Rock Review: Ammolite

Our Rock Review today shines the spotlight on Ammolite.

Geology Buzz

Ammolite is one of the worlds few biogenic gems, in the ranks with amber, pearls and coral. Biogenic gems are formed from living creatures. Ammolite comes from small shells called Ammonites that are comprised mainly of Aragonite as well as a few other minerals like Calcite, Silica and Pyrite. The result is a gemstone with an iridescent opal-like play of color and a beautiful sheen. Ammolites are a compilation of thin layers of gem which give it it’s iridescence. Colors usually range from green to red, but can also turn up in blues and violets as well depending on the thickness of the stone layer matrix inside the gem. Rare whole Ammonite shells that have fully fossilized into Ammolite can be found occasionally also.

Ammolite scores a 4.5-5.5 on Moh’s scale of hardness and should be shielded from blows or environmental damage such as water or sun exposure. Consistent exposure to sun over time can cause the stone’s colors to fade.

Fun Facts

Ammolite is found exclusively in North America. A few locations are the Rocky Mountains and also in Canada. It is also the official gem of Alberta Canada. It’s a fairly new gem, not on the market until the 1970’s, and was given it’s gemstone status in 1981 by the World Jewelry Confederation. The Blackfeet Native American tribe has known the stone for centuries, however, calling it the Buffalo Stone. Legend has it that it aided Native Peoples in buffalo hunts by drawing the buffalo to them.

Practitioners of Feng Shui tout the stone as useful for improving one’s chi by detoxifying the body and promoting general well being. It’s nicknamed the “Seven Color Prosperity Stone” because each color is thought to benefit it’s wearer in different ways. A stone that contains, deep reds, greens and yellows is most desirable because it enhances growth, wisdom and wealth, all in one.

Ammolite Saturn Junior Bracelet by Layne Designs

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

Rock Review: Ruby

July’s birthstone is Ruby, making it a perfect time to review this beloved gem! It’s name comes from the Latin word, ruber, meaning red. Rubies, also like Sapphires, come from the mineral Corundum (aluminum oxide), making these two stones “sister” gems. Rubies are often valued according to color, the most sought-after shade being a deep red “pigeon’s blood” color. Minimal inclusions and a glassy luster are also desirable qualities in a high end, natural Ruby.

There are many myths and legends surrounding the Ruby, which greatly accounts for the long term popularity of this lovely gem. For many cultures, it’s stunning red color naturally associates it with love, romance and passion. Hindus believed that the colors of Rubies were due to an inextinguishable fire that burned inside the gem. This fire was thought to grant it’s wearers long life. Native Americans used Rubies for ceremony offerings in hopes to be reborn as a chief. Burmese warriors believed that Rubies would protect from injury and make a soldier unconquerable in battle.

In final tribute to the gem of July, please enjoy the words of Ralph Waldo Emerson in praise of the Ruby! “They brought me Rubies from the mine, and held them to the sun; I said, “They are drops of frozen wine from Eden’s vats that run.” I look’d again – I thought them hearts of friends, to friends unknown; Tides that should warm each neighboring life are lock’d in sparkling stone. But fire to thaw that ruddy snow, to break enchanted ice, and give love’s scarlet tides to flow, when shall that sun arise?”

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruby

Rock Review: Red Coral

The lovely warm weather has everyone thinking about the beach. So it’s the perfect time to review Red Coral which is one of the loveliest and most treasured gems from our oceans. Coral is a biogenic gem, meaning it’s developed through a biological process. Some other familiar biogenic gemstones are Pearls, Amber and Ivory. Red Coral is a unique living creature, part polyp and part skeleton, that grows slowly over many years as a result of calcium carbonate deposited by marine invertebrates after they die. Carotenoid pigments account for its beautiful red to pink color.

Coral has been used as jewelry and decoration for many centuries not only for its vibrant color but also because of cultural beliefs in its magical and medicinal qualities. Greek, Roman, Native American and even a few ancient barbarian tribes, such as the Gauls used the gem for protection, healing and ceremonial rituals. The Romans used it on pendants worn by children as talisman to ward off sickness and other dangers. Coral can often still be seen in Native American and southwest jewelry design, often paired with Turquoise, ever since the Spanish introduced the material to native peoples in the eighteenth century through trade.

The ethical use of Coral has been a hot topic in recent years. Because of its “slow grow” process, harvesting Coral from the oceans in unregulated quantities has become unsustainable because the Coral cannot grow quickly enough to meet human demand for it. This leaves jewelers and jewelry lovers with a dilemma. Is it ok to use and wear Coral? How can this be done in an ethical way? Layne Designs believes that it is important to be good stewards of our natural resources and only uses ethically traded materials in all of our work. In the case of coral, this means that we use vintage coral harvested prior to 1970 in our jewelry. Reusing existing resources through repurposing is a clever and creative way to enjoy the beauty of Coral without endangering its future. Check out one of Layne’s showpiece necklaces in Red Coral below.

Fabulous Red Coral Necklace by Layne Designs! Price Upon Request

ROCK REVIEW: GARNET

Happy New Year! With a new year comes a new month, and this month’s beautiful birthstone is GARNET. Typically a red/brown color, garnet can be found in ANY color except for blue. Personally, one of my favorite garnet hues is a lovely magenta color known as Rhodolite garnet (see picture at the end of the blog post.) Found in abundance in Africa, garnet is also harvested in North and South America as well as in various European countries.

Derived from the Latin word for pomegranite, garnet has been used for centuries for its beauty but also for its supposed “lethal” nature. North American Indians used red garnets as arrowheads, believing that they would seek blood and inflict a deadlier wound, while as recently as 1892 the Hunzas of Kasmir used garnets as bullets to fight the British believing that garnets were deadlier than lead.

Also used frequently by early Christians to symbolize Christ’s sacrifice, and even earlier as a symbol by one of the 12 tribes of Israel, the garnet’s roots in history are as deep as any gemstone. A beautiful stone to highlight during these recently SNOWY, WHITE days of another northeastern US winter! Happy birthday to all garnet babies out there!!

Find this piece @

http://www.etsy.com/listing/64337710/sweet-sparkle-garnet-january-birthstone