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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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- Q -
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Quartz
This incredibly abundant gemstone accounts for a whopping 12% of the Earth's crust. Quartz is a family of minerals with the same chemical composition (silicon dioxide) and similar physical properties. Some say the origin of the word quartz is the Saxon word querkluftertz, meaning "a cross vein ore," which later was condensed to querertz. However, it also might have been named after the Slavic word kwardy, or "hard," or possibly the Greek word for ice, as the Greeks believed quartz crystal was fossilized ice (scientists believed this as late as the 16th century). Quartz's high thermoconductivity, which makes it feel cool to the touch, may have added to this belief. The two varieties of quartz are macrocrystalline (crystals recognizable with the naked eye) and microcrystalline or cryptocrystalline (crystals too small to see without high magnification). The first category includes citrine, amethyst, aventurine, hawks-eye, tigereye and all quartzes listed below (flake, rutilated, rose, smoky, snow, etc.). The second, cryptocrystalline, is more commonly known as chalcedony. Lab-grown quartz has the same chemical, physical, and optical characteristics as its natural counterpart. While commonly imitated by glass (see "quartz" entries), true quartz can be distinguished from glass or lead crystal by its birefringence (double refraction) and the minute air bubbles glass often contains. Quartz is also harder than glass.
The use of quartz dates back thousands of years. Roman ladies carried quartz crystal balls to cool their hands in warm weather, and Roman soldiers used it to capture sunlight for cauterizing wounds. Quartz passed for diamonds for many centuries, and some of the superstitions surrounding diamonds actually had their beginnings in quartz. Since the Middle Ages, quartz crystal balls have been used to predict the future. Crafted quartz items uncovered in the French and Austrian Alps indicate the mineral was used there during the 1800s. The practice of burying crystal with the dead has been popular with many cultures over time and still is with some Native Americans. These cultures believe the spirit of the dead lives on in the crystal. Quartz is said to be the universal healing stone, able to clarify what needs to be healed or balanced and assist in the transformation. The crystals are reputed to promote hope, happiness and optimism while awakening us to the beauty of nature. Found around the world, important quartz deposits are in Brazil, Madagascar, Namibia, Ontario (Canada) and the U.S.A. The French and Swiss Alps are also known for their magnificent large crystals.
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Aqua Aura Quartz
aka Blue Aura
This translucent blue gemstone is created from natural rock crystal quartz that has been artificially coated with an ultra-thin metallic (gold, aluminum or copper) layer to produce an iridescent sheen. Though we can't confirm it, we've read that the stone is created by placing the natural quartz in a pressurized chamber at high temperature, where it is exposed to vaporized gold. The metal bonding is supposed to be permanent. Aqua aura quartz is said to help develop creativity, sensitivity and intuition, as well as assist in healing, releasing stored stress and inducing peace.
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Blood Quartz
It must not be type O, because this eerie natural stone isn't for everyone. Dark streaks winding throughout the otherwise clear quartz leave some saying "ah" and others saying "ew!" Blood quartz gets its red and auburn hues from hematite inclusions; the hematite grows on the surface of the quartz crystal, and then as the quartz continues to grow, the hematite becomes contained inside.
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Blue Quartz
Naturally opaque to translucent, blue quartz is relatively rare and may have fractures of reddish brown created by iron oxide. A process known as Rayleigh scattering, where microscopic minerals scatter reflected light, makes both the sky and this quartz variety appear blue. Our natural blue quartz comes in subdued hues; however, there is a variety of blue quartz known as dumortierite that is more vibrant and is sometimes used to imitate lapis lazuli. Also, we sometimes carry blue quartz that has been enhanced with dye to create more vivid blues. Known as a cooling stone due to its color, blue quartz is believed to help with detoxification of the endocrine and circulatory systems. It is also associated with the throat chakra.
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Flake Quartz (-086)
aka Cracked Quartz, Explosion Quartz
This is a clear quartz with thin, shiny flakes suspended throughout. The "explosion" inside is created through heat treatment applied to natural quartz. Glass beads with this effect also can be found on the market. Our “crackle glass” beads look similar to flake quartz at a lower cost.
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Green Quartz
See prase entry.
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Green Tourmalated Quartz
aka Green Hair Garnet, Green Hair Quartz, Green Tourmalinated Quartz, Prehnite
Green tourmalated quartz is a quartz in which green-to-black needles of tourmaline are embedded. It is often confused with prehnite. When we first began carrying prehnite, our vendors identified the inclusions as tourmaline, when they are in fact black amphabole. Now that we are aware of the stone's real nature, we have renamed all -079 stones as prehnite.
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Kiwi Quartz
aka Kiwi Stone
This quartz is mottled with green, black and white; while translucent, kiwi quartz is more opaque than most quartzes.
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Lemon Quartz (-178)
aka Lemon Citrine, Prasiolite
Lemon quartz is a yellow form of quartz known for being a paler, truer yellow than citrine. The common consensus is that most lemon quartz on the market is mined in Brazil, and enhanced by heat treatment or irradiation. It is sometimes mistakenly referred to as prasiolite (a type of green quartz). Metaphysically, lemon quartz is said to help break negative thought patterns and reduce anxiety.
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Multicolor Rutilated Quartz (-074)
This is rutilated quartz in various colors.
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Phantom Quartz
aka Ghost Crystals, Shadow Crystals, Spectre Crystals
Phantom quartz can be a variety of different colors, as this type of quartz includes other gemstones. What this means is that during the growth of a quartz crystal other minerals or fluids can attach to the faces of the crystal, which then continues to grow, engulfing the inclusion(s) inside itself. The inclusion becomes a ghostly outline inside the quartz. The growth becomes known as phantom quartz.
It is said that phantom quartz can help one to understand the different stages of life. Different varieties of phantom quartz are useful for different things. They range from tourmaline quartz's protection to the healing powers of hematite.
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Red Quartz (-093)
The presence of hematite gives this quartz its sanguine shade. Red quartz is quite uncommon and is popular in Russia.
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Rock Crystal Quartz (-036)
aka Clear Quartz, Rock Crystal, Baffa Diamond, Bohemian Diamond, Brighton Diamond, Bristol Diamond, Buxton Diamond, Cornish Diamond, Dauphin Diamond, German Diamond, Horatio Diamond, Hot Springs Diamond, Mutzschen Diamond, Occidental Diamond, Paphros Diamond, Pecos Diamond, Quasima Diamond, Quebec Diamond, Rhine Diamond, Schaumberg Diamond, Stolberg Diamond, Tasmanian Diamond, Trenton Diamond, Vallum Diamond, Washita Diamond, Zabeltitzen Diamond
The most common quartz, this colorless, transparent gemstone has a quiet beauty. We're told our stock is natural, but occasionally we suspect we've been sold lab-grown quartz, which is chemically identical to the type found in nature. Rock crystal quartz is considered by many to be the best all-purpose crystal. It is reputed to cleanse the mind and body, strengthen alignment with higher self, enhance properties of other gemstones, amplify energies and give strength. It is also said to lessen negativity and remove toxins.
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Rose Quartz (-029)
aka Ancona Ruby, Mont Blanc Ruby
This blushing gemstone is one of the most desirable varieties of quartz. The unique pink-to-rose-red color is caused by iron and titanium impurities in the natural stone. However, ours (and most on the market) has been dyed to maintain a uniform color. Both naturally-colored rose quartz and the dyed forms are photosensitive and will fade in sunlight. Beads of rose quartz have been found in Mesopotamia that date back to 7000 B.C. It is said that the Assyrians and the Romans were the first to use it. In ancient Rome, rose quartz was popular for making seals, which were used in clay or various dyes to show ownership or identify authors. Often called the "love stone," rose quartz is said to open the heart chakra to all forms of love: self love, family love, platonic love and romantic love. Emotionally, the gemstone is believed to bring gentleness, forgiveness, compassion, kindness and tolerance, to raise self-esteem and to remove fears, resentments and anger. Some also say it can heal and release childhood traumas, neglect and lack of love, in part by enhancing inner awareness. It is attributed the power to help with family reconciliations and ease overwhelming or unreasonable guilt. Physically, the gemstone is used to benefit the heart, circulatory system, fertility, headaches, kidney disease, migraines, sexual dysfunction, sinus problems, throat problems, depression, addictions and ear aches. Rose quartz is found in Madagascar, Brazil, India, Germany and several parts of the U.S.A.
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Ruby Quartz
The ruby-red dots suspended inside this quartz are the likely source of its name. Ruby quartz has a truly one-of-a-kind appearance, with veins and clouds of beige, brown, black and white. Thin, clear flecks inside each bead give it a subtle sparkle. It is a natural gemstone, and we are told the color is natural as well. For a quartz, this stone is somewhat fragile, especially in larger sizes. When broken, the stone's surface is sugary, almost crumbly. Ruby quartz became available to us in 2004, apparently from a new mine in Africa.
Little historical information is available on any stone called ruby quartz, but its greatest fame has been from the X-Men comics and movies. The character Cyclops, field leader of the X-Men, must wear ruby-quartz lenses at all times to protect others from his dangerous optic blasts, which he cannot otherwise control. In reality, however, it would be extremely difficult to see through this cloudy stone!
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Rutilated Quartz (-108)
Gold-colored, hairlike inclusions of rutile (a titanium dioxide mineral) embedded in this gemstone give it the appearance of a frozen meteor shower. The term rutile means "reddish" in Latin. Rutilated quartz is sometimes considered a link between the crown and root chakras, and it is said to enhance physical and mental balance and stability, self-reliance and finding one's way. Many also attribute diminished fear and depression to this gemstone.
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Smoky Quartz (-118)
aka Cairngorm, Colorado Diamond, Morion, Radium Diamond, Smoky Citrine, Smoky Topaz
Nearly all of this brownish-black, "smoky" variety of quartz on the market (ours included) is a rock crystal that has been heat-treated to produce this coveted color. This treatment has become common because it's very difficult to find good natural smoky quartz. Be aware that in Sri Lanka, quartz varieties (smoky, rock crystal, etc) are called "topaz" in English. The dealers (usually) are not intending to mislead, but when they say "topaz," they simply mean quartz! To tell the difference between topaz and smoky quartz, run your thumb across the table facet; topaz is very slippery and your thumb will slide across the facet like ice, while your thumb will "stick" on the quartz.
This gemstone is believed to be excellent for grounding and removing negativity. It is said to enhance survival instincts and help one reach personal and business goals, as well as assist in making wishes come true. Many use smoky quartz to treat problems associated with the lower torso, including kidneys, abdomen, pancreas and reproductive organs. They say it also is good for dealing with hyperactivity and attention-deficit disorder.
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Solar Quartz
Solar quartz is a natural (usually colorless, white or gray) agatized quartz cut from stalactites. The cut reveals the concentric circles formed by minerals in a lovely radiating pattern. The center may be composed of small quartz crystals (druzy) or air bubbles (holes). Since the center is somewhat fragile, these beads are best used where they will not be subject to much wear and tear, such as pendants or pins.
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Snow Quartz (-163)
aka Milk Quartz, Quartzite, White Jade
The second most common color of quartz, this fresh, icy-white gemstone gets its appearance from inclusions of minute gas bubbles and/or water. Snow quartz is said to bring good fortune, and is a calming and soothing gemstone. Many believe it helpful for meditation and looking within. It also is considered beneficial for the immune system.
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Tourmalated Quartz (-100)
aka Tourmalinated Quartz, Black Hair Quartz
This is a quartz in which dark needles of tourmaline are embedded.
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Quartz, Lab Grown
aka Hydrothermal Quartz, Synthetic Quartz
Synthetic, or lab-grown, gemstones have the same chemical, physical, and optical characteristics as their natural counterparts. The lab-grown gemstones that we currently stock are various forms of quartz. Synthetic quartz crystals are grown in a hydrothermal solution in an autoclave, a large pressure vessel. Pressure and temperature in different areas of the autoclave produce feed material, or lascas. This feed material dissolves in the hotter section of the autoclave and then re-deposits on seed crystals in the cooler portion. These form synthetic quartz crystals. Production takes 30-60 days to complete depending on the desired size of the crystals. This can produce rock crystal, amethyst, citrine and even blue or green quartz.
Many manmade stones are called "manmade quartz" or "something-or-other quartz." Examples include cherry "quartz", pineapple "quartz" and opalite. These are typically glass and should be considered imitation stones rather than synthetic, as they do not have the same chemical, physical and optical characteristics as their natural counterparts. Even though glass is made with silica sand as a primary component, glass is not crystalline like quartz.
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Lab-Grown Amethyst
Amethyst is the name for the purple varieties of natural quartz. Lab-grown amethyst has wonderful clarity and is produced in stunning shades of rich purple.
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Lab-Grown Blue Quartz
The bluish quartz varieties grown in labs are not typical quartz hues.
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Lab-Grown Citrine
A rich yellowish-colored synthetic quartz which resembles topaz, much the way natural citrine does.
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Lab-Grown Citrine/Green Quartz
This green and yellow bicolor quartz has a distinctive coloration, slightly similar to some tourmaline.
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Lab-Grown Clear Quartz
This stone has clear, transparent qualities much like true rock crystal quartz.
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Lab-Grown Green Quartz
This variety offers deep-green color resembling emerald.
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"Quartz", Glass
These "quartzes" are fancy manmade glass from China. We originally were told that cherry "quartz," the first of these stones we carried, was a new synthetic or iradiated quartz. After a little more research, we found it to be a glass material. We believe most of the newly circulating stones referred to as quartz are actually glass. This includes cherry quartz, opalized or "moonstone" quartz (also known as opalite), pineapple quartz, blueberry quartz, watermelon quartz, pepper quartz and cloud quartz. These stones are distinguishable from natural quartz by occasional, accidental bubble inclusions and a lower resistance to scratches and breakage. However, manmade quartzes are cut, faceted and polished just like any gemstone.
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Blue "Quartz" (-171)
These exquisite glass beads are made of dense, stormy-blue swirls and are rather opaque.
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Blueberry "Quartz" (-169)
Beautiful, deep-blue needles are dispersed throughout the clear glass of this manmade gemstone.
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Cherry "Quartz" (-166)
This manmade gemstone is a very pretty mixture of clear glass with thin swirls and needles of pink. Cherry "quartz" boasts the pink cherry color that sold very well in 2003 and 2004. This hue is very similar to SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS crystal color "padparadscha." Some people use the name "strawberry quartz" for the stone we call "cherry 'quartz.'" However, true strawberry quartz is a naturally occurring (if somewhat rare) strawberry-colored stone with sparkly hematite needles. It is found in Russia and Mexico. We're told our cherry "quartz" is made from glass melted in a furnace and then combined with a coloring agent that produces the cloudy or swirled inclusions. Once the desired color is reached, the glass is allowed to cool. We've heard this is not as easy as it sounds. Only one plant in China is reported to be doing this as a commercial venture.
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Cloud "Quartz" (-170)
Don't expect them to start raining, but these whimsical beads are filled with fluffy white cloudlike inclusions. The manmade gemstone is fairly opaque.
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Color-Change "Quartz" (-175)
This manmade gemstone is sometimes mistaken for alexandrite (a chrysoberyl). It is called "color-change" because it is nearly clear under some light sources and purplish under others.
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Pineapple "Quartz" (-168)
This gemstone is made of clear glass containing thin swirls and needles of pale yellow.
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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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