Lapis Lazuli: Deep Blue and Pyrite Flecks
Lapis lazuli is a deep blue rock of lazurite, calcite, and pyrite. How shops should read the flecks, the white veins,...
Crystalory
Wholesale Crystal Journal
Notes on crystal meanings, stone care, and carved pieces for shops.
Crystal meanings · Stone care · Carved crystal
What is black tourmaline?
Black tourmaline in shops is usually schorl, an iron-rich tourmaline with vertical grooves. It is not obsidian and no...
Bloodstone and Chicken Bloodstone Are Not the Same Stone
Bloodstone is dark green chalcedony with red spots. Chicken blood stone is a different carving material. How shops sh...
What is moss agate?
Moss agate is chalcedony with branching inclusions that look like moss. They are mineral dendrites, not plants. How t...
Black Tourmaline for a Retail Tray
Black tourmaline for a shop tray is schorl: striated prisms, not obsidian and not onyx. How to grade, label, and disp...
What is carnelian?
Carnelian is orange to red-brown chalcedony colored by iron. A short answer on color, hardness, and the stones it is ...
Moss Agate: How to Describe the Pattern
Moss agate is translucent chalcedony with dendritic inclusions that look like moss. How shops should describe the pat...
What color is natural citrine?
Natural citrine is pale yellow to golden. A deep orange piece is often heated amethyst. How a shop can describe the c...
What is citrine?
Citrine is yellow to orange quartz. Most shop citrine is heated amethyst. A short guide to color, hardness, and the l...