- SHIPPING & PAYMENT INFO -
- RETURNS POLICY -
- HOW TO CARE FOR YOUR JEWELRY -
- INFORMATION ABOUT OUR FINE ART PRINTS -
- INFORMATION ON GEMSTONES & METEORITES -
- FAQ's -
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INFORMATION ON GEMSTONES & METEORITES

ABOUT THE METEORITES USED IN OUR JEWERLY

METEORITES - Are little pieces of the solar system that fall through our atmosphere and land on Earth. Most meteorites are pieces of asteroids or comets. But some of them have been found to be pieces of the planet Mars and our Moon. Where a meteorite originated from is determined by analysis of the interior of the stone.  Meteorites from asteroids can be as old as the solar system - 4.5 billion years. Meteorites are named or numbered after the location where they were found. Some of the falls were 'witnessed' by people, and may be recent or date back hundreds of years. Our meteorite jewelry will be accompanied by a card authenticating the details specific to each meteorite bead used in the piece.
GIBEON Meteorite - Great Nama Land, Namibia, Africa. Fine Octahedrite, Nickel-Iron meteorite. Found 1836. These meteorite fragments were first documented by a Captain Alexander in 1836, although they were known to the local people before then. The parent body of these meteorite pieces was from an asteroid and dates to approximatly 4.5 billion years old, the age of the formation of our Solar Sytem. Most pieces show re-entry markings and evidence of a possible explosive  break-up in the lower atmosphere. This meteorite has a lovely fine-octahedrite pattern when etched and is rust resistant due to its close-fitting crystals, few inclusions and high nickel content.

ABOUT THE GEMSTONES USED IN OUR JEWELRY

JET - This organic material is a type of lignite coal, which is actually carbonized driftwood. It has a low to moderate hardness and is easily burned. Only clean jet with warm, soapy water. Jet has been mined and used in jewelry since before recorded history. England is the major source of jet, but other suppliers include Canada, France, Germany, Spain and the U.S.A.
KAMBABA JASPER - This exotic jasper hails from Africa, just like some of our meteorites. It has swirls and concentric rings of deep avocodo green and black.
ONYX (Black) - Onyx is a form of chalcedony, which is a microcrystalline quartz. It is formed in the gas cavities of lava. Much of what is referred to as "black onyx" is gray chalcedony that has been chemically treated to turn it into a rich black. The gray stone may be saturated with a solution of cobalt chlorate and chlorammonium, or it can be immersed for a prolonged period in a sugar solution and then heated in sulphuric acid to carbonize the sugar.
OBSIDIAN - A natural glass that forms from volcanic activity, usually black in color. The gemstone is formed from the same minerals as granite, but cools so quickly when exposed to air that the minerals do not have time to crystallize. Some inclusions can be bubbles or crystals, creating a random pattern such as snowflake. Obsidian is extremely rich in silica (about 35-80%) and is low in water. Obsidian is fairly fragile, being only slightly harder than window glass. It scratches very easily and sharp blows are likely to crack it. Major sources include Iceland, Italy, the U.S.A. (especially Wyoming and Hawaii), Japan and Java.

OTHER COMPONENTS

CZECH GLASS - Made in Czechoslovakia, these glass beads are considered to be the finest quality glass beads available.
PEWTER - Pewter is an alloy made of tin with various amounts of antimony and copper.
STERLING SILVER - Sterling Silver contains at least 92.5% silver. The most common sterling alloy is 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper.

If you have any other questions that aren't answered here about our jewerly line, please Contact Us by Email!