Rock Review: Citrine

Today’s Rock Review highlights Citrine! The birthstone of November.

Geology Buzz

Citrine is a member of the quartz family. Its name is derived from it’s lemon yellow color. However, the most valued citrines have an amber or reddish yellow tone to them. It is a very durable gem, scoring a 7 on Mohs scale of hardness. It also has relatively little cleavage, meaning it can take some impact with little likelihood of fracture.

In past decades, Citrine was marketed as “Golden Topaz”. That name has been hard to shake, since it often takes a skilled jeweler to identify the subtle differences between Citrine and Topaz. However, Topaz tends to be harder and heavier then Quartz, with a higher refractive index due to the presence of fluorine aluminum silicate. Topaz, however, has higher cleavage than Citrine and requires some care during the cutting process.

Fun Facts

Citrine historically has been found in Spain, France, Hungary and the Scottish Isle of Arran. More recently, Citrine has been discovered in Brazil, Bolivia, some African countries and parts of the Soviet Union.

The gem is thought to bring happiness, joy and optimism into its owner’s life. Gemstone healers often use the stone to increase self-esteem and open the mind to new thoughts. Tradition refers to Citrine as the “Merchant Stone”. Shop keepers often kept one in their cash boxes to maintain wealth and bring good fortune. Many shop owners still enjoy this practice today. Citrine was also worn to protect a wearer from snake venom.

Visit the Layne Designs Website to check out some of our work in Citrine!

Super Stud Earrings in Citrine

Cosmos Stackable Rings in Citrine

Rock Review: Mushroom Jasper

Today’s gemstone, Mushroom Jasper, is a wonderful choice for those looking to add a unique piece to their jewelry collection.

Geology Buzz

When Mushroom Jasper was first discovered, it had some identity confusion. Because it was found near a deposit of Quartzite in Arizona, it was first thought to be a variety of Quartzite. Once it was determined not to be that gemstone, it was then termed a “Jasper”. Although the “Jasper” name has stuck, we now know it to be type of highly silicated Rhyolite (volcanic rock) with unusual circular formations that resemble mushrooms. Mushroom Jaspers are often seen with a brick red background that bears orbital patterns in a range of grays and browns.

Mushroom Jaspers open are found as “thunder eggs” geode like rock balls that are plain looking on the outside, but contain gemstone on the inner layers. These freeform rocks can then be cut and shaped into lovely cabochons, since they are able to take a high polish.

Fun Facts

If you’re an animal lover, Rhyolite is the stone for you. All Rhyolites are thought to strengthen bonds between animals and humans, especially children. It is believed to be particularly effective for use with cats, since it’s often found in environments that are well suited to wild cats.

In prehistoric times, the largest beds of Rhyolite existed in Eastern Pennsylvania, our studio’s own backyard! Today, there is still lots of Rhyolite to be found just under the earth’s surface in Pennsylvania in Adams, Cumberland, Franklin, Chester, Delaware and Lancaster counties.

Rock Review: Crazy Lace Agate

Crazy Lace Agate, a type of Mexican Agate, is named for its stunning haphazard contour line and ripple designs that occur in a wide range of colors from creamy browns to deep blacks , sometimes interspersed with red throughout the stone. Many liken it to having a lacy effect or a paisley look. This beautiful variance is a result of the presence of several minerals in the gem such as Micro-crystalline quartz, banded chalcedony, iron and aluminum. It is opaque and somewhat chalky in its natural form, but does take a high polish that leaves a lacquered looking surface. Jewelers prefer to use this gem in slices or cabochons to highlight its unique natural design that is so uncommon.

Crazy Lace Agate is found only in limestone beds that date back to the Cretaceous period, making it between 90 to 65 million years old! This gem hails from Chihuahua, Mexico, the largest of the 31 states in the country. Although it was first discovered in 1895, the stone did not gain popularity until traveling hobbyist unearthed some particularly good specimens in the mid 1900’s along the side of a newly developed highway. This sparked an agate craze that is notable in the jewelry of the 1950’s and 1960’s. The beloved Crazy Lace Agate is known as the generational stone because it is believed to increase understanding and communication across generations, making it a particularly good gift for a grandparent or grandchild.

This is a very large example displaying the amazing array of colors that can come together in a specimen of crazy lace agate. this piece is seen here as a beautiful pendant