Biotite is a black mica, a phyllosilicate mineral within the mica group containing iron and/or magnesium impurities, with a hardness of 3.   It crystallizes with a sheet structure and can be peeled of in layers.

Mica has a wide variety of uses in industry as an insulating material
and is also used in the making of wallpaper to give it a shiny look. 
These specimens come from an area near Custer, South Dakota.

The name mica was derived from the Latin "micare" which means, "to shine."  Biotite was named after Jean Baptiste Biot, a French physicist who first described the optical effects in the mica minerals.

Metaphysically speaking, biotite is known to increase perception, helping to clearly understand what is actually happening in any situation.  Sometimes called "the stone of life," it's said to help identify ailments of disorganized cell patterns, helps the eyes and regulate bile secretion.

Calcite is a calcium carbonate mineral, has a hardness of 3, and is the main component of marble and limestone.  The blue is believed to come from the presence of gold. 

Calcite is the primary ore of calcium. 
This Blue calcite comes from an area in New York.

Calcite, gets its name from "chalix," which is the Greek word for lime.  The varieties of calcite, are so numerous and so varied that an entire display case at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History is devoted to just calcite.

Metaphysically speaking, calcite is an amplifier and energizer.  Blue calcite in particular, is a stone for inspiration, clear communication and helps with increasing psychic abilities.  It is said to be helpful in lowering blood pressure, clearing respiratory issues and headaches.

The blue variety of quartz, a silicon dioxide, gets its color naturally from the mineral dumortierite, an aluminum boro-silicate, and has a hardness of 7.

This blue quartz from Brazil, is great rough for cabbing.

Dumortierite was first described in 1881 for an occurrence in Chaponost, in the Rhone-Alps of France and named for the French paleontologist Eugene Dumortier (1803-1873).

Metaphysically speaking, quartz is an amplifier and known as "the stone of power."  It is said to be a master healer, stimulating the immune system and balancing the body.  Blue quartz in particular, inspires hope, promotes patience, relieves fears, and eliminates stubbornness.

Opal is a hydrated silicon dioxide, with water content usually 3-10% but can be as high as 20%, and has a hardness of 5-6.  Boulder Opal is an opal, which has filled in the fractures and seams of an ironstone matrix occurs with intense colors of red, green, blue and purple. 

This Boulder Opal from
Queensland, Australia, is great rough for cabbing.

The word opal is derived from the Sanskrit word "upala" meaning "precious stone."  It is the national gemstone for Australia, which produces about 97% of the world's opal.

Metaphysically speaking, opal is known as "the stone of happy dreams and changes."  It is said the American Indian and Australian aboriginal shamans use opal to bring visions.  A story of the ancients is that the storm god being jealous of the rainbow god's beauty, broke the rainbow and pieces that fell to Earth became the "fire" we see in the opal today.  Boulder Opal in particular is said to bring balance, help with staying centered in times of stress and is used to access your spirit and animal guides.  It is known to help revive the sexual fire, benefit the eyes, circulation, memory and Parkinson's disease.

Brazilian Agate is a member of the quartz family, and has a hardness of 7.  Agate is frequently found lining or filling rock cavities and fissures, sometimes forming geodes, so it's not unusual to find the centers of these agates filled with quartz.

Agate takes a high polish has been used as
gemstones and other ornamental objects for thousands
of years.  As the name indicates, this agate comes from
Brazil and is great rough for cabbing.

The name agate is from an old area on the Achetes river in southwestern Sicily, where agates were found in ancient times.

Metaphysically speaking, brazilian agate is known to be a stabilizing and strengthening stone. Promoting self-confidence and easing emotional traumas.  It is said to benefit the intestines, the digestive system and circulation.

Canadian Mica with Lepidolite is composed essentially of mica, lepidolite (a lithium ore) and quartz, the mica is generally muscovite but may have biotite as well. These pieces are mainly dark gray/black with a silvery sheen and an occasional hint of purple and white quartz.  It has a hardness that varies with the minerals, mica is about 2-3 and quartz is 7.

These specimens really sparkle and shine,
and come from an area in northern Ontario, Canada.

The name mica is derived from the Latin "micare" which meant "to shine."  The name lepidolite is derived from the Greek "lepid" meaning "flake" and "lithos" meaning "stone."

Metaphysically speaking, mica is said to increase one's understanding and perception, diminish anger, and to enhance one's reflective abilities.  It can be used to help areas prone to earthquakes, relieve insomnia and dehydration.  Lepidolite is said to help with trusting, acceptance and is a calming stone.  It can help with PTSD, anger, addiction, the immune system, child birth and overall healing.

Please contact us for wholesale orders on this product.

Crazy Lace agate, a member of the quartz family, is a type of chalcedony composed of multicolored twisting and turning bands, and has a hardness of 7. 

It is also called Lace agate or Mexican agate,
as it comes from Mexico and is great rough for cabbing.

This agate gets its name for its crazy lace or paisley patterns in brightly colored, intricate twisting bands of reds, yellows, whites and grays.

Metaphysically speaking, crazy lace agate is known to bring peace amidst the chaos, encourage laughter, and give vitality for life.  It is said to help the skin and eyes, and is a good general healing stone.