Steen Gems

Azurite Malachite

Azurite – malachite is of course the combination of both azurite and malachite which crystallizes normally in the form of masses, crusts, and nodules.   When Azurite mixes with green malachite, a lovely swirl of blue and green colors occurs. It is also found in China, but it's found almost anywhere you have copper present. The best specimens come from the USA.

Azurite is a soft, deep blue copper mineral produced by weathering of copper ore deposits.  The blue of azurite is exceptionally deep and clear. Specimens tend to lighten in color over time due to weathering of the specimen surface into malachite; this is why they are found together. Malachite is a green-colored mineral which crystallizes in the monoclinic crystal system, and most often forms botryoidal, fibrous, or stalagmitic masses. Individual crystals are rare but do occur as slender to acicular prisms. Pseudomorphs after more tabular or blocky azurite crystals also occur.  Malachite often results from weathering of copper ores and is often found together with azurite. Except for its vibrant green color, the properties of malachite are similar to those of azurite and aggregates of the two minerals occur frequently together. Malachite is more common than azurite and is typically associated with copper deposits around limestone.

Large quantities of malachite have been mined in the Urals. It is found in Africa, Russia; Mexico; England, France in the Southwestern United States. In Israel, malachite is extensively mined at Timna valley, often called King Solomon's Mines. Archeological evidence indicates that the mineral has been mined and smelted at the site for over 3,000 years.

Azurite was used as a blue pigment for centuries. Older examples of azurite pigment may show a more greenish tint due to weathering into malachite. Much azurite was mislabeled lapis lazuli, a term applied to many blue pigments. Malachite was used as a mineral pigment in green paints from antiquity until about 1800. The pigment is moderately lightfast, very sensitive to acids and varying in color.

Azurite and malachite are used occasionally as beads and as jewelry, and also as an ornamental stone. The intense color of azurite makes it popular collector's stone. However, bright light, heat, and open air all tend to reduce the intensity of its color over time. To help preserve the deep blue color of a pristine azurite specimen, collectors should use a cool, dark, sealed storage environment similar to that of its original natural setting.

Azurite-malachite generally allows one to reach into the inner depths without fear, so that one is sustained, absolved and is aware of the genesis of all time.  Azurite-malachite bestows upon one the cleansing of the immutable forces and refreshes ones outlook to be as the wind in the willow.  It produces a flow to actions and willingness toward flexibility.  

Introduction to Chrysocolla

There's a reason why pristine beaches are always top vacation destinations. The peaceful and soothing vibes of the ocean reflect the Chrysocolla crystal properties, which help cool off fiery, hotheaded emotions as soon as it touches the skin. The best prescription for easing work-related stress, the Chrysocolla crystal reminds us to check out of everyday life and take some time to float down the Turquoise river of your inner spirit. The Chrysocolla crystal meaning and its connection to water, the very essence of life, is a gentle yet powerful addition to your daily wellness routine. So get out your sage sticks, light a candle, and reconnect to miraculous healing benefits of water--the origins of life on earth--with the Chrysocolla crystal.

Chrysocolla Meaning

If you’re in need of a major life transformation, sow the seeds of inspiration with a meditation ritual that incorporates the Chrysocolla crystal stone meaning and inspires new beginnings. In a sacred, clutter free healing space, prepare for your therapeutic session with this beautiful stone by first smudging the room and crystals with a sage smudge stick. Hold the crystal in your non-dominant hand, which is linked with dynamic energy. Close your eyes and sit quietly with the stone for 20 minutes, letting go of all thoughts and expectations. When your head is clear, visualize an egg, seeing yourself in the center yolk, a vision that symbolizes the origins of your birth. On a scientific level, the mind doesn't know the difference between what it sees in your consciousness and what's happening in the physical world, making your mind a powerful tool for healing in combination with Chrysocolla.

Armed with that kind of mind power, this stone helps us build a strong connection to the planet by perceiving it as spiritual being. Referred to as ‘Gaia,’ this ancient Greek name for the earth as Mother Goddess is associated with the Chrysocolla meaning and how the planet gives to her children in need. In the science world, this philosophy explains the earth’s interactive ecological system and how we play an integral part of a larger consciousness that connects all living things. Its striking shade of blue-green reminds us that our planet is a living thing. Conjuring up images of dolphins frolicking in the ocean, this gem instantly brings us back to the sea and our sense of whimsical abandon

As the Buddhist proverb states, we are shaped by our thoughts, which makes this stone a miraculous manifestation tool that helps turn your dreams into reality. Imagine your visualization growing bigger and bigger, seeing and feeling it come to life as a new seed planted in the universe. Open your eyes and write down anything you would do in this moment to make your dreams a reality. Place the crystal on the shelf next to your action checklist and meditate with it every day, always keeping it close by as your trusted wingman guiding you on your new journey.

Found in deposits alongside its cousins Blue Azurite and Malachite, this gemstone forms amorphous shapes called stalactites, which contribute to its ability to create a flow of positive energy that helps you adapt to changes during a spiritual transformation.

Include Chrysocolla in your healing crystal collection and discover how to communicate your heart's true desires.

 

 

Who Needs Amazonite Crystals?

You may benefit from Amazonite crystals if you can relate to any of the following:

• You want to speak your truth
• You would like to open your Heart chakra
• You are attracted to blue-green colors
• You want to balance your male and female energies
• You believe in morality, justice and fairness
• You need to calm your worries
• You want to attract friendly energies to you
• You find peace in the soothing ocean waves
• Your inner child seeks healing

What is Amazonite? 

Amazonite (or Amazon Stone) is the only blue-green crystal and the only gem variety of Microcline Feldspar. Microcline is the most common Feldspar. 

Other Feldspar family members that you probably know are Moonstone, Sunstone and Labradorite. The Feldspar family is known for its distinctive iridescent sheen. Amazonite is no exception to this phenomena and upon the surface of the stone, you will often find a dancing shine.

The distinctive sheen is caused by the thin layers of Orthoclase and Albite. This iridescence is also known as Schiller Sheen and opalescence.If you prefer watching to reading, we have an overview of Aquamarine Stones on the Youtube video above.

This is a part of our A-Z Satin Crystals Meanings video playlist, where we answer your top 5 questions on  all of the most popular crystals.

Enjoy the examples and don't forget to leave us a video comment!

Sheila's Personal Experience with Amazonite 

Back when I still had my wisdom teeth, they would sporadically grace me with periods of severe pain. I looked up stones associated with gums and teeth. Amazonite was one of the crystals recommended for teeth pain.

I then used a tumbled Amazonite stone programmed to alleviate the throbbing pain held against my jaw and focused on the non-painful side of the mouth.

Although Amazonite could not solve the problem caused by the wisdom teeth crowding my mouth, it provided me with temporary relief. The stone allowed me focus on self-healing rather than the pain.

This traumatic time left me with a fond memory of Amazonite.

Lisa's Personal Experience with Amazonite 

I like Amazonite for its silver sheen. It draws me in like the other stones of the Feldspar family.

I turn to Amazonite if I'm feeling frustrated or hot tempered. Its sea green color brings a swift and sudden sensation of much needed calm zen. I enjoy it best in the form of polished stones and spheres.

Although I appreciate any high quality Amazonite that has a superb sheen to it, I find myself most attracted to the strong minty green ones. I have encountered some mint green stones with black mineral inclusions that really remind of of Mint Chocolate Chip ice cream! These pieces are deliciously cooling and take me back to my youth.  Mint chocolate chip ice cream is still one of my favorite picks, as is Amazonite.

We are offering Pink Phosphorite Gemstone.            

We are offering Labradorite Gemstone and deal in wide variety of products.    

We are offering Ruby Zoisite Gemstone.          

With sincerity and hard work of our professionals, we have carved a niche for ourselves in this domain by providing a premium quality gamut of Chrysocolla Gemstone.

We are offering Snakeskin Gemstone and deal in wide variety of products.      

We are offering Mushroom Gemstone.                

We are offering Green Mohave Gemstone.           

Keeping in mind ever-evolving requirements of our respected clients, we are offering a premium quality range of German Dendrite Gemstone.

We are offering Thulite Gemstones.         

We are offering Rose Quartz Gemstone.         

With our expertise and trustworthiness, we are engaged in offering an optimum quality range of  Rutile Gemstone.

We are offering Lapis Gemstone.     

We are offering Lepidolite Gemstone.          

We are offering Variscite Gemstone.          

We are Offering Rhodonite Gemstone.         

We are offering Calcite Gemstone and deal in wide variety of products.    

We are offering Calsidoni Gemstone and have wide range of products.   

We are offering Larimar Gemstone.      

We are offering Pietersite Gemstone.           

Jewellery or jewelry
Jewellery or jewelry (American English; see spelling differences) consists of decorative items worn for personal adornment, such as
brooches, rings, necklaces, earrings, pendants, bracelets, and cufflinks. Jewellery may be attached to the body or the clothes.
From a western perspective, the term is restricted to durable ornaments, excluding flowers for example. For many centuries metal,
often combined with gemstones, has been the normal material for jewellery, but other materials such as shells and other plant
materials may be used. It is one of the oldest type of archaeological artefact – with 100,000-year-old beads made from Nassarius
shells thought to be the oldest known jewellery.[1] The basic forms of jewellery vary between cultures but are often extremely
long-lived; in European cultures the most common forms of jewellery listed above have persisted since ancient times, while other
forms such as adornments for the nose or ankle, important in other cultures, are much less common.

Jewellery may be made from a wide range of materials. Gemstones and similar materials such as amber and coral, precious metals,
beads, and shells have been widely used, and enamel has often been important. In most cultures jewellery can be understood as a
status symbol, for its material properties, its patterns, or for meaningful symbols. Jewellery has been made to adorn nearly every
body part, from hairpins to toe rings, and even genital jewellery. The patterns of wearing jewellery between the sexes, and by
children and older people can vary greatly between cultures, but adult women have been the most consistent wearers of jewellery;
in modern European culture the amount worn by adult males is relatively low compared with other cultures and other periods in
European culture.

The word jewellery itself is derived from the word jewel, which was anglicised from the Old French "jouel" and beyond that, to the
Latin word "jocale", meaning plaything. In British English, Indian English, New Zealand English, Hiberno-English, Australian
English, and South African English it is spelled jewellery, while the spelling is jewelry in American English.[3] Both are used in
Canadian English, though jewelry prevails by a two to one margin. In French and a few other European languages the equivalent
term, joaillerie, may also cover decorated metalwork in precious metal such as objets d'art and church items, not just objects
worn on the person.

We are offering Rainbow Pyrite Druzy Gemstone.      

We are offering Septarian Gemstone.          

About Variscite - History and Introduction

Variscite is considered to be one of the rarer and lesser-known collector's gemstones available today. Its appearance often causes it to be confused with turquoise, but variscite's color tends to be greener rather than blue. In some cases, materials may be marketed as 'variquoise', a name which combines 'turquoise' with 'variscite'. It is a relatively rare hydrated aluminum phosphate mineral, and gem-quality deposits and occurrences are considerably rare; only the highest quality material is used for gemstones and ornate carvings. Variscite takes an excellent polish, often better than that of turquoise. It is most famous for its different shades of green caused by traces of chromium, although its colors can range from light bluish green to medium and dark green and, very occasionally, red. Variscite is sometimes traded as 'utahlite', a trade name given in reference to Utah, the site of the USA's famed variscite deposits. Utahlite is often cut and polished into smooth slabs and halved nodules.

Variscite is named after 'Variscia', the historical name of the Vogtland district in Saxony, Germany. It was first discovered and described in 1837, when it was found in massive fine-grained aggregate form; crystals are extremely rare. Variscite is an end-member of the isomorphic row of variscite-strengite series of minerals. Like the garnet and feldspar groups, variscite-strengite minerals have an identical crystalline structure, but exhibit slightly varying composition. Owing to variscite's unique mode of occurrence, it is often formed and associated with other phosphate minerals, resulting in interesting veining, splotches and other coloring habits. Although all variscite is valued by collectors, emerald-green variscite from Utah and the black spider-webbed variscite from Nevada are among the most desirable gemmy materials.

Variscite is a hydrated aluminum phosphate. It has a hardness rating of 4.5 on the Mohs scale, which makes it slightly softer than turquoise. It has a density of 2.42 to 2.58 and a refractive index of 1.563 to 1.594. Variscite is typically opaque with a vitreous to waxy luster. Some rare materials are slightly translucent around the edges. Variscite can often be distinguished by its splintery fracture, brittle tenacity and its striking colors and patterns. Variscite is usually greener than turquoise. In addition, gemologists can also easily identify variscite from turquoise by the presence of copper; turquoise contains copper, whereas variscite does not. When compared to gemstones with a similar appearance, variscite is more vitreous of luster than chrysocolla and it is considerably softer too.

Variscite; Origin and Sources Back to Top

Variscite is known to occur in various locations around the world. It normally occurs as a secondary mineral in brecciated sandstone and hydrothermal deposits. It is normally found as rounded, coarse aggregate masses within cavity fillings, nodules and crusts; it is rarely found in crystal form. Today, the most significant variscite deposits come from Utah, USA, which is why variscite is sometimes referred to as 'utahlite'. Other notable variscite sources include Arkansas and Nevada (USA), Australia (Queensland), Germany, France, Poland, Russia, Spain, Sweden and Brazil.