| Prices per 16″ strand | |
| 4mm Round | $5.00 |
| 5mm Round | $10.00 |
| 6mm Round | $20.00 |
| 8mm Round | $24.00 |
| 5mm Faceted Round | $15.00 |
| 6mm Faceted Round | $20.00 |
| 5mm Button | $10.00 |
| 3x7mm Tube | $10.00 |
| 5x8mm Flat Rectangle | $10.00 |
| 4x6mm Diamond-ish shape | $10.00 |
| 5x8mm High drilled teardrop | SOLD OUT |
| 4x10mm Faceted Oval | $20.00 |
All sold and priced per 16″ strand
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#1959 4mm Plain Round $8.00 |
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#1959 4mm Plain Round $8.00 |
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#1960 6mm Plain Round $10.00 |
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#1961 7mm Plain Round $16.00 |
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#1962 10mm Plain Round $25.00 |
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#1963 6mm Faceted Cube $20.00 |
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#1964 4mm Faceted Round $15.00 |
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#1965 6mm Faceted Round $20.00 |
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#1967 5x8mm Faceted Teardrop $30.00 |
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#1968 6x9mm Carved Leaves $20.00 |
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#1969 6x10mm Carved Teardrop $20.00 |
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#1971 5x8mm Diamond Shape $15.00 |
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#1368 5mm Heishi Disc $18.00 |
| No picture available | #994 Large Graduated Smooth Rondelles 8mm-13mm – Very Nice Quality 20.00 |
Click on the picture to see a close-up
The swirling purples of Charoite resemble the eddys and rushing waters in a fast moving stream. The colors range from deep purple to pale lavender inter-spiced with white. It almost looks unnatural. Charoite is composed of: Hydrated Sodium, Calcium, Barium Strontium, Silicate Hydroxide Fluoride.
Charoite is found only along the Chara River Valley in a very remote area of East Central Siberia. The only source for these gems is located about 325 miles NE of the northern tip of Lake Baikal. It is in the Chara Region (State) and is near the Region’s northern border. The Russians first discovered charoite in 1947, but it is believed that it was not known in the west until about 1978.
Similar beads to Charoite but not as expensive: LEPIDOLITE.
Since Charoite is found in only one part of the world: the Chara River area of Siberia, this part of Russia is known for its forbidding climate and terrain and as a traditional place of exile for political prisoners. There is a deep appropriateness to Charoite’s origins, for it deals with an internal exile, that of fear. When we’re afraid, we separate ourselves from a full appreciation of life, from the complete expression of our creativity. Most of all, we prevent ourselves from realizing all that we are spiritual beings.
It is a purple stone with black and white patterns. Purple is a sixth-chakra color, and the sixth chakra is where many of our limiting mental programs, including our fears, are stored. The color purple, among its other roles, helps to bring us closer to spirit by showing us that everything, even the thoughts we hold as true, can be dissolved and replaced with more empowering energies.The color black in this stone grounds the purple ray, and enables us to explore the nature of our fears; while white represents the connection to spirit.
It has been said that if we are not completely manifesting our potential as human beings fear is in some way stopping us. Look for those areas in which you feel limited, and you will find a fear which blocks you.Charoite will help to bring these fears to the surface. It helps to make this process easier by also giving you a boost of courage and commitment to dissolve fear patterns. If you choose to meditate with this stone, it’s often a good idea to allow time afterwards to contemplate what you’ve learned. Another way to work with Charoite is to put it beneath your pillow, especially if you are prone to disturbed sleep or fears which surface in dreams. In combination with amethyst, it will help to release these fears
Sold by the 16-in strand.
These are very high quality
very delicate blue with wisps of white mist
Rare and lovely!
Use in your most precious designs.
Carat pricing elsewhere on this product may be three times higher than our prices.
Priced as marked
| 10mm Round $115.00 SOLD OUT |
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| 8mm Round $75.00 SOLD OUT |
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| 6mm Round $48.00 SOLD OUT |
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| 7mm Faceted Teardrop $55.00 |
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| 15-25mm Assorted Flat Ovals $85.00 |
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| 12-22mm Assorted Flat Teardrop $90.00 |
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| 10-20mm Grad. Faceted Nuggets $95.00 |
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| 10x15mm Nuggets $90.00 SOLD OUT |
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Assorted Rectangles |
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| 8mm Rondelle $70.00 SOLD OUT |
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| 6x9mm Barrel Oval $70.00 |
Sold by the 16 inch strand.
These are very high quality
Very gorgeous coloring
Rare and lovely!
Use in your most precious designs.
Click on the picture because you HAVE to see these close-up
Priced as marked
| 4-10mm Graduated Rondelle $45.00 |
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| 6-7mm Chips $12.00 |
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| 6mm Rondelle $35.00 |
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| 8mm Rondelle $45.00 |
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| 5x8mm Tube $25.00 |
Carnelian comes in many shapes and shades. There are very light varieties, an amber-like, deep orange color and the darkest burnt orange color. Depending on tastes and designs, these beads are very much in demand, especially in shapes which are VERY HARD TO ACQUIRE. Naturally, we have amassed a small stash to share with a few of our closest friends..
Here is the current list of what we have in stock: we have pics of some items for now (it’s on our To-Do list!), but if there’s anything that especially appeals, let us know and we’ll see if it can fall on the scanner… 🙂
GORGEOUS AND RARE!
35-40mm Drilled Through
12 Beads per strand
Click on the picture to see close-up
Over 100 beads
No pictures available yet on the following: prices are per 16″ strand.
Click on the pictures to see a close-up
| Round Beads 4-8mm 4mm Round = $12.00 5mm Round = $14.00 6mm Round = $17.00 8mm Round = $25.00 |
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| Cubes 4mm $10.00/strand |
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| Faceted Rondelle 4mm $15.00 per strand |
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Hand cut faceted, topside drilled.
Click on the picture to see a close up
Faceted Gemstone Teardrop Beads
Hand cut faceted, topside drilled in different stones.
Click on the picture to see a close up
Sold by the strand.
Shapes available are pictured.
Click on the picture to see close-up
| 20x15mm Bean High Quality Stone Free Form Bean Shape 20 beads on the strand $18.00/strand |
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| 13x30mm Flat Oval High Quality 14 beads on the strand $25.00/strand |
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| 13x30mm Twist Oval High Quality 13 Beads on the strand $25.00/strand |
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| 15x30mm 3-Sided Oval High Quality 13 Beads on the strand $25.00/strand |
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| 18x35mm 4-Sided Oval High Quality 11 Beads on the strand $30.00/strand |
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| 12x22mm 6 Sided Tube High Quality 17 Beads on the strand $25.00/strand |
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| 12x35mm 6 Sided Tube High Quality 11 Beads on the strand $25.00/strand |
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| 18x25mm Rectangle $45.00 |
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| 20mm Round $45.00 |
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| 25mm Round $54.00 |
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| 18x25mm Oval $45.00 |
Two shades available, Dark and Regular Aventurine, assorted shapes and sizes.
Shapes available, priced as marked.
[Photos to follow…eventually! :-)]
Note: we are down to VERY limited stock, so this page is now mostly for reference.
Swirling pinks, clear and little fibers of gold and silver make up Astorite. The color ranges from pink, red, clear, white, dark with translucent to opaque areas, showing little flecks of gold and silver. This stone, its contradictions, colors, minerals and metallics, from composition to formation, is unique and one of a kind.
Astorite is basically rhodonite, but in addition also contains – pardon us if we get rock-geeky here! – rhodochrosite, quartz (in the form of pseudomorphs, and chalcedony, after quartz), and ore gangue silicified (complex sulfide ore with native metallics of gold, silver, copper, lead and chalcopyrite). This combination is what gives it a special look – as far as we know, astorite is only found in a very remote area of Colorado in a mine located 12,000 feet above sea level in an avalanche chute. The mineral and mine are named after the previous mine owner JOHN JACOB ASTOR IV, once considered the wealthiest man in America.
Click on the picture to see a close-up
Becky Anders (email: anders98@bellsouth.net) used our rare astorite as the highlight in this lovely bracelet – click on the picture to see the detail.
The mineral and mine are named after the previous mine owner JOHN JACOB ASTOR IV who was once considered the wealthiest man in America. Colonel John Jacob Astor IV was born in Rhinebeck, New York on July 13th, 1864 the son of William Astor and great-grandson of John Jacob Astor the fur trader. Astor was educated at St. Paul’s School, Concord and later went to Harvard. After a period of travelling abroad (1888-91) he returned to the United States to manage the family fortune. He had homes at 840 Fifth Avenue, New York and at Ferncliff, Rhinebeck, New York. In 1894 Astor wrote a semi-scientific novel “A Journey in Other Worlds”. During his life he also developed several mechanical devices including a bicycle brake (1898), helped to develop the turbine engine, and invented a pneumatic road-improver.
In 1897 Astor built the Astoria Hotel, New York adjoining the Waldorf Hotel which had been built by William Waldorf Astor, his cousin. The new complex became known as the Waldorf-Astoria. Astor’s real-estate interest included two other hotels, the Hotel St. Regis (1905) and the Knickerbocker (1906). He became Colonel-staff to General Levi P. Morton and in 1898, at the time of the Spanish-American War, was commissioned as a lieutenant colonel in the US volunteers. He placed his yacht Nourmahal at the disposal of the U.S. government and equipped a mountain battery of artillery for use against the Spanish.
On 1 May 1891 Astor was married to Ava, daughter of Edward Shippen Willing of Philadelphia. Together they had a son and one daughter. However, in 1909 Astor divorced Ava and, two years later, married eighteen-year-old Madeleine Force (who was a year younger than his son Vincent- pictured here with John on the Titanic). Public opinion was divided concerning the respectability of Astor’s actions, and the newlyweds decided to winter abroad in order to let the gossip die down at home. Mr and Mrs Astor travelled to Egypt and Paris and, in the spring of 1912, decided to return to America as First Class passengers on board the brand new Titanic.
They boarded the Titanic at Cherbourg with Colonel Astor’s manservant Mr Victor Robbins, Mrs Astor’s maid Miss Rosalie Bidois, Miss Caroline Louise Endres Mrs Astor’s private nurse and their pet Airedale Kitty. Their ticket was PC 17757 which cost £224 10s 6d. They occupied cabins C-62-64. After the accident Astor left his suite to investigate, he quickly returned and reported to his wife that the ship had struck ice. He reassured her that the damage did not appear serious. Later, when the first class passengers had begun to congregate on the boat deck, the Astors sat on the mechanical horses in the gymnasium. They wore their lifebelts but Colonel Astor had found another and cut the lining with a pen knife to show his wife what it was made of.
Even as the boats were loaded Astor appeared unperturbed, he ridiculed the idea of trading the solid decks of the Titanic for a small lifeboat ‘we are safer here than in that little boat’. He had changed his mind by 1:45 when Second Officer Charles Lightoller arrived on A deck to finish loading Lifeboat 4. Astor helped his wife to climb through the windows of the enclosed promenade and then asked if he might join her, being as she was in ‘a delicate condition’. Lightoller told him that no men could enter until all the women had been loaded. Astor stood back and just asked Lightoller which boat it was. After boat 4 was lowered at 1:55 Astor stood alone while others tried to free the remaining collapsible boats. Astor’s body was recovered on Monday April 22 by the cable ship McKay-Bennett (#124):
Information provided by: Encyclopedia Titanica: First Class Passenger: Colonel John Jacob Astor IV [http://www.encyclopedia-titanica.org/bio/p/1st/astor_jj.shtml] Accessed Sun Apr 14 19:09:09 2002.
The wealthiest man in the United States at his death, his estimated value in todays dollars would be approximately $1.3 Billion. He left a fortune that has continued to make the family name prominent. Part of his money went to found the Astor Library (see New York Public Library).
Colonel Astor was a well traveled man and knew quality and value. So it’s not surprising that he found and purchased the Astor Mine in the San Juan Mountains of southwestern Colorado. The mine was closed when John Jacob Astor IV went down in 1912 with the Titanic in the Atlantic. The portal was sealed upon John’s death not to be reopened until 2001. Today this mine produces the finest unique ore body in the world, now known as “astorite”.