Three Grades “AA”, “A” and Yellow – Finest Quality!
Granny Apple Green (“AA”), Light Green (“A”), and Lemon Yellow

About chrysoprase

Chrysoprase is Apple Green Chalcedony. The shade of green is due to nickel. It is sometimes referred to as Australian Jade. Chrysoprase will fade in the sunlight. The best Chrysoprase is found in Australia. It is an important ornamental gemstone that serves as the alternative Birthstone for those born in the month of May. Used by Greeks, Romans and Egyptians for signets and seals as well as jewelry during the early times. It was also popular during the Victorian era in jewelry design. It is the most valuable variety of chalcedony. The highest quality material is rich apple green of even color and is highly prized and valued. Now you know everything.

We’ve scanned a few images of the turquoise we have in stock to give you a small idea of how different it is. We stock Turquoise from Africa, China, Nepal (oh yes…Nepal), and America Stock may be limited, so please be patient if an item is out of stock! You may also want to see our Turquoise/Sterling Pendants

About turquoise

Mention turquoise, and most people will probably think of Native American silver jewelry set with the sky blue gemstone. Turquoise has always been highly venerated in Native American traditions. It is an essential presence in the Shaman’s medicine bag. It can be a simple nugget or bead, or it may be carved in the shape of a totem animal, and adorned with feathers and bits of stone tied to it with sinew. The Pueblo people often placed turquoise in the floors of their dwellings to bring good fortune. Although turquoise is closely identified with Native Americans, its lore and appreciation stretch across the globe.

It was discovered by the ancient Egyptians around 3000 BC and was used widely in their finest jewelry and ornaments often combined with Lapis Lazuli and Carnelian as in the treasures of Tutankhamun’s tomb. The turquoise was carved into scarabs, and representations of the various gods and worn by the priests for ceremonial purposes. The ceramic Faience was developed by the Egyptians as an imitation for turquoise and lapis lazuli.

Old European traditions associate turquoise with horses, and hold that the stone will protect horses from all sorts of ills. In particular, it was said to prevent them from drinking overly cold water while overheated and foundering. turquoise was said to enable its wearer to resist evil and maintain virtue. It was credited with helping achieve a state of higher consciousness and resistance to weakness. It was also thought to protect its wearer from falling, particularly from towers and horses.

Tibetans revere the stone and believe it represents good fortune, good health, and that it provides powerful protection against the evil eye. turquoise is used in Tibetan healing ceremonies, where a turquoise bead is thought to hold the shadow soul and draw out illness from the body. Buddhists associate turquoise with knowledge of the future. Many Tibetans still wear necklaces with turquoise, and coral beads which are hundreds of years old, and turquoise often adorns ceremonial objects. In both Tibet and Nepal, turquoise is highly esteemed and can also serve as currency.

Today the major sources of turquoise are Arizona, plus Australia, Chile, China, and Mexico. The stone often occurs with veins of matrix which add interest to its beauty. Body oils can sometimes cause turquoise to turn green with time. It’s the alternate birthstone for December.

African Turquoise

Actually, better put turquoise in mental quotes for this one – chemically, it’s a jasper, rather than “true” turquoise, but it does have a similar look. Mined in Africa, mostly greens and a little rust with lots of matrix and black spots.

African Turquoise Rounds 4mm = $6, 6mm = $8, 8mm = $10 10mm = $15.50, 12mm = $20
7-9mm Barrel Rondelle assorted $25.00/strand, SOLD OUT

American Turquoise

Mined in America, mostly deep blues with matrix all throughout.

10mm Discs American Turquoise Very Limited Supply! From the Kingman (Arizona) mine: very nice! $110.00/strand

American Turquoise Cabachons Sold by the gram in assortments. $40.00 per bag of 10 grams assorted [20-30 cabs]. This photo shows WAY more than 10 grams but we wanted to show you the variety. 5x7mm oval to 12x15mm triangle and in between [Click on the picture to enlarge]

Chinese Turquoise

Mined in China, mostly light greens mixes with blue and yellow.
Not much matrix, with some exceptions.

25mm Turquoise Peace Sign Beads Sold by the piece $1.00 each 25mm x 4mm Click on the picture to see a close-up
Blue (Enhanced) Nuggets Medium 5-7mm – $18.00/strand Gorgeous Color! Click on the picture to see a close-up
4-5mm Blue (Enhanced) Nuggets Small Nuggets 4-5mm $15.00/strand Gorgeous Color! Click on the picture to see a close-up
Blue (Enhanced) Nuggets Medium 5-7mm – $18.00/strand Gorgeous Color! Click on the picture to see a close-up
Chinese Turquoise 5mm Donut Rondelle $15.00 per strand Click on the picture to see a close up.
Chinese Turquoise 10mm Round $35.00 per strand Other round sizes in stock: 8mm ($30) 6mm ($17) and 4mm ($16)
Chinese Turquoise Skull Beads 18mm Beautiful! $3.00 each
Chinese Turquoise 2x2mm Heishi Tubes Beautiful! $15.00 per strand Click on the picture to see a close up.
Chinese Turquoise Cabachons 10x14mm Oval $42 per card [42 cabs]

Lemon Yellow Turquoise

From China, mostly light yellow little green and black matrix.

Lemon Yellow Faceted Nuggets $25.00 per strand Approx. 13x18mm (with variations) Click on the pic to see a close-up
Lemon Yellow Turquoise Flat Ovals $20.00 per strand Approx. 12x15mm (with variations) Click on the pic to see a close-up
Lemon Yellow Turquoise Rondelles $20.00 per strand 8mm
Lemon Yellow Turquoise Faceted Rondelles $35.00 per strand 14mm Click on the pic to see a close-up
Lemon Yellow Turquoise Rounds Available in three sizes, 4mm, 6mm and 8mm.

Mexican Turquoise

Mined in Mexico, at the Compitas mine, this turquoise resembles the deep blues of Sleeping Beauty with matrix all throughout. Some of these had already been made into finished necklaces, so have clasps on them. You can use them for the nuggets, or you can just sell them as is!

7-12mm Compitas Turquoise Nuggets $22.00 per strand
Compitas Nuggets sold loose: $1.00/gram Size choices: 10-15mm and 12-25mm
10-25mm Compitas Turquoise Nuggets Graduated, 21″ strand $35.00 per strand

Nepalese Turquoise Nuggets

Never heard of these ourselves, but who are we to argue with a monk? Beautiful Blue/Green tones Approx 7-9mm, slight variances in size. $30.00 per strand Click on the pic for a close-up

Persian Turquoise

PERSIAN TURQUOISE CABACHONS. We got these from a collector’s estate, who kept them under lock and key for many years. These are excellent for glueing onto any project and are all natural, no enhancements whatsoever. Assorted shapes and sizes. Sold by the CARAT in assortments. There are approximately 10-14 cabs in a 25 carat assortment. Size variances are anywhere from 5x7mm through 8x11mm and in between. $40.00 per bag (25 carats assorted).

“Treated” Turquoise Chips

<p”>Treated turquoise is a process by which the pore spaces of the stone are filled with a transparent substance such as mineral oil, paraffin, or plastic to improve the color, and make it more desirable. Not to be confused with Stabilized Turquoise, in which an epoxy resin or other substance is infused into the pores of the stone. No longer porous, its color will not change over time. Stabilization allows us to use turquoise that might otherwise not be suitable for jewelry.

Treated turquoise, 36″ chip strands Beautiful light blue chips Variances in sizes from 4-6mm. $4.00 per strand Click on the pic for a close-up look

Yellow Turquoise

Yellow Turquoise is from China and is brand new on the scene, with its dark yellow/pea green tones. This shade is lovely and rare, with lots of variations and shades of yellows, greens and darker matrix. Very hard to find or even get information about this particular shade. Lovely for all types of jewelry. Make lovely center stones on any custom design. Virtually endless possibilities.

Dark Yellow Turquoise Large Rounds. Available in 12mm, 14mm, 16mm and 18mm. Prices start at $30.00 per strand.
Varietal Yellow Turquoise Big Oval Nuggets 20x30mm Big Flat Ovals $30.00 per strand Click on the picture to see a close-up
Varietal Yellow Turquoise Small Rounds. Available in 4mm, 6mm and 8mm. 4mm = $8, 6mm = $11, 8mm = $14
Yellow Turquoise Cabachons 10x14mm Oval (pictured) $42 per card [42 cabs] 8x10mm Oval $25 per card [39 cabs]

About Tourmaline

Tourmaline is an unsurpassable stone. It comes in a wide variety of colors, all with a lovely fire. In fact, a single bead may have layers and layers of colors – hues and shades of such subtle intensity – that if you are receptive, it will cast a spell of beauty, magic, and fantasy on you. If not multi-colored, a single stone is at least dichroic (showing two colors).

The colors of tourmaline are as natural as life itself. This is because color has an immediate impact on our emotions. Tourmaline shows the greatest color range of any gemstone, almost any shade is possible, right from jet-black to the colorless. Its multiple shades embrace the entire universe in all its hues, and the many subtleties of color make it an immensely enjoyable gemstone, both for the creative designer and the avid connoisseur. The name justifies its nature, which comes from an ancient Sri Lankan word, turmali, which means “of various colors.”

It is very versatile, and brings a positive influence to all those who come in contact with it. This is due to its clarity, because of which it does not hold or absorb negativity. Indeed it is a sensitive stone for sensitive people; gentle, yet powerful.

A unique property of tourmaline is observed in relation to electricity. Not only is it a good conductor, but also a good generator of electricity, i.e. it has the capability to produce electric charges when it is heated or cooled. It is a proven fact that because of this tremendous electric nature, tourmaline influences the nervous system, which needs vital electric energy generated within the body to sustain its rhythms.

Tourmaline’s nearly universal popularity is based on two very important considerations: first, it is a bright and beautiful gemstone that can be found in just about any color; and second, it is affordable to all designers and collectors.

The name sardonyx was originally two words, Sard Onyx, where ‘sard’ came from a dark reddish-brown variety of chalcedony, and is used here to indicate shades of red. It is also called Sard Quartz. This bead is stunning with its gorgeous red and brown banding around each bead. Available as listed, prices are per strand. Click on most of the pictures to see a close-up.

#089: Pillow Beads 12x12mm = $18.00
#090: Pillow Beads 15x20mm = $22.00
#091: Teardrop Beads 12mm Flat Top Drilled $22.00
#092: Teardrop Beads 9mm Pear Shape Top Drilled $18.00
#093: Lantern Beads 10mm Faceted Lantern $18.00
#094: Button Beads 4x6mm Button $15.00
#095: Large Button Beads 6x10mm Button $18.00
#084: Round Beads Available in 5 sizes 6mm = $10 8mm = $12 10mm = $16 16mm = $55 18mm = $65
#082: 9x12mm Oval 29 beads on a strand $15.00/strand
#083: 7x14m Tube 15 beads on a strand $20.00/strand

Clear Quartz with Rutile *Needles* all through them. The Rutile resembles Gold Threads and are often mistaken for Gold. Lovely and Rare. These beads make excellent spacers as well as accent pieces. All prices are per strand

#1660 rounds:
6mm: $22.00
8mm: $28.00
10mm: $50.00
12mm: $70.00

Tubes: $22.00
Twisted square: $18.00

Teardrops: $22.00

Chip strands (not pictured): $6.00

Lovely Rhodochrosite (stone of “love”) in 4mm, 6mm and 8mm. Gorgeous banding around a soft pink stone. Naturally, they’re not cheap. Good Rhodochrosite is difficult at best to find and this particular lot are excellent quality. They’ll make lovely custom pieces that you can sell for tons of money to exclusive clients. Always look on the bright side of life. 🙂

Rounds
4mm = $24.00
6mm = $40.00
8mm = $65.00
10mm = $95.00

About Pietersite

Lovely earthtone shades of brown with swirls of gold, rust and grays. Pietersite (so called because it was discovered by Sid Pieters in Namibia) is a mix of blue and gold tiger’s eye in quartz which has been folded and stressed in the Earth. It has the lovely iridescence of tiger’s eye but not in structured bands, more in swirls and swathes.

4-12mm Rounds

4mm = $5.00
6mm = $6.25
8mm = $7.50
10mm = $10.75
12mm = $15.00

Blue pietersite tubes  – 6mm

$22.00 per strand

Genuine Pietersite with more blue tones
16 inch strand
Assorted Tubes, 6x7mm, 6x9mm, varies
approximately 50 beads/strand
Click on the picture to see a close up

About Opal

Opal has been treasured throughout history around the world. Archaeologist Louis Leakey found six thousand-year-old opal artifacts in a cave in Kenya. Roman historian Pliny described the magnificence of opal as the combination of the beauty of all other gems. Opal was much loved and valued highly by the Romans, who called it opalus. In Greek mythology opal is said to have formed out of the tears of joy Zeus cried after his victory over the Titans. The Aztecs mined opal in South and Central America. Opal was also treasured in the middle Ages and was called ophthalmios, or eye stone, due to a widespread belief that it was beneficial to eyesight.

Blonde women wore opal necklaces to protect their hair from losing its colour. An opal called the orphanus was set in the crown of the Holy Roman Emperor. This opal was said to protect the regal honor. Opals are also set in the crown jewels of France. Napoleon gave Josephine a beautiful opal with brilliant red flashes called “The burning of Troy”, making her his Helen. Shakespeare found in the opal a symbol of shifting inconstancy, likening play of color to play of mind in one of the most apt uses of gemstone symbolism in literature. In “Twelfth Night”, he writes: “Now the melancholy God protect thee, and the tailor make thy garments of changeable taffeta, for thy mind is opal”.

In India, opal is thought to be the Goddess of rainbows turned to stone when fleeing from the romantic advances of the other Gods. Queen Victoria loved opals and often gave them as wedding presents. Ancient opal came from the mines near Cervenica, Hungary, in what is now Eastern Slovakia, where hundreds of men mined the stone.

Yellow African Opal

4x4mm Cubes = 8.00
Round: 4mm = 5.00, 6mm = 7.00, 8mm = 9.00, 10mm = 12.00
8x12mm Leaves = 10.00
13x18mm Nuggets = SOLD OUT

Red African Opal

Round: 4mm = 8.00, 6mm = 9.00, 8mm = 11.00, 10mm = 15.00
8mm Hi-Drilled Flat Round = 22.00

Peruvian Pink Opal

Gorgeous, high quality
Prices are per strand.
Shapes available are pictured.
Click on the picture to see a closeup

4x6mm Rice – SOLD OUT
5mm Disc Heishi = $18.00
5mm Donut Heishi = $18.00
4mm Round = $15.00
6mm Round = $20.00
8mm Round = $40.00