Crystal Cafe's range of handcrafted crystal jewellery uses a wide variety of crystals, semi-precious stones and interesting glass beads carefully chosen from a large number of suppliers worldwide.

The following are some of the semi-precious stones used in our jewellery collections:

Amazonite

An iridescent stone that ranges in colour from green to blue-green. Amazonite is usually set as a cabachon (since it breaks easily if faceted). This mineral was named after the Amazon River, where it was first thought to be found in the middle 1800s (the mineral found in the Amazon was actually a form of jadeite). Most Amazonite is opaque, but rare crystals are transparent.

Amethyst

A common form of quartz Amethyst is usually purple, but can range in colour from pale lavender to a very deep, reddish purple and may have milky white or green inclusions. Deeper-colored amethysts are more highly valued. The name comes from the Greek for "not drunken" as wearing amethyst was believed to be a proof against becoming intoxicated. The amethyst is said to bring good luck and to radiate love. Amethyst is the birthstone for February

Fluorite

This pretty pastel mineral occurs typically in vein deposits. The name for fluorite comes from the Latin fluo, or flow, in reference to its use as a flux. A flux is a substance that promotes flowing and combining of other materials, and fluorite is often used in making steel and other metals that require the removal of impurities. Another interesting aspect of the gemstone is its fluorescence in ultraviolet light. In fact, the word "fluorescent" is derived from fluorite

Freshwater Pearls

A pearl (usually irregular in shape) formed by a mussel living in a body of freshwater, such as a lake or river. Any cultured pearl that is grown by a freshwater mollusc. Freshwater molluscs usually inhabit lakes and rivers, but they can be grown in ponds as well.

Jasper

From the Hebrew word "yashpheh", meaning "glittering". Jasper is an opaque variety of quartz that may be red, yellow, or brown. It breaks with a smooth surface and can be highly polished like marble. Varieties of jasper include Fancy Jasper, Picture Jasper, Poppy Jasper and Red Jasper. Jasper was once believed to have curative powers.

Pietersite

The surface of a Pietersite looks rather chaotic, with streaks and colours going every direction. During the formation of the crystal, the materials that make it up were broken apart, swirled every which way, then were reformed and cemented together by Quartz. Colours include blues, rusty reds, golds and browns.

Rock Crystal

Colourless and transparent form of quartz. Other colours of quartz have special names such as: Rose Quartz, Citrine, and Amethyst. Brown quartz is often referred to as Smokey Quartz. Smokey Quartz is often irradiated clear quartz.

Rose Quartz

This blushing gemstone is one of the most desirable varieties of quartz. The unique pink-to-rose-red colour is caused by iron and titanium impurities in the natural stone. Beads of rose quartz have been found in Mesopotamia that date back to 7000 B.C. It is said that the Assyrians and the Romans were the first to use it. In ancient Rome, rose quartz was popular for making seals, which were used in clay or various dyes to show ownership or identify authors.

Often called the "love stone," rose quartz is said to open the heart chakra to all forms of love

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