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Labradorite is a plagioclase feldspar. The phenomenal variety that shows labradorescence is the best-known variety, but rainbow moonstone, Oregon sunstone, and transparent yellow labradorite are also labradorite feldspars. Displaying brilliant pastels and deep golden colors, phenomenal labradorite features a spellbinding "black rainbow" of color. When appreciating the iridescent play of colors known as labradorescence, observe the strength and intensity by viewing from different angles, as different colors or even a range of colors may be visible from different positions. Rainbow moonstone has the best transparency of all the moonstone varieties. Labradorite sunstone is the only sunstone variety that contains copper platelets. The large sizes and clarity of yellow labradorite makes it a favorite of gemcutters.

Natural animal horns have been used for both practical purposes and adornment for millennia. Horn is distinctively beautiful with natural earthy to golden and one-of-a-kind color variations. Its soft nature lends to ornate carving.

Idocrase, also known as vesuvianite after its discovery at Mount Vesuvius, has crystals that are prismatic and glassy. It is usually green or chartreuse in color, but may be found in yellow to brown, yellow-green, red, black, blue or purple hues.

Triplite is named for its three cleavage planes that are oriented at right angles to each other. The structure of this stone, combined with its brittle nature, makes faceting very difficult. Successfully faceted triplite gems are coveted by collectors.

Gypsum is a mineral that has been utilized since antiquity. This soft mineral represents the second level on the Mohs hardness scale. Cut stones are rare because gypsum has perfect cleavage, and it is too soft to facet. The fine-grained variety known as alabaster is used for carvings and decorative objects. Selenite is the large crystalline variety that is popular with mineral collectors. The fibrous variety is known as satin spar. Gypsum sometimes crystallizes in rosette patterns known as desert roses. Gypsum is probably best known for its use in construction materials like sheetrock, cement, and plaster.

Creedite was discovered in the Colorado Fluorspar Co. Mine in 1916. The mine is located in the Creede Quadrangle, Mineral County, Colorado and this was the inspiration for its name. It comes in colorless, orange, purple, violet, and white prismatic crystals that sometime radiate from the base.

Yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG) is a lab created gem first developed in the 1950's. Its primary application was in optics and laser technology, but it turned out to be a convincing diamond simulant. Although YAG has garnet in its name, it is not related to garnet; it is an artificial gemstone with no natural counterpart.

Chondrodite, named for the Greek word for grain, "chondros," is a member of the humite group of minerals. Its gemmy hues range from red to yellow to orange, with the latter resembling the color of spessartite garnet. It can be found in several places including New York, Burma, Tanzania, and Afghanistan.

Petrified wood is the fossilized remains of what once was wood. The material became petrified over time by the invasion of minerals into cavities between and within the cells of natural wood. Instead of decaying, the organic materials in the wood were replaced with minerals, primarily silicate of quartz, without changing the original structure of the wood.

Also called the "TV rock" or "television stone," ulexite is known for its unusual optical characteristics, notably its ability to transmit images through its natural fibers. A piece of writing placed underneath the stone appears on the surface of the stone! Ulexite was named for German chemist G. L. Ulex, who first correctly analyzed the species in 1850. Most specimens are milky and very poor quality, but those stones that are cut as cabochons often display a strong cat's eye effect.

Diaspore is beautiful and exotic in a soft, subtle manner. It is also one of the lesser known of the color-change gemstones. Some of the finest examples of gem quality diaspore are found in Turkey's Anatolian Mountains, but it can be found in numerous places around the globe. A rising star in fine jewelry, it's easy to fall in love with its sparklingly brilliant, tranquil earthy colors.

Teredora™ is a trade name for Triphane or Yellow Spodumene.