Azurite from the United States are found in the mines of Arizona, New Mexico and Utah it was historically crushed and used by Native Americans for paint and ornamentation by ancient royalty. The Cobalt Blue Colored stone has a long history throughout humanity ranging from pigment of artisans of the Renaissance Period to Egyptians that drew the Eye of Horus on their foreheads with Azurite paint for protection. Native Americans used the beautiful stone to get in touch with Spirit Guides.

Regarding spirituality, Azurite connects the mind and body allowing its wearer to enhance focus and enter a deeper state of meditation to achieve enlightenment.

Olive Shell comes from the Olive Snail, Native Americans that were not located along coastline would make a trade for them. Although, some Tribes strung the shells and perhaps used them as currency, Puebloans of New Mexico incorporated then in their Heishi Necklace Designs by hand cutting, drilling, rolling, and then stringing the beads.

Regarding spirituality, Olive Shells are often underrated for their ability to cleanse and heal the aura

Denim Lapis a light blueish to white form of Lapis Lazuli and looks like the color of faded denim. Lapis Lazuli is believed to grant awareness, knowledge and wisdom as well as, bring harmony in relationships and self-acceptance to the wearer.

Lapis Lazuli is mined in areas of California USA, Colorado USA, Egypt, Mongolia, Canada, Chile. However Afghanistan and Pakistan contain the oldest and some of the most rare stones.

Unfortunately, some areas of the world where Lapis Lazuli is mined have become hostile in an effort to control, capitalize and further a cause.

Sodalite is a rich Royal Blue Mineral light in weight, hard yet fragile it is named after its Sodium content. Sodalite can be blue, grey, yellow, green or pink in color and always has a patch like or veiny appearance. The stone has almost a translucency when looked into easily showing its delicacy through fine lines of formation.

Regarding spirituality, Sodalite is believed to bring emotional balance and calmness, enhancing self-expression, intuition, insight, wisdom. The stone is thought to boost the immune system and metabolism as well. Perfect for persons working in workspaces where clarity and logic are needed.

Red Coral was introduced to Southwestern Native Americans by the Spanish. Native Americans view wearing Coral as a sign of wealth and prosperity because of how expensive and rare it is. When paired with Turquoise it is believed that the sacred elements of earth, air, and water keep life going and begins new life.

Santo Domingo Pebloans used Coral in their Heishi bead necklaces and used them personally and for trade. However, peoples of the Hopi, Zuni and Navajo Tribes used the stone in adorned jewelry pieces during their Ceremonies because of their belief of the stones Spiritual and Protecting elements.

Today Apple Coral is naturally found around the seas of Taiwan, Indonesia and Southern China. Once this non-endangered coral is heated and polished, its color becomes deep red. On the contrary when exposed to heat or intense sun light for a long time the stone will lighten.

Regarding spirituality, red coral sponge promotes acceptance without resentment and regret. Assisting the wearer in restoring lost motivation and energy.

Purple Spiny Oyster Shells are found along the coastline of Baja California and Mexico in colors of red, orange and purple.

The use of Spiny Oyster Shell in Native American History has been dated back to 6000 BCE when some of the first examples were discovered in the Puebloan Burial Sites for uses not only as adornments but in pottery and ceremonial objects as well. These discoveries exemplified the value placed on the Shells over precious metals such as Gold and Silver.

Regarding spirituality, Spiny Oyster Shell is an enchanting stone of courage, peace, creativity, and protection. Its healing energy inspires feelings of peace and contentment.

Imitation turquoise, sometimes called simulated turquoise, is not turquoise at all. It is dyed plastic and should be labeled “turquoise color,” not turquoise. It contains no turquoise stone at all.

Reconstituted turquoise is very, very low-grade turquoise that is crushed into dust and remade into a solid form using plastic resin. It can resemble natural turquoise, but will not test as natural. If the sample contains 80% turquoise, it can be labeled as genuine turquoise.

Color-Treated, Color-Enhanced, or Color-Infused Turquoise are each very soft, dull colored and very low grades of turquoise. Both dye and epoxy resins are added to the stone to deepen the color and harden it.

Enhanced turquoise is stone that is hardened with an electrical current in a water and copper solution. This process does not inject any chemicals and only hardens the stone. This is the next best thing to natural. Enhanced turquoise will actually test out as natural.

Natural turquoise means that the rough rock has not been altered. The stone comes out of the mine and is only cut and polished. Natural turquoise remains porous and may change color over time. This turquoise is usually a hard 5-7 on the Mohs scale and will polish to a high shine.

Stabilized turquoise stone comes out of the mine and is too porous to be cut into beads or cabochons. It is still good stone, but it needs to be hardened using epoxy resin. Using this method will harden the turquoise so it is easier to carve (Zuni fetishes) and it will remain the same color. It is an affordable option and widely used in in production pieces.