Agate is a fine-grained fibrous variety of Chalcedony Quartz and comes in many different forms ranging from transparent to opaque. Varieties include Blue, Blue Lace, Crazy Lace, Green, Indian, Moss, Tree, and Wood. The main conditions necessary for agate formation are the presence of silica from devitrified volcanic ash, water from rainfall or ground sources, manganese, iron and other mineral oxides that form the bands and inclusions. 

Agate
Said by the ancients to render the wearer invisible, Agate has been admired by humanity for thousands of years. Its beauty and durability have prompted man to use it in both practical and ornamental forms. Agate is believed to cure insomnia, ensure pleasant dreams, protect from danger, promote strength, healing and a bold heart. As there are so many varieties of agate, it is largely up to the buyer to determine its value.

Carnelian
Traditionally very highly regarded reddish-orange or brown translucent gemstone. The national gemstone of Norway, Sweden. Native Americans believed the carnelian created balance and harmony in your life. Known in the New Age movement for its ability to soothe and calm.

Lapis Lazuli
Attributed with great healing, purifying and curative properties, Lapis Lazuli is believed to point the way to enlightenment, and aid in the opening of the Third Eye. Popular with ancient alchemists (who knew it as sapphirus), it was used in medicine, cosmetics and paintings. It was also believed to confer ability, success, divine favor, ancient wisdom and cure sore throats. Among gemstones, lapis lazuli is the only "rock" - composed of several minerals rather than a single one. The characteristic blue comes from sodalite minerals, with any white coming from calcite, and its sparkling gold flecks from pyrite. All lapis lazuli is opaque.

Citrine
Citrine is a golden yellow form of quartz which takes its name from "citron", the French word for lemon. In former times Citrine was used as a protective talisman against the plague, bad skin and evil thoughts, and as a charm against snake bites and other venomous reptiles. It is also believed to symbolize happiness. Citrine is one of the accepted birthstones for November. It is found mainly in Brazil.

Fluorite
Known as the "Most Colorful Mineral in the World" Fluorite is a veritable chameleon of a gemstone. Common Fluorite colors include: Purple, blue, green, yellow, colorless, brown, pink, black, reddish orange and more. The word "fluorescent" comes from the mineral Fluorite which commonly fluoresces blue and has been known to glow yellow, green, red, white or purple.

Jasper, Ocean
This gemstone is silicified (transformed into silica) rhyolite flow from the northwest coast of Madagascar. It is reminiscent of foam as it recedes back into the ocean, with its wavy patterns of green-gray, white, cream, beige and brown. It sometimes even flaunts the iridescent white circles so intrinsic to sea spray. Ocean jasper is believed to teach responsibility and patience.

Turquoise, Lime
The perfect accessory for sipping margaritas! This gemstone from China's Hubei province is genuine white turquoise that has been dyed a striking green. It is also a stabilized stone. Some of the stones display a very light matrix, while others show none. Lime turquoise is harder and cut better than the typical green, yellow or blue turquoise from Hubei.

Yellow "turquoise"
Commonly called yellow "turquoise" because it occurs in the same mines as turquoise, this natural material is a lively blend of quartz and jaspers that comes in colors of opaque, lemon yellow with dots of blue and black, to darker shades of olive green and caramel brown.

Amethyst
Purple is the color of healing, meditation and peace. Amethyst has been popular as a gem since Pre-Roman times. Ancients believed that amethyst increased personal courage and offered protection against thieves. Medieval European soldiers wore amethyst amulets as protection in battle. For Christians, the amethyst symbolizes humility. Most of the high-grade amethyst mined today comes from Uruguay, southern Brazil and Africa.

Apatite
The name Apatite comes from a Greek word meaning "to deceive," as Apatite has often been confused with more valuable gems such as Paraiba Tourmaline, Peridot & Beryl. The mineral Apatite is quite common but gem quality specimens are rare. The more intense the color, the higher the cost of the Apatite. The best stones will be almost a neon greenish blue with a clean clarity.

Pearl
Long known as the "Queen of Gems," pearls possess a history and allure far beyond what today's wearer may recognize.

In China, pearls were thought to be raindrops swallowed by oysters. The Chinese associated dragons and pearls together, since they believed dragons fighting in the clouds caused pearls to drop from the sky in the form of rain.

Before the creation of cultured pearls in the early 1900s, natural pearls were so rare and expensive that they were reserved almost exclusively for the noble and very rich. It is said that the Roman General Vitellius financed an entire military campaign with just one of his mother's pearl earrings. During the Dark Ages, gallant knights often wore pearls onto the battlefield to protect them from harm.

Almost every pearl on the market these days is cultured. It's only at antique auctions that you're likely to come across "naturals". Cultured pearls are still "real" pearls they've simply had a helping hand from mankind.

Saltwater pearls are usually more expensive than freshwater with Akoya Japanese pearls the most popular. South Sea pearls are typically much larger than Akoyas, and if you're buying black then they probably come from Tahiti.

Freshwater pearls are available in a far wider color range than saltwater, including purple, violet, orange, blue and gray. They are less expensive to produce as each mollusk can yield up to 30 pearls per harvest. American freshwaters are allowed to mature for much longer than all other cultured pearls (up to 5 years, compared to 1 year for most others) resulting in a thicker nacre which gives American pearls an unusually high luster and orient (the iridescence from the light reflected from the inside of the pearl).

Rhodochrosite
Rhodochrosite occurs in ranges of color from very pale pink, pale to deep red, orange red, brownish red, orange-brown, pale to dark brown and black The name is derived from the Greek 'Rhodon' meaning 'Rose' and 'Chroma' meaning 'Color', alluding to its famous rose-color.

Turquoise
Legend has it that some Native Americans believed that if Turquoise was affixed to a bow, the arrows shot from it would always hit their mark. It is also believed to bring happiness and good fortune to all. The blue of Turquoise was thought to have powerful metaphysical properties by many ancient cultures. In ancient Mexico, Turquoise was reserved for the gods, and it would not be worn by mere mortals.

Legend also says that the people danced and rejoiced when the rains came. Their tears of joy mixed with the rain and seeped into Mother Earth to become the SkyStone - Turquoise. Turquoise, the "fallen skystone" hidden in mother earth, has been valued by cultures for its beauty and reputed spiritual and life-giving qualities for over 7,000 years. It is considered to be a stone of blessings, good fortune, protection, good health and long life. It is a true "gem of the centuries."