Most of the stones featured on this page are illustrated with photos, my apologies in advance for the graininess of some of the photos. If you do wish to see higher quality photos please let me know. Also note that not all stones available have accompanying pictures yet.
Tumble polished stones come in a great variety, at the last count I had over 100 different kinds of polished stone for sale - a substantial but small proportion of stones that can be tumble polished. That said, there is little that I cannot obtain if I don't hold it in stock, please ask if you don't see what you are after.
These stones come in a variety of shapes and sizes, seldom are two stones quite alike. Most stones are avaialble in three sizes (or weights) - Small, Medium, or Large. Medium (5g-10g) is the most popular size stone and the most widely available. A few stone varieties are available in sizes outside of these 3 ranges. Some stones fall outside of these ranges either because of their structure or density (Malachite, Haematite and other metal-rich stones are good examples).
Some stones simply do not easily lend themselves to being tumbled polished due to their structure or natural occurance and only appear in certain sizes. A few stones may be available in larger sizes (Extra large and so forth) please ask for details of availability. Decent sized examples of stone like Hematite and Malachite will often fall into the Large and above ranges owing to their high density although in some cases smaller sizes may be held in stock.
Lastly, there is no minimum order - one stone or a hundred, 10p or £10, I am happy to try and supply them.
STONE SIZE
WEIGHT (g)
DIMENSIONS
STONES per 100g
STONES per 500g
Small (S)
2g-4g
10mm-15mm
25-35
100-175
Medium (M)
5g-9g
15mm-20mm
11-20
55-100
Large (L)
10g-14g
20mm-30mm
7-10
35-50
Extra Large (XL)
15g-20g
25mm-40mm
5-7
25-35
Dimensions and numbers are only approximate since tumble polished stones vary greatly. For every stone type there will usually be a shape or variation in colour or pattern to suit someone. If you do want a particular stone with a certain appearance please do not hesitate to specify what you want if you place an order. If you do wish to make a purchase please use the ordering form.
I will also tumble polish quantities of stone upon request, either that supplied by a customer, or drawing from existing or purchased stock. It is difficult to put an exact figure on how long stone will take to polish but a general guide would be 14 weeks from start to finish, it could be less than that though. In the case of 14 weeks the total charge would be about £20 for every 1 kg of stone, less postage and packing.
In some cases a stone may be required to have a particular shape or size, often as a result of a customer's preference. In this case the raw stone is given an initial shape and size and them tumble polished. This markedly reduces the time needed and in some cases the total time needed could be as little as 5 weeks. Please be aware that while such requests are welcome it does take quite some time to break up stone and get it polished, in some cases up to 3 months is not unusual if tumble polishing is involved.
On many occasions a customer has wanted stone to be cut, shaped and then polished by hand. Although there is a charge for this service turnover time may be just a few days depending on available stone and time. For a guide to the cost of this service please see the price list.
I hope you see something that you might like to buy or enquire about and in any event if I don't have it I can certainly try to get it for you. There are several hundred types of stone that can be tumble polished and it would be impossible for me to hold everything in stock. Please feel free to ask about any type of stone that may be of interest to you.
Derek Haselden.
This is really a black jasper with faint smudges and bands of grey and white. If the jasper is completely black and opaque it is actually black chalcedony, otherwise known as Onyx.
Agate, Blue Lace
Composition: silicon dioxide (silica). SiO2.
Hardness: 7.0.
Specific gravity: 2.65.
Price: 4p per gram.
One of the best known and popular agates, Blue Lace Agate is known for its pale blue colour and fine white bands, the colouration is natural.
Agate, Botswana, grey
Composition: silicon dioxide (silica). SiO2.
Hardness: 7.0.
Specific gravity: 2.65.
Price: 2p per gram.
Many agates are faintly banded and only show off their markings by being artificially dyed. Botswana Agate is an exception to this rule and these two types of Botswana Agate need no treatment. The grey variety is generally semi-transparent and has well defined bands of white, grey, and brick red.
Agate, Botswana, pink
Composition: silicon dioxide (silica). SiO2.
Hardness: 7.0.
Specific gravity: 2.65.
Price: 2p per gram.
The pink variety of Botswana Agate has more subtle markings and is usually opaque. It is generally made of pale hues of pink, white, grey, orange, and brown.
Agate (dyed)
Composition: silicon dioxide (silica). SiO2.
Hardness: 7.0.
Specific gravity: 2.65.
Price: 2p per gram.
Agate often has only faint colouration but since most agates are pervious to water and dyes, agate can be treated to take on more dramatic appearances. In this case agate (often of Brazilian origin) is stained with brightly coloured dyes to make the agate red, blue, green, purple, black/brown, yellow, or other shades.
Agate, Mexican
Composition: silicon dioxide (silica). SiO2.
Hardness: 7.0.
Specific gravity: 2.65.
Price: 2p per gram.
Alternative names: Mexican Jasper, Vaquila.
Mexican Agate is one of my favourite stones - a mix of browns, reds, yellows, and clear bands, within a tan coloured rock. It usually has an excellent polish and is generally opaque. Strictly speaking it is not an agate at all, rather it is a mixture of coloured jasper and chalcedony with brown being the predominant colour.
Agate, Moss, green
Composition: silicon dioxide (silica). SiO2.
Hardness: 7.0.
Specific gravity: 2.65.
Price: 2p per gram.
Green Moss Agate is a clear stone with green moss/fern/tree-like inclusions of hornblende or manganese compounds. Another stone with the label 'Agate' but it is actually a clear chalcedony with green, moss-like inclusions.
Agate, Tree
Composition: silicon dioxide (silica). SiO2.
Hardness: 7.0.
Specific gravity: 2.65.
Price: 2p per gram.
Tree Agate is not really an agate at all, it is actually a bright white jasper with fine, bright green inclusions. An occasional name variation is 'Green Tree Agate'.
Birthstone: August (as an alternative to Peridot).
Price: 2p per gram.
The light green variety, often Chinese in origin, tends to have a satin rather than glossy finish and often takes on regular, angular shapes when tumble polished.
Birthstone: August (as an alternative to Peridot).
Price: 2p per gram.
The mid-green variety, often of Russian origin, usually has a higher polish than the light green variety and is often flecked with paler greens or white. It tends to be more rounded in shape when tumble polished.
Amber
Composition: organic compounds, mainly tree resin.
Hardness: 2.0-2.5.
Specific gravity: 1.0-1.1.
Alternative names: Succinite.
Birthstone: November (as an alternative to Topaz or Citrine).
Price: 65p per gram. (£1.50 per gram if polished.)
Amber is a petrified resin from ancient conifer trees, plant or insect remains are often found within. Amber varies in colour from pale yellow through to brown/orange. Less common is a green variety, rarer still, blue and black. A younger, less colourful variety of Amber is called Copal. The most famous deposits of Amber come from the Baltic region although it is occasionally found elsewhere.
Because of its relative scarcity Amber is quite expensive although being a light material there is more of it per gram. Amber is often attractive in its own right but will usually take an excellent polish which invariably makes its appearance and colour stunning. All Amber is sold in its natural, unpolished state, but can be polished upon request.
Amethyst, Chevron
Composition: silicon dioxide (silica). SiO2.
Hardness: 7.0.
Specific gravity: 2.65.
Birthstone: February.
Price: 2p per gram.
Sometimes called 'Dog Tooth Amethyst' it is usually deep in colour with the addition of striking angular white bands - hence the name.
Amethyst, Dark
Composition: silicon dioxide (silica). SiO2.
Hardness: 7.0.
Specific gravity: 2.65.
Birthstone: February.
Price: 'A' grade, 4p per gram.
Price: 'B' grade, 2p per gram.
Dark Amethyst is the most sought after of the Amethyst family and has a distinctive deep mauve colour.
Amethyst, Pale
Composition: silicon dioxide (silica). SiO2.
Hardness: 7.0.
Specific gravity: 2.65.
Birthstone: February.
Price: 2p per gram.
Pale Amethyst is clear to semi-transparent, lilac in colour.
Ametrine
Composition: silicon dioxide (silica). SiO2.
Hardness: 7.0.
Specific gravity: 2.65.
Price: 'B' grade, 4p per gram
Ametrine is a clear Amethyst but with the addition of a yellowed quartz (like Citrine) making nice examples of Ametrine an interesting mix of colour. The name Ametrine comes from a conjunction of Amethyst and Citrine.
Angelite
Composition: strontium sulphate. SrSO4.
Hardness: 3.0-3.5.
Specific gravity: 4.0.
Alternative names: Celestine, Celestite.
Price: 4p per gram.
A less common mineral, Angelite is a cloudy, pale blue version of Celestine or Celestite. The mineral tends to form in nodules and if the nodule is solid and compact Angelite is the result. These nodules often form with a white chalky coating or patina and Angelite may be streaked with white, the mineral is quite soft and is easily shaped and polished. Angelite is usually a distinctive powder blue but may sometimes pale towards off-white. (If the nodules are hollow and crystalline Celestine, also called Celestite, are the result.
This azure blue mineral is very distictive in its colour and overall appearance. Most of us should be familiar with Apatite - our teeth are made of it! Apatite has several variations in colour and composition, the blue variety being popular with collectors. Green, red, violet and brown varieties also occur.
Aquamarine belongs to the Beryl family of minerals. Aquamarine is coloured pale green/blue and is a widely occuring mineral. Individual crystals are less common and more expensive. The massive variety, often polished as tumblestones, is opaque to semi-transparent, pale green/blue.
Astrophyllite
Composition: potassium or sodium, iron or manganese, titanium hydroxysilicate. (K,Na)3(Fe,Mn)7Ti2Si8O24(O,OH)7.
Hardness: 3.0.
Specific gravity: 3.3.
Price: 7p per gram.
This is a fairly rare crystal found only in a few localities. It takes the form of fine needle like crystals, often in a radiating pattern, found within and upon small patches on a host rock formation. The tiny crystals are usually yellow to bronze in colour but may alter depending on the host rock. Astrophyllite sold as tumblestones is usually deep blue/black with a striking glittery metallic appearance.
Aventurine, Blue
Composition: silicon dioxide (silica). SiO2.
Hardness: 7.0.
Specific gravity: 2.65.
Price: 2p per gram.
Blue Aventurine can initially be confused with Sodalite but the former has a dark blue/grey colour whereas the latter is usually a deep vivid blue.
Aventurine, Green
Composition: silicon dioxide (silica). SiO2.
Hardness: 7.0.
Specific gravity: 2.65.
Price: 2p per gram.
The green variety of Aventurine owes its colour to small inclusions of fuschite mica. It generally comes in two shades - light green and emerald green, the latter often having a sparkly appearance.
Aventurine, Peach
Composition: silicon dioxide (silica). SiO2.
Hardness: 7.0.
Specific gravity: 2.65.
Price: 2p per gram.
Peach Aventurine owes its colour to small Hematite inclusions and will often range from a yellow colour through orange to brown. Orange aventurine is sometimes called 'Sunstone', an incorrect naming since Sunstone is actually part of the feldspar group - Aventurine is part of the quartz group.
Aventurine, Raspberry
Composition: silicon dioxide (silica). SiO2.
Hardness: 7.0.
Specific gravity: 2.65.
Price: 3p per gram.
A less common variety of Aventurine, sometimes known as 'Plum Aventurine', this variety of quartz has a striking crimson to wine colour.
Bronzite
Composition: magnesium iron silicate. Mg,Fe2Si2O6.
Hardness: 5.0-6.0.
Specific gravity: 3.25-3.35.
Alternative names: Enstatite.
Price: 2p per gram.
This is an appropriately named stone, it really does look like bronze and has the weight, feel and appearance of a metal due to its iron content. Once recognised, Bronzite is unlikely to be mistaken for any other stone.
Calcium carbonate forms the basis of one of the largest families of rock, Calcite. The particular variety, and there are over 100 forms of Calcite, is a pale blue colour.
Carnelian
Composition: silicon dioxide (silica). SiO2.
Hardness: 7.0.
Specific gravity: 2.65.
Birthstone: July (as an alternative to Ruby).
Alternative names: Cornelian.
Price: 2p per gram.
Carnelian is a beautiful, warm coloured stone ranging from yellow to orange to brown. Grading through to brown it is properly referred to as 'Sard' or Sardstone. Semi-transparent it usually has very subtle mottling and colour variations within.
Celestite
Composition: strontium sulphate. SrSO4.
Hardness: 3.0-3.5.
Specific gravity: 4.0.
Alternative names: Celestine
Price: 7p per gram.
Celestite is the crystalline version of Angelite.
Chalcedony, Blue (A)
Composition: silicon dioxide (silica). SiO2.
Hardness: 7.0.
Specific gravity: 2.65.
Price: 13p per gram.
Despite the abundance of chalcedony, the blue variety is not so common and its pale blue, clear appearance makes this a sought after stone.
Chalcedony, Pink
Composition: silicon dioxide (silica). SiO2.
Hardness: 7.0.
Specific gravity: 2.65.
Price: 4p per gram.
This chalcedony is the pink variety, similar in colour to Rose Quartz.
Chert/Flint
Composition: silicon dioxide (silica). SiO2.
Hardness: 7.0.
Specific gravity: 2.65.
Alternative names: Firestone.
Price: 2p per gram.
Chert and Flint are common stones occuring in a wide variety of places. The silica is usually infused with impurities and organic compounds which give rise to a remarkable variety of earthy colours. Flint has a long-standing relationship with mankind since it was used during the Stone-Age for making tools. The term Flint is usually reserved for the nodular grey/black masses found in chalk formations.
The alternative term for Flint, Firestone, stems from the sparks that are given off when Flint is struck hard. Chert usually appears as woody coloured masses within a host rock and both Flint and Chert are found in huge quantities in gravels, shingles, and on beaches. It is a hard durable stone that takes a good polish.
Chiastolite
Composition: aluminium silicate. Al2[O|SiO4].
Hardness: 6.5-7.5.
Specific gravity: 3.1-3.2.
Alternative names: Andalusite, Cross-stone.
Price: 3p per gram.
Chiastolite is a variety of Andalusite which is a mineral that forms prismatic crystals in an almost square cross-section. When cut and polished in the right orientation the result is a warm brown stone with a cruciform pattern visible.
Chrysocolla is a soft, often crumbly stone that is difficult to polish but has a beautiful green/blue colour owing to the copper compounds within. In this respect it is often the source of exploitable copper ore. The 'A' grade variety usually has more blueish colour and a higher polish.
Chrysoprase
Composition: silicon dioxide (silica). SiO2.
Hardness: 7.0.
Specific gravity: 2.65.
Birthstone: May (as an alternative to Emerald).
Price: 'B' grade, 7p per gram.
Chrysoprase is a microcrystalline translucent variety of quartz. It has the same composition as all chalcedony or jasper but with an unmistakeable bright apple green colour. Some of the best examples come from Australia.
Citrine, heat treated
Composition: silicon dioxide (silica). SiO2.
Hardness: 7.0.
Specific gravity: 2.65.
Birthstone: November (as an alternative to Topaz or Amber).
Alternative names: Cairngorm, Yellow Topaz.
Price: 2p per gram.
Most Citrine is in fact treated amethyst or smoky quartz which renders the mauve/violet colour a bright yellow. All the same, the vibrant yellow makes for an attractive stone.
Citrine, Natural
Composition: silicon dioxide (silica). SiO2.
Hardness: 7.0.
Specific gravity: 2.65.
Birthstone: November (as an alternative to Topaz or Amber).
Alternative names: Cairngorm, Yellow Topaz.
Price: 6p per gram.
Natural Citrine is usually very clear with a more subtle straw to pale yellow hue.
Coral, blue
Price: 7p per gram.
Coral is one of the few 'organic' materials to make it into the realm of polished stones. A few varieties of Coral are seen as tumblestones, the two most common varieties are blue and red.
A variable stone colour-wise Dumortierite can be pale blue with darker blue striations, to a deep midnight blue colour. It belongs to the silicate group of minerals.
Composition: sodium (calcium or iron or cerium or manganese) zirconium chlorohydroxysilicate. Na4(Ca,Fe,Ce,Mn)2ZrSi6O16(OH,Cl)
Hardness: 5.5.
Specific gravity: 2.8.
Price: 'B' 13p per gram.
A rare, pretty mineral from Russia with complex chemistry. Eudialyte appears as dark red crystals among a grey/black sugary matrix of host rock.
Fluorite
Composition: calcium fluoride. CaF2.
Hardness: 4.00.
Specific gravity: 3.00-3.25.
Price: 'A' grade, 4p per gram.
Fluorite is a highly variable mineral and can range from colourless and clear, to white, cloudy and purple. In between it can take on yellow, green, blue and purple, often within even a small piece of stone. Fluorite can be clear, green, blue, and mauve, the variety 'Rainbow Fluorite' often has all of these colours
Fossilised wood
Composition: silicon dioxide (silica). SiO2.
Hardness: 7.0.
Specific gravity: 2.65.
Price: 2p per gram.
Fossilised Wood has several other names: Petrified Wood, Silicified Wood, and Hornstone. This stone is formed when water dissolves the organic matter of the original wood and then replaces it with mineral matter, usually chalcedony. Often the grain structure of the original wood is well preserved.
Composition: iron aluminium silicate. Fe3Al2(SiO4)3.
Hardness: 6.5-7.5
Specific gravity: 3.4-4.6.
Alternative names: Common Garnet, Carbuncle.
Birthstone: January.
Price: 4p per gram.
Garnet is a small group of minerals with several members and colours. Almandine Garnet is deep red to red/brown and although translucent the density of colour often renders the stone opaque.
Goldstone, Blue
Composition: silica glass, copper.
Hardness: 7.0.
Specific gravity: 2.6.
Price: 2p per gram.
All goldstone is man-made and is polished glass with copper specks and it comes in three colours, in this case, blue.
Goldstone, Brown
Composition: silica glass, copper.
Hardness: 7.0.
Specific gravity: 2.6.
Price: 2p per gram.
Brown glass with copper speckles.
Goldstone, Green
Composition: silica glass, copper.
Hardness: 7.0.
Specific gravity: 2.6.
Price: 2p per gram.
Dark green glass with copper speckles.
Hematite
Composition: iron oxide. Fe2O3.
Hardness: 6.5.
Specific gravity: 5.20.
Price: 2p per gram.
Hematite hardly seems like a stone at all, more like a metal, indeed its iron content is very high, such that it is used as an ore. One look (and feel) of this mineral and you'll see why. In truth, hematite sold by that name is usually the mineral reformed so as to take on a more pleasing appearance. Some vendors call this reformed mineral 'hematine' although it is still known as hematite.
Hickoryite (or Hickorite)
Price: 2p per gram.
Hickoryite is a non-recognised name for a Jasper that comes from the U.S., similar to Mookaite and other Jaspers it is hard and fine grained. Hickoryite takes on a series of pastel shades of creams, greys, and browns. Some stones look like small pieces of toffee or caramel.
Alternative names: Greenstone, Nephrite, Maori stone.
Price: 4p per gram.
A member of the Tremolite-Actinolite series of minerals, the iron content of Actinolite imparts a dark green colour to the variety Nephrite, the common form of Jade.
This variety of Jade belongs to the Serpentine group of minerals and a variety of Antigorite provides this pale green stone.
Jasper, Dalmation
Composition: silicon dioxide (silica). SiO2.
Hardness: 7.0.
Specific gravity: 2.65.
Price: 2p per gram.
A white/cream coloured jasper with brown/black spots.
Jasper, Green
Composition: silicon dioxide (silica). SiO2.
Hardness: 7.0.
Specific gravity: 2.65.
Alternative names: Bloodstone, Heliotrope, Prase.
Price: 2p per gram.
A lustrous, hard jasper with a deep green colour, often flecked with red spots.
Jasper Iron
Composition: silicon dioxide (silica). SiO2.
Hardness: 7.0.
Specific gravity: 2.65.
Alternative names: Hematite Jasper
Price: 2p per gram.
Jasper Iron is an attractive mix of red (sometimes yellow as well), brown banded jasper with layers of Hematite mixed in for good measure. As silicate stones go it can be quite dense and heavy.
Jasper, Ocean
Composition: silicon dioxide (silica). SiO2.
Hardness: 7.0.
Specific gravity: 2.65.
Price: 7p per gram.
Ocean Jasper is sometimes called Orbicular Rhyolite but despite the confusing names in is nonetheless an interesting stone. For one thing it takes a nice polish but this is second place to its splendid appearance with multiple earthy colours, spots, swirls, and bands. It is often cut into polished slices and shapes.
Jasper, Picture
Composition: silicon dioxide (silica). SiO2.
Hardness: 7.0.
Specific gravity: 2.65.
Price: 2p per gram.
Picture Jasper is also known as 'Picture Stone' or 'Kalahari Picture Stone'. It is buff/cream in colour with brown/black lines and bands.
Jasper, Red
Composition: silicon dioxide (silica). SiO2.
Hardness: 7.0.
Specific gravity: 2.65.
Price: 2p per gram.
Red Jasper is a form of opaque chalcedony with a bright red colour due to iron oxide inclusions, sometimes finely veined with grey/black hematite, sometimes with white quartz as well.
Price: 26p per gram unpolished (75p per gram polished).
Jet is a variety of bituminous coal, one of many results of the coalification of plant remains. Some curiousity arises since Jet is often found in isolated patches in sedimentary rock although it is identical in other respects to all 'young' coals. Its formation in patches, as opposed to the extensive deposits of coals in general, makes Jet an oddity. Jet is, well, Jet black and looks like pitch. Untreated it appears dull and drab but polished it can be made to take a shine to rival any stone.
Composition: plagoiclase feldspar, a mixture of Albite (Na[AlSi3O8]) and Anorthite (Ca[Al2Si2O8]).
Hardness: 6.0-6.5.
Specific gravity: 2.61-2.77.
Price: 6p per gram.
A member of the feldspar group, Labradorite initially appears as a grey crystalline rock. However, due to the alignment of the crystals an interesting play of light called 'schillerisation' takes place. Cut and polished Labradorite is a popular stone for jewellery, ornaments and collectors and when seen and lit correctly appears to glow blue/green, sometimes yellow/gold. A variety of Labradorite, Spectrolite, looks similar but shows all colours when polished and lit well.
Birthstone: September (as an alternative to Sapphire or Sodalite).
Price: 8p per gram.
Lapis Lazuli is a highly valued stone that is really a mixture of several minerals. An altered form of limestone, Lapis is usually associated with calcite and pyrite. A powdered form of lazulite was formerly used as a pigment to make the colour ultramarine and Lapis has a strong blue colour almost unrivalled by any other stone.
Leopardskin rhyolite
Composition: Quartz, Feldspar
Hardness: 6.0-7.0
Specific gravity: 2.2-2.6.
Price: 2p per gram.
Rhyolite is a silica-rich volcanic rock, undistinguished in its plainest forms. Coming from Mexico, Leopardskin Rhyolite is an exception to this and once seen it is evident that this is an appropriately named stone. The main overtone is that of light browns but the spots, bands, and swirls take on complex patterns with many other colours mixed in with the exception of blue and green. It seems that no two pieces of this stone appear alike.
Malachite needs little introduction. A well known and highly valued mineral with a colour and appearance that once seen is not easy to forget. Bottle green colour and banding make this opaque mineral a visual treat. It is also notable for its weight, having a high specific gravity due to its large copper content.
Mangano Calcite
Composition: calcium carbonate. CaCO3.
Hardness: 3.0
Specific gravity: 2.6-2.8.
Price: 6p per gram.
Of all minerals Calcite forms the richest variety, over 100 different forms with over 1000 combinations. Calcite crystals always grow on a surface of some kind while massive (microcrystalline) varieties can occur almost anywhere. Since Calcite easily dissolves and can form/reform readily it often does so in combination with other compounds. In the case of Mangano Calcite the calcite is infused with manganese compounds lending a pale pink hue with bands to an almost pure white calcite.
Merlinite
Composition: silicon dioxide (silica). SiO2.
Hardness: 7.0.
Specific gravity: 2.65.
Alternative names: Dendritic Agate, Tree stone, Mocha stone.
Price: 'A' grade, 4p per gram.
Merlinite is a transparent to semi-opaque white chalcedony which has inclusions called dentrites. These are tree/fern-like iron/manganese inclusions that grow within the chalcedony, making for some interesting patterns.
Mookaite
Composition: silicon dioxide (silica). SiO2.
Hardness: 7.0.
Specific gravity: 2.65.
Price: 2p per gram.
Mookaite comes from Australia, source of many fascinating minerals. One alternative name for Mookaite is Australian Jasper. It generally takes an excellent polish and three main colours: Maroon, Yellow, and light brown/cream, sometimes all next to each other.
Moonstone
Composition: Potassium aluminium silicate
Hardness: 6.0
Specific gravity: 2.57
Price: 2p per gram.
Moonstone is a close relative of Amazonite, otherwise known as Orthoclase. This Moonstone is an off-white to light cream or brown colour and is notable for the way the stone reflects light internally.
Moonstone, Rainbow
Composition: Potassium aluminium silicate.
Hardness: 6.0
Specific gravity: 2.57
Price: 13p per gram.
This variety of Moonstone is usually a bright white mineral with a higer polish than that of ordinary Moonstone. With Rainbow Moonstone there is usually a bright blue internal flash of colour when lit well.
A brown Obsidian with flecks and stripes of black.
Obsidian, Rainbow
Composition: silicon dioxide (silica). SiO2.
Hardness: 7.0.
Specific gravity: 2.65.
Price: 8p per gram.
What appears to be a black, silky stone but when well lit shows a colourful play of light.
Obsidian, Snowflake
Composition: silicon dioxide (silica). SiO2.
Hardness: 7.0.
Specific gravity: 2.65.
Price: 2p per gram.
A black Obsidian speckled and flecked with grey/white streaks and spots that look like snowflakes.
Onyx, Black banded
Composition: silicon dioxide (silica). SiO2.
Hardness: 7.0.
Specific gravity: 2.65.
Price: 2p per gram.
Onyx is generally an opaque, sombre black jasper. But, like Sardonxy, this chalcedony forms in parallel banded masses with various stripes of black, clear, and white.
Picasso stone
Composition: Marble
Hardness: ?
Specific gravity: ?
Price: 2p per gram.
An interesting stone of varying appearance. Like most marble it takes a good polish and is often used as a decorative stone.
Pietersite
Composition: silicon dioxide (silica). SiO2.
Hardness: 7.0.
Specific gravity: 2.65.
Price: 7p per gram.
Pietersite is an unusual mineral of remarkable appearance. In reality it is a simple silicate and a form of Tigers Eye. But, with Pietersite the Tigers Eye has been broken and reformed naturally so that the fibrous appearance of gold and red, sometimes blue, Tigers Eye is randomly arranged.
Pyrite
Composition: iron sulphide. FeS2.
Hardness: 6.0-6.5.
Specific gravity: 4.80-5.10.
Alternative names: Fools gold.
Price: 'B' grade, 7p per gram.
Pyrite, also known as Iron Pyrite is another stone of remarkable appearance. Once seen it is not difficult to see why it is also known as 'Fools Gold'. That said, it often contains trace amounts of copper and gold.
Blue dyed Quartz is an attractive dyed quartz similar in colour to dyed blue Howlite. (This stone is from a limited source and is not likely to be replaced when it runs out.)
Quartz, with Chlorite
Composition: silicon dioxide (silica). SiO2.
Hardness: 7.0.
Specific gravity: 2.65.
Alternative names: Lodolite.
Price: 7p per gram.
A clear quartz with inclusions of tiny greenish/black Chlorite crystals.
Quartz, Clear
Composition: silicon dioxide (silica). SiO2.
Hardness: 7.0.
Specific gravity: 2.65.
Alternative names: Rock Crystal.
Birthstone: April (as an alternative to Diamond).
Price: 2p per gram.
Clear and glass-like in appearance Rock Crystal shows up as huge masses or a variety of crystal forms, some several metres in size and weighing several tonnes.
Quartz, Rose (A)
Composition: silicon dioxide (silica). SiO2.
Hardness: 7.0.
Specific gravity: 2.65.
Price: 'A' grade, 4p per gram.
One of the best known quartzes, this pink variety of quartz has been naturally stained with manganese compounds. The 'A' grade is the best quality variety of Rose Quartz with a deeper hue of pink than the 'B' grade as well as a high grade polish.
Quartz, Rose, Pale (B)
Composition: silicon dioxide (silica). SiO2.
Hardness: 7.0.
Specific gravity: 2.65.
Price: 2p per gram.
The same as that above but a paler colour.
Quartz, Rutillated (B)
Composition: silicon dioxide (silica). SiO2, plus Rutile (titanium oxide) TiO2.
Hardness: 7.0.
Specific gravity: 2.65.
Alternative names: Angel Hair, Sagenite.
Price: 'B' grade, 3p per gram.
A clear quartz with fine intergrowths or inclusions of Rutile (titanium oxide) needle-like crystals, often imparting a golden colour to the quartz.
Quartz, Smoky
Composition: silicon dioxide (silica). SiO2.
Hardness: 7.0.
Specific gravity: 2.65.
Alternative names: Morion.
Price: 2p per gram.
A clear quartz but with a black/brown tint. Dark black Smoky Quartz is called Morion.
Quartz, Snow
Composition: silicon dioxide (silica). SiO2.
Hardness: 7.0.
Specific gravity: 2.65.
Alternative names: White Quartz, Milky Quartz, White Aventurine.
Price: 2p per gram.
A white semi-transparent to opaque variety of quartz.
Quartz, Tourmalinated
Composition: silicon dioxide (silica). SiO2, plus Tourmaline.
Hardness: 7.0.
Specific gravity: 2.65.
Price: 'A' grade, 4p per gram.
A clear or white quartz with inclusions of black tourmaline crystals.
Rhodochrosite
Composition: manganese carbonate. MnCO3.
Hardness: 3.5-4.0.
Specific gravity: 3.3-3.6.
Alternative names: Manganese spar, Himbeerspat, Raspberry spar.
Price: 'B' grade, 8p per gram.
Rhodochrosite is a mineral that has been mined and used for jewellery for hundreds of years. It has an almost unique appearance and colour, rose red to pink, with white in radiating circular patterns.
Rhodonite is an opaque silicate with a distinct appearance, yet another mineral that owes is colouration to managanese compounds. It ranges from pale pink to raspberry colour with contrasting black marks and has a sugary appearance.
Ruby in Fuchsite
Composition: Fuchsite Mica, plus Ruby inclusions.
Hardness: Variable
Specific gravity: Variable
Price: 6p per gram.
This stone is something of a freak of nature. The main mass of the stone is green Fuchsite mica with white patches and then Ruby crystals within the Mica matrix.
Ruby in Zoisite
Composition: Zoisite Mica with Ruby inclusions.
Hardness: Variable
Specific gravity: Variable
Price: 6p per gram.
Similar to Ruby in Fuchsite, Ruby in Zoisite is usually a darker green to black matrix of Zoisite with Ruby crystals within.
Sard is an orange/brown variety of chalcedony, close in appearance to Carnelian. Sard often forms in parallel banded masses with various stripes of orange, brown, clear, and white. The varied forms of silica give rise to an amazing variety of stones and where chalcedony forms with such bands and colours Sardonyx is the result.
Chances are you are never far from this mineral, Gypsum is one of the main constituents of plaster. The silky appearance, parallel fibrous white variety is known as Selenite. It is a very soft mineral and soluble in water.
Shattuchite in Quartz
Composition: similar to Ajoite: hydrated potassium, sodium copper aluminium silicate. (K,Na)Cu7AlSi9O24(OH)6.3H2O.
Hardness: Indeterminate.
Specific gravity: 3.0.
Price: 8p per gram.
Shattuchite, often associated with Ajoite, bears the hallmarks of copper bearing minerals - green/blue colouration and softness, making the mineral difficult to polish. It is often naturally fused into quartz and a blue/green with streaks of brown in white quartz makes for an attractive stone.
A rare, complex and exceptionally pretty, opaque mineral. Sugilite is found in very few places with South Africa being the primary source. It is named after the Japanese geologist Sugi who first described the mineral in Japan. The basic colour is a vivid purple but examples of Sugilite often contains red, brown and black in complex patterns. Occasionally white and blue appear within the purple.
Sunstone (B)
Composition: plagoiclase feldspar, a mixture of Albite (Na[AlSi3O8]) and Anorthite (Ca[Al2Si2O8]).
Hardness: 6.0-6.5.
Specific gravity: 2.61-2.77.
Alternative names: Aventurine feldspar, Aventurine, Orange feldspar.
Price: 4p per gram.
The feldspar group of minerals make a large family of crystals. Sunstone is one of the prettier varieties with a warm orange glittery appearance. Another member of the feldspar group is Labradorite.
Tektite
Composition: Silica
Hardness: Variable
Specific gravity: Variable
Price: 4p per gram.
The most well known of the Tektites, Moldavite, is bottle green variety of Tektite. The origin of Tektite is thought to be formerly molten fragments of fused rock from meteor impacts. Ordinary Tektite, in this case, is black.
Zoisite is a rock which forms in several manners. Pink, massive varieties of Zoisite are called Thulite. The pink colouration comes from inclusions of manganese and Thulite often has an glittery, sugary appearance. (The blue, gem variety of zoisite is Tanzanite.) This variety of Thulite comes from Norway.
Tigers Eye, Blue
Composition: silicon dioxide (silica). SiO2.
Hardness: 7.0.
Specific gravity: 2.65.
Price: 2p per gram.
Blue Tigers Eye is also known as 'Hawks Eye' or 'Falcons Eye'.
Tigers Eye, Gold
Composition: silicon dioxide (silica). SiO2.
Hardness: 7.0.
Specific gravity: 2.65.
Price: 2p per gram.
Gold Tigers Eye gets its colour from iron (limonite) inclusions.
Tigers Eye, Red
Composition: silicon dioxide (silica). SiO2.
Hardness: 7.0.
Specific gravity: 2.65.
Price: 2p per gram.
Red Tigers Eye gets its colour from iron oxide inclusions.
Tiger Iron
Composition: silicon dioxide (silica). SiO2, iron oxide FeO3
Hardness: 7.0.
Specific gravity: 2.65.
Price: 2p per gram.
Similar in appearance to Jasper Iron but with additional bands of Gold Tigers Eye.
Tourmaline, black
Composition: Complex borosilicate
Hardness: 7.5
Specific gravity: 3.06
Price: 4p per gram.
Tourmaline forms a small family of mineral with names for each coloured variety. The black variety, also known as Schorl, is the most widespread variety. The black colour comes from iron inclusions.
Turitella fossil jasper
Composition: silicon dioxide (silica). SiO2 plus organic remains.
Hardness: 6.0-7.0.
Specific gravity: 2.6-2.7.
Alternative names: Snakeskin Jasper, Fossil Jasper.
Price: 3p per gram.
A peculiar and fascinating stone: A dark brown/grey jasper cementing together the remains of the extinct marine mollusc Turrilites, an species of Ammonite from the Cretaceous era.
Composition: calcium aluminium iron hydroxysilicate. Ca2(Al, Fe)3(SiO4)3(OH).
Hardness: 6.5.
Specific gravity: 3.40.
Price: 2p per gram.
Unakite is a green rock comprised of small fragments of epidote and feldspar. Unakite is noted for its peculiar appearance of lime green with pink/orange/brown spots, a distinctive stone unlikely to be confused with anything else.
Verdite
Price: 2p per gram.
Verdite is a trade name for a vivid green variety of Fuchsite. It is part of the mica group of stones. Most micaceous stones are crumbly and flaky but Verdite is compact and fine grained, although soft. It is distinctive for its delicately patterned intense greens with yellows spots and white veins.
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