Semi-Precious Gemstones G-L

In this glossary you will find a world of information on most of the materials we use in our handcrafted beaded jewelry designs at Bonnico Jewelry Designs. Featuring semiprecious gemstones from A to Z, different types of glass and lampwork beads, shells, differences in the types of the silver and gold we use and even birthstone colors and common jewelry sizes to help you decide if the size is right for you.

Garnet

Color is dark red. These stones can be found in Australia, Brazil, India, Scotland, Tanzania, the United States and Uruguay.

Garnets are a group of crystal-like stones. Though the red-colored garnet is the most popular, the stone does appear in yellow, green, pink, white and gray as well. One of garnet’s most appealing characteristics is its brilliance to a high refraction of light. The stone forms under the high temperatures and/or pressures, and can be used by geologists as a gauge of how much temperature and pressure the rock has endured. The traditional way of finding diamond deposits is to sample materials at the surface, looking for minerals like garnets, which are often formed with diamonds but in much greater quantities. Garnets on the bead market are usually scarlet almandite and pyrope.

Hematite

Colors are black, gray, reddish brown. These stones can be found in Bangladesh, Brazil, China, Czech Republic, England, New Zealand, and the United States (Minnesota).

Hematite derives its name from the Greek word for “blood” haema. It’s a silvery, shiny opaque gemstone that almost looks like metal. True hematite leaves a red streak when scratched across a piece of unglazed porcelain, while the simulated products usually leave a gray streak. Some hematite is a simulated material virtually identical to real hematite. It even has the same chemical composition; both genuine and simulated hematite is iron oxide. Hematine is the trade name for man-made versions of this stone that has slight magnetic properties.

Jade

Colors are a variety of green hues, off white and yellow. These stones can be found in Australia, Canada, China, Guatemala, Japan, Kazakhstan, Myanmar (Burma), Russia, Taiwan, the United States (California and Alaska), and Zimbabwe.

Jade has been a highly valued stone for thousands of years, particularly in ancient Central America and Chinese cultures. It wasn't until 1863 that society realized the term “jade" was being applied to two different minerals. These two exquisite minerals are relatively hard to distinguish from each other. So even today both are still called jade. Nephrite, is an amphibole silicate (basic magnesium, iron silicate) in the actinolite series and usually only green and creamy white. Jadeite, is a sodium aluminum silicate and can have the full range of Jade's colors. Beads on the market called “New Jade” are not made of Jade, but Serpentine.

Jasper

Colors will vary, ranging from white to gray, pink, red, brown, yellow, and green. These stones can be found world wide, but the primary sources are Australia, Brazil, Canada, Egypt, India, Madagascar, Russia, the United States, and Uruguay.

Jasper is Greek for “spotted Stone”, and its main feature is stripes, circles or spots. Jasper contains microscopic "grains" of crystalline quartz and agate has microscopic "fibers" of crystalline quartz. Jasper derives its colorful patterns from other minerals present. Jasper is often sealed with petroleum products. Its polish might wash away in water, so clean with a soft, dry cloth. There are many different types of this stone on the bead market, including Agate, Blood, Brecciated, Dalmatian, Fancy, Fire, Ocean, Paintbrush, Picture, Red, Scenic, Yellow and Zebra Jasper.

Labradorite

Colors are dark gray, black, or brown with iridescent coloring. These stones can be found in Australia, Canada, Madagascar, Mexico, Russia, and the United States.

Labradorite was named after the Labrador Peninsula in Canada. When light hits labradorite from a particular direction, it can display striking rainbow-colored reflections (violet, blue, green, yellow, orange and red) known as labradorescence or schiller. It is in the same family as moonstone and also a member of the feldspar family.

Lapis - Lazuli and Denim

Lazuli – Colors are deep blue with white/gray and gold inclusions. These stones can be found in Afghanistan, Chile and Russia.

Latin for “blue stone” lapis lazuli is composed of grains of several blue minerals, including lazurite and sodalite. This complex, opaque gemstone additionally has a matrix of calcite and speckles of pyrite. The fewer the inclusions in a bead, the more valuable it is. Lazurite is resistant to atmospheric gases and light-fast so light won't fade it. This stone said to be used in prehistoric time jewelry still continues to be a favorite.

Denim - Color is blue and relatively pale. These stones can be found in Afghanistan and Chile.

Denim Lapis is a less-expensive lapis and its metaphysical properties are basically those of lapis lazuli. Its color resembles faded denim, which is due to calcite inclusions. These inclusions whiten the color, which lowers the value, but also make it a great accessory for casual, blue-jean outfits.