African Turquoise

Ammonite is a fossil of the now-extinct marine molluscs called ammonoids. They are found in many sedimentary rocks. The name comes from the god Ammon, who had spiral ram horns which looks like the shape of the organism’s shell. Ammonites are valued by collectors because they are the real remains of prehistoric creatures.

Barite is incredibly unique and can fool you if you're not careful. The glistening surface area makes it seem like a lightweight mineral, but it is heavy! It is so heavy that it has a similar weight to metallic minerals, although it has no metallic properties.

Biotite belongs to the so-called "mica minerals" which can be easily split into thin, but enormously large, flexible sheets. The largest single crystal sheet of biotite measured 23 m squared, found in Norway. This silicate mineral can be found in magmatic and metamorphic rocks and it's commonly used as an isolating material, particularly in heating systems.

Moissanite is a rare mineral, similar in appearance to diamond. The material is actually a silicon carbide, and it's found in the form of crystals. It is prized in the jewelry industry and is mostly used for engagement rings. It is often produced synthetically in laboratories, while the natural moissanite is extremely rare.

Prized since antiquity, silver is the most abundant and least expensive of the precious metals. Soft and ductile, this element can easily be shaped into jewelry and coins - and people have been doing so for thousands of years. Because it tarnishes fairly easily, in modern jewelry it is often combined into alloys with other metals (such as is the case with Sterling silver, usually made of silver and Copper). Industrial uses include electronics, solar panels, glass, mirrors, and many medical components.

A very tough variety of quartz, shiva Lingam attributes its unique appearance to the impurities and iron oxide deposits within each stone. Naturally tumbled into its usual egg shape, it is harvested from India's Narvada River and considered sacred to the god Shiva by local villagers. No two stones are alike.

Tiger's Iron, sometimes called the Tiger eye matrix, is a gemstone that originates from Australia. This gemstone contains three rocks: hematite, red jasper, and tiger eye. tiger's Iron is formed in sedimentary deposits, though the exact reactions needed are unknown.

Fire Opal is a variety of opal that has a bright yellow, red, or orange background. It is known for its striking play of colors. It's a valuable stone, mostly because of its rarity. However, the value depends on its color and appearance. The red varieties are most expensive. This gem is often cut into faceted stones and cabochons.