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Arizona's Gemstones
Although GemLand's inventory includes diamonds and gems from around the
world, we specialize in precious stones mined in the United States.
Arizona is America's leading gem mining state, and those displayed in our
logo -- Peridot, Amethyst, and Turquoise -- are found here in
vivid, natural colors that come alive in the brilliant sunshine of the Southwest.
Additionally, rich, deep red Garnets are found in the Navajo Nation, surrounding
our scenic Monument Valley. Wear a piece of Arizona! We specialize
in custom jewelry. Contact us to create a piece of
lasting beauty for you or your special someone!
Peridot
The mines on Peridot Mesa,
near the Apache town of San Carlos are among the largest deposits in the world of this bright
green gem.
Not often seen in Arizona jewelry stores, peridot is a natural, untreated gem,
and is richly complemented by High Karat Yellow Gold.
Olivine crystals at Peridot Mesa,
approximately life size.
Want the story on
Arizona Peridot?
Read this GeoStory™:
"Eighty percent of success
is just showing up."
So said Woody Allen, no relation to me. And I was glad I did -- show up, that is.
Here crystals of are found inside hardened "bubbles"
in a volcanic ash flow that erupted during the period. Now, millions of years later,
the area is home to some of the descendants of the legendary and fearsome Apache shaman and leader
Geronimo.
This mineral, which geologists call olivine, is found in the of the
Earth, as well as in interstellar space.
It has been known since ancient times, and has been called the "gemstone of the
sun".
Amethyst
Below is a very
nicely cut from the Four Peaks Mine near
Phoenix. Amethyst is another gem valued since ancient times, and displays a vivid
purple color.
In the case of Four Peaks Amethyst, the color is described as
"Siberian", meaning that it has a reddish hue, and therefore of the world's top
quality grade. Four Peaks (below) can be seen from most of
the Phoenix area on a clear day. The mine is located between the third and fourth peaks,
from the left.
Crystals of amethyst occur in extremely old rock. They are mined by hand,
and transported to the city by helicopter for cutting.
Four Peaks, near Phoenix, Arizona.
Want the story on
Four Peaks Amethyst?
Read this GeoStory™:
Arizona's Four Peaks
is geology upside down.
And you can even wear a piece of it!
We think that part of the appeal in possessing a stone object is
its connection to a particular place. This is especially true of precious gems.
When you are wearing a Four Peaks Amethyst, you are wearing a little piece of the mountain
with which all Phoenicians are familiar!
Turquoise
Turquoise is now produced as a by-product
of giant copper mining operations like the one at right, in eastern Arizona.
When a pocket of the bright blue mineral is uncovered, the turquoise-rich stones are extracted
by hand, and many are cut locally.
Some of the world's finest
turquoise comes from Arizona.
Want the story on Turquoise
in the Southwest?
Read this GeoStory™:
An unassuming mountain now in New Mexico let loose one of the great treasure hunts of
all time. It's one of those places you could drive by every day, and never know that.
The treasure was carried far and wide, and those who did the
carrying were a mysterious bunch. Who knows how distant, or why it all
ended?
Couple that with a little village in the right location, and the result can have a big
impact on the world.
Garnet
Arizona Garnets are exquisitely deep red in color, and come
from one of the most photographed places on Earth.
Want the
story on
Arizona
Garnets?
Read this GeoStory™:
