions of manganese dioxide. Colors of Rhodonite are typically deep pink to mauve with inclusions of black, although some stones can be red, orange, or completely black.

It is considered the astrological birthstone for Scorpio and the star sign of Taurus. It can be found in South Africa, Australia, China, United States, Mexico, and regions of Urals.

For more gemstone jewelry check out Timeless Designs.

Jasper and Ivoryite

One of our new designs from the finds of Tucson! Jasper, Wild Horse Jasper coming out of the mines of California with rich colors in red, burgandy and a slight cream; the cut of the bead is unusual with a minor twist to it. Here it’s been mixed between sterling silver open beads and rare Invoryite gemstones.

Jaspers: Protection, nurturing, joy, awareness; balancing of physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual energies.

See this and many other gemstones finds on our website!

Unusual & Exotic – Turritella Fossil Agate

Turritella Agate is not right. It is not an Agate, but more closely related to Jasper, like Petrified Wood. It is not a fossil of Turritella Gastropods, but a fossil of Elimia Tenera Gastropods. Elimia Tenera are fresh water snails (gastropods) that share a very similar shape to ocean born Turritellas. Which means these dear little crystal companions are in desperate need of a more appropriate name.

The story of these lively prehistoric gems begins in early Tertiery times (approximately 60 million years ago). A series of geological events were causing the uplifting of mountains that eventually would be known as the Rockies. As the land lifts upwards it forms three Eocene Age lakes in the area of Wyoming, Montana, Colorado and Utah. Geologists have named them the Fossil, Ulinta and Gosiute Lakes. Life thrived within the waters and along the shorelines of these lakes. Other fossilized material from the area shows that plant life, reptiles and fish flourished along with the millions of fresh water gastropods and bi-valves. During those long ago days, residents of the lakes enjoyed a subtropical climate, but also lived under the constant threat of volcanic eruptions.

Mortality layers containing volcanic ash throughout the area suggest that there were numerous cycles of life and extinction over the millennia. It was the violent eruptions of the nearby volcanos which helped to create a pristine environment for fossils to form. Whole schools of the primal Kenightia (looks like a Herring) fish have been found in the fossilized beds of the Eocene lakes. Palm Trees, Turtles and Crocodile imprints have been found along what would have been the lakes' shorelines. The poorly named gemstone, Turritella Agate comes from the floor of these primordial lakes. Continued eruptions and fallout from the region's volcanos allowed much of the lakes' bottoms to be buried in ash as the lakes retreated or dried up (geologists are not sure what really happened to the lakes).

Essentially the mud and everything in it became petrified; frozen in stone. Besides the mis-identified Elimia Tenera gastropods, these fossil crystals also contain prehistoric bi-valves called Pleisielliptio and Sphaerium. Other varieties of ancient snails like Hydrobia and Valvata, plus some rarer Biomphalaria and Lymnaea are also found in Turritella Agates. In Sweetwater County Wyoming the petrified lake floor is up to two feet thick covering several acres (and miles in some cases).

While Wyoming, Utah, Colorado and Montana are the only sources for Turritella Agates, there seems to be some evidence that other such deposits may exist on the planet. An archeological dig in the Czech Republic revealed beads containing fossils of Gastropods that are almost 30,000 years old.

Traditional Properties & Beliefs
All Fossils are very well tuned for journeying into past lives. The extra high energy in the Turritella Agate adds a turbo boost to your journey. The abundance of frozen life within a single gem helps you to "see" clearer and understand more quickly the impressions and images you receive during your journey.

Are you having trouble solidifying a solution to a nagging problem? Every time you reach for the answer it slips away? Or you get bogged down in your own muddy thoughts and emotions? Try a quiet meditation with this dark crystal. Its long ago past was also muddy and slippery. Anytime something moved upon the surface, muck was stirred up and vision was clouded. You see this same entity today, everything is crystal clear. Every curve of every snail or clam is easy to see, easy to understand, easy to deal with. Just like problems, if we are patient and allow time for the dust to settle.
An excellent crystal for healing and clearing the Base and Crown Chakra. It may also increase physical energy, especially when the body is being challenged by fatigue or stress. Turritella Agates may also aid with the absorption of vitamins and minerals like Calcium, Zinc, Magnesium and vitamin A. Most importantly in healing, this gem teaches survival against all odds. No matter how mucky and gross things are right now, eventually everything crystallizes into perfection.

Reprinted from Ore’s Featured Gemstones – Turritella Agates