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Direct Links to 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

Opals, Boulder
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

Understand mm sizes:

Quick guide:

 1" = 25mm

1/2"=13mm

1/4"=6.5mm

Change can help:

1 quarter= 24.2 mm

1 dime= 18mm

Both coins: 42mm

 

These magical stones are chatoyant--This means that the crystals within the stone are aligned in such a way that certain areas of the stone are iridescent, or change luster and color as you move the stone back and forth in the light. The chatoyance is subtle in some pieces, and very flashy in others. These all are amazing, one-of-a-kind pieces.

On this page:        Seraphinite          Gold-Sheen Obsidian          Eudialyte         Astrophyllite


Next page: More Chatoyants        Previous page: Black in the abstract

Norwegian Moonstone 

Also called Larvikite, this stone hails from the fiord region of Larvik, Norway. Legend has it that it came to the world's attention in the 1890s when a local geologist saw it glimmering in the moonlight and recommended that it be submitted as a representative stone from Norway to the World's Fair, then being held in Germany. It won first prize, and has been used ever since in sculpture, jewelry, and architecture. It is not a granite; rather, it is an feldspar-rich igneous rock that, in these pieces, intersperses a pearly grey matrix with patches of black and flashes of iridescent blue. New Age enthusiasts use it for clear thinking, psychic travel, and lucid dreaming.


Norwegian Moonstone Pair    
Norway
24 x 17.5 mm  

CH338     $48.00


 


Norwegian Moonstone Pair    
Norway
22 x 19 mm  

CH339     $46.00


 


Seraphinite 

From the area near the deepest lake in the world, Lake Baikal in Siberia, comes this beautiful green stone. Seraphinite is a gem variety of chlinochlore, and as such is related to Charoite. Perhaps to the person who named it, the silvery chatoyant fibers looked like angels' wings, but to me it is a winter gem, with branching deep green designs shimmering with hoarfrost or snow. The crystalline pattern is also reminiscent of frost on windowpanes. This is a soft stone, not for belt buckles or heavy wear items.
 

Seraphinite     Siberia
44.5 x 21mm  

CH215     $52.00


 

 

 


Seraphinite    
Siberia
31.5 x 22.5mm  

CH21     $46.00


 

 

 

Seraphinite     Siberia
30.5 x 22.5mm  

CH208     $44.00


 

 

 


Seraphinite    
Siberia
29 x 18mm  

CH210     $36.00


 

 



Seraphinite    
Siberia
27 x 20mm  

CH200     $30.00


 

 


Seraphinite    
Siberia
36 x 22mm  

CH202     $26.00


 

 

 


Seraphinite    
Siberia
25.5 x 23.5mm  

CH203     $18.99


 

 


Gold Sheen Obsidian

Mexico's obsidians are not just black--They also glimmer with rainbow colors, imitate the sensuousness of velvet, and now, a new look: Gold Sheen. Viewed from one direction, these pieces are a dark caramel brown. But turn them in the light, and immediately they shimmer with thousands of microscopic cool golden flecks. The dealer who found these said they are the best gold sheen obsidian he's ever seen, probably because the chatoyance runs rich and bright all through the stones. These are big, glowing pieces, and the hand-carving is amazing--it creates plays of light and shadow all over their multi-dimensional surfaces. They are beautiful, wearable sculptures.  This is my entire collection. Doug photographed these from the side so you can get an idea of all three dimensions. Satin-finish backs.


Gold Sheen Obsidian    
Mexico
This one is a deep rich black with subtle chatoyance throughout. 41.5 x 31.5 mm, 9.5 mm thick  

CH226     $50.00


 


Eudialyte

Eudialyte (pronounced yew-DYE-ah-lite), also known as garnet feldspar, is found in masses of micro-tabular and rhobohedral crystals of pink, red, and rose that often glimmer with chatoyance.  The contrast of the jewel-like reds and the background colors of black, white, grey and sage are reminiscent of Russian lacquerware and fabrics. These pieces are mined in only one place in the world--in Chibine, Russia. Many of them are of significant size, so please be sure to note the measurements. I have seen other Eudialyte and I can attest that these pieces are of exceptional quality. Hardness: 5.5  Please click on the photos to see these lovely pieces in even more detail.

Eudialyte     Russia
This is a very unique stone: It is finished on both sides, and the face of the back has a curved surface just like the front. A bezel strap running along the outer edge would be an ideal way to feature this reversible piece. 50 x 34 x 11.5 mm thick,25.33 g  

CH122     $130.00


 

 

 


 

Eudialyte     Russia
The reds form a lovely composition in this piece. 36.5 x 28.5mm  

CH282     $100.00


 

 

 

Eudialyte     Russia
This is another glimmering piece. 41 x 30 mm, 13.37 g  

CH115     $96.00


 

 

 


 

Eudialyte     Russia
35 x 32.5mm  

CH289     $86.00


 

 


 

Eudialyte     Russia
32 x 26 mm, 7.24 g  

CH112     $68.00


 

 

 


Astrophyllite

From the Greek words meaning "star" and "leaf,"  Astrophyllite (as-TRO-fi-lite), contains big flattened crystals that color-shift from chocolate-brown to startling bronze as the stone is moved. The background is white feldspar. This material is nearly impossible to cut: The rough looks very pretty but spalls apart like a bar of soap when put to a saw. But apparently the Russians have a secret lapidary technique that not only works, but brings out the beauty of the glimmering bronze rutiles. This stone is not hard (similar to Azurite in hardness), so it is suggested that it not be used for belt-buckles or other high-wear jewelryThese wonderful pieces--exceedingly fine for their size and beauty--are my entire current stock. Please click on photos to get a better look.

Astrophyllite    
Russia
35 x 25 mm  

CH275     $78.00


 

 

 


Astrophyllite    
Russia
44 x 23 mm  

CH276     $64.00


 

 

 

 


Astrophyllite    
Russia
41.5 x 23 mm  

CH277     $62.00


 

 

 

 


Astrophyllite    
Russia
44 x 27 mm  

CH278     $68.00


 

 

 

 

Astrophyllite     Chibine, Russia
32 mm square cushion

CH124     $48.00


 

 



Astrophyllite    
Chibine, Russia
40.5 x 31 mm  

CH127     $48.00


 

 

 


More Chatoyants on the next page.             Previous page: Black in the abstract

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

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