Setting out in search of the natural stone for jewelry that will embellish your neck or illuminate your face is not always easy. There are so many varieties and colors of stones that these gems are all incredibly attractive. So, what remains to guide your choice? Firstly, the colors and characteristics of the stone remain excellent indicators. But, of course, this is without ignoring the essential: the history of the stone . That is to say, its origin, its composition, and in addition, the powers associated with it. Because, for most of us, owning or offering a gemstone jewelry is not trivial. Feeling of belonging or symbiosis: the pleasure of wearing a natural stone is increased tenfold when we become one with its origins. This is why we have decided to present to you 4 essential organic stones for authentically exceptional stone jewelry .

Natural Stone for Jewelry | What is an Organic Gemstone?

Concretely, all gems are ornamental stones used in jewelry and costume jewelry, because they are considered mineral " fine stones ". The difference is that so-called "organic" natural stones come from living materials . In other words, they owe their exceptional constitution to animal or plant origins. Hence the boundless fascination that these natural stones exert on us.

The 2 categories of Organic Stones

Gemstones of plant origin

Explanation

In fact, the tree is a living thing that breathes and produces a lot of organic matter during its existence. From the roots to the branches, including the trunk, the sap that runs through it or the resin that it periodically releases: everything is a cycle of life. Moreover, even the bark that protects it and the wood (more or less dense) that constitutes it themselves shelter colonies of insects.

Examples

This is why, after a full life and a few million years later, these materials compact and fossilize to give the most beautiful organic stones there are. As such, amber, jet or copal are extraordinary stones which owe their origin:

• from tree resin (often conifers),
• to plant substances (sometimes close to lignite and peat for mellite).

In their fossilized state, they each become remarkable natural jewelry stones.

Gemstones of Animal Origin

Explanation

On the other hand, there are rare organic stones from the animal kingdom, such as ivory, the most commonly used of which come from the seabed. Unlike plant gems, they certainly require a little patience, but do not require waiting up to millions of years to offer their treasures. This is why they are the most fragile of all natural jewelry stones , because they are excessively exploited by man.

Examples

Between constitution, defense mechanism and adaptability: mother-of-pearl , mother-of-pearl pearl and coral are all organic stones exclusively derived from an animal process . Whether due to:

• the existence of a protective envelope ,
• the elaborate composition of a rigid skeleton,
• the presence of solid organic tissues .

This is how ivory , mother-of-pearl and coral formations have brought happiness and wealth to many merchants (and poachers) for centuries.

Organic Natural Stone | 4 Legendary Gems

Yellow Amber: the most famous plant stone

What is Amber?

An ancient marvel, and although "non-mineralized," amber appears as a gemstone and is frequently used in jewelry. Considered by scientists to be a "mineraloid," it is a fossilized organic rock made of resin secreted by conifers more than 50 million years ago. It's no surprise that this noble material lends a mysterious quality to jewelry and contributes to its preciousness.

Description of the stone

The natural gemstone comes in various shades of warm, golden tones . Ranging from light yellow to brown , it also has a waxy, very soft feel. It is ranked between 2 and 2.5 on the Mohs scale and can be confused with another, much paler mineraloid: copal.

Difference between amber and copal

Referred to as "young amber," copal is a semi-fossil resin , even more fragile than amber, ranking around 1 out of 10 on the Mohs scale. This explains its low popularity. By the way: immerse copal in alcohol and it will eventually (unlike amber) dissolve.

Since when has it been exploited?

As far back as its traces have been found, amber has been used since prehistory , both for its supposed medicinal virtues and for its use in the form of ornaments.

Today, the most sought-after specimens are those that contain animal or plant inclusions. In fact, organisms trapped in this way for thousands and thousands of years are a mine of information for all paleontologists and climatologists , and some specimens are rare.

Supposed virtues

The orange-yellow resin (associated with the solar plexus chakra) is said to have the power to stimulate the immune system to help us fight illness and fatigue. Its benefits extend to relieving infections related to teeth and the entire ENT sphere. This is why amber jewelry is often given to children, despite the risks involved.

Did you know?

Ambergris, used in perfumery, is nothing other than material derived from the intestinal concretions of sperm whales . This excrement is thrown into the ocean and deposited by successive waves on the coast. Called in Arabic "ʿanbar" (ambergris) from "ʿanābir" (sperm whale), it could well be that (yellow) amber, also used in the manufacture of perfumes, owes its name to it.

Jet: the natural raven-black stone

What is Jet?

This natural jewelry stone is an organic gem of fossil origin. Composed of plant fossils , it is formed through the oceanic pressure exerted on this sedimentary rock. Furthermore, it is similar to fossil lignite . This explains the black and compact appearance as well as the combustible properties of these organic stones.

Description of the stone

Featuring a brown streak and a waxy to glassy luster, the glossy black stone has become famous for its famous "jet black" color . Because the black it is made of is adorned with metallic blue reflections similar to the plumage of crows, comparable to deep black brown hair.

Since when has it been exploited?

Jet is known to be one of the oldest organic minerals on the planet. It could even be 200 million years old. Used by American Indians and the Romans, and highly valued in the Middle Ages, the stone was one of the main activities of small villages in Ariège in the ^17th and ^18th centuries. Cut like a fine stone , it was used to make jewelry, decorate fabrics (trimmings) and various ornaments on objects.

Did you know?

Take a needle, heat it and apply it to jet: the natural stone will then release a charcoal smell from this fossil wood.

Difference between jet and Paris jet

Today, many artificial jets are sold under the names " French jet " or " Paris jet ." However, these imitations are glass products which, unlike natural jet (brown streak), will leave the white trace of silica.

Virtues attributed to jet

The shiny black gemstone is said to help one cope with the loss of loved ones. It is considered the ultimate grief stone , one that helps shift toward beneficial changes. Placed at the solar plexus, it is said to support the digestive system and maintain a healthy flow of energy in the body.

Coral: a species that has become protected

What is Coral?

Coral is a limestone skeleton that houses tiny, highly organized animals called "polyps" that are grouped into superorganisms . These living, complex structures colonized the seas hundreds of millions of years ago and are among the greatest creations put in place by living organisms. Unfortunately, the populations of these coral reefs are now extremely threatened due to overfishing, marine pollution, ocean warming, etc.

Description of coral for jewelry

Red or black in color, the species is now protected against all odds. This explains why the varieties of coral found on the jewelry market are bamboo coral. A white coral that is farmed and, once dyed, guarantees a beautiful, environmentally friendly natural stone for jewelry.

Since when has it been exploited?

It seems that red coral has been collected for far too long, or that we have become aware of its essential role in our oceans too late.

Did you know?

Red Coral is traditionally given for... The coral wedding anniversary of course! That is, the 11th wedding anniversary . Because of its bright red color, it is associated with two chakras: the heart and the root.

Virtues attributed to red coral

Coral bamboo is said to have the same properties as its original cousin. It is thus credited with numerous virtues related to the blood and bone systems. Considered a "source of life," it also promotes emotional balance.

Mother-of-pearl and mother-of-pearl: the ultimate in elegance

What is a mother-of-pearl pearl?

As you know, mother-of-pearl is the inner coat of the mollusk shell . As for pearls, they are those little pearly jewels that are built from the moment an intruder slips inside. A formation process called "biomineralization" and which calls upon the mother-of-pearl that lines and protects these bilaterians from the roughness of their shell. Thus, to defend itself from the object that has accidentally entered its habitat, the animal will "biosynthesize" it. That is to say, it will cover it with a coat of mother-of-pearl and incidentally roll it to try to get rid of it.

Description of the pearls

Pearl shades reflect the mother-of-pearl colors that cover them. White, cream, yellow, pink, blue, purplish, gray or black, the nuances are varied, iridescent, all in a soft and sensual envelope .

Since when has it been exploited?

Pearls and, above all, shells were among the first to appear around the necks of our primitive ancestors. In fact, certain varieties of mother-of-pearl, pearls and shells served not only as jewelry ornaments , but also as currency in many cultures:

• of the Indian Ocean;
• of the Pacific Ocean;
• from North America;
• from Africa;
• from the Caribbean…

Did you know?

34 kg, 67 cm long and 30 cm wide: these are the dimensions of the most impressive pearl found in 2006 by a fisherman in the waters of the Philippine Islands. Its shape, although far from harmonious, holds the absolute record for the largest pearl in the world . Hidden for several years under the mattress of its owner (who was unaware of its value), the latter is said to have revealed its existence because he was moving!

Virtues attributed to the mother-of-pearl pearl

The mother-of-pearl that makes up the pearl has regenerative qualities that are of great interest to researchers. Indeed, unraveling the mysteries of some of its powers would allow major advances to be made in the field of reconstructive surgery. What's more, this biomineral could provide multiple benefits in terms of lithotherapeutic treatment. A natural stone of intuition and open-mindedness, the mother-of-pearl pearl supports the 3rd chakra of the solar plexus and is said to be ideal for energy circulation between the body and mind.

Wearing a natural stone as jewelry: a strong feeling
In summary, what we love about these natural organic stones is:

• their singular beauty ;
• their exceptional colors ;
• their miraculous composition ;
• their sometimes mysterious history ;
• the euphoric feeling of bearing witness to a centuries-old, even thousand-year-old, history ...;
• and finally, the feeling of feeling different , but also honored to wear them .

Amber jewelry

We love the secrets locked away in its fossilized golden resin and the honey-like radiance that emanates from it.

Jet Jewel

We love the mystery that this unusual raven black gives to jewelry thanks to its blue, cold and metallic reflections .

Coral jewelry

We enjoy traveling among the atolls thanks to this natural jewel stone, proudly displaying bamboo coral in a unique and invigorating red .

Mother-of-pearl jewelry

We delight in the miracle , the softness and the sensuality of all the mother-of-pearl and shell jewelry .

Jewelry making from natural organic pearls and stones

Are you amazed by these organic stones, these mineral beauties from nature?

Whether authentic or reconstituted (for environmental reasons), you will find on the i-perles site the quality sought for authentically beautiful and personal creations.

To treat yourself or to give as a gift : natural jewelry stone is the perfect gem for emotionally charged results !

Find everything you need to make beautiful handmade jewelry on our site without delay.

See you soon for the next article!