Scientific Information - Ruby is a red gemstone that gets its color from the mineral chromium. This gem is highly sought after due to its hardness, rarity and durability. A ruby is essentially a red sapphire, as it is identical in all properties except color.

Revealed By man - Rubies are mentioned four different times throughout the bible and is prominent throughout human history. They have been mentioned by ancient Hindu and roman culture. The name “ruby “ has Latin origin and suggests that there is an eternal flame burning inside the stone.

Legend and Lore - Ruby is the birthstone for July. The ruby has long been considered the stone of kings. It has symbolic ties to power and wealth in many different cultures . This gem was also believed to bring luck in finding other gemstones

June, unlike most other months, has three unique birthstones: Pearl, moonstone and alexandrite. Each have different meanings and different aesthetics. alexandrite is surprisingly  rare and highly sought after. Pearl and moonstone are truly awe inspiring.  June marks the beginning of a splendid summer.

Scientific Information: Moonstone is a sodium potassium aluminum silicate that has a very unique look. This is due to refraction of light just within the mineral that causes it to glisten unlike any other stone. Moonstone is built up of albite and orthoclase, two different feldspar elements.

​Revealed By man: Moonstone has been used for millennia in a wide variety of cultures. Moonstones were referenced often in both greek and roman cultures. The mineral experienced a peak of interest with the art nouveau period. Since then it has been used primarily for jewelry.

Legend and Lore: Hindu mythology suggests that Moonstones are solidified moonbeams. The mineral is thought to bring calm, peace, and balance to ones life. It is also widely believed to embrace sacred feminine energy.
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Alexandrite is an extremely rare gemstone that was only discovered in the 19th century. The gem can appear red, yellow, purple or green and changes quite often. Alexandrite is believed to bring good luck and balance in your life. Alexandrite is also connected to romance, as it is the gemstone for the 55 year wedding anniversary. ​

Memorial day represents all of the men and women who have served to protect our country. Countless lives have been lost in the efforts to obtain and protect our freedom. We offer our deepest condolences and most sincere gratitude to their families. This is a day of celebration for our country. Remember to thank the veterans in your life for their incredible service.

Touchstone Gallery Offers a Wide Variety of Nature’s Art Etched in Stone
We invite you to view our current offerings of amethyst and citrine Bonsai trees and many other fascinating natural art pieces in our Touchstone Galleries in Santa Fe (127 W. San Francisco St.), Sedona (320 N. State Route 89A) and Taos (110 S. Plaza), or our online gallery.

​Touchstone Gallery is the perfect place for all your mother’s day needs. We have an extensive collection of jewelry that catches the eye and is an excellent way to celebrate the woman who shaped you. Your mother is sure to appreciate your loving gestures and will be reminded that you are thankful.  Additionally, we have many pieces that would compliment any environment perfectly. Put one of our amethyst trees in your living room to add a playful splash of color.  Or use one of our beautiful cathedrals as a centerpiece for your office. Stop into one of our galleries and find the special mother’s day gift you’ve been looking for!

Touchstone Gallery Offers a Wide Variety of Nature’s Art Etched in Stone
We invite you to view our current offerings of amethyst Bonsai trees and many other fascinating natural art pieces in our Touchstone Galleries in Santa Fe (127 W. San Francisco St.), Sedona (320 N. State Route 89A) and Taos (110 S. Plaza), or our online gallery.

Shop Mother's Day Gifts

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!