Jasper frequently has a descriptive name from the location where it was found, for example ocean jasper, rainforest jasper, or mountain jasper.   Otherwise, it is named for its color or appearance.   Jasper is an opaque form of silica of many colors and variations such as bands, speckles, and circles.

The most common jaspers are red, yellow and brown however you will find green, grey, white and many other wonderful natural colors in these necklaces.   Jasper polishes to a bright glow emphasizing the irregularities caused by iron or other mineral inclusions.   Jasper is thought to be a stone that promotes relaxation and a sense of wholeness.

Agates are bright colorful stones; (chalcedony) associated with volcanic rock but can also be found in metamorphic rocks.   They range is color from white to black but are most often found in shades of red.   Some agates are heated and dyed to enhance their natural colors.

The broad category of agates includes stones with value beyond agate because of their unique clearness such as carnelian or reflective nature like tigereye.   Some agates are given names like moss agate because of their inclusions.   Agate is thought to create a soothing appreciation of nature in the wearer.

Quartz is the best known of the common semi-precious stones.   Included here are rose quartz, smoky quartz, tourmalated quarts amethyst and rock crystal quartz.   Transparent quartz gems range from clear to many colors.   Precious opal is the most valuable.

When quartz is translucent or opaque it is referred to as agate or jasper depending upon the intensity of the opaqueness.   Clear quartz crystals are often symbolic of love and beauty.

Jade includes both jade and jadeite which are made up of different minerals.   Jade has been an ornamental stone since prehistoric times.   Usually green it ranges from dark green to clear.   Many variations of jade exist including gold, white and pink depending on the minerals included.

Jade is the official gemstone of Alaska and British Columbia where most North American jade is found.   Jade was thought to bring the wearer longevity, prosperity, and wisdom.

Other stones are a Stone Soup special category for stones that have unique characteristic and or value as semi-precious stones.

Included here are clear red agate, (carnelian) tigereye (asbestos striped agate) moonstone (clear peach quartz) and other well known semiprecious stones including lapis, amazonite, turquoise and garnet.

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