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Where would you guess brazilianite to originate from? You got it. Brazil! Bravo!

This mineral can typically be found in yellow-green varieties, but can also be found in colorless varieties. It is considered a precious stone and is very popular among collectors.

Brazilianite is one of those stones which develops in the common crystal shape: prismatic and spherical. Interestingly, though this mineral is known to be found in only one small region of Brazil, the deposit has yielded many crystals, a large percentage of which are not only large but perfectly bounded.

The mineral is not often used in fine jewelry. Because of the rarity of this mineral, most crystals find their ways into private collections and museums where they boast their crystal structures and brilliant coloring to the interested passersby and enthusiast.

Truth be told, my favorite stone growing up was tiger’s eye. My dad had this great little polished tiger’s eye stone in a box I came across when I was in kindergarten and I was immediately entranced.

This unique stone is a member of the quartz family and generally found in yellow to red-brown varieties. It shimmers with a silky sheen and changes beautifully as it is rotated. Tiger’s eye is named as it resembles the eye of a tiger or cat. The stone has lines and patterns which resemble a cat’s eye in the coolest way.

We often feature gorgeous pieces with tiger’s eye in our auctions here on Bidz.com including bracelets, earrings and necklaces. Check our auctions daily for the perfect piece to add to your collection. Happy Bidding!

Agate is a variety of quartz and is considered a semi-precious stone. It is characterized by fine grains and bright coloring.

Varieties of agate have been popular for thousands of years. The stones have been obtained from Sicily for over 3,000 years! If there is one thing that does not change over time it is the raw beauty of nature and the appreciation we hold for that natural beauty.

Agate was named by Greek philosopher Theophrastus after he discovered it sometime during the 4^th and 3^rd centuries, BC.

Agate stones can be found as nodules in volcanic rock and ancient lava. The stone can be found in many colorful and unique varieties, from striped to spotted to banded. The stone is also often hollow and known by many as simply “geodes”.

Traditionally the stone is believed to cure scorpion stings and snake bites. It was also believed to soothe the mind (cure headaches), calm violent weather (lightning and thunder storms) and secure power among the powerful.

Check our online jewelry auction often for unique pieces featuring agate stones.

Aquamarine is one of those stones we all know and love. It is considered a mineral and is named after the Latin phrase aqua marina, or “water of the sea.”

This beautiful gem glows a delicate blue or turquoise coloring, hence the relation to sea water. It is also closely related in makeup to emerald. Technically, aquamarine is a transparent variety of beryl and is known to be found in yellow, pink and white varieties.

Aquamarine is the official birthstone of the month of March, as well as the gemstone associated with the 19^th wedding anniversary. During the Middle Ages the stone was believed to hold the magical abilities to cure poison. Anciently, sailors toted the crystals to ensure a safe journey and safe return home. Sailors also believed mermaid’s fins to be made of aquamarine. I’m not sure how they thought the mermaids could swim…perhaps this is where the “drunken sailor” in them came out.

We often feature pieces with aquamarines in our jewelry auctions here on Bidz.com. Check the auctions daily to find the perfect pieces to add to your jewelry collection.