touchstone gallery
  • home
  • Locations
  • Shop
  • About
  • Contact
  • Blog
  • home
  • Locations
  • Shop
  • About
  • Contact
  • Blog
(505)-407-2186
(505)407-2239

Blog

May's Birthstone: Emerald

4/29/2022

0 Comments

 
Picture
Beautiful pendant with 3 faceted Emerald stones
Picture
Emerald in Matrix on custom stand
Mother's Day is just right around the corner. All around the globe, there are moms that go above and beyond, and sacrifice so much for us. So, this year we should treat her with what she really deserves... Emeralds!  

Emerald is a variety of the mineral Beryl, which is a silicate of Beryllium and Aluminum. It gets its famously rich green color from trace amounts of Chromium and/or Vanadium. The color can range from yellow-green, to blue-green, with the primary color always being green. The inclusions and fissures in an Emerald are sometimes referred to as 'Jardin', French for 'Garden', because of it's mossy display.

Emeralds have been found all over the world like, Afghanistan, Brazil, China, Madagascar, and so much more! The finest quality Emeralds are mined in Columbia, which is one of the largest producers of this beautiful Gem. On its own, Columbia produces over 50% of Emeralds. Another large producer is Zambia, producing about 25%. One of the earliest discoveries of Emerald mines was located in Ancient Egypt around 330 BC. 

Shop these pieces and more on our website or any of our 3 locations, Santa Fe & Taos, NM & Sedona, AZ.
Picture
Pendant featuring two faceted Emeralds
Picture
Pendant featuring both rough and faceted Emeralds
0 Comments

Grape Chalcedony

4/20/2022

0 Comments

 
Picture
Grape Chalcedony Jewelry laying on a chunk of Amethyst
Picture
Grape Chalcedony Bracelet featuring Amethyst, Peridot, and White Topaz
Grape Chalcedony is very new to the Crystal market, it was introduced around 2016. Although it's discovery is very recent, that didn't stop the popularity from growing like it did, with a name like that, no wonder it is already loved by so many. Tiny spheres of purple Quartz make up this remarkable mineral resembling a cluster of grapes. Because of this, most people know this Crystal by the name "Grape Agate" but it is actually not an Agate at all. In fact, the true technical term for this Crystal is Botryoidal Purple Chalcedony, but that is a mouth full and doesn't sound as exciting as Grape Agate! 

It was found in a small section of Indonesia, more specifically the Mamuju area of the Western Sulawesi Coast. Grape Chalcedony can be found in a variety of colors, some being blue, green, & grey, but the most prominent color being purple. The purples can range from a dark rich purple to a light lilac purple. Some Crystals have been found with multiple colors in them, like purple and green, these are extremely rare and a bit more valuable. 

Grape Chalcedony is considered a dream stone. It has been said that if you place the Crystal on your nightstand or under your pillow at night, it will help help you remember and understand your dreams better and also help fight of the bad dreams. It's a Crystal with nurturing properties, it can promote a feeling of kindness and inner peace. It brings feelings of self confidence and security. Grape Chalcedony is truly something special. Its almost hard to believe this came out of the ground! 

Shop the collection at any of our Galleries, Santa Fe & Taos, NM & Sedona, AZ.
Picture
Grape Chalcedony Specimen
Picture
Close up of the Specimen
Picture
Grape Chalcedony Jewelry featuring Amethyst, White Topaz, and Herkimer Diamond lying on a raw Specimen
0 Comments

    Touchstone

    Learn more about minerals & fossils.

    Archives

    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    January 2018
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    May 2011
    April 2011

    Categories

    All
    Birthstone
    Moonstone
    Pearl

    RSS Feed

Our Headquarters:
​12022 N. State Highway 14
Cedar Crest, NM 87008
Main office: (505) 407-2186
© Mooie Mineraalen, LLC, 2012 - 2019
Shop
Locations
Contact
Terms & Conditions
Privacy
Shipping
Returns
Post Purchase Claims
  • home
  • Locations
  • Shop
  • About
  • Contact
  • Blog