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Sylvia Rose
Jan 8, 20242 min read
Cassiterite - Tin Source of Ancients
Best known as an ore of the soft metal tin, cassiterite (SnO2) has an elemental magic all its own. Cassiterite occurs in igneous rocks...
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Sylvia Rose
Dec 15, 20233 min read
Carnelian - Sunny Gems of the Ancient World
Carnelian (early: cornelean ) is already used in the Stone Age to make beads. Pebbles of the reddish orange gemstone might be polished by...
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Sylvia Rose
Dec 13, 20235 min read
Jade - Jadeite, Nephrite & Jade Roads
Nephrite jade is the foremost commodity to travel along the Pacific Coasts of the East. The seaway route is the original Jade Road named...
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Sylvia Rose
Dec 12, 20233 min read
Hattusa Green Stone - Mystic Secrets
Myth and mystery surround the natural green cube of nephrite found at Hattusa. A Bronze Age capital of the Hatti and Hittite Empires,...
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Sylvia Rose
Nov 28, 20233 min read
Lapis Lazuli: Vibrant Blue Gem of Ancients
Throughout the ages people gaze upon lapis lazuli with wonder and awe. Mines in the Indus Valley, south Asia, date back to at least 7500...
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Sylvia Rose
Nov 26, 20233 min read
Turquoise: Precious Stone of Ancients
Turquoise has fascinated people from royals to the richly challenged for thousands of years. The world's oldest known turquoise mine is...
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Sylvia Rose
Nov 16, 20235 min read
Amethyst - Divine Purple Quartz Gemstone
One of the crystals known since ancient times, Amethyst holds it own magic and myth. Purple is hard to get in the days before synthetic...
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Sylvia Rose
Nov 6, 20237 min read
Obsidian: Ancient Volcanic Black Glass
Obsidian is translucent volcanic glass, an igneous stone created from quickly cooled lava. It fractures with clean sharp edges. For...
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Sylvia Rose
Oct 30, 20232 min read
Asteria - Starry Gems of Myth & Magic
Asteria or Star Stones create a star-like inner glow. Star sapphires belong to this group. They were highly valued by the ancient Minoan...
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Sylvia Rose
Oct 24, 20235 min read
Sulfur (Sulphur): Underworld Treasures of Ancients
Abundant in native form, sulfur (sulphur) is a mysterious and essential component of natural life. All living things contain sulfur. It...
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Sylvia Rose
Oct 24, 20233 min read
Zircon - the Primordial Gemstone
Translucent sparkling zircon is the oldest of all gemstones. Only earthly stardust is more ancient. This brilliant gem comes in a variety...
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Sylvia Rose
Sep 27, 20236 min read
German Myth & Folklore: Dwarfs
Although the identifying feature of fairy tale Dwarfs is height, these magical creatures of Faerie were not always short. Common in Norse...
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