The Stones of Myterra

AMETHYST

****************

Amethyst is a transparent Quartz stone with beautiful internal planes. Varying amounts of trace iron cause colors to vary between delicate lavenders (less iron) to dark purples (more iron). Once revered as a precious stone, recent discoveries of extensive deposits now makes it a more affordable beautiful and powerful gemstone. Our semiprecious Amethyst is primarily Brazilian.  “Amethyst dissipates evil thoughts and quickens the intelligence.” - Leonardo Da Vinci

• Myth: Protection, Purification and Spirituality

• History: Long valued since Mesopotamia and Egypt, its name derives from Greek amethustos meaning “not drunk.” The Greeks believed drinking wine from an amethyst chalice would make them immune to intoxication. 

• Astrological: Pisces, Virgo, Aquarius, Capricorn

AMMONITE

*****************

Spiral shaped fossilized shell from Madagascar, polished to show the wonderful detail of both the inner chambers, called septa, displaying calcite, mother of pearl and iridescent ammolite (aragonite with varying mineral impurities that is considered to be an opal-like gemstone), as well as the lustre of the outer shell. They come in a range of sizes and are found mostly in shallow waters as their delicate shells couldn’t withstand the pressures of deep waters.

• Myth: Vitality and Abundance

• History: Creatures that lived in the seas between 65-240 million years ago, becoming extinct along with the dinosaurs. The name originates from the Greek Ram-horned god called Ammon. 

• Astrological: Aquarius, Cancer

AVENTURINE

********************

Our Aventurine is a semi-translucent to mostly opaque Quartzite (a rock, not a mineral). It’s name derives from the Italian phrase “per aventura” meaning “by chance,” and is said to have been the only stone that was made by man before its natural counterpart was discovered.  Can fade in direct sunlight.

• Myth: Said to absorb electromagnetic smog, guard against environmental pollution, increase confidence and gratitude, and promote emotional tranquility/positive attitudes.

• History: Used for many centuries in jewelry, candelabras, pipes, vases, bowls and other ornamental objects. 

• Astrological: Virgo, Libra, Taurus

CARNELIAN

******************

Carnelian is a form of quartz classified as Chalcedony. From India and Madagascar. The Carnelian’s red coloring comes from Hematite impurities. Its name likely derived from the Latin word “cornum,” meaning cherry. Its colors range from yellow-orange to reddish-brown to deep red. Our carnelian comes from India and Madagascar. Having the same chemical make up as Agate, when Carnelian grades into brown it is known as Sard. When it contains bands of white, it is known as Sardonyx. In addition, some very dark brown Carnelian can be classified as Jasper. The distinction between these is very fine and relies more on visual appearance than scientific analysis.

• Myth: Creativity, Physical Vitality and Grounding

• History: Once thought to still the blood and calm the temper, and give the owner courage in battle, helping timid speakers to be eloquent. 

• Astrological: Cancer, Leo

CRYSTAL QUARTZ

***************************

One of the most abundant minerals in the Earth’s crust, Crystal Quartz is the real “Crystal Ball”. The clearer they are more valuable they become. For that use, the highest value is attributed to spheres that are clear, and look more like glass more than stone.  For our use they would look more like a glass knob and cost more than double the price, so we choose specimens that are more crystal-like with inclusions, fractures, veils, and internal planes because they have more visual interest.  Crystal Quartz works extremely well with all decors and all finishes.

• Myth: The Perfect Jewel - Healing, Enhancing, Amplification

• History: Quartz is important in industry today, such as in the sand used in the manufacture of glass, or the rock crystals used in electronic equipment, i.e. the oscillators used for controlling radio frequencies and in todays Quartz crystal watches. 

• Astrological: All 

FLUORITE (Green, Purple or Rainbow)

******************************************************

Derives its name from the Latin word “fluere” meaning “to flow.” Originally known as Fluorspar, it’s a vein mineral sometimes occurring in hot springs areas, often called “the most colorful mineral in the world,” with purple, green and yellow being the most common. The word “fluorescent” comes from the word Fluorite, as Fluorite crystals were some of the first fluorescent specimens to be studied. Multi-colored Fluorite (sometimes called Rainbow Fluorite) possesses different bands of color (called “zones”) that intermingle, producing a more highly sought-after variation.

• Myth: GREEN - Healing, Energizing and Cleansing
             PURPLE - Intuition, Creativity and Focus
             RAINBOW - Stabilizing, Grounding and Harmonizing

• History: Clear optical-quality fluorite can be used in microscope lenses. Mined in England in Roman times, it was also used for carvings by the ancient Egyptians and Chinese for centuries. 

• Astrological: Pisces, Capricorn (Purple & Rainbow)

LABRADORITE

**********************

This feldspar mineral contains the iridescent schiller effect called Labradorescence.  A gray to black stone that When hit by light, it reveals a splash of color in either blue, green, gold, yellow or a combination of these in an iridescent effect called Labradorescence.

• Myth: Stone of the Northern Lights, Strength, Transformation and Intuition

• History: Discovered in 1770 in Labrador, Canada. 

• Astrological: Sagittarius, Scorpio, Leo

LAPIS

*********

Lapis, is of Latin origin meaning simply “stone”, named after its likeness to the heavens and of course because of its color -- a brilliant deep blue (due to the sulfur content in the Lazurite) which is usually speckled or veined with small flecks of yellow-gold color from its most common mixture with Pyrite (Fool’s Gold) or white streaks from its mixture with Calcite or other minerals.

• Myth: Universal Truth, Communication, Intuition and Inner Power

• History: Mined at an altitude of over 8,000 feet only from June to November in the Afghanistan mountains because of adverse weather.

• Astrological: Sagittarius, Libra

PYRITE

***********

The name Pyrite comes from the Greek word “pyr” meaning “fire.” Today Pyrite also carries the name of “Fool’s Gold” due to its similar visible structure and brassy metallic luster, although it is much lighter in color and much harder than gold. Ironically, gold is often found adjacent to pyrite deposits, and the only thing foolish about finding “Fool’s Gold” would be in not searching a bit farther!  Our spheres, mined in Chile and hand-carved in Peru, have a beautiful golden luster and visible crystals.  The more crystals on surface the more popular they are with our customers!  Although Pyrite is also found in the USA, the US variety is brittle and cannot be shaped into spheres for our use. 

• Myth: Postive Energy, Prosperity and Protection. Deflects Negativity

• History: In early times, pyrite's sparking ability gave man one way of creating fire;  in later times, this ability made it popular for use in early firearms devices such as the wheel lock.

• Astrological: Leo

ROSE QUARTZ

**********************

Rose Quartz owes its pink hue to trace amounts of titanium, manganese or iron. Our stones Brazil, Madagascar and India are a deep opaque rose color with that beautifully complement the more transparent Rose Quartz gems used for jewelry making.

• Myth: Crystal of Unconditional Love

• Astrological: Taurus, Libra 

SEPTARIAN

******************

Septarian is a fossil from the Cretaceous Period (50-70 million years ago), when ancient oceans receded and their sea floors dried and cracked forming fossilized “mud balls” that contain Calcite from the shells of Crustaceons (the yellow centers), Aragonite (the brown lines), and Limestone (the outer gray areas). 

• Myth: Confidence, Patience and Strength

• History: Septarian derives from the Latin word “septem” meaning seven, as the mud balls tend to crack in its distinctive 7 point pattern.  Septarian is also known as “Dragon Stone”.

• Astrological: Taurus

TIGER EYE

****************

Tiger Eye is a semi-precious variety of quartz exhibiting a vertical luminescent band like that of a cat’s eye.  Opaque with a rich yellow/gold to brown coloring, it exhibits a changeable silky golden luster as light is reflected within the thin parallel bands very similar to the luminescence of Labradorite but in a golden-yellow color. Our Tiger Eye is from South Africa. 

• Myth: Protection, Creativity and Balance

• History: Artificial fiberoptic glass is a common imitation.

• Astrological: Leo, Capricorn