Dendritic Jasper

Nacre is a strong, iridescent material produced by some molluscs to protect the inner layer of its shell. It is also known as mother of pearl, and is the material from which pearls are grown. Nacre is used to make mother of pearl jewelry, decorative items, and clothing accessories. It is also used to adorn musical instruments and create mosaic tiles.

Cubic Zirconia is similar in appearance to natural diamonds, making it one of the most popular man-made stones. Natural and lab-grown diamonds are composed of carbon, while cubic Zirconia consists of zirconium dioxide (ZrO₂). Cubic Zirconia can also occur in a variety of colors. These stones provide distinctive and affordable substitutes for fancy colored diamonds, or colored gemstones, such as emerald, ruby, and sapphire. If you're on a budget, cubic Zirconia will be a great, inexpensive option for your engagement ring, usually priced at less than $100.

A naturally occurring variety of quartz, ametrine is a popular commercial mineral mined primarily in Bolivia and sold by the trade name of bolivianite. Prized for its gradient colors and toughness, it is regularly used in the jewelry industry. According to a legend, this mineral was first introduced in Europe in the 17th century, as a conquistador's gift to the Spanish queen.

Mariam Stone is a commercial trade name for a type of jasper that reportedly comes from the Himalayas in India, where it was formed in an ancient swamp. This stone is thought to be a blend of Hematite, mud, plants, and shell fossils. Its popularity comes from its interesting surface pattern that comes from the fossilized shells.

Bronzite is a decorative mineral that occurs in an almost metallic bronze coloration, which is how the mineral received its name. This mineral is a variety of enstatite as it bears iron (III). Bronzite is sometimes used to make ornamental decorations but is usually not the first material of choice.

Pumice is an airy, fine-grained volcanic rock, used in horticulture and gardening, as well as for the production of lightweight concrete blocks. It is also used in various abrasives and absorbents. It has a wide application in architecture – the ancient Roman temple Pantheon was made with lightweight pumice aggregate. It's similar to Scoria, but the latter one sinks in water, while pumice floats.

Galena is a distinctive, lead-containing mineral with a strong metallic luster. It is often found alongside silver, and has been mined for centuries in pursuit of those two elements. A powdered form of the mineral was worn around the eyes in ancient Egypt – both cosmetic and practical, it helped reduce the glare of the desert sun. Specimens of galena forming large cubic or octahedral crystals are prized by rock hounds and collectors.

Stilbite is one of the highest sought after zeolite-based minerals for gem collectors because of the unique crystallization patterns it forms. You can find it in areas containing prehistoric volcanic rock, with India being the greatest source. Derivatives of stilbite are used in water filtration systems.