Gemstone Guide
Agate
Mohs hardness: 7
Agate is a common, semi-precious type of chalcedony. It is characterized by colour bands in a concentric form. These bands usually follow the outline of the cavity in which the mineral is formed. Agates can be found in volcanic rocks, certain metamorphic rocks and other various types of rocks. Agate is thought to bring luck, has protective qualities and is a guide to mother earth.
Amazonite
Mohs hardness: 6 - 6.5
Amazonite is sometimes referred to as the 'Amazon stone'. It is a translucent to opaque feldspar gemstone. It's a blue - green variety of the mineral Microcline (many-kruh-klahyn). It's believe that Amazonite helps you communicate truth with balance and integrity.
Amethyst
Mohs hardness: 7
Amethyst is a variety of vitreous quartz with a purple, violet or red-purple hue. It is the birthstone for February. Amethyst is said to have protective as well as healing qualities. It stimulates psychic abilities, calms, protects and strengthens.
Charoite
Mohs hardness: 5 - 6
Charoite is reported to only be found in Siberia, Russia. It's colours range from lilac to lavender and from light violet to medium deep purple hues.
This gemstone is used to overcome fear and is the stone of transformation.
Iolite
Mohs hardness: 7 - 7.5
Iolite can be blue, violet blue or blue green in colour. It is a variety of the mineral Cordierite (kawr-dee-uh-rahyt). Iolite is said to enhance curiosity and achievement. It promotes clarity and helpfulness.
Lapis Lazuli
Mohs hardness: 5 - 5.5
Lapis Lazuli gets it's name from Latin, 'lapis' meaning stone and 'lazhuward' meaning blue. Since ancient times, Lapis Lazuli has been highly reguarded because of it's striking beautiful royal blue colour. Powdered Lapis was used, back in ancient times, for dyes and cosmetics. Lapis Lazuli has been believed to be the universal symbol of wisdom and truth.
Larimar
Mohs hardness: 4.5 - 5
Larimar is predominately found in the Dominican Republic in the Caribbean. It's a rare blue variety of silicate mineral pectolite. It's referred to as the 'sole mate' stone. It aids in the healing of past life relationships and has a strong connection to the sea
Malachite
Mohs hardness: 3.5 - 4
Malachite is a green copper carbonate hydroxide. It was used in ancient times for eye paint, pigments for wall painting, the colouring of glass and in glazes. It's one of the most important minerals in human kind's history because it was discovered that heating it reduced it to native copper. Malachite protects the wearer from accidents and when travelling. It aids against depression.
Moonstone
Mohs hardness: 6 - 6.5
The name Moonstone originates from the sheen that is caused by light diffraction within the many layers of the stone. Moonstone is commonly found in Sri Lanka and India. Other notable areas it can be found are Australia, Brazil, Germany, Burma, Madagascar, Mexico, Norway, Switzerland, Tanzania and the United States. It promotes inspiration, protects on land and sea, brings success in business and love.
Onyx
Mohs hardness: 7
The name Onyx comes from the Greek onus, meaning 'nail' or 'claw'. Onyx is a variety of black and white layered chalcedony. Black Onyx helps to prevent the drain of personal energy and absorbs and transforms negative energy. It is believed to bring protection and power to the wearer.
Pearl
Mohs hardness: 2.5 - 4.5
The pearl is the birthstone for June. A natural pearl is created inside an oyster's shell when an intruder or irritant, sneaks it's way between the two shells of the oyster and irritates the soft body of the mollusk. The oyster then creates a fluid that, layer upon layer, coats the intruder until a lustrous pearl is formed. The pearl is a symbol of purity, innocence and fertility. It promotes faith, loyalty and truth.
Quartz
Mohs hardness: 7
Quartz comes in many different colours ranging from, clear, white, pink (Rose Quartz), brown (Tiger's Eye), grey (Smokey Quartz), black, green, blue, orange, purple (Amethyst), yellow (Citrine), yellow-purple (Ametrine) just to name a few. It can be transparent or translucent, clear or opaque. It is the most common gemstone. Quartz is known as the master healer. It promotes clear thinking, courage, amplifies energy and communication.
Topaz
Mohs hardness: 8
Topaz is aluminum silicate fluoride hydroxide. Topaz comes in a wide variety of colours: blue, white, yellow, pink, green, purple, brown, grey, red and orange. The most rare and valuable Topaz is yellow, pink to reddish-orange, red or violet. Blue Topaz is the birthstone for December. It's believed to bring success and good fortune. It balances emotions and releases tensions.
Ruby in Fuchsite
Mohs hardness for Fuchsite: 2.5
Mohs hardness for Ruby: 9
Ruby in Fuchsite (pronounced FOOK-site) is the combination of both Ruby and Fuchsite. Fuchsite is the green-blue to emerald green chromium bearing a variety of muscovite mica, while inclusions of Ruby provide alluring red and pink focal points within the Fuchsite. Ruby is a type of red corundum that is considered to be one of the most valuable gemstones available today. Ruby in Fuchsite is an extremely hard gemstone to cut because of the hardness of the Ruby and the softness of the Fuchsite. Ruby in Fuchsite balances stimulation with intuition. It brings awareness to problems both emotional and physical as well as helps to understand love at a higher level.
Metal Guide
Sterling silver consists of 92.5 percent silver and 7.5 percent copper. Copper improves the metal's hardness and durability without affecting it's beautiful colour. Sterling silver does not contain Nickel.
Jewelry Care Tips
Jewelry is fragile and should be worn with care. Our jewelry is 100% solid sterling silver. The metal is specified in our product descriptions. All stones that we use are authentic. Taran Marlow Jewelry sources all stones through reputable vendors based in Canada and the United States.
Sterling silver naturally oxidizes/tarnishes due to the copper element in it. Prolonged exposure to air and your body's natural chemistry can speed up the process. Below are some jewelry tips to help keep your jewelry looking new....
* To prevent tarnishing and scratches store in individual ziplock bags to slow the oxidation process.
* We recommend using a polishing cloth regularly to prevent the natural process of tarnishing.
* Fasten your bracelets and necklaces when storing to prevent them from getting knotted or tangled.
* If you get a knot in a chain, be patient and gently use a sewing needle to help remove the knot.
* Clean your jewelry using lukewarm soapy water and a soft brush but never submerge your jewelry fully in water.
* Do NOT use silver polish or silver dip as it may destroy your jewelry and the gemstones in them.
* Do NOT expose your jewelry to harsh chemicals (ammonia, bleach, chlorine and salt water).
* Due to the delicate nature of Taran Marlow Jewelry please remove jewelry prior to cleaning, swimming, and bathing.
* Remove jewelry when gardening, holding babies or wearing clothing that might catch or scratch your jewelry.
* Do NOT expose jewelry to UV light, hairspray, perfume, lotions or cosmetics.
