Water Fountains

Agate

     Agate is a type of Chalcedony and is not a very popular stone.  There are several types of agate, the most common ones are, blue lace agate, fire agate, moss agate, tree agate and petrified wood. You have probably see these gems in agate cabochons and agate beads. Agate can chip and crack very easily and it has a hardness rating of about 7 on the Mos scale.

    Agates occur in nodular masses, and when you crack open these gemstonse you find its stunting banding. Agate slices that you may have seen used for bookends, coasters, and paperweights. Agate is available in most colors like, fire agate that has very rich iridescent colors that was created by layers of iron oxide sandwiched in the quartz. Agate is porous, and is often dyed to darken or change its natural colors, and commonly treated agate is sold as Black Onyx.

     Petrified wood is fossilized wood that has had its organic matter turned into agate. Agate is mined all over the world like in Brazil, Eygpt, Germany, India, Italy, Madagascar, Mexico and in the United States of America. Moss agate is knowen to help someone become in touch with our natural. Tree agate has been said to enable introspection in one. This encourages one to view themself with more clarity, and view the world through a larger viewpoint. Back in ancient times, it was believed that agate protected the possessor from danger and gave courage. Legend has been said that wearing agate cures insomnia, and gives good dreams.

Amethyst

     Amethyst is February’s dazzling violet birthstone. Amethyst is the February Modern and Traditional Birthstone For the 4th and 6th year of marriage, and Amethyst is the anniversary gemstone. Amethyst is made into necklaces, rings, bracelets, earrings, and pendants.  Amethyst is knowen to be a symbol of security, sincerity, and gives one, peace of mind. Amethyst is lilac, purple, or mauve in color. Very good quality amethyst is transparent. Amethyst has a hardness of about 7 in the Mos scale.

      You can clean your Amethyst with a soft bristle brush with mild diah soap, and warm water. Amethyst will fade if its left in direct sun light for about 6 months of time. Amethyst is occassionally heat treated to create Citrine. Amethyst is mined all over the world like in Brazil, Canada, India, Madagascar, Namibia, Russia, Sri Lanka, and in the United States of America. 

      Amethyst is used to uplift spiritually. Often amethyst is know en to represent security, sincerity, and peace of mind. Legends proclaim that wearing amethyst jewelry or drinking from a chalice made from amethyst will prevent intoxication from alcohol. Amethyst is the Canadian State Gemstone of Ontario, Canada and the US State Gemstone of South Carolina.

Aventurine

     Aventurine, often knowen as the poor man’s Emerald, and is a nice less expensive gemstone. When it has inclusions, they appear to be sparkles. Extremely high quality aventurine that is free from inclusions, can seem like emerald.      Aventurine is know en to be green in color, it also comes in the colors blue and orange. You should keep this translucent aventurine out of the sun because it will  fade.

      This type of Cryptocrystaline Quartz contains inclusions of smaller crystals that reflect light and give a range of brilliant colors depending on its nature of the inclusions. Aventurine can be green, greenish-brown, blueish-white, bluish green and orange in color. Aventurine has a hardness rating of 7 on the Mos scale. Aventurine may look simular to jade or amazonite. Dark green Aventurine usually has inclusions, and because of the green fuchsite mica and sometimes a bit of pyrite that makes a speckled appearance. This identifying feature is often know en as aventurescence.

     Aventurine is found in Brazil, India, Japan, Russia, Tanzania, and in the United States of America. Aventurine is know en to be good for physical healings. Long ago, there was a custom of assigning various Masculine and Feminine Saints with certain gems for use in talismans. The name Andrew or ie. patron Saint Andrew, is associated with this gemstone called Aventurine.

Jade

     Jade is usually carved in to statues to bring out its natural beauty. It is most often made into jewelry, pendants, and statues. There are two types of Jade called Jadeite, and Nephrite. Jadeite is rarer type and the highest quality is called  imperial Jade. Jadeite is found in many colors: red, yellow, green, lilac, black, orange, white, pink, blue and brown. Jadeite has a hardness of 7 on the Mos scale.

      Nephrite Jade is more common and is most often used in makeing chinese carvings. Nephrite Jade comes in various tones of green mostly with an olive green tone to it. It has a hardness of 6.5 on the Mos scale. You should be aware that Serpentine is often been sold as Jade. Reputable dealers will not use the following misleading terms. For your protection, here is a list of them like, Amazon jade and Colorado Jade is really knowen as Amazonite or, green feldspar. “American jade” is really the Californite the green variety of idocrase. Imperial mexican jade, and mexican jade are dyed green calcite. Indian jade is aventurine. Korea jade and New jade are Serpentine. Jadeite is found in Myanmar, Japan, and in Alaska and California USA. Nephrite Jade is from Myanmar, Russia, China and Wyoming USA.

      Jade is the anniversary gemstone for the 12th, 30th and 35th years of marriage. Jade is knowen to help one relax. It is considered a very balanced stone and it helps one in both the vision of tasks to do as well as doing the actual tasks. Jade has been knowen of as the concentrated essense of love gemstone. Jade in China, is regarded as a vary special gemstone. It is believed that when it is handled some of the secret virtue of the substance is absorbed into the skin. Legends have it that the Spanish conquers of Central America have worn amulets of Jadeite to prevent and cure hip, and kidney complaints. Jade is the US State Gemstone of Alaska and Wyoming, and is the Canadian State Gemstone of British Columbia.

Jasper

     Jasper is a very attrective, inexpensive earthstone. It is usually made into beads or cabochons. Jasper comes in red, brown, green, greyish-blue, and yellow. most often jasper is a multi colored stone. Jasper has a hardness rating of 7 on the Mos scale. The polish on Jasper can often be washed away in water. You can clean it with a soft dry cloth.

     Jasper is often been sealed with some petroleum products. Jasper is found in France, Germany, India, Russia, Venezula, Arizona, California, Utah, and Wyoming USA. Leopardskin Jasper is knowen to bring one what they need. Poppy Jasper is knowen to help bring joy into ones life. Opalite Jasper isknowen to help one sleep. Jasper was thought to drive away the all evil spirits, and to protect you from snake, and spider bites. Jasper was known as the, great rain bringer in about the fourth century. Jasper is the US State Rock of Massachusettes.

Onyx

     Onyx is a expensive looking, inexpensive black stone. It is seen mixed with pearls to create very elegant jewelry.     Onyx, sard, and sardonyx are all varieties of chalcedony or microcrystaline quartz. Onyx comes in brown, white, grey, and black. Sard is a reddish-brown variety. Sardonyx is a blend of sard and onyx with the red bands of sard and the white bands of onyx. Onyx, Sard and Sardonyx all have a hardness rating of 7 on the Mos scale.

     Onyx is very similar looking to agate. Onyx has straight bands of brown, white or black, and agate has curved lines of many differant colors. Since the ancient times, Onyx has been dyed to improve it’s colors. Agate is often treated and is sold as Black Onyx. Onyx can chip or scratch rather easily. Onyx is found all over the world.

     Onyx is the anniversary gemstone for the 7th year of marriage. Black Onyx is the anniversary gemstone for the 10th year of marriage. Black Onyx is used to help one change their habits. Mexican Onyx thats white and brown chalcedony, is said to help one sleep. Sard reddish brown chalcedony, was knowen as a protection against incantations, and sorcery. It was also believed to sharpen the wits of its wearer.

Quartz

    Quartz is a clear stone often worn as a crystal pendant. Quartz is very popular in the new age stores and alternative healing shops. Quartz is colorless and transparent,and is also known as, Rock Crystal. Other colors of quartz have special names knowen as, Rose Quartz, Citrine, and Amethyst. Quartz has a hardness of 7 on the Mos scale.

     Quartz can chip, and crack easily. Brown quartz is often called Smokey Quartz. Smokey Quartz is often irradiated clear quartz. Smokey Quartz will fade in the sunlight. Quartz is found in Brazil, Madagascar, Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Georgia, North Carolina, Rhode Island, South Carolina and West Virginia USA, and in the former USSR. Though Quartz was not meant to replace traditional medical treatments, Quartz was knowen for balance and to increase energy.

     Clear quartz that was formed into crystal balls have been used to predict the future since the Dark Middle Ages. The name Quartz came from the Greek word krustallos, meaning ice, thats because it was thought that quartz was ice formed by their gods. Quartz is the US State Gemstone of Georgia. Quartz is the US State Mineral of Arkansas.

Rose Quartz

     Rose quartz is a pink stone often seen as crystal pendants or beaded necklaces. Rose Quartz is inexpensive jewelry that goes with just about everything. Pink or peach colored quartz is is referred to as Rose Quartz. It has a hardness of 7 on the Mos scale.

     Rose Quartz can chip and crack easily. Rose Quartz fades in the sunlight, and most Rose Quartz has been dyed. Rose Quartz is found in Brazil, Madagascar, Scotland, Spain, and Colorado, Connecticut, Maine, and New York, USA. Rose Quartz is the anniversary gemstone for the 2nd year of marriage. Though Quartz was not meant to replace traditional medical treatment, Rose Quartz was used to balance ones emotions and open ones heart.

     The star effect that is seen in some Rose Quartz cabochans, and beads happen when rutile inclusions are present in the crystal. Wiccans where knowen to use Rose Quartz for forgiveness. Rose Quartz is the US State Gemstone of South Dakota.