Stones
Describe your image.
MI1022122 372
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MI1025892 £106
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MI1049336 £77
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MIRM0675 £139
MI1033079 £50
MIR233 £115
MI1049448 £48
Shown here are pictures and descriptions of the less well known stones that we use in our jewellery.
LARIMAR is a trade name for a blue variety of Pectolite.
Pectolite is found in many locations throughout the world and is usually gray.
Larimar is found in a mine only in the Dominican Republic. It first came to notice in 1916 but then was forgotten about until 1974. The name derives from combination of the girls name Larissa and the Spanish name for the sea 'mar'.
LABRADORITE is named after Labrador in Canada where it was first found in 1770. It is in the Feldspar group of minerals.
Basically grey but when turned shows spectacular displays of colour in blues and greens.
There are two other gemstones we use in this LABRADORITE group
SPECTROLITE. This was initially a brand name. It is less common than Labradorite and exhibits a richer range of colours. Mined mainly in Finland
RAINBOW MOONSTONE has a much lighter body colour and the display of colours is not as strong. Found in many places throughout the world. Because of its makeup, it is not classed as a genuine Moonstone.
ETHIOPIAN OPAL
It was not until 1994 that Ethiopian Opal was discovered and 2008 before commercial production began. It is now beginning to take over from Australia as a major source of the gemstone.
CHAROITE. First discovered in Russia in the 1940s and known as "Lilac Stone" Introduced to the gem trade in the 1970s and named after the river Charo from where it was mined.
MALACHITE. Found in conjunction with copper ores it has been used since antiquity for practical and decorative purposes. Found throughout the world with Zaire being the most important producer.
PIETERSITE is a variety of Quartz, composed naturally of Tiger's Eye, Hawk's Eye and Jasper, and is characterised by an incredible chatoyancy and brilliance of life within the stone. Its dominant gold hues are contrasted with deep blue-black, grey and brown, as well as occasional clear areas. First described by Sid Pieters in 1962 in Namibia.