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Gemstones B-I

Blackstone	Carnelian gemstones	Chalcedony	Chrysoprase
Citrine	Dumortierite	Fluorite	Fossil coral
Garnet	Pyrope Garnet	Almandine Garnet	Spessartine Garnet
Grossular Garnet	Gold stone	Hemalyke	Hematite
Howlite

Blackstone
This is a generic term for any number of black gemstones. Many of them are made of Jasper, but probably also from several other stones that have been dyed black. Therefore its metaphysical properties vary. It has a silky gloss polish, and lacks the luster of Onyx. Blackstone is an inexpensive stone. Because of the variation of type of rock, its hardness also varies.

Carnelian
Carnelian is a translucent Chalcedony. It has a deep red-orange color, and is usually dyed and heat treated to achieve a mild to brilliant orange color. The name is often interchangeable with Sard, a darker and more brownish stone. Carnelian has a hardness of 6,5-7 on the Mohs hardness scale, so it is a sturdy stone, and can be used in jewelry worn daily. I find that it resembles red Agate in color, but it is maybe a bit browner in tone. The variation that has white banding, is called Sardonyx. Carnelian is also referred to as Pigeons Blood Agate. It should not be exposed to prolonged sunlight, as it then may redden. Its red-orange color is beautiful if combined with green stones like Jade or with the more toned down Kambaba Jasper.

Chalcedony
This is a variety of Quartz. Chalcedony can be found in all colors because of its many variations. Agate, Carnelian, Onyx, Jasper, Tiger eye, Sard, Sardonyx, Chrysoprase and Bloodstone are all varieties of Chalcedony. With a general hardness of 7 on The Mohs hardness scale , chalcedony are stones that can be used in everyday jewelry. When the name Chalcedony is used in the gemstone trade, it refers only to the white or lightly colored nodular or massive Chalcedony. The rest is referred to by their respective names. The chalcedony variations are often dyed in different colors for enhancement. Chrysoprase is the most valuable one, because of its distinctive apple-green color.

Chrysoprase
Chrysoprase is a variety of Chalcedony, and is the most expensive of these gemstones. It has a very distinguish apple green color, and is often mistaken for Green Imperial Jade. The color is due to very small inclusions of Nickel compounds. It has a hardness of 6-7 on the Mohs scale, and needs no enhancement or treatment. Dyed Green Agate and green glass is sometimes sold as Chrysoprase, and Chrysoprase is sometimes sold as Jade, so it may be vise to ask for a certification whey dealing with this gem. It is said that the famous jewelry maker Fabergè used Chrysoprase in some of his fabulous works.

Citrine
Citrine has a hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, and is therefor a durable stone. It comes in yellowish tones, like yellow, yellow-brown, orange, dark orange-brown and reddish brown. It is a translucent to transparent stone. Unfortunately it resembles the more valuable Topaz, and is sold as Topaz from unscrupulous dealers. Citrine in nature is rare, and it is the most valuable of the Quartz gemstones. Most Citrine on the market is actually heat treated Quartz or Amethyst. A man made “variation” is Ametrine, which is Amethyst heated into Citrine, and then exposed to radiation to turn slightly back into Amethyst in certain parts of the stone.

The natural Citrine is lighter and more faded than the heat treated ones. The heat treated all have a red tint. Because of its transparency it is often faceted.

Crazy Horse Stone
This is a type of lime stone which is very beautiful with patterns of pink, gray, mauve and cream. With a hardness of 4,5-5, it is prone to scratching an chipping, and should not be used with hard wearing jewelry. The lovely pattern makes this gemstone especially suitable for focal pieces. Combine it with other pastel colored stones and beads, or use larger stones with large silver beads.

Dumortierite
With its deep, rich blue tones, this gemstone is often mistaken for the more valuable Lapis Lazuli. If you want to make a Lapis looking piece of jewelry but cannot afford Lapis, you can use Dumortierite which cost only a fraction of the price. The blue color is due to inter-grown Dumortierite crystals in Quartz. It is opaque and has a hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, so it is a durable stone. Noe enhancement or treatment other than tumbling, is necessary with this gem, and it is known to appeal both to men and women because of its denim blue color. The lighter specimens may be mistaken for Sodalite, and it is often called Blue Denim Stone.

Fluorite
This is a lovely translucent to transparent mineral that comes in all sorts of color. It is known to be the most colorful mineral in the world. Rich purple is the most popular and famous color, and competes with the fabulous purple of Amethyst. Most Fluorite gemstones have one color, but there are quite a lot which are multicolored, where the colors are arranged in bands. Many specimens are strongly fluorescent. It has a hardness of 4 on the Mohs scale, and is therefor not so suitable to use as a gemstone. So, if you use them, put them in jewelry that is worn only for special occasions.

Fossiled Coral
Also called Agatezied fossil Coral, as it is formed by ancient coral gradually being replaced by Agate. It therefor have the same hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale as Agate, and is a very durable stone. In color it ranges from white, pink to brown, gray, black, yellow and red. Small beads do not display the pattern so well, but larger beads and cabochons have beautiful flower-like patterns from the ancient corals. Because of the lovely patterns and coloration this stone is very sought after by collectors.

Garnet
Garnet is a very popular gemstone, most known for its dark-blood red color. However it does come in a wide range of colors and its varieties have their own distinct names. The most famous varieties are Pyrope and Almandine. Garnets are faceted or made into cabochons and a Carbuncle is a deep red Garnet cut as a cabochon. Demantoid, which is a variety of Andradite is the most valuable of the Garnet varieties. Garnets have a hardness of 6,5-7 on the Mohs scale.

Pyrope Garnet
This variety of Garnet is often sold as Ruby by unscrupulous dealers. It has a dark blood-red color and is usually without any inclusions. Rhodolite Garnet is a rose red variety of Pyrope.

Almandine Garnet
This is the most common of the Garnets. It is a dark, almost black, opaque variation, but sometimes lighter colored stones are found. Because of its dark color, it is sometimes hollowed out on the underside, to make it appear lighter. When set in jewelry, the only way to find out if it is hollow, is to determine its weight. It is also known under synonyms like Almandite, Oriental Garnet and Alabandine Ruby.

Spessartine Garnet
Spessartine is orange in color, but also comes in reddish-brownish due to iron impruities. It is not of the most common Garnets, and is normally used solemnly as cabochons.

Grossular Garnet
This variety of Garnet comes in a wide range of colors, although its purest form is colorless. Some of its varieties have their own names, like Tsavorite, which is Emerald-green and transparent. Tsavorite and the orange Hessonite are the most popular varieties of Grossular used in jewelry. Some of its massive compact varieties resembles Jade, and is often known as South African Jade or Transvaal Jade.

Gold Stone
Gold stone is not a mineral, but is man-made glass.

Hemalyke
This is a man-made synthetic stone which resembles Hematite. It has a gun metal color and is very popular as a “gemstone”. So, if you cannot afford to buy Hematite, go for Hemalyke at the fraction of the price.

Hematite
Hematite is very distinctive with its metallic lustre. In Greek Hematite means “blood like”, and the name was given because it is red when powdered. It has therefor been used as a pigment. It is one of the most common minerals and is very popular as a gemstone. You can often find it carved into rings or ornaments, and as cabochons. It becomes magnetic when heated, and some of the specimens are iridescent. It may also be known under other names like Hematite rose, Kidney Ore or Tiger Iron. It is beautiful with pearls and silver, or by itself as a strung necklace.

Howlite
if you love expensive stones like Turquoise, Lapis Lazuli and Coral, but cannot afford them, this is the stone for you. Howlite is naturally a white stone with black and brown veins. It is quite porous and can therefor easily be dyed. It makes a very convincing imitation of Turquoise and is sold as such from unscrupulous dealers. It also makes perfect fake Lapis Lazuli and lately also imitates Coral. As a matter of fact, this stone is famous for its ability to imitate other minerals. However it is beautiful in its natural color, and makes a nice appearance in jewelry with its porcelain-like luster. It is a softer stone and has a hardness on only 3,5, so use it with caution in jewelry that is not meant to be worn everyday.

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