My shopping cart
Your cart is currently empty.
Continue ShoppingGemstone Glossary S
Sapphire – The mineral variety of corundum known as Sapphire can be found in all colors except red, which would then be a Ruby. One of the most popular Sapphire colors is the rich vibrant blue hue. Sapphires are one of the most popular and one of only four precious gemstones; they are featured as September’s birthstone. The Logan Sapphire is one of the world’s most famous and largest flawless Blue Sapphires known.
Scapolite – Scapolite is a rare gemstone that grows in long columnar crystals. Commonly yellow, scapolite can also be found in grey, pink or even purple hues. Scapolite is transparent so saturations of color are limited.
Selenite – A gypsum mineral, Selenite is most often a transparent and colorless stone with a pearly and almost streaked monochrome white fibrous patterning. We utilize natural white Selenite in our designs as well as dyed pink, green and blue variations.
Septarian – Septarian, or septarian geodes, are geode concretions that have occurred over 50 million years or more. As hollows in the earth or lava are leeched into from mineral rich waters, yellow calcite, aragonite, limestone and barite have formed, creating an almost giraffe like pattern of color. Septarian geodes are also called “dragons eggs” as the yellow and red mineral streaks between the black and brown matrix appear as though fire is breaking through an egg.
Serpentine – This magnesium silicate mineral is considered a metamorphic rock. Because Serpentine is formed of water and igneous or sedimentary rock, it can be found in an array of countries, including the US, South Africa, the Philippines and Brazil. Serpentine ranges from yellow hues, through lime colorations up to forest green tones with bands or spots of black. The name is believed to be brought about by its serpent like color and patterning.
Silica – Silica, or silicone dioxide, forms as several minerals such as quartz and can be used as an electric insulator. These bright metallic gunmetal shards create
Skeleten Quartz – Skeletal quartz is also known as elestial quartz and is named of its appearance. These quartz specimens have hollow cavities running throughout them, often in lined patterns vaguely resembling the skeletal system.
Sleeping Beauty Turquoise – Sleeping Beauty turquoise is mined in Globe, AZ and is well liked for its consistent, clean coloring. Although the turquoise is not yet depleted from this mine, the operations stopped in 2012 as the owners closed the mining of copper, which was the main product of the Sleeping Beauty mine.
Smokey Quartz – Smokey quartz renges between grey to brown, or even black, which is called morion quartz. They grow as six-sided crystals and are opaque.
Snakeskin Agate – Agate that is orange to orange-brown with bands and spots of white that resemble reptile skin is known as snakeskin agate.
Sodalite – Typically found in West Greenland and Ontario, Sodalite is a mineral with a rich, royal blue coloration and often displays cream streaks. Sodalite is high in sodium, which is how the name was derived and it even contains chlorine.
Sonora Sunset Cuprite – Sonora Sunset is a combination of Chrysocolla and Cuprite, with Chalcotripite and Iron. This stone has been mined in Sonora Mexico since just 2006. Sonora Sunset Cuprite is a bold natural pairing of reds and oranges, contrasted with a blue green coloration and, at times, pops of black. This unique palette makes for a great statement piece in jewelry.
Spectrolite – Spectrolite is a brand name for labradorite from Finland that displays full color spectrum, versus the generally seen blue, green to yellow labradorite. Labradorite that displays through the purple and pink hues more rare.
Specularite – Specularite, also known as specular hematite, is a hematite material with natural dark blue mica flakes that have a metallic reflect.
Spessartite Garnet – Spessartite Garnet is a mineral which ranges from a sunny orange hue to a red brown color. The light orange varieties possess the highest content of Spessartite, while the red and brown hued variety possesses the highest content of Almondine. The most valuable of these Garnets are the bright red-orange stones. Sources for Spessartite Garnet include Mozambique, Brazil, US, China and several other countries.
Sphene Crystal – Sphene is a rare, yellow to green to orange mineral also known as titanite for its high titanium contect. First dicovered in 1787, this stone has a high dispersion, higher than diamonds, and often gradiates through the three colors within one stones.
Spiney Oyster Shell – A vibrant shell found in red, orange, yellow, purple or any combination thereof. Spiny Oyster Shells are generally found in the Sea of Cortez and off the coast of Baja California and Baja Mexico. This shell is often seen in Native American jewelry designs.
Spirit Quartz – An unusual cactus quartz formation which has many drusy covered crystals growing on one central stone. Spirit Quartz is sourced in South Africa and mined by the women of one specific tribe. While these crystals can be seen in various color tones, the most vibrant is the lilac amethyst hued formations.
Star Diopside – Diopside is a silicate mineral. There are two types that are of gem quality; Black Star Diopside and Chrome Diopside. Generally a blackish or blackish green hue, Star Diopside is rarely a definite green. Black Star Diopside exhibits asterism, a star like phenomenon. The star like patterning is created from Magnetite inclusions in the underlying crystal structure which creates the four-rayed wavy burst. Most often found in India.
Star Ruby – A type of ruby exhibiting asterism, a star like phenomenon. The star like patterning is created from Rutile inclusions in the underlying crystal structure which creates the six-rayed burst. Famous examples of star rubies include the Delong Star Ruby, the Rosser Reeves Ruby and the Midnight Star Ruby.
Star Sapphire – A type of ruby exhibiting asterism, a star like phenomenon. The star like patterning is created from Rutile inclusions in the underlying crystal structure which creates the six-rayed burst. Famous examples of star rubies include the Delong Star Ruby, the Rosser Reeves Ruby and the Midnight Star Ruby.
Staurolite – Staurolite, the state mineral of Georgia, USA, is a mineral found in metamorphic rock. Its 6 sided black to brown crystals often grow with twinning, or 2 crystals through one another, at a 60 degree angle. Rarely these can be seen growing at a 90 degree angle that resemble a cross, which explains it being names for the Greek word for cross, stauros. Staurolites from Russia grow in a muscovite schist.
Stibnite – Stibnite is a lead-grey sulfide mineral also called antimonite. These grey crystals oxidize to a black metallic sheen with exposure to air and can be used in the making of kohl make-up.
Stichtite – A carbonate of chromium and magnesium, Stichtite comes from Western Tasmania, Australia. Discovered in 1910, this lilac to rose colored stone can often be found naturally occurring with Serpentine, a subtle green colored stone. This combination of minerals can display either a spotted or veined color pattern, making it very interesting for use in our unique jewelry designs.
Strawberry Quartz – Quartz that has red inclusions of iron oxide is called strawberry quartz. These inclusions can be streaks or speckles and can give the clear quartz a pink hue.
Sugilite – Sugilite is a rare oyroke cyclosilicate mineral first identified in 1944 in Japan. In 1980, sugilite was officially classified as a rare gemstone. Its purple coloring can range between a pink-orchid hue to a rich violet and is mostly opaque, though some specimens display a translucence referred to as “jelly” that makes is quite valuable in certain markets.
Sunstone is a crystal that can be clear, yellow, orange, green or blue and has a brilliant aventurescene appearance; an almost metallic glitter effect. These crystals have a lot of depth and a rich deep color at their center, spanning out to a lighter more translucent coloration. The speckled effect of Sunstones is caused by inclusions of red copper. Sunstone is the official gemstone of Oregon State.
Super Seven – Super 7, or Melody’s Stone, is a natural combination of seven different minerals; Amethyst, Clear Quartz, Smoky Quartz, Cacoxenite, Rutile, Goethite and Lepidocrocite. While not always clearly visible, each of these 7 components is always a part of this special stone. Super 7 comes from a region of Brazil known as Espirito Santo, which translates to “Holy Spirit”. This stone is very popular among the metaphysical community as a healing stone with high energy.