Follow this handy guide to learn more about your gems, rocks & minerals
Our gemstones and minerals traveled across the world to become a part of your collection! Our mining rough contains gems and minerals that were mined in countries across the globe including Brazil, Peru, Mexico, India, and Madagascar to name a few. We hope you enjoy learning about your new treasures.
Agate – A common, semiprecious type of chalcedony, agate forms in ancient volcanic cavities. Agate is characterized by its microcrystalline structure and concentric banding.Amazonite – Also called Amazon Stone, this blue-green feldspar variety of microcline is named after the Amazon river and is frequently mined in Brazil. It is a semi-precious gemstone.Amethyst – Known for its regal purple color, this member of the quartz family has long been cherished as a gemstone and frequently worn in jewelry. In Greek mythology, it is believed that Dionysus, created this stone. Amethyst is the birthstone for February.Apatite – This is a phosphate mineral found in a variety of intense colors including purple, green, blue, white, and red. Gem quality apatite can be found in the United States. An important source of phosphorus, apatite is used in matches.Aventurine – A variety of quartz, also called “Green Quartz”. This stone may contain streaks of brown or red which form from the inclusion of iron-rich hematite. Calcite – Found in virtually all colors, this form of calcium carbonate is known for its beautiful crystals, often twinned. Specimens of calcite are found in every country, with most calcite occurring as limestone or marble.Carnelian – A form of chalcedony, carnelian is found in a reddish-orange shade due to the presence of iron oxide in its composition. Chrysocolla – A beautiful stone coated with green and blue “paint.” Chrysocolla forms as copper decomposes.Citrine – This yellow to brownish quartz is far less common than its quartz cousins. The most widely available Citrine is in fact heat-treated Amethyst. Gem quality natural citrine can be found in North Carolina.Crocodile Jasper – This stunning jasper mimics the appearance of crocodile skin with its green and black flecking. It is a very unique stone that certainly feels reptilian in nature.Clear Quartz – Also known as Rock Crystal, this colorless, transparent quartz is prized for its crystalline shape. Rock crystal is found in clusters and twinned forms. Dalmatian Jasper – A fine-grained, dense quartz called chalcedony, jasper is found in a variety of colors. Typically the inclusion of clay gives jasper a yellowish-white to gray tone. Easy to remember, this type of jasper is named after the dog breed with the same spotted pattern.Emerald – One of the seven precious gemstones, Emerald is the green variety of the mineral Beryl. Emerald crystals can be found in quartz or mica schist. North Carolina is home to several Emerald mines. Emerald is the birthstone for May.Fluorite – Commonly found in a range of colors – green, blue, clear, purple, and white, this mineral fluoresces under ultraviolet light and glows a beautiful violet-blue color.Garnet – There are 15 Garnet varieties found in a wide range of colors, although it is commonly available in dark red hues. Garnet is the birthstone for January.Labradorite – Named after the location of its discovery (Labrador, Canada), the crystal formation of the stone creates the “schiller” effect which results in a breathtaking iridescent display. Our labradorite comes from the gemstone-quality rich region in Madagascar.Moonstone – A type of feldspar with a pearly iridescence, moonstone is the smooth and shiny variety of this mineral. This stone can be found in white, cream, tan, brown, yellow, and green shades. Considered as the birthstone for June along with Pearl.Moss or Tree Agate – As the name suggests, this type of green and white agate looks like it has a plant growing inside of the stone. Moss Agate is predominantly green with clear veining, while Tree Agate is predominantly white with green and clear veins. Our specimens are from India.Obsidian – Typically jet-black, obsidian is a natural volcanic glass formed when lava cools rapidly. The glassy texture can be shaped into sharp edges and was used to craft tools and weapons. Snowflake obsidian has mineral inclusions giving it a dappled grey and white snowflake pattern.Pyrite – Better known as “fool’s gold,” pyrite was often mistaken by prospectors as gold because of its brassy color and shine. Its name is derived from the Greek word “pyr” which means “fire.” When struck by iron, pyrite emits a spark of fire. Pyrite occurs in many different shapes and can be found in distinctive cubes.Red Jasper – This fine-grained stone contains iron ore, hematite, which gives it the deep brick-red color. Found in many colors, the stone is typically named for its color or pattern.Rhodonite – Named after the Greek word meaning “rose,” this stone has a characteristic pink color mingled with black or grey veins of manganese. It is often mined for ornamental use and jewelry.Rose Quartz – Aptly named Rose Quartz for its pink coloration, this stone ranges from transparent to opaque. Ruby & Sapphire – These precious gemstones are the same mineral, corundum. When found as red corundum, it is called “Ruby”. Every other color, including blue, is called “Sapphire”. It is the hardest mineral on Earth, second to Diamond. Ruby is the birthstone for July and Sapphire is the birthstone for September.Rutilated Quartz – This variety of clear quartz contains needles of rutile, a gold-colored crystal of titanium oxide.Sanskrit Jasper – Named for the markings contained within the stone, it is believed this stone carries ancient prophecies in the language, Sanskrit. It is prized for its markings and rarity.Smoky Quartz – This stone is the light brown to black variety of quartz. Very dark quartz can be heat treated to give it a lighter tone. High-quality stones are mined in Alexander and Lincoln counties in North Carolina.Sodalite – Frequently used as a gemstone, Sodalite contains a mineral that fluoresces orange when held under ultraviolet light.Tiger’s Eye – A semiprecious variety of quartz with a luminescent band that looks like a cat’s eye. Tiger’s eye is golden in color. It is also found in two other prominent colors – blue and red. The red variety is called Dragon’s Eye and the blue is called Hawk’s Eye.Tree Agate – Like Moss Agate, this stone has tree-like inclusions and is predominantly white, speckled with green.Topaz – One of the seven precious gemstones, it can be found in a variety of colors, pink being the rarest and valuable. This stone’s color range includes yellow, brown, orange, blue, green, pink, and clear. Topaz is considered the birthstone for November along with Citrine.Unakite – Unakite is a marriage of olive-green Epidote, red Jasper, and speckles of pink Feldspar. Unakite was named after the Unaka Mountains in North Carolina and Tennessee where it was originally discovered. Zebradorite – The beautiful brown stripes give a Zebra-like appearance to the stone, lending to its name. Our Zebradorite comes from Madagascar.
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