We're all different.

Gemstones appeal to each person for a variety of reasons. Some people appreciate gemstones for their value, some for their colour or meaning and others for their adventurous past (the famous Sancy diamond of 55 carats is said to have been worn by Charles the Bold around 1470!). The reasons are limitless.

For us, here at Rock Water Studio, we are drawn to gemstones which have significant visual impact on us. That is, they say "choose me!" when we see them. As a result, our gallery contains a rich variety of gemstones which, inevitably, also range in value. An interesting tale attached to the gemstone is a delight, but we believe that each gemstone (and indeed each piece of jewellery) will gather its own history as it goes through life anyway.

For a little more information on some of the gemstones we have used or hope to use soon, read on.

Opal in Matrix

What is Opal in Matrix? It is precious opal occurring in the matrix rock, that is, the host rock in which it developed originally and naturally. These Opal in Matrix come from Australia.

The best care for opals is to wear them as humidity from the air and the skin provides a perfect environment for their health and longevity. If you wish to clean your opals, use a soft cloth or brush, a mild detergent and room temperature water, then rinse.

Opal is believed to have healing powers, to solve depressions and to help its wearer find true and real love. Opal is also the birthstone for October.

Window Rock Crystal in Opal

A beautiful combination of Rock Crystal, a clear colourless quartz, and Opal - bound together by nature. The ebb and flow of the sea has brought deposits of stone sediment together. This, combined with the transformation of silica stone into Opal, has resulted in a magnificent union of minerals to produce this single example we have in our gallery.

Sapphire

Sapphires belong to the gem species known as Corundum, which is the name given to all gems with this specific combination of chemical composition and crystal structure. Red gemstones in the corundum species are known as Rubies; all other colours are referred to as Sapphires.

Rock Water Studio has some interesting and unusual examples of Sapphires in the gallery.

From Thailand, we have some small oval black star sapphires cut en cabochon. An invitingly rich and warm brown colour with a star captured just beneath the surface that can be seen within them from angles. This star is called an asterism and is a reflection of light by needle-like inclusions lying in various directions.

Covellite

An unusual mineral worthy of a closer look. It has a deep metallic indigo blue colour - an appealingly inky blue with a metallic luster. Our two Covellites are from the USA and contain pyrites, a gold coloured mineral with metallic luster. Their depth and sheen makes them irresistable - one just has to touch them!