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Popular gemstones and cabochons:
Amazonite
Parrot Wing quick guide: 1" = 25mm 1/2"=13mm 1/4"=6.5mm
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These pages of cabochons and other gemstones were hand-picked by a jeweler to add beauty, uniqueness, and impact to your designs. This directory page offers links to what you're searching for. Before you buy, we suggest you read our special shopping tips to ensure you get exactly what you want. To quickly reach the Directory of Stones or Shopping Tips, click the underlined titles below: Directory of Page Themes Directory by Type of Stone Shopping Tips
Directory of Page Themes and what they contain: (Click on underlined title to go to that page, or use the link bars at left)
Art-Carved Gemstones An all-new page of faceted gems and cabochons cut by lapidary artists.
Druzy! These geode-like crystal "cabochons" add tons of sparkle to any design. Included are:
Metals All-new page of stones containing copper, silver, and pyrite.
Translucent Stones An all-new section of Montana and Brazilian agates that allow you to look into their depths!
You can ensure that what you order is what you get, and that you'll be pleased with your purchase, if you take a few moments to read the following tips for gemstone shopping on this website. Shopping tip topics: 1. One-of-a-kind stones 2. Figuring out the size of stones 3. Trusting the photos 4. Understanding the pricing of cabochons 5. Understanding the pricing of pearls 6. Wearability 7. Shipping and insurance 1. Know that most stones pictured are one-of-a-kind. That means if you fall in love with a particular stone, it's preferable not to wait to buy it, because someone else might snatch it up. That said, you should know that I might have some other stones in stock that are similar to the one you want, so don't hesitate to E-Mail Me with a request and I'll see whether I can fill it. 2. Make sure you understand what size the stone is. Working on my own computer, I've set up the illustrations so that each stone is shown close to or at its actual size. Unfortunately, different computers will display photos at different sizes, so DON'T RELY ON THE PICTURE for sizing; trust the written measurements instead. I suggest having your millimeter ruler handy to help get an idea of the actual size of each stone. 3. How much should you trust the photos? When shopping online, you're restricted to using the photos to make selections. I worked REALLY HARD to make sure the colors and shapes of the stones were accurately pictured, but translating something from reality to a digital image can be difficult. My overall impression as I build these web pages is that overall, The actual stones look even better than the photos. They will have more shine and an even lovelier appearance than the photos, so instead of being disappointed with your purchase, I'm betting that you'll be very pleased. And if you aren't, return your purchase to me for a full refund (see my Policies ). 4. Understand the pricing: Cabochons. Each cabochon is priced according to the following: a. the type and rarity of stone b. the uniqueness of its image ("designer value") c. size and weight I've used two different measures of weights on this website: grams(g) and carats (ct). Grams are used in weighing heavier stones, carats in smaller, lighter, usually faceted stones. It's an easy-to-understand relationship: There are 5 carats in 1 gram. So 1 carat weighs .2 of a gram. And to take it a step further, there are 31.1 grams, or 155.52 carats, in one ounce. Lapidarists (gemstone cutters) will sometimes charge for stones by the gram, so that heavier stones (even if they don't have a significantly greater surface area) will cost more. This might explain some price differences that you see. On the Rare Finds page (which I'll be expanding soon), both size and rarity of the image play an important role. The "Rock Rule of Thumb" that applies to both designer cabs and faceted stones, is that it's harder to find larger chunks of mineral material without inclusions, cracks, blemishes, etc., so larger, perfect stones will be rarer and naturally cost more. Remember that you're dealing with Natural products, which tend to vary greatly from year to year as mine yields drop, political turmoil closes off access, and new deposits are discovered. 5. Understand the pricing: Pearls. Pearls are evaluated and priced differently than other gems. This website carries only freshwater pearls, which grow in mussels, not oysters. Unlike many saltwater cultured pearls, these pearls are not dyed, so some slight color variation in each strand is to be expected. In fact, in my opinion, because the colors are natural, these slight color variations add to the dimension and interest of the strand. Pearls are evaluated by luster, size, and shape. Pearls with a high luster, larger size, more symmetrical shape (round being the most valuable), and freedom from blemishes command a higher price. Luster for the pearls in this website is acceptable to fine, and they all will look good on. While not all the pearls offered are round, their deviation from that shape is made up for by beautiful color, luster, and size. You can pay LOTS more for more uniform, saltwater pearls, but they might be dyed. The choice is up to you. On this website, pearls are sold on thin strings, unknotted, for use by jewelers and designers. If you're interested in knotting your own pearl strands, these pearls all take a number 2 silk cord. Finished strands will also become available as I expand the website. 6. Take rock hardness into account in your designs. The vast majority of the cabochons in this website are extremely durable, and can be used in any piece of jewelry. Agates and jaspers are really tough, and will do fine even in belt buckles or rings. Softer stones such as turquoise, Nature's paintbrush, can be set in rings but with the caveat that they are more vulnerable to hard wear. Druzy is remarkably durable, but is just not, in the opinion of the experts, good for rings because it's too easy for the tiny individual crystals to be knocked off by hard wear. Other stones not on this website, but that you should know about, that should never be set in rings (regardless of what you might see in retail stores): tanzanite, chrome diopside. 7. Keep shipping costs in mind. As with other items on this website, the more you buy, the less you will pay for shipping (see: Policies). I will not send out packages valued at more than $100 without adequate insurance. This is both for your protection, and mine.
Gemstone directory (Directory by Type of Stone) Type of Gemstone
Page on which it is found
(Click on Lavender text)
If you can't find exactly what you want, or you see what you like but you want it in a different size, E-Mail Me and I'll try to help.
All photos on this website were taken by Judith Kiriazis and are her property, Copyright 2003, 2004. Photos and any other content of this website can be used only with the express written permission of Judith Kiriazis.
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Copyright © 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007
Heart of Stone Studio Gemstones
Cabochons
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