stone descriptions

STONE DESCRIPTIONS
The following gemstones have each been used or are currently a part of the beautiful
mixture of stones found in Barse cast and beaded designs.
Last Updated:
11.2011
Opaque and Semi-Opaque Stones
Those which do not allow any light through, or only a small amount
Turquoise
First mined more than 6,000 years ago,
turquoise has been used throughout
the ages for worship and as a powerful
talisman, capable of safeguarding
and bringing happiness to its wearer.
Ancient cultures, including the
Greeks, Romans and Mayans were all
enthralled by its unparalleled color.
Though no longer with active mines,
the world’s finest turquoise derives
from Iran, where its bright ‘robin’s egg’
blue color is generally regarded as the
purest, most sought after. The color
of turquoise is strongly dependent on
the presence of either copper, which
produces the more blue variety, or iron,
which produces the more green. For
more specific information on turquoise,
see our Truth About Turquoise article.
Kingman Turquoise
Most turquoise used in Barse designs
derives from the Kingman mine
in Arizona. This genuine stabilized
turquoise produces a beautiful bluegreen variety that is highly coveted.
Nacozari
Occasionally we will seek a more
blue variety of turquoise for our
designs, and for these, we use the
bright robin’s egg blue turquoise
from the Nacozori mine in Mexico.
Chrysocolla
This stone looks similar to turquoise,
but is actually associated with
properties of quartz. The name comes
from the Greek chrysos, “gold”, and
kolla, “glue”, in allusion to the name
of the material used to solder gold.
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Malachite
Malachite is a mineral of copper. Because
of its distinctive bright green color
and its presence in the weathered zone of
nearly all copper deposits, malachite
serves as a prospecting guide for that
metal. Malachite has been used as an
ornamental stone and as a gemstone
for centuries. In Ancient Greece, amulets
for children were made of malachite. In
many countries, malachite is used as a
children’s talisman to ward off danger and
illness. It is attached to children’s cradles.
Amazonite
Although amazonite is named after
the Amazon River, and can be found
in Brazil, the gem was in fact known
in the Old World long before South
America had been discovered. It is
believed that the Brazilian Amazons
gave these green stones to the
explorers who visited them, thus
explaining the name. This milky green
stone is a beautiful compliment to
stones such as turquoise and gaspeite.
Varacite (Varicite)
Naturally colored this sherbet light
green, varascite is generally mined in
the United States. Native Americans
use varacite in spiritual ceremonies.
Aventurine
Olive Aventurine
Green aventurine quartz, usually
assumed to be the green variety
when not specified, has natural
inclusions that look like sparkles.
Aventurine is sometimes mistaken
for jade because of its similar color.
Green aventurine quartz is said to
relieve anxiety, calm one’s emotions
and to bring opportunity.
Ruby Zoisite
Mined in Tanzania, beautiful deep
colored ruby sometimes naturally
develops within green zoisite. The
result is this unusual stone that
combines dark green with a ruby pink
shade. Often used in reflexology, ruby
zoisite is said to help focus energy,
attention and to stimulate reflex points.
Lime Turquoise
‘Lime’ turquoise, one of Barse’s
perennially favorite stones, is a true
turquoise that is enhanced to achieve
its brilliant green color. Most stones
used in contemporary jewelry design
are dyed to achieve the brilliant colors
that are found in nature. Dying brings
those beautiful colors in a natural stone
without the exorbitant price tag of a
rare stone.
Chrysophase
A green variety of chalcedony;
chrysophase is the most valuable
member of the chalcedony mineral
group. The stone gets its apple
green color from the presence of
nickel in the crystal. Large broken
pieces are often full of fissures with
irregular colors. Color can fade
in sunlight and when heated.
Serpentine
Dolomite Serpentine
Generally found in shades of green with
other colors streaking it, this stone has
also been referred to as snakestone
because of its patterning. It is the
state mineral of California, where it
is found in abundance. Serpentine
is said to restore self-confidence.
Rhyolite
A volcanic rock, similar in
properties to obsidian.
Lemon Jasper
Similar properties to other jasper,
offered in a citrus color.
Rainbow Calsilica
This layered, multi-colored stone is a
newly discovered stone composed of
layered calcium and silica. Rainbow
calsilica has only recently been found in
Mexico and Northern South America. Its
origins and formation remain a mystery.
Opaque and Semi-Opaque Stones CONTINUED
Green Jade
Olive Jade
New Jade
Lemon Jade
White Jade
The toughness of jade is remarkable.
It has strength greater than steel
and was put to work by many
early civilizations for axes, knives
and weapons. It was later that
jade became a symbolic stone
used in ornaments and other
religious artifacts during the eons.
A wide variety of Jade colors
are used in Barse designs.
Howlite
Green Howlite
Howlite is a stone that naturally occurs
as white with gray to black streaks,
web-like markings and blotches.
Sometimes howlite is dyed to imitate
other stones, but in Barse designs we
usually use howlite in its natural form
of white. The stone is named for its
discoverer Henry How, a Nova Scotia
geologist. Howlite is found in Canada
(Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, New
Brunswick), and the United States
(California). Green howlite is a dyed
version of white howlite, used in a
few beaded Barse jewelry creations.
Apatite
Apatite is know for its green color but it
is found in a wide range of colors, from
colorless to pink, yellow, blue to violet.
The green variety is sometimes called
asparagus-stone. The name ‘apatite’
has been taken from a Greek word
‘apate’, which means to deceive. It is
so named because one can get easily
confused with a variety of other stones
like tourmaline, peridot and beryl.
African Turquoise
Because of it’s exotic blend of base
color and dark matrix this material
is known in the trade as “African
Turquoise.” It is actually a dyed jasper.
Prehnite
Found in association with volcanic
rocks, it is typically pale green to
yellowish green. It is the first stone
to be named after a person,Colonel
H. von Prehn, who discovered
the mineral at the Cape of Good
Hope, South Africa, and brought
the first specimens to Europe.
Yellow Jasper
Honey Jade
Freemont Jasper
This ochre-colored stone has a long
history. The name is said to come from
the Greek word “iaspis.” It dates back
as early as (20,000 B.C.) in France
where it was found to be used for
ornamental objects. The Babylonians
(1000 B.C.) used it in seals which have
been found in ancient ruins. Honey jade
is the common name for golden jasper,
with similar properties to yellow jasper.
Tiger’s Eye
Red Tiger’s Eye
Tiger’s eye is a member of the quartz
group, with its major commercial
source being Cape Province, South
Africa. Many legends say that wearing
tiger’s eye is beneficial for health,
spiritual well being and protection
during travel. The red tiger’s eye used
in Barse designs is actually a heat
treated version of the traditional brown
tiger’s eye. To achieve the desired red
hue, the tiger’s eye is heated, which
oxidizes the iron, thus turning it red.
Sunstone
Sunstone is a feldspar crystal formed
in molten lava and then discharged
onto the surface of the earth by a
volcano. Many sunstones contain
copper or pyrite inclusions that cause
an extra flash or shimmer as millions
of the shiny aligned particles reflect
light. This feature is called “schiller”.
Sunstones are believed to have been
used by the Vikings for navigation.
Peach Aventurine
Rose Aventurine
Tomato Aventurine
Natural peach or rose aventurines, a
variety of translucent quartz, derive
their color from minor inclusions of
oxidized iron. Called the “ whisper
stone”, peach aventurine is sometimes
used to help reach the quiet state
necessary for meditation.
Aventurine is available in many
varieties of red and orange shades.
Red Jasper
Rainbow Jasper
Jasper is an opaque, less pure form
of chalcedony, traditionally thought
of as red. Association with other
minerals during formation sometimes
gives jasper interesting bands and
patterns (it’s usually named after
its pattern). Rainbow jasper has
rich dark striations running through
it. In the ancient world jasper was
a favorite gem; the name jasper
can be found in ancient Hebrew,
Assyrian, Greek, and Latin. Jasper is
mined in many parts of the world.
Carnelian
The name of this dark reddish orange
stone is said to be derived from the
Latin word “Carnis”, which means
flesh, due to its color. Some believed
in the old Roman times that the darker
Carnelian represented males and
the lighter, females. Many believe
that it creates a bond between man
and nature. Carnelian has natural
variations from light to dark.
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Opaque and Semi-Opaque Stones CONTINUED
Maple Jade
Orange Jade
Red Jade
Pink Jade
Our pink, red and orange varieties
have similar properties to the green
and yellow varieties, but are dyed to
achieve the ideal colors for our designs.
Pink Opal
A true opal, Peruvian pink opal
is a beautiful pastel pink, nearly
translucent variety of opal. Pink
opal is most often associated as a
gemstone of love and non-violence.
Rhodochrosite
Also known as Inca Rose, this stone
ranges from rose red to pink. The
name is derived from the Greek
word “rhodon” (pink) and “chros”
(color). Rhodochrosite is found
in Argentina and South Africa.
Rhodonite
Rose pink in color, rhodonite often
has black manganese oxide veins
running through it. Thought to stabilize
emotions, it soothes and brings
order to feelings. It is also known as
the “Singer’s Stone”, as it is said to
improve sound-sensitivity. Rhodonite
is mined primarily in the United
States, Brazil, India, and the USSR.
Stichtite
Stichtite (pronounced stick-tight) is a
rare mineral with an interesting purpleish
rose-pink color. Mined in Tasmania,
it is thought to enlighten emotions
and tranquilize the environment.
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Denim Lapis
Denim lapis retains the same properties
as lapis, but is just a lighter form of
lapis, usually with more calcite present.
While this color of lapis at one time was
considered less desirable, its popularity
today is increasing as a fashionable color
to enhance denim apparel.
Dumorterite
This stone can range from grayish
blue to greenish blue, also violet to
reddish purple and brown. Barse
designs have typically used the
purplish varieties. Dumorterite is said to
heighten organizational skills and bring
a better way of seeing things in life.
Lapis Lazuli
Lapis lazuli, Arabic & Latin for “blue
stone”, is composed of several
minerals. The most common are
lazurite (blue color), pyrite (gold/
silver metallic color) and calcite
(white color). For centuries lapis
has been linked to divinity. The
Greeks and the Romans used lapis
as an award for personal bravery.
Blue Agate
Also known as blue chalcedony, blue
agate is sometimes striated with dark
internal bands of blue, and often
has a colorless streak. Blue agate is
found worldwide, but it is common
in the mid western US. Because
true blue agate is rare, those used in
Barse designs are color enhanced.
Purple Turquoise
Genuine Barse turquoise is enhanced
to achieve its bright purple color.
Many stones used in contemporary
jewelry designs are dyed to achieve
the brilliant colors found in nature.
Blue Chalcedony
Chalcedony is a stone found in almost
every color and in every location
around the world. Chalcedony is
actually a name that includes the
sub-categories of stones like agate
and onyx. But in jewelry usage, the
name Chalcedony is usually applied
only to the light blue translucent and
waxy form of the stone. The term
chalcedony is derived from the name
of the ancient Greek town Chalkedon.
Moonstone
Norwegian Moonstone
Golden Moonstone
Moonstone owes its name to the
mysterious gleaming which appears
whenever the stone changes its
position in movement. Experts call
this the “adularescence”, and in
earlier times the phases of the waxing
and waning moon were thought to
be discerned in this phenomenon.
Typically originating in Sri Lanka or
India, Moonstone is also appreciated
as a “dream stone”, as it is supposed
to bring about sweet and beautiful
dreams.
Black Onyx
Long ago, onyx was used as a worry
stone because it was believed that the
stone absorbed negative energy. Onyx
is considered an agate; chalcedony
quartz that forms in concentric layers
in a wide variety of colors and textures.
Each individual agate forms by filling
a cavity in a host rock. As a result, it
is often found as a round nodule with
concentric bands, like the rings of
a tree trunk. The stone is then dyed
to achieve its desired jet color.
Lava Rock
Lava rocks form when molten lava
chills quickly. A thin, glassy rind forms
on the exposed surfaces because
crystallization of the minerals in the
melt cannot take place in such a short
time. This layer of glass provides the
iridescent luster and black coloration
of the rock.
Rainbow Obsidian
One of the most highly prized types of
obsidian, this semi-translucent stone is
dark green to dark brown and black in
color. Obsidian is the result of volcanic
lava coming in contact with water. The
word obsidian comes from the Greek
“opsianos”, meaning vision, because
obsidian was once used to make
mirrors.
Opaque and Semi-Opaque Stones CONTINUED
Labradorite
Labradorite, a variety of feldspar, is a
fairly abundant grayish mineral that
has brilliant flashes of color (usually
green, blue or red) after it is polished.
This color variation is referred to
as labradorescence. The ability of
Labradorite to reflect different colors
makes it a truly versatile stone.
Pyrite
Pyrite is an opaque, metallic stone,
often called “fool’s gold” because
of its similar look to gold in its raw
form. The name pyrite derives from
the Greek “pyros” for “fire” because
sparks flew from it when hit with
another mineral or a metal. Centuries
ago, pyrite was polished by the Native
Americans and used as mirrors.
Hematite
Thickly cut hematite appears as a
steel or silver gray. When cut very
thin, it is red and transparent. With
the common name “bloodstone”,
hematite gets its name from a Greek
word meaning blood-like because
of the color of its powder. Hematite
has long been a stone representing
war and was thought to protect
warriors and make them invincible
in battle. Mineral and crystal
healers associate hematite with the
treatment of blood-related illnesses.
Bronzite
Often found in meteorites, bronzite
usually contains inclusions of highly
reflective minerals, such as hematite
and goethite, which give it a beautiful
bronze-like effect when polished.
Astrophylite
(aka Hyperstein)
Similar to quartz, astrophylite is a
dark mineral with bladed metallic
crystals. It is said to help with
lucidity and a feeling of well being.
Botswana Agate
Derived from Africa, this is a naturally
colored agate with no enhancement.
Its colors can vary from gray to light
brown with a hint of pink, always with
bands of opaque white. Botswana
agate is believed to stimulate the
exploration of the unknown.
Ocean Jasper
Brown Ocean Jasper
Ocean Jasper is in the same family as
other forms of Jasper. This new rock
has been found along the northwest
coast of Madagascar. The stone, being
located at the edge of the ocean, can
only be seen and collected at low tide.
It comes in an astonishing array of
colors and color combinations. Often
spotted or swirled, the background can
be white, pink, green, red or yellow.
Brown Snowflake
Obsidian
Obsidian is a very shiny natural
volcanic glass produced when lava
cools very quickly. Inclusions of small,
white, radially clustered crystals
of cristobalite in obsidian produce
a blotchy or snowflake pattern, like
that found in the snowflake variety.
Faux Tortoise
The use of real tortoise shell is illegal.
T his simulated version is made of
a mottled resin that is formed to
look similar to a tortoise’s shell.
Mahogany Obsidian
Similar in properties to regular
obsidian, mahogany obsidian is also
formed in areas near volcanic activity.
But this variety is created when
impurities invade the pure black glass
that becomes regular obsidian.
African Opal
We use the completely opaque variety
of this stone. African opal does not have
the normal ‘color flashes’ associated
with other opals, but does exhibit its
own natural beauty, with variations of
cream, brown and gray.
Picture Jasper
Feldspar Jasper
Impression Jasper
Snakeskin Jasper
Dragon’s Blood Jasper
Eagle Eye Jasper
Picture jasper, with properties like those
of red jasper, is named for its unique
landscape patterns. Its wide range of
colors makes it one of the most famous
varieties. Felspar jasper typically is
lighter in color with brown flecks.
Many varieties of jasper exist
from locations around the world.
New varieties with exotic names
are ‘discovered’ often.
Unakite
A relatively “new “gemstone, Unakite
naturally combines two minerals,
pink feldspar and pistachio green
epidote. Unakite is a stone believed
to facilitate a healthy reproductive
system and pregnancy. It is principally
mined in the United States.
Russian Serpentine
From Russia’s Ural Mountains, Russian
serpentine is an olive green gemstone
with a black matrix pattern. The word
“serpentine” comes from the Latin
“serpens”, or snake. It is thought to be
named after a serpent; for its smooth
and brilliant surface, like that of a snake.
Black Tourmalated
Quartz
This is a clear or milky quartz with
embedded needles of black tourmaline.
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