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Popular gemstones and cabochons:

Amazonite
Amethyst
Ammonites
Astrophyllite
Atlanticite
Biggs Jasper
Black Onyx
Bloodstone
Blue Topaz
Bruneau Jasper
Butterfly Jasper
Carved Stones
Charoite
Chinese writing
Collectors items
Copper Stones
Coral
Covellite
Cuprite
Dalmatian stone
Deschutes
Diamonds
Discounts
Druzy, Agate
Druzy, black 
Druzy, blue
Druzy, drilled
Druzy, Glacier
Druzy, Jasper
Druzy, Pink cob
Druzy, Platinum
Druzy, Rainbow
Druzy, Titanium
Druzy uvarovite
Druzy, quartz
Eudialyte
Faceted gems
Fancy Jasper
Fossilized Coral
Fossils
Hemimorphite
Imperial Jasper
Landscape jasp
Lapis
Larimar
Lightning Jasper
Malachite
Melee Diamonds
Mexican Lace
Mookaite
Moss Agates
Obsidian
Ocean Jasper
Ocean Wave
Owyhee Jasper
Paint Rock

Parrot Wing
Peanutwood
Pearls
Peridot
Petoskey Stone
Pietersite
Poppy Jaspers
Psilomelane
Rainforest Jasp
Rhodonite
Rock Crystal
Rutilated quartz
Seraphinite
Shells
Silver Stones
Spiderweb Obs Stone Sets
Sugilite
Tinguaite
Turquoise

Unakite        
Zebra Agate

quick guide:

 1" = 25mm

1/2"=13mm

1/4"=6.5mm

 

 

It was only after I returned from Tucson and was admiring my purchases that I realized that I had acquired quite a few incredible black stones that merited a page of their own. Although they are all black, many of them shimmer and change when exposed to bright light. I have tried to capture their surprising patterns and colors wherever I could.

Click to view:   Psilomelane    Rainbow Obsidian     Velvet Obsidian      Black Onyx     Fossilized Palm       Meteorites


Psilomelane

This wonderful stone (pronounced si-lah'-mi-lane) is a type of manganese ore. It has the look of shiny dark hematite, but with beautiful banded patterns of pure black. It is very messy and dirty to cut, and most stone cutters shy away from it, so finding such lovely pieces is pretty rare. But we're lucky because lapidarist Pat Ruhnke is still willing to bring beauty out of the mess. I photographed these pieces so as to show off their patterning, but in person, they are patent-leather black with silvery black stripes and swirls. Note: This stone is comparatively soft--Not useable for rings or heavy-wear bracelets. Click on photos to see more detail.

Sorry, Sold out, but more are coming soon.

Crown of Silver Psilomelane    Mexico
23 x 16 mm

BK169    $36.00  Sorry, Sold!



 

 


Psilomelane

Obsidian is natural glass, formed when lava from volcanoes cooled very quickly.  These obsidians contain natural iridescent colors that flash and shine when the stone is moved in the light. They are the result of the "depositional banding" or layering of various types of microscopic feldspar or mica crystals lined up just right within the glass. In dim light, these stones appear black, but in stronger lights, they just shine. Adding to their interest is the wonderful carving, done by artisans in Jalisco, Mexico, where the stone is mined. The combination of color patterns and individual carving makes each stone unique.   I've photographed these from the top, to see the color, and from the side, to appreciate the carving.

Sorry, temporarily sold out. More carved obsidians coming soon!


Rainbow Obsidian   
Mexico
39.5 x 31 mm freeform  

BK31    $52.00   Sorry, Sold!






Rainbow Obsidian   
Mexico
43 x 26 mm freeform

BK41    $52.00  Sorry, Sold!



Psilomelane

First cousin to Rainbow Obsidian, the colors in Velvet Obsidian are primarily pinky bronzes, golds and greens. They show up in folded swirls of color, rather than rainbow stripes, and do resemble velvet. Note: Unlike the Rainbow Obsidian cabs which have carved tops, the tops of these cabs are flat. Unpolished backs. Click on photos for a better look.



Velvet Obsidian
    Mexico
35.5 x 26mm

BK261    $44.00



 

 




Velvet Obsidian
    Mexico
38 x 31.5mm

BK264    $48.50



 

 

 


Velvet Obsidian
    Mexico
31 x 19 mm  

BK205    $37.50  Sorry, Sold!


 


Psilomelane

I'm pleased to be able to now offer more Black Onyx in new attractive sizes and shapes. These stones will bring elegance to any setting. Real Black Onyx has become fairly rare in the gem world, and the term "Black Onyx" now usually refers to dyed agate. The dye is permanent and permeates the entire stone, not just the surface. These stones are so gorgeous, you'll forgive their being dyed.

 

 

Black Onyx    Brazil
56 x 41.5 mm (Click on tiny photo to see more detail)
BK153    $34.00  3 available

Quantity:


 

 



Black Onyx Brazil
42.5 x 23mm

BK278   $34.00  1 available



 


Black Onyx Brazil
54.5 x 37.5mm

BK279   $38.50   Sorry, Sold!


 

 

 

 

 

Black Onyx    Brazil
15 x 9.5 mm pair
BK130    $11.00   Only 1 pair available

Quantity:


 

 


Black Onyx    Brazil
13mm puffy top triangle pair
BK272    $12.99      3  pair available

Quantity:






Black Onyx   Brazil
12mm flat top triangles 
BK273    $12.99      4  pair available

Quantity:



 

Black Onyx   Brazil
17 x 9mm
BK274   $14.50   6 pair available

Quantity:



 

Black Onyx    Brazil
19 x 10 mm pair
BK141    $14.99    1 pair available


 

 

 

 

Black Onyx    Brazil
20 x 13.5 mm pair
BK90   $15.99    5 pair available

Quantity:



 

Black Onyx    Brazil
24 x 13 mm pair   Click on photo for a closer look.

BK99   $19.99    4 pair available

Quantity:


 

 

Black Onyx    Brazil
12 mm square cushion pair
BK142    $12.99   5 pair available

Quantity:


 

 

Black Onyx    Brazil
16 x 12.7 mm pair
BK107    $19.99   3 pair available

Quantity:


 

 

Black Onyx    Brazil
16 x 12 mm pair (photos show two possible arrangements of this pair)
BK103    $18.50    4 pair available

Quantity:



 

Black Onyx    Brazil
25 x 9 mm pair  Click on photo for a closer look.

BK80   $19.99  5 pair available

Quantity:


 

 

Black Onyx   Brazil
24 x 9mm ovals
BK275   $19.99    only 1 pair available



 

 

 

Black Onyx     Brazil
40 mm wide x 37 mm tall
BK156    $35.00 
Sorry, Sold!


 

 

 

Black Onyx    Brazil
20 x 11.5 mm pair
BK119    $20.50  
Sorry, Sold!


 

 

Black Onyx Pendant   Brazil
57.5 x 8.5mm (shown at left in picture; for earrings, see next item below)
BK276    $27.00    2 available

Quantity:


 

 


 

Black Onyx Earring Pair    Brazil
29.5 x 6.5 mm pair (shown with matching pendant in preceding photo)
BK150  $21.00   5 pair available

Quantity:


 

 

Black Onyx Brazil
58.5 x 12 mm
BK157   $29.50 
Sorry, Sold!


 


 

 

 

 


Psilomelane

This material is real fossilized palm, although it is most likely dyed. From a distance it looks black, but under strong light it is a dark chocolate brown with dots of black. Stones are all polished.

Fossilized Palm    Pacific Rim
I deliberately overexposed this photo so you could see the pattern of transport vessels (xylem and phloem) in this slice of ancient palm tree. In actuality, this stone is a lovely rich dark chocolate brown with black dots. 33 x 26.5 mm
BK163    $22.50 
Sorry, Sold!

 

 

 

 

Fossilized Palm    Pacific Rim
The black dots in this piece are arranged in diagonal rows and reflect back a metallic black. 29 x 29 mm triangle
BK164    $22.50



 


Psilomelane

Imagine--Jewelry with stones from outer space! These are genuine meteorite material, part of a new find several miles from the Campo del Cielo meteorite field in Chaco, Argentina. The Campo del Cielo site was originally discovered by Spanish explorers in 1572, but who know when the original meteors left their wanderings through space and crashed to earth. The larger meteorites in the newly discovered field are in top condition and sell for hundreds to thousands of dollars apiece. The jewelry-sized pieces on this page are from that same location. They are called "exploded meteorites."  Miners cut the larger chunks into slices and explode them apart, creating smaller pieces with fascinating freeform shapes.

The sculptural nature of the pieces suits them ideally to wire-wrapping, but I hand-picked each of these pieces and chose those that had one flat side so that bezel-setters could use them, too. These pieces are hefty, but they don't have any jagged edges, so they won't cut or hurt the wearer. Note: Be sure to check out the care directions below for cleaning these pieces and preventing them from rusting.  

Each of these exploded meteorites has been photographed looking down on the stone while it sits on its flat back. Measurements are given in length by width by depth. Be sure to check the weight before you plan your design (31.1 grams = 1 ounce). To see more detail, click on photos.



Meteorite
27 x 12 x 9.5 mm  
18.81 g  

BK212    $28.00  Sorry, Sold!


 



Meteorite
22.5 x 10 x 10 mm
19.21 g
 

BK213    $26.00



 

 


Meteorite
23.5 x 19 x 10 mm
21.67 g

BK226    $28.00



 

 


Meteorite
23.5 x 15.5 x 4 mm  
14.37 g  

BK227    $24.00



 

 


Meteorite
28 x 16.5 x 11 mm
17.26 g

BK235    $26.00



 

 


Meteorite
18 x 15 x 8 mm
13.5 g

BK236    $22.00



 
 


Meteorite
18 x 12 x 7.5 mm 
15.02 g

BK241    $22.00   Sorry, Sold!



 


Meteorite
14 x 7 x 7 mm
9.72 g

BK247    $12.99



 

 


Meteorite
16 x 12.5 x 2 mm
4.46 g

BK252    $7.99   Sorry, Sold!



 

 


Meteorite
14 x 10 x 4 mm
6.41 g
 

BK253    $8.99



 

Special Value:

Meteorite
It wasn't until I photographed this impressive stone that I realized that it has a crack in it near the bottom. The metal has sealed over the crack along the edges, so it won't break apart, but this means a big price reduction. Note that it weighs more than one ounce. 29 x 17.5 x 9 mm
36.42 g

BK210    $24.00  reg. $35.00





 

Meteorite cleaning and care

These Campo del Cielo meteorites are Group I, composed of primarily iron, with a smattering of other chemicals. Like any earthbound iron, they will eventually rust. Collectors protect larger specimens by coating them with gun oil, but this won't work for meteorites to be worn as jewelry. The experts say that if you want to clean your meteorite, use Brasso (metal cleaner) with a soft brush. You can then polish the meteorite to a high gleam if you wish. Then, seal the stone from the oxidizing effects of the air by spraying it with 3 in 1 Silicone Spray. (Both products are available at most hardware stores).  This should protect it for the life of the piece.


Next page: Black in the abstract       Previous page: Art-carved Gems

Directory of gems by type, plus shopping tips: Designer Gems

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