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Gemstone Beads Index
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Click a gemstone name or picture below to shop in our online store, or return to the Menu.
- Stones are alphabetized by family. For example, to find information on Red Creek Jasper look under "J" for "Jasper".
- Not all gemstones listed below are current stock. Some might be unavailable, or only available at our traveling Bead Shows.
- "Also known as" (aka) listings are often misnomers; we list other names we've seen, right or wrong!
- To the best of our knowledge, our gemstones are natural and untreated unless otherwise noted.
- We use the term "dyed" to describe stones to which color has been added through some process. The coloring process does not necessarily involve a colorant like those used for cloth.
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Labradorite
aka Black Moonstone, Falcon's Eye, Labordite
Labradorite is the umbrella term for a sodium-rich variety of plagioclase feldspar found in igneous or metamorphic rocks. When light hits labradorite from a particular direction, it can display striking rainbow-colored reflections (violet, blue, green, yellow, orange and red) known as labradorescence or schiller. Labradorite has been described as looking like gasoline lying on water or the delicate wings of a tropical butterfly. It is in the same family as moonstone. Stones with a light green-gray base and moderate schiller are known simply as labradorite. The high-quality type of labradorite mined in Finland is called spectrolite, which has a dark or black base and a wide spectrum of colors.
Labradorite was officially discovered on St. Paul Island in Labrador, Canada, in 1770. However, pieces of the gemstone also have been found among Native American artifacts in Maine. During the 18th century, labradorite was frequently used in jewelry in France and England.
Labradorite is said to detoxify the body and slow the aging process. It also is believed to elevate consciousness and protect a person's aura, helping to keep the aura clear, balanced, protected and free from energy leaks. Many say the stone heals mental confusion and indecision. Labradorite is found in Labrador (Canada), Madagascar, the Ukraine, Australia, Mexico, Norway and the U.S.A.
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China-Cut Labradorite (-105, -105-01)
Labradorite beads cut in China are typically consistent in their shape and drill holes, and sized uniformly on each strand. They are often stones of lesser quality with higher-quality finishes than gemstone beads cut elsewhere.
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India-Cut Labradorite (-105-09)
Labradorite beads cut in India tend to be somewhat irregular in shape, with holes that are sometimes off-center and rough. The quality of the stones is usually quite high, despite their less precise cut and polish.
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Stabilized Labradorite
This form of labradorite has been injected with a stabilizing agent, which allows it to be sliced into large pieces to best display the stone's "flash" or labradorescence.
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Lapis
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Lapis Lazuli (-020)
This is a gemstone straight out of Arabian nights tales: deep blue with inclusions that twinkle like stars. Its evocative name is a combination of the Latin word lapis ("stone") and the Arabian name azul, meaning "blue." One of the few rocks used as a gem, lapis lazuli is composed of grains of several blue minerals, including lazurite and sodalite. This complex, opaque gemstone additionally has a matrix of calcite and speckles of pyrite. It is distinctively fluorescent. Lapis lazuli was created millions of years ago in the course of a metamorphosis that turned chalk into marble. The rich blue color is due to the sulfur inherent in the structure of lazurite. Because of its deep blue color, lapis is sometimes used in place of azurite with green malachite in jewelry. Lazurite is resistant to atmospheric gases and light-fast (light won't fade it). Until 1958, lapis lazuli was an official birthstone of December. This gemstone is easily scratched and chipped; clean it only with a soft, dry cloth to maintain its shine.
Lapis lazuli was one of the first gemstones ever to be used and worn as jewelry. Excavations from tombs of Early Dynastic period (2900-2300 B.C.). around the Mediterranean have unearthed jewelry samples containing lapis. Countless necklaces and other artifacts crafted from lapis lazuli have been found in ancient sites, clearly indicating the people of Mesopotamia, Egypt, Persia, Greece and Rome cherished this deep-blue gemstone. The legendary city of Ur, situated on the Euphrates River, is reported to have run a busy trade in lapis lazuli as early as 4000 B.C. Many cultures worshipped it as a holy stone, especially in the Orient, where it was believed to contain magical powers. The stone was introduced to Europe by Alexander the Great. In the Middle Ages, monks powdered the stone and kneaded it into dough with beeswax, resin and linseed oil, for use in illuminated manuscripts.
Today, people around the world consider lapis lazuli to be a stone of truth and friendship. It is reputed to bring about harmony in relationships and to cleanse the mental body while releasing old karmic patterns. Being a spiritual stone, it allows spiritual energy to be absorbed in the aura. Major sources include Afghanistan, Egypt, Canada and Chile.
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Denim Lapis (-128)
Denim lapis is a relatively pale, less-expensive lapis. Its color resembles faded denim, which is due to calcite inclusions. These inclusions lower the value, but also make denim lapis a great accessory for casual, blue-jean outfits. This gemstone is mined in Chile and Afghanistan, and its metaphysical properties are basically those of lapis lazuli.
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Lapis Nevada (-022)
aka Nevada Lapis
This unusual rock was discovered in 1954 and introduced at the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show in 1989. Lapis Nevada is a pink and green gemstone, and is composed of no fewer than 11 minerals: thulite, scapolite, sericite, diopside and epidote, with minor amounts of feldspar, quartz, zoisite, clinozoisite, actinolite and apatite. Its name is derived from where it is obtained: the Four Clovers Mine in western Nevada (U.S.A.). As of 2004, its availability has been extremely limited. This stone is believed to be a source of creativity and protection, and also promotes courage.
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Larvikite (-176)
aka Black Labradorite, Blue Pearl Granite, Blue Norwegian Moonstone, Laurvikite, Marina Blue Star, Norwegian Pearl Granite, Pub Stone
Larvikite, more commonly known as black labradorite, is an igneous rock that occurs only in the Oslo-rift near Larvik, Norway. Like labradorite, larvikite is a coarse-grained mixture of plagioclase and feldspar. Individual grains of anorthoclase within the stone catch the light, giving it an iridescent, chatoyant quality that is often described as labradorescence.
Larvikite is light to dark bluish gray, with silvery, light-blue reflections and flecks of black. In addition to its use as a gemstone, it is popular as a facing stone on both the interiors and exteriors of buildings. Larvikite is used in New York City's United Nations building and a multitude of banks and pubs in the United Kingdom (hence the aka "pub stone"). Healers believe this stone enhances psychic abilities and helps maintain vitality and youthfulness.
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Lava Stone
Earthy yet elegant, lava stone beads are made from basalt, a type of igneous rock formed during volcanic eruptions. Due to their many holes and bubbles, lava stone beads add great texture, but not a lot of weight, to jewelry designs. Lava stone is naturally rough in texture. Our lava stone beads usually appear to have been treated with a paraffin wax to make them smooth to the touch — plain basalt would be rather abrasive! Lava stone beads are a great base for Art Clay™ Silver paste — just be sure to burn off the waxy coating in a kiln first.
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Black Lava Stone (-192)
This type of stone is naturally a dark gray, but the wax treatment used to smooth its texture also deepens the color of the stone to black.
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Brown Lava Stone (-193)
aka Red Lava Stone
Chocolate to cinnamon brown in color, our brown lava stone beads are sometimes treated with a wax and sometimes left in their natural, rough state.
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Lepidolite (-145)
aka Gem Lepidolite, Lavenderine, Lepidolite Mica
Lepidolite is an uncommon mica that only in the past decade has become available on the mineral market in large quantities (more recently, however, its availability has become limited again). This gemstone is a by-product of the mining of lithium and owes its color to lithium's proximity. The name lepidolite is from the Greek word lepidos, meaning scale, because lepidolite normally appears scaly. Its color is violet to pale pink or white and, rarely, gray or yellow. It often contains black markings.
This gemstone is purported to have a calming effect and relieve muscle pain by relaxing the nerves. Lepidolite also connects the heart and crown to bring spiritual understanding of pain and suffering. It is said to help people reorganize their old ways of thinking and acting so they can meet the challenge of change. Lepidolite is found in Zimbabwe, Sweden, Argentina, Canada (Quebec), Madagasgar, Russia, and the U.S.A. (California and Maine).
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Lizardite
aka Green Lace Agate, Green Sandstone, Russian Serpentine, Spiderweb Green Stone
One might expect them to feel scaly based on their reptilian appearance, but our lizardite beads have a waxy luster and are smooth to the touch. Appropriately enough, this stone was discovered at the Lizard complex in Cornwall, England, hence its name. Lizardite is one of the more common serpentine minerals and is found around the world. It is available in a variety of mottled green hues, all with dark spiderweb-like matrix. The aka Russian serpentine is also an accurate name, since we are told most of the lizardite on the market today comes from Russia.
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Lodolite
aka Lodalite, Lodelite, Lodolite Quartz, Rockscape Quartz, Scenic Garden Quartz
Lodolite is a variety of quartz with inclusions of chlorite, iron and calcite. These minerals decorate the colorless stone with green, pink, yellow, brown, white and red. Their patterns have been compared to moss and an underwater scene. The name lodolite is of Greek origin, meaning "mud stone" or "stone from the mud," probably referring to its earthy appearance. Lodolite is found in only one location, the Minas Gerais area of Brazil, which is famous for its gems and minerals. The stone has a good hardness equal to that of other quartzes, and was formed over millions of years. Lodolite is believed to aid spiritual growth, clarity, communication and integration. Healers say wearing it around the waist will ease menstrual problems. The stone is also said to increase ESP and bring knowledge of past lives.
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Why can't I click on some stone names?
Some stones are not currently part of our regular stock, meaning we don't sell them in our wholesale catalog or online. However, these may still be available on our traveling Bead Show, which stops at more than 50 U.S. cities each year.
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