TURQUOISE was considered among the most prized of all gemstones by early civilizations in Egypt, and was an important item in a list of tributes and gifts, sent by the Babylonians to Egyptian monarchs. It was believed to be a cure for melancholy and fever. It has also long been considered a stone that guarantees health, good fortune, and protection from evil.

Turquoise has many variations in colors. The “robins egg blue” turquoise comes mainly from Persia, and is considered the most valuable. sometime turquoise is more greenish, and sometimes it will contain matrix from other minerals.

A significant amount of Turquoise comes from Nevada, California, and Arizona, and it is used often in a style of jewelry created by the American Indians. It is often used by Shamans in rituals and ceremonies.

LAPIS LAZULI is an aggregate of minerals - mainly Lazurite, Calcite, and Pyrite. The best quality is a deep violet-blue with no white calcite, and little or no specks of pyrite. Much of Lapis comes from Afghanistan, as well as Chile, and some has been found in San Bernadino, California. There is said to be a significant amount of Lapis Lazuli in Siberia, but it is difficult to mine in the frozen ground.

Lapis was a highly regarded gem in ancient Egypt, as evidenced by many amulets, scarabs, and cylinders recovered from ancient tombs. It was often pulverized to be used as a cosmetic in ancient Egypt and China, and to make the pigment Ultramarine blue which was used extensively throughout the centuries to produce the intense blue in many of the worlds famous paintings.

ZIRCON comes in many colors -purple, red, orange, brown, green and yellow - and colorless, but the most prized color is light blue - it can look like a vey brilliant Aquamarine, and it was a particular gem favorite in Victorian times. In the middle ages, this gem was thought to induce sound sleep, drive away evil spirits, and promote riches, honor, and wisdom.