|
|
|
Direct Links to popular gemstones and cabochons:
Amazonite
Opals, Boulder
Parrot Wing 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.
CH338 $48.00
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.
CH215 $52.00
CH21 $46.00
CH208 $44.00
CH210 $36.00
CH200 $30.00
CH202 $26.00
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.
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.
CH122 $130.00
CH282 $100.00
CH115 $96.00
CH289 $86.00
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 jewelry. These wonderful pieces--exceedingly fine
for their size and beauty--are my entire current stock. Please click on
photos to get a better look. CH275 $78.00
CH276 $64.00
CH277 $62.00
CH278 $68.00
CH124 $48.00
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 To view the contents of your shopping cart: Questions? Looking for something slightly different? I might have it...E-Mail Me.
|
Copyright © 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012
Heart of Stone Studio Gemstones
Cabochons
|
