Fascinated by gemstone's distinctive characteristics, folklore, and dazzling diversity of color, I bring you this list of my favorites, plus corresponding jewelry links for your insightful enjoyment!

AA & AAA ratings - AAA means it's the best a dealer has to offer, in terms of beads, loose gemstones, and also pearls. There's no official standard for grading by A's and therefore purely based on subjective opinion. At best, AAA means "these are really nice beads—the best there is." Even if the beads I select aren't always rated, I've developed an eye for those that are genuine, beautiful, high-quality and most valuable. I strive to describe them as accurately as possible. A very enjoyable process, actually!

African Trade Beads - Trade beads are glass beads from Venice and Czechoslovakia that were traded to Africans and Native Americans, primarily by early Spanish explorers and later by fur traders. These "collector's" beads are a recent expression of my passion and an interest I developed from going to the many wonderful gemstone fairs/conventions.

Amethyst - A crystalline quartz linked to the Greek god of wine, Dionysus, and ranging in color from wine-purple to pale lilac. It is the chosen stone of kings and popes, the birthstone of February, and the state gem of South Carolina. In healing folklore it heightens spiritual ideals and patience.

Apatite - The name apatite is from the Greek word to deceive because the gem varieties were often confused with other minerals. It is a common accessory mineral in many types of igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks. Interestingly, the phosphates in bones and teeth are members of the apatite group. The color of apatite is often due to the presence of rare earth elements or by natural irradiation.

Aquamarine - A member of the Beryl family and gets its name from two Latin words that mean "water" and "sea". This lovely pale greenish-blue or various tints of blue gem has been popular since 400 BC and said to be the stone of courage and protection, and make wishes come true. Aquamarine is also the birthstone for March.

Aventurine - An ornamental, metamorphic quartzite consisting of mainly quartz with disseminated grains of other color imparting minerals. Most common are the colors green, reddish-peach, pinkish-brown, and blue {also called dumortierite}. In gemstone folklore, green aventurine quartz is said to relieve anxiety and calm one's emotions.

Bali Silver - .925 sterling silver beads, caps, claps, ear wires, toggles, spacers, and connectors handcrafted by Balinese silver artisans. Their pieces are distinctive with ornamental granulation {clusters of tiny dots of silver} and wirework. I stock a lot of Bali silver components and use it generously when I'm after an exotic look for my designs.

Blue Chalcedony - An agate mostly found in Namibia, Turkey or the U.S. It ranges from shades of light milky blue to blue-gray, while some of the bluer and more intense colors are achieved by heat treatment. The gemstone of Nebraska, where a very unusual and attractive deposit can be found. In healing folklore it is believed to encourage acceptance, light-heartedness and aid in communication.

Briolette - A pear-shaped gemstone cut with triangular facets on top. Also known as a “drop cut.”

Bronze - An alloy of copper (usually about 90 per cent) and tin, often also containing small amounts of other metals such as silicon, iron, lead or zinc. Bronze is one of the oldest of the known alloys and was the first commonly used metal strong enough for tools and weapons, thus the "Bronze Age." The color is affected by the proportion of tin or other metals present, varying from silver-ish to brass-gold to a rich, coppery red.

Cabochon - A stone cut into a convex shape, then polished but not usually faceted. Cabochon is one of the oldest and simplest cuts.

Carnelian - Because of its warm, bright colors—light peach to vivid orange to red-orange and brownish red—it has been one of the most popular chalcedony gems for many centuries and many cultures! Heat treatment produces the brightest hues. In healing folklore it is the female warrior stone; increases self worth.

Chalcedony {general} - A variety of quartz that comes in many colors and variations: onyx is a chalcedony with parallel layers of different colors; apple green chalcedony is called chrysoprase; dark red or orange red is carnelian; dark green spotted with red is bloodstone; variegated banded stones are agates; and mottled yellow, red, brown, or forest-green chalcedony is jasper.

Chevrons - Specifically star beads made from drawn-glass rods/canes with an internal pattern of multi-layer construction with their ends cut or ground down.

Chrysocolla - Bearing a unique blue-green to turquoise-blue color, chrysocolla is more appropriately a mineraloid than a true mineral. Most of the time it is amorphous meaning that it does not have a coherent crystalline structure, and in its pure form is soft and fragile and therefore not appropriate for use in jewelry. However, chrysocolla often is "agatized" in chalcedony quartz and it is the quartz that provides the stone with its polish and durability. In healing folklore it encourages connecting to healing energy and support in releasing negative energy.

Chrysoprase - An opalescent, apple-green variety of chalcedony quartz. It is found in Australia, Brazil, and the U.S., and is the rarest of the chalcedony group. Chrysoprase was used by the Greeks, Romans, and the Egyptians in jewelry and other ornamental objects and because of its semi-opaque green color. In healing folklore it prevents depression, increases grace and equilibrium.

Citrine - This birthstone for November is a member of the quartz family. Ranging in color from light gold to dark honey-gold hue, the hardness of this stone is very acceptable for everyday wear. In ancient times citrine was carried as a protection against snake venom and evil thoughts.

Coin Pearl - A cultured freshwater pearl that is formed in the shape of a flat disk. It is sometimes referred to as an “M&M” pearl.

Coral - Most coral comes from the Mediterranean, although some jewelers also buy Japanese coral. Coral ranges in color from white to pale pink to blood red. Genuine coral will bubble slightly if a drop of lemon juice is placed on it. Aids conception and pregnancy; heals the ovaries and fallopian tubes; stimulates ovulation.

Freshwater pearl - Cultured pearls that are grown in freshwater mussel-type mollusks {rather than saltwater} that live in lakes and rivers. The leading produces are Japan and China. They come in a rainbow of colors, some natural, some dyed, and the Chinese symbol of wealth, power, and longevity. Birthstone for June.

Garnet - Rich, red garnets are said to lift spirits and warm the heart. When worn attracts true love and faithfulness. The name "Garnet" comes from the Latin word for pomegranate—its crystals resemble the fruit's color and "garnet-colored" seeds—but garnets actually come in a much wider array of color variations: reds, red-pinks, oranges, greens, yellow-browns, and color change. Birthstone for January.

Gaspeite - A gorgeous light green, almost apple green color that is very unique and unmistakable. It is found in only a few localities: Canada and Australia. In healing folklore it is believed to encourage an open heart and right action.

Kancamba beads - These are mold-made pressed glass beads from the Czech Republic, formerly Czechoslovakia, also known as Bohemia. They are named after the Prosser brothers who invented a button making machine in the 1830's. By the 1860's beads were being made with the same process, all having a thin seam from the mold.

Kyanite - An aluminum silicate that is blue to colorless, with a blue-green color most common. Standard-quality is streaked with white and gem-quality kyanite is transparent to translucent. The name, kyanite, is a Greek word relating to its blue color. Deposits are found in Myanmar, Brazil, Kenya, Austria, Switzerland, and the United States.

Labradorite - A special iridescent {"play of color" called schiller} variety of feldspar whose color is caused by light refracting from microscopic crystals of ilmenite, hematite, magnetite, and from fine intergrowths of labradorite crystals. In gem folklore it enables one to work for long periods of time; energizing.

Lapis - Blue microcrystalline rock composed primarily of the mineral azurite. It often sparkles with golden pyrite inclusions. It's largely mined in Afghanistan and Chile. Lapis is not very hard at 5-6 and should be protected from other jewelry when stored to avoid scratches. In healing folklore it is beneficial for sore throat, varicose veins, blisters, and headaches.

Larimar -  Larimar is a rare form of pectolite, and is only found in the Dominican Republic. It has an extraordinary blue appearance similar to the color of the ocean in tropical areas. In gem folklore larimar represents peace, clarity, radiating healing and love.

Millefiore - In bead making, a bead {also called mosaic beads} created by layering a bundle of preformed colored glass rods in parallel rows. The glass is then heat-softened and stretched fusing the canes together. This is done with great artistic and technical expertise. This technique dates back to the Hellenistic and Roman periods, 300 BC-AD400. The word, millefiore, is medieval Italian for "thousand flowers."

Mother-of-Pearl {shell} - Comes from the iridescent shell lining of large oyster pearls, abalones, and topshells. It is fashioned into beads, buttons, pendants, cameos, hair combs, pillboxes, and other decorative items. In healing folklore it is calming, especially in instinctual and survival based issues.

Opal {general} - Technically a mineraloid and not a mineral because it does not have a crystalline structure, opal is composed of tiny balls of silica and water that interact with light to produce the most amazing colors. Birthstone for October. In gem folklore, opals are believed to inspire excitement and passion.

Operculum - The operculum is part of many shelled animals. It is the calcified, disc-shaped "trap door" that opens and closes to protect the animal inside its shell from heavy surf and predators. I have found many strewn on the beaches in Mexico. This jewelry, which the shells were set as cabochons, was popular in Victorian Era Britain and worn as protective charms. An operculum is also called a snail door, cat's eye shell or Shiva's eye.

Peridot - Also known as olivine, peridot ranges in color from light yellow-green to the intense bright green of new grass to olive. It is described as having a "velvety, sleepy appearance - a shining rich glow, and a slightly greasy luster." In gem folklore peridot is the adventure stone, opens up the treasure box.

Peruvian Opal {blue and blue-green} - Relatively rare, it comes from the Andes in Peru. It is a very translucent stone with color similar to the Caribbean Sea. Depending on how the stone is cut it can be clear, show varying degrees of color, or dendritic, which has black fern like inclusions. In healing folklore it is great for quieting the mind in mediation and as an aid to sleep.

Prehnite - A pale green to a yellowish grass green translucent stone with a waxy luster.

Quartz {general} - A family of stones: amethyst, ametrine, "rock crystal", milky quartz, citrine, gold/lemon quartz, smoky quartz, rose quartz, rutilated quartz, tiger's eye, star quartz, etc.

Rhodochrosite - A gem loved for its creamy-white swirls and varying pinks: baby pink, hot pink, deep rose. The most commonly mentioned and massive deposit is from Argentina. Rhodochrosite is not very hard at 3.5-4.5 and should be protected from other jewelry when stored to avoid scratches. In healing folklore it is beneficial for blisters and toenail infections.

Rift - A geological term describing the center of an extensional spreading where continental {continental rifting} or oceanic {oceanic rifting} plate separation occurs. Classic examples of this are the Great East African Rift Valley and the Rio Grande Rift in the US.

Ruby - Ruby is the red version of the mineral corundum and mined primarily in Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Burma. The reddish color sapphires are known as ruby. Ruby is the second hardest gemstone after the diamond. The color can vary from a faint pink to deep, unforgettable red. Ancients believed that one who possessed a ruby was granted wisdom, health, wealth, and love. It is the birthstone for the month of July. Also, it is the stone for ones born under the Capricorn sign, December 21-January 19, and for those born on Tuesday, or in the summer.

Serpentine - Occurs in several varieties: bowenite, a yellow-green color {the one I typically find}, williamsite, a dark green with black spots, and verd antique, which looks like dark green marble that often contains veins of calcite.

Spiny Oyster - The spiny oyster shell {Spondylus Brodnip Princess} is found in only one area—in the Sea of Cortez, lower Baja California/Mexico Sur. The shell comes in three colors: red, orange, and purple, and sometimes yellow and white. Only one man is licensed and dives for it, therefore making it very rare and the special cuts pricey. My passion for spiny oyster began when I found my own beach-washed pieces in Baja in the year 2000. In healing folklore it encourages security, adaptability and joy.

Thai Silver - Handcrafted by the various hill tribe people of Laos, Burma, Viet Nam and Thailand, Hill Tribe Silver a.k.a. "Thai Silver", is composed of .955% silver making it more pure than sterling silver which is .925% pure. The remaining percentage is a silver alloy. This high grade of silver is used because it is extremely soft and malleable allowing these ancient people to use hand tools to etch, carve and shape each piece individually. These pieces are extremely rich and detailed in their coloration and design.

Tourmaline - Exists in all spectrums of color, the most common being green, pink and yellow. Many refer to tourmaline as the "muses' stone," for they believe that its imaginative colors contain inspirational powers which enable the mind of its beholder to bring forth illimitable vision and creativity.

Turquoise - Hydrous phosphate of copper and aluminum, turquoise ranges in color from sky blue, bluish green, and apple green to a very pale green. Indigenous to the Southwest, turquoise is mined in Arizona, Nevada, Colorado, and New Mexico, and it is often identified by the mine from which it came. However, today many of the mines of the SW are no longer active and so much of the turquoise used today is imported from Asia. Birthstone for December. In healing folklore it encourages spiritual healing, creativity and happiness.

White-heart trade beads - Trade beads are glass beads from Venice and Czechoslovakia that were traded to Native Americans, primarily by early Spanish explorers and later by fur traders. "White heart" refers to the color of glass at the center of the bead.

If you have any specific questions concerning any of these, please send e-mail to me at sharon@cyanrift.com and I will try to provide an answer or find the information you are looking for. To locate jewelry with a gemstone/birthstone, please see my Birthstone Jewelry page.