During the weekend of May 17-19, Taos holds its annual Lilac Festival. Lilacs first came to Taos around the year 1900 with the arrival of new American and European citizens. Visit our beautiful Touchstone gallery to see our extravagant Lilac displays. We have a plethora of amethyst hearts that are a perfect gift for your loved ones. These will look terrific next to your vanity or on your desk and are sure to warm hearts. There are a variety of gentle purple hues that glisten in the sunlight and brighten up the entire room. We hope that you will join us at the lilac festival and peruse our new items. If you have any questions, feel free to visit the festivals website: http://www.taoslilacfestival.com/​

Scientific Information: Hyalite opal is formed in lava as it cools. However,  unlike common opal, hyalite opal loses that opalescent sheen due to a 6% or more amount of water present. When underground gases rise up into the chambers, hyalite opal collects a matte crust.
Revealed by Man: Hyalite opal can be found in Mexico, Australia, and Europe. Hyalite was first discovered in the Zemplen Mountains in Hungary in the mid 1900s.
Legend and Lore: Hyalite opal promotes energy and strengthens your aura. Hyalite opal is said to help clear thoughts, encourage organization, and helps the truth come to the surface. Hyalite opal allows for concentration and serenity

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Transition from Spring to Summer with Touchstone’s Fresh Summer Line!
Touchstone Galleries has a new and beautiful line of classy jewelry for your summertime wardrobe! We have dendritic opal (far left image and far right image) that provide a youthful addition and respectful aura. Dendritic opal is formed by water and silicon dioxide that create that iridescent look while the dendrites form when there is the presence of iron and manganese. We also have scolecite coupled with fresh water pearls (middle image) that create a gentle, elegant, and simple atmosphere. Scolecite is a rare mineral that forms in volcanic bubbles. Organically, scolecite is comprised of pointed crystals, but formed jewelry, scolecite is shaved down and polished to protect both the owner and the mineral itself. Freshwater pearls are born when a mussel contracts an irritant, like a grain of sand, and begins to coat the irritant in nacre. Both gorgeous pieces represent contentment and change so please let us help you welcome the changing of the seasons!
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We sell a variety of diamonds at our galleries! We sell Herkimer diamonds from New York and Payson specimen diamond from Arizona!

Scientific information: Herkimer diamonds are formed in sedimentary rock. The pockets in the sedimentary rock would fill up with gas from decomposing creatures several layers below and air pressure would increase. The air pressure combined with the increasing heat create these crystals that are Herkimer diamonds. Payson diamonds are formed by lesser pressure than Herkimers, and often form in geodes due to hollowed out areas in sedimentary rock.
Revealed by Man: Herkimer diamonds were first discovered by miners in the 18th century. They were found in large quantities with dolostone. Herkimer diamonds can be found in the Middle East, New York, and parts of Asia. Payson diamonds were found at Payson, Arizona in the late 1900s. Where they were found is now called Diamond Point.
Legend and Lore: Herkimer diamonds are said to strengthen ones mind. Herkimer diamonds are also fabled to promote energy and focus as well as purify spaces and purify yourself. Payson diamonds bring high energy. They are said to amplify spiritual energy and intelligence.
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​Touchstone has stunning spring colors to offer you for this wonderful season! Each of our colorful new pendants can accent some piece of your personality and add to your outfit! These pieces represent the spring! Springtime is the season of transformation, growth, and new beginnings. Let us guide you into this new season with our selection of Thulite (pink stones in leftmost image), Blue opal (blue stones in leftmost image), Ocean Jasper (leftmost stone in middle image), Hemimorphite (leftmost stone in middle image), Aquamarine (upper-stone in the middle pendant in the middle image) , Turquoise (bottom-most stone in middle pendant in the middle image), and Smithsonite (all stones in the rightmost image)! Let’s make this spring full of color and happiness!

Beautifully crafted small sculpture with real gemstones! The zipper looks as though it could actually work! This imaginative piece makes for a great conversation starter or even just to brighten up your garden or coffee table! The one on the top is chrysoprase which is said to bring optimism, the one in the middle is turquoise which promotes personal protection, and the lowest one is aquamarine that brings happiness. Each Zipper Rock is beautiful and enjoyable!
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​Check out our incredible new fossil palm plates! The one on the left is over 6 feet tall and 4 feet wide with 15 fish and is currently located in our Santa Fe location! The one on the right a little over 5 feet tall and almost 4 feet wide and is housed in our Sedona location! These fossil palm plates are fascinating pieces that will “wow” anyone who sees them! Accent your living space with these stunning and massive fossils!

​Happy Saint Patrick's Day! It’s time to celebrate the patron saint of Ireland through feasting on delicious food and doning the color green! We remember Saint Patrick’s success in establishing monasteries, churches, and schools in Ireland! It is said that he used the shamrock to teach young children about the Holy Trinity and that if you weren’t wearing green, leprechauns would pinch you. St. Patrick’s Day became a secular holiday with Irish families immigrating to the US in the 1800s and 1900s. Let us help you honor St. Patrick with our beautiful selection of green hued items! From peridot to moldavite, no one can pinch you!

​Scientific Information: Aquamarine is a sub-gemstone of the mineral Beryl. Aquamarine forms in magma as the magma cools. Beryl comes in many different colors, however, when there is iron present as the magma cools, the mineral takes on a blue-green color becoming Aquamarine.
Revealed by Man: Romans name the gemstone for its resemblance to the sea, “aqua” for water and “mar” for sea. Sailors would always keep Aquamarine on their personnel to please Neptune, the Roman god of the sea.
Legend and Lore: Aquamarine is said to bestow bravery as well as happiness and focus. Aquamarine also encourages healing and youth.