Tabs

Fossilised Dinosaur Bone

Fossilised Dinosaur bone is an extremely rare fossil material. It forms when the cellular structure of the original Dinosaur Bone has become re-mineralised.Over tens of millions of years, hard minerals, such as chalcedony and quartz, replaced the original organic material. The result is a beautiful marrow matrix exhibiting incredible detail and rich colors.Our Dinosaur Bone is sourced from the American Southwest and is over 100 million years old.

Formed 2.6 billion years ago –– Black Diamonds are believed to have arrived on Earth aboard a kilometre-wide asteroid. Found only in Brazil and Western Africa, the impact would have coincided with a time when these areas were joined together as part of a ‘Supercontinent’ which accounts for their current distribution. Of note, these extraterrestrial gems are the hardest of all Diamonds.

Fossilised Coral

Fossilised Coral is an organic gemstone that is created when Prehistoric Coral is gradually replaced with agate. Corals are marine animals and it is their skeletons that are fossilised and preserved when silica from groundwater replaces ancient buried corals. The entire process can take over 20 million years.A part of the earth’s natural history — Fossil corals are often collected by researchers and scientists. They can be used to study the evolution of coral reefs, as well as the geological and environmental changes that have occurred over millions of years.

The name diamond is derived from the ancient Greek “adámas” meaning unalterable or unbreakable –– Diamond is the hardest known naturally occurring material, scoring 10 on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness.The world has long been fascinated with diamonds. It is thought that diamonds have been known and revered in India for 6,000 years.  With the advent of trade routes, Indian diamonds made their way to Western Europe and were regarded as beautiful objects of desire. As per the Roman naturalist Pliny:  “Diamond is the most valuable, not only of precious stones, but of all things in this world.”

Fossilised Wood

Petrified wood from Indonesia dates back to the Miocene period, about 20 million years ago.Petrified wood is fossilised wood that originated from trees buried under a thick layer of volcanic ash. The volcanic rock formations in which preservation of woods occur, are usually high silica (SiO2) content. Over time, silicic acid dehydrates into silica gel. Through a process called permineralization, the silica gel and other minerals eventually fill the pores and encase the wood.

Woolly Mammoth Tooth

Woolly Mammoths roamed the planet for about 250,000 years –– the last holdouts vanished from Siberia’s Wrangel Island only 3,700 years ago (around the same time the Pyramids of Giza were built).  Occasionally, Mammoth fossils are unearthed in the former ‘Mammoth Steppe’ –– a biome spanning western Europe to eastern Alaska during the Late Pleistocene. Jack Grimes is honored to be in possession of such an artifact. Our Fossilised Mammoth tooth is composed of plates of dentine surrounded by enamel.The heavily ridged tooth surface results in the formation of beautiful candy-striped patterns which vary in formation and in colour from piece to piece.

Woolly Mammoth Tusk

Our Woolly Mammoth tusk is approximately 40,000 years old. It emerged from the North Sea in the net of a trawl-fisherman earlier this year. Tusks are an important piece of evidence in telling the story of Mammoths. Like trees, each “growth ring” of a Mammoth’s Tusk accounts for a single year. Each thick ring represents a single year and is made up of a dark band (winter months) and a light band. Scientists can even determine how healthy a Mammoth was during different times of its life based on the size of the growth rings.

Megalodon Tooth

The Megalodon—literally ‘Mega-Tooth’ lived approximately 23 to 2.6 million years ago. Fossil remains suggest that these powerful apex predators reached up to 52ft in length. Much of the information we know derives from tooth fossils. Due to the durable nature of enamel, Megalodon teeth have survived to this day - some in very good condition.

Black Diamond

Formed 2.6 billion years ago –– Black Diamonds are believed to have arrived on Earth aboard a kilometre-wide asteroid. Found only in Brazil and Western Africa, the impact would have coincided with a time when these areas were joined together as part of a ‘Supercontinent’ which accounts for their current distribution. Of note, these extraterrestrial gems are the hardest of all Diamonds.

Diamond

The name diamond is derived from the ancient Greek “adámas” meaning unalterable or unbreakable –– Diamond is the hardest known naturally occurring material, scoring 10 on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness.The world has long been fascinated with diamonds. It is thought that diamonds have been known and revered in India for 6,000 years.  With the advent of trade routes, Indian diamonds made their way to Western Europe and were regarded as beautiful objects of desire. As per the Roman naturalist Pliny:  “Diamond is the most valuable, not only of precious stones, but of all things in this world.”

Carbon Fiber

Ten times stronger than steel but yet five times lighter  – Carbon Fiber is a true “Space-Age” Material. Each strand of Carbon Fiber is Five to Ten Microns in diameter. For comparison, a single strand of spiderweb is typically Three to Eight Microns.

Formed 2.6 billion years ago –– Black Diamonds are believed to have arrived on Earth aboard a kilometre-wide asteroid. Found only in Brazil and Western Africa, the impact would have coincided with a time when these areas were joined together as part of a ‘Supercontinent’ which accounts for their current distribution. Of note, these extraterrestrial gems are the hardest of all Diamonds.

Damascus Steel

Damascus blades were manufactured in the Near East from ingots of wootz steel that were imported from India from about 300 BC to 1700AD. Damascus steel is characterized by distinctive patterns of banding and mottling reminiscent of flowing water. The watered effect was achieved by forging a blade from steel containing very high proportions of carbon.“Damascus steel” was the name that the Crusaders gave to the steel that they had witnessed slicing through their own, lesser quality swords.

The name diamond is derived from the ancient Greek “adámas” meaning unalterable or unbreakable –– Diamond is the hardest known naturally occurring material, scoring 10 on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness.The world has long been fascinated with diamonds. It is thought that diamonds have been known and revered in India for 6,000 years.  With the advent of trade routes, Indian diamonds made their way to Western Europe and were regarded as beautiful objects of desire. As per the Roman naturalist Pliny:  “Diamond is the most valuable, not only of precious stones, but of all things in this world.”

Gold

Likened to perfection throughout history –– Gold has been celebrated as a symbol of luxury, wealth, and power across all cultures since prehistoric times and its value has never wavered. Gold is the world’s only naturally-occurring yellow metal and is also indestructible. Being completely non-reactive, it will not rust, corrode, or tarnish.Recent studies suggest that Gold originated billions of years ago from collisions of ultra-dense 'Neutron Stars' in the far reaches of the universe. It arrived to Earth on asteroids that bombarded our planet's surface during its infancy.

Mokume Gane

The preserve of highly skilled craftsmen –– Mokume-Gane (or Wood Pattern Metal) is an ancient Japanese technique that bonds numerous layers of precious metals into a single piece that is then worked into beautiful patterns than often mimic wood grain. It was first used in the 1600s to make Samurai Swords wherein layers of mild steel and carbon steel were forged together to create blades of great strength and durability. Our Mokume-Gane is forged using heat and pressure. It is a precise technical process that requires a thorough knowledge of the different properties and melting temperatures of the materials used.

Sterling Silver

Sterling Silver is an alloy containing 92.5% of silver and 7.5% of copper. Silversmiths created this alloy to give pure silver extra strength and durability.This lustrous precious metal exhibits the highest conductivity, thermal and reflectivity of any metal. Intrinsically linked with status and wealth – The words “silver” and “money” are interchangeable in many languages including French where “argent” means both money and silver.

Titanium

The word "Titanium" is from Latin, titans, which means in mythology, the first son of earth. The only element that burns in nitrogen. It's as strong as steel, but 45% of it is lighter and 60% heavier than alumunium, but it's twice stronger.Ever present in cutting edge technology and used extensively in Military Aircraft  where it is known as the “Metal of Choice”.

Fighter Plane

Eurofighter Damascus is a non-stainless damascus steel with 320 layers. This composite is manufactured traditionally by hand in a composite welding process. It is forged from steel of the cannons mounted on Eurofighter planes as well as roller bearing steel or tool steel.

Formed 2.6 billion years ago –– Black Diamonds are believed to have arrived on Earth aboard a kilometre-wide asteroid. Found only in Brazil and Western Africa, the impact would have coincided with a time when these areas were joined together as part of a ‘Supercontinent’ which accounts for their current distribution. Of note, these extraterrestrial gems are the hardest of all Diamonds.

Fordite

Fordite is a man-made gemstone. It originated due to overspray in the vehicle painting bays which gradually accumulated over time forming colourful layers. Over a long period of time, myriad paint layers built up and hardened to make a visually spectacular agate ‘stone’ characterised by its layers of colours and psychedelic swirls. Each piece of Fordite contains a geological patterning of all the different colours of automobiles that were painted over that timeframe. The Fordite we use is steeped in Automotive heritage. It is sourced from many prestigious factories such as; Ford, Jeep, Kenworth, Caterpillar and from the Corvette line at the Chevrolet plant in Detroit.

The name diamond is derived from the ancient Greek “adámas” meaning unalterable or unbreakable –– Diamond is the hardest known naturally occurring material, scoring 10 on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness.The world has long been fascinated with diamonds. It is thought that diamonds have been known and revered in India for 6,000 years.  With the advent of trade routes, Indian diamonds made their way to Western Europe and were regarded as beautiful objects of desire. As per the Roman naturalist Pliny:  “Diamond is the most valuable, not only of precious stones, but of all things in this world.”

Kryptonite

Kryptonite –– As the name suggests…There is something about this material that makes it  special.This is a composite material with fine brass and bronze meshes inside. In daylight, the material is an opaque green/grey colour. As it stays in the light, the material builds up a strong green glow. The material can also be supercharged instantly by using a torch from a cellphone.

Leopard Tank

Leo-Damast® II is a non-stainless damascus steel with 320 layers. This composite is manufactured traditionally by hand in a composite welding process. It is forged from cannon barrel steel from the Leopard I tank as well as roller bearing steel.

Meteorite

Our Meteorite is sourced from the Gibeon Meteorite which fell to Namibia in prehistoric times. Radiometric dating places the age of crystallization of the Iron-Nickel metal in the Gibeon at 4 billion years.  When cut, Meteorite exhibits a distinctive crystal structure (Widmanstätten patterns) formed as it cooled on the earth’s surface.Upon discovery, the local Nama people used the pieces of the Gibeon Meteorite to make spears and knives. Interestingly, in 2016 it was discovered that King Tutankhamun was buried with a Meteorite dagger. According to researchers, ancient Egyptians revered Meteorite –– considering it a ‘Message from the Gods'.

Moldavite

Prized for its vibrant colour, enigmatic origin, and interesting etched texture –– Moldavite is a forest green Vitreous Silica formed by the collision of a Meteorite on the Earth’s surface and the subsequent melting of surrounding rocks. The impact occurred in the Ries Crater in Southern Germany 14.7 million years ago. The green colour is most likely due to the iron content and possibly some olivine (peridot) from the original Meteorite. This rare material was first discovered in 1787 in Czechoslovakia (about 500 km from their occurrence) near the River Moldau, hence the name Moldavite. Labelled the ‘Most Powerful Crystal in the World’ –– Moldavite is purported to emit an energy that is very easy for most to connect with.

Tahitian Pearl

Considered to be one of the most valuable varieties of Pearl in the world –– Tahitian Pearl (or Black Pearl) is an organic gem formed from the Black-Lipped Oyster (Pinctada Margaritifera) which is native to the waters around Tahiti. The natural dark colour and incredibly colourful iridescent surface overtones of these Pearls is due to the natural dark coloured nacre of this Oyster.Synonymous as a symbol of nobility –– Emperors in ancient Asian cultures traditionally wore Black Pearls believing them to bestow divine powers. Similarly, native Polynesian tribes adorned themselves with these pearls believing them to harness the exquisite colours of the rainbow after a storm.

Carnelian

Carnelian is a form of Chalcedony and is sometimes known as Sard. Its rich red colour comes from iron in the quartz. The word ‘Carnelian’ comes from the Latin Carne, meaning ‘flesh’ due to the reddish-brown colour range it shows. This reddish colour becomes more intense when exposed to heat (even by the sun’s heat alone).In ancient Egypt, Carnelian was associated with the heart and the resurrection of mummies. As such, the stone was put into tombs to protect the dead during their journey to the afterlife. In modern times, it has been called the ‘Singers Stone’, as it promotes better confidence and self-expression.

Formed 2.6 billion years ago –– Black Diamonds are believed to have arrived on Earth aboard a kilometre-wide asteroid. Found only in Brazil and Western Africa, the impact would have coincided with a time when these areas were joined together as part of a ‘Supercontinent’ which accounts for their current distribution. Of note, these extraterrestrial gems are the hardest of all Diamonds.

Hematite

Hematite is a gemstone form of Iron Oxide. Naturally, it has a dull iron lustre as evidenced by its use as a red chalk in early carve paintings or Pictographs. When polished, this dense gem exhibits a metallic gunmetal lustre with a refractive index even higher than Diamond. Interestingly, Hematite is one of the most abundant minerals in the rocks and soils on the surface of Mars. Its abundance gives the landscape a reddish brown colour making the planet appear red in the night sky. It is the origin of Mars' 'Red Planet' nickname.Known as the 'Stone of the mind' –– Hematite is said to improve the clarity of thought.

The name diamond is derived from the ancient Greek “adámas” meaning unalterable or unbreakable –– Diamond is the hardest known naturally occurring material, scoring 10 on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness.The world has long been fascinated with diamonds. It is thought that diamonds have been known and revered in India for 6,000 years.  With the advent of trade routes, Indian diamonds made their way to Western Europe and were regarded as beautiful objects of desire. As per the Roman naturalist Pliny:  “Diamond is the most valuable, not only of precious stones, but of all things in this world.”

Jade

Produced by intense pressure and heat –– Jade is a metamorphic rock that has held a special attraction for mankind for almost 7,000 years. The Chinese associate Jade with clarity of mind and purity of spirit. They considered Jade to be the ‘Imperial Gem’ –– it was known as 'Yu'- the 'Royal Gem'. Elsewhere the ancient Maori tribes embraced Jade as a talisman and believed in its spiritual powers to evoke strength (Mana) and prosperity calling it “Pounamu'' or “God Stone”.  They used it for making weapons, tools and jewellery.

Labradorite

Purported to enhance intuition and self-awareness –– Labradorite is a type of Feldspar mineral that is characterised by its shimmering displays known as ‘labradorescence’. When light is scattered or reflected by tiny inter-growths and suffers interference a sheen is born, which is known as Schiller. The result is gorgeous eye-catching displays of blue, yellow and green. First discovered along the Labrador peninsula in Canada –– ancient Inuit lore held that the shimmering displays came from beams of the Northern Lights that remained trapped in the rocks.

Lapis Lazuli

Lapis Lazuli is a royal blue metamorphic rock with white or gold flecks.First mined 6,500 years ago –– it has been valued for its intense vivid colour ever since. Long associated as a symbol of royalty –– the ancient Egyptians considered it a sacred and prized stone. Indeed the sarcophagus of King Tutankhamun was heavily decorated with Lapis stones.Later, powered Lapis was mixed with oil to form the pigment 'Ultramarine'. During the Renaissance, the pigment was more expensive than Gold and was often reserved only to paint the cloak of the Virgin Mary. Vincent Van Gogh also famously used Ultramarine to paint his masterpiece The Starry Night.

Onyx

Onyx is a chalcedony quartz that is characterised by its smooth, silky lustre. This opaque stone gemstone has featured in stone carving and jewellery since antiquity. Most notably, Ancient Greeks and Romans famously cut and carved Onyx to create magnificent cameos.An absorber of negative energy –– Onyx is said to be a protective stone that will bring inner strength, self-confidence and mental discipline to its wearer. Indeed, the ancient Roman soldiers even entered battle carrying amulets of Sardonyx engraved with Mars –– the God of War. This was believed to bestow courage in battle.

Tiger's Eye

Tiger’s Eye is a quartz gemstone forms when fibres of the mineral crocidolite are replaced by silica. Like the sheen seen in silk, light reflecting off the golden quartz fibres produces a unique Chatoyancy known as ‘Tiger’s-Eye’. Holding a special attraction since antiquity –– this stone was thought to give men courage, integrity, and power. Legend has it that Roman soldiers wore the gem into battle to help deflect weapons owing to its optical reflectance properties.

Turquoise

Considered a 'Lucky Stone’ –– Turquoise is one of the world’s most ancient gems. Highly regarded by ancient civilisations due to its majestic colour –– Turquoise buried in Egyptian tombs is among the world’s oldest jewellery (4000BC). On the other side of the world –– the Aztecs inlaid Turquoise into provocative mosaic objects such as masks, knives and shields.  For Native Americans, Turquoise was seen as a ceremonial gem and was used in their jewellery and amulets. The Apaches believed that Turquoise attached to a bow increased a warrior’s accuracy. All Jack Grimes London Turquoise is sourced from mines in Arizona and New Mexico.

FOSSILS
Fossilised Dinosaur Bone

Fossilised Dinosaur bone is an extremely rare fossil material. It forms when the cellular structure of the original Dinosaur Bone has become re-mineralised.
Over tens of millions of years, hard minerals, such as chalcedony and quartz, replaced the original organic material. The result is a beautiful marrow matrix exhibiting incredible detail and rich colors.
Our Dinosaur Bone is sourced from the American Southwest and is over 100 million years old.

Fossilised Coral
Fossilised Coral is an organic gemstone that is created when Prehistoric Coral is gradually replaced with agate. Corals are marine animals and it is their skeletons that are fossilised and preserved when silica from groundwater replaces ancient buried corals. The entire process can take over 20 million years.
A part of the earth’s natural history — Fossil corals are often collected by researchers and scientists. They can be used to study the evolution of coral reefs, as well as the geological and environmental changes that have occurred over millions of years.
Fossilised Wood
Petrified wood from Indonesia dates back to the Miocene period, about 20 million years ago. Petrified wood is fossilised wood that originated from trees buried under a thick layer of volcanic ash. The volcanic rock formations in which preservation of woods occur, are usually high silica (SiO2) content. Over time, silicic acid dehydrates into silica gel. Through a process called permineralization, the silica gel and other minerals eventually fill the pores and encase the wood.
Woolly Mammoth Tooth
Woolly Mammoths roamed the planet for about 250,000 years –– the last holdouts vanished from Siberia’s Wrangel Island only 3,700 years ago (around the same time the Pyramids of Giza were built).
Occasionally, Mammoth fossils are unearthed in the former ‘Mammoth Steppe’ –– a biome spanning western Europe to eastern Alaska during the Late Pleistocene.
Jack Grimes is honored to be in possession of such an artifact. Our Fossilised Mammoth tooth is composed of plates of dentine surrounded by enamel.The heavily ridged tooth surface results in the formation of beautiful candy-striped patterns which vary in formation and in colour from piece to piece.
Woolly Mammoth Tusk
Our Woolly Mammoth tusk is approximately 40,000 years old. It emerged from the North Sea in the net of a trawl-fisherman earlier this year. Tusks are an important piece of evidence in telling the story of Mammoths. Like trees, each “growth ring” of a Mammoth’s Tusk accounts for a single year. Each thick ring represents a single year and is made up of a dark band (winter months) and a light band. Scientists can even determine how healthy a Mammoth was during different times of its life based on the size of the growth rings.
Megalodon Tooth
The Megalodon—literally ‘Mega-Tooth’ lived approximately 23 to 2.6 million years ago. Fossil remains suggest that these powerful apex predators reached up to 52ft in length. Much of the information we know derives from tooth fossils. Due to the durable nature of enamel, Megalodon teeth have survived to this day - some in very good condition.
GEMSTONES
Black Diamond
Formed 2.6 billion years ago –– Black Diamonds are believed to have arrived on Earth aboard a kilometre-wide asteroid. Found only in Brazil and Western Africa, the impact would have coincided with a time when these areas were joined together as part of a ‘Supercontinent’ which accounts for their current distribution. Of note, these extraterrestrial gems are the hardest of all Diamonds.
Diamonds
The name diamond is derived from the ancient Greek “adámas” meaning unalterable or unbreakable –– Diamond is the hardest known naturally occurring material, scoring 10 on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness. The world has long been fascinated with diamonds. It is thought that diamonds have been known and revered in India for 6,000 years. With the advent of trade routes, Indian diamonds made their way to Western Europe and were regarded as beautiful objects of desire. As per the Roman naturalist Pliny: “Diamond is the most valuable, not only of precious stones, but of all things in this world.”
METALS
Carbon Fiber
Ten times stronger than steel but yet five times lighter – Carbon Fiber is a true “Space-Age” Material. Each strand of Carbon Fiber is Five to Ten Microns in diameter. For comparison, a single strand of spiderweb is typically Three to Eight Microns.
Damascus Steel
Damascus blades were manufactured in the Near East from ingots of wootz steel that were imported from India from about 300 BC to 1700AD. Damascus steel is characterized by distinctive patterns of banding and mottling reminiscent of flowing water. The watered effect was achieved by forging a blade from steel containing very high proportions of carbon. “Damascus steel” was the name that the Crusaders gave to the steel that they had witnessed slicing through their own, lesser quality swords.
Gold
Likened to perfection throughout history –– Gold has been celebrated as a symbol of luxury, wealth, and power across all cultures since prehistoric times and its value has never wavered. Gold is the world’s only naturally-occurring yellow metal and is also indestructible. Being completely non-reactive, it will not rust, corrode, or tarnish. Recent studies suggest that Gold originated billions of years ago from collisions of ultra-dense 'Neutron Stars' in the far reaches of the universe. It arrived to Earth on asteroids that bombarded our planet's surface during its infancy.
Mokume Gane
The preserve of highly skilled craftsmen –– Mokume-Gane (or Wood Pattern Metal) is an ancient Japanese technique that bonds numerous layers of precious metals into a single piece that is then worked into beautiful patterns than often mimic wood grain. It was first used in the 1600s to make Samurai Swords wherein layers of mild steel and carbon steel were forged together to create blades of great strength and durability. Our Mokume-Gane is forged using heat and pressure. It is a precise technical process that requires a thorough knowledge of the different properties and melting temperatures of the materials used.
Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver is an alloy containing 92.5% of silver and 7.5% of copper. Silversmiths created this alloy to give pure silver extra strength and durability. This lustrous precious metal exhibits the highest conductivity, thermal and reflectivity of any metal. Intrinsically linked with status and wealth – The words “silver” and “money” are interchangeable in many languages including French where “argent” means both money and silver.
Titanium
The word "Titanium" is from Latin, titans, which means in mythology, the first son of earth. The only element that burns in nitrogen. It's as strong as steel, but 45% of it is lighter and 60% heavier than alumunium, but it's twice stronger.
Ever present in cutting edge technology and used extensively in Military Aircraft where it is known as the “Metal of Choice”.
OTHER RARITIES
Fighter Plane
Eurofighter Damascus is a non-stainless damascus steel with 320 layers. This composite is manufactured traditionally by hand in a composite welding process. It is forged from steel of the cannons mounted on Eurofighter planes as well as roller bearing steel or tool steel.
Fordite
Fordite is a man-made gemstone. It originated due to overspray in the vehicle painting bays which gradually accumulated over time forming colourful layers. Over a long period of time, myriad paint layers built up and hardened to make a visually spectacular agate ‘stone’ characterised by its layers of colours and psychedelic swirls. Each piece of Fordite contains a geological patterning of all the different colours of automobiles that were painted over that timeframe. The Fordite we use is steeped in Automotive heritage. It is sourced from many prestigious factories such as; Ford, Jeep, Kenworth, Caterpillar and from the Corvette line at the Chevrolet plant in Detroit. The name diamond is derived from the ancient Greek “adámas” meaning unalterable or unbreakable –– Diamond is the hardest known naturally occurring material, scoring 10 on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness.The world has long been fascinated with diamonds. It is thought that diamonds have been known and revered in India for 6,000 years. With the advent of trade routes, Indian diamonds made their way to Western Europe and were regarded as beautiful objects of desire. As per the Roman naturalist Pliny: “Diamond is the most valuable, not only of precious stones, but of all things in this world.”
Kryptonite
Kryptonite –– As the name suggests…There is something about this material that makes it special.This is a composite material with fine brass and bronze meshes inside. In daylight, the material is an opaque green/grey colour. As it stays in the light, the material builds up a strong green glow. The material can also be supercharged instantly by using a torch from a cellphone.
Leopard Tank
Leo-Damast® II is a non-stainless damascus steel with 320 layers. This composite is manufactured traditionally by hand in a composite welding process. It is forged from cannon barrel steel from the Leopard I tank as well as roller bearing steel.
Meteorite
Our Meteorite is sourced from the Gibeon Meteorite which fell to Namibia in prehistoric times. Radiometric dating places the age of crystallization of the Iron-Nickel metal in the Gibeon at 4 billion years. When cut, Meteorite exhibits a distinctive crystal structure (Widmanstätten patterns) formed as it cooled on the earth’s surface.Upon discovery, the local Nama people used the pieces of the Gibeon Meteorite to make spears and knives. Interestingly, in 2016 it was discovered that King Tutankhamun was buried with a Meteorite dagger. According to researchers, ancient Egyptians revered Meteorite –– considering it a ‘Message from the Gods'.
Moldavite
Prized for its vibrant colour, enigmatic origin, and interesting etched texture –– Moldavite is a forest green Vitreous Silica formed by the collision of a Meteorite on the Earth’s surface and the subsequent melting of surrounding rocks. The impact occurred in the Ries Crater in Southern Germany 14.7 million years ago. The green colour is most likely due to the iron content and possibly some olivine (peridot) from the original Meteorite. This rare material was first discovered in 1787 in Czechoslovakia (about 500 km from their occurrence) near the River Moldau, hence the name Moldavite. Labelled the ‘Most Powerful Crystal in the World’ –– Moldavite is purported to emit an energy that is very easy for most to connect with.
Tahitian Pearl
Considered to be one of the most valuable varieties of Pearl in the world –– Tahitian Pearl (or Black Pearl) is an organic gem formed from the Black-Lipped Oyster (Pinctada Margaritifera) which is native to the waters around Tahiti. The natural dark colour and incredibly colourful iridescent surface overtones of these Pearls is due to the natural dark coloured nacre of this Oyster.Synonymous as a symbol of nobility –– Emperors in ancient Asian cultures traditionally wore Black Pearls believing them to bestow divine powers. Similarly, native Polynesian tribes adorned themselves with these pearls believing them to harness the exquisite colours of the rainbow after a storm.
SEMI-PRECIOUS GEMSTONES
Carnelian
Carnelian is a form of Chalcedony and is sometimes known as Sard. Its rich red colour comes from iron in the quartz. The word ‘Carnelian’ comes from the Latin Carne, meaning ‘flesh’ due to the reddish-brown colour range it shows. This reddish colour becomes more intense when exposed to heat (even by the sun’s heat alone).In ancient Egypt, Carnelian was associated with the heart and the resurrection of mummies. As such, the stone was put into tombs to protect the dead during their journey to the afterlife. In modern times, it has been called the ‘Singers Stone’, as it promotes better confidence and self-expression. Formed 2.6 billion years ago –– Black Diamonds are believed to have arrived on Earth aboard a kilometre-wide asteroid. Found only in Brazil and Western Africa, the impact would have coincided with a time when these areas were joined together as part of a ‘Supercontinent’ which accounts for their current distribution. Of note, these extraterrestrial gems are the hardest of all Diamonds.
Hematite
Hematite is a gemstone form of Iron Oxide. Naturally, it has a dull iron lustre as evidenced by its use as a red chalk in early carve paintings or Pictographs. When polished, this dense gem exhibits a metallic gunmetal lustre with a refractive index even higher than Diamond. Interestingly, Hematite is one of the most abundant minerals in the rocks and soils on the surface of Mars. Its abundance gives the landscape a reddish brown colour making the planet appear red in the night sky. It is the origin of Mars' 'Red Planet' nickname.Known as the 'Stone of the mind' –– Hematite is said to improve the clarity of thought. The name diamond is derived from the ancient Greek “adámas” meaning unalterable or unbreakable –– Diamond is the hardest known naturally occurring material, scoring 10 on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness.The world has long been fascinated with diamonds. It is thought that diamonds have been known and revered in India for 6,000 years. With the advent of trade routes, Indian diamonds made their way to Western Europe and were regarded as beautiful objects of desire. As per the Roman naturalist Pliny: “Diamond is the most valuable, not only of precious stones, but of all things in this world.”
Jade
Produced by intense pressure and heat –– Jade is a metamorphic rock that has held a special attraction for mankind for almost 7,000 years. The Chinese associate Jade with clarity of mind and purity of spirit. They considered Jade to be the ‘Imperial Gem’ –– it was known as 'Yu'- the 'Royal Gem'. Elsewhere the ancient Maori tribes embraced Jade as a talisman and believed in its spiritual powers to evoke strength (Mana) and prosperity calling it “Pounamu'' or “God Stone”. They used it for making weapons, tools and jewellery.
Labradorite
Purported to enhance intuition and self-awareness –– Labradorite is a type of Feldspar mineral that is characterised by its shimmering displays known as ‘labradorescence’. When light is scattered or reflected by tiny inter-growths and suffers interference a sheen is born, which is known as Schiller. The result is gorgeous eye-catching displays of blue, yellow and green. First discovered along the Labrador peninsula in Canada –– ancient Inuit lore held that the shimmering displays came from beams of the Northern Lights that remained trapped in the rocks.
Lapis Lazuli
Lapis Lazuli is a royal blue metamorphic rock with white or gold flecks.First mined 6,500 years ago –– it has been valued for its intense vivid colour ever since. Long associated as a symbol of royalty –– the ancient Egyptians considered it a sacred and prized stone. Indeed the sarcophagus of King Tutankhamun was heavily decorated with Lapis stones.Later, powered Lapis was mixed with oil to form the pigment 'Ultramarine'. During the Renaissance, the pigment was more expensive than Gold and was often reserved only to paint the cloak of the Virgin Mary. Vincent Van Gogh also famously used Ultramarine to paint his masterpiece The Starry Night.
Onyx
Onyx is a chalcedony quartz that is characterised by its smooth, silky lustre. This opaque stone gemstone has featured in stone carving and jewellery since antiquity. Most notably, Ancient Greeks and Romans famously cut and carved Onyx to create magnificent cameos.An absorber of negative energy –– Onyx is said to be a protective stone that will bring inner strength, self-confidence and mental discipline to its wearer. Indeed, the ancient Roman soldiers even entered battle carrying amulets of Sardonyx engraved with Mars –– the God of War. This was believed to bestow courage in battle.
Tiger's Eye
Tiger’s Eye is a quartz gemstone forms when fibres of the mineral crocidolite are replaced by silica. Like the sheen seen in silk, light reflecting off the golden quartz fibres produces a unique Chatoyancy known as ‘Tiger’s-Eye’. Holding a special attraction since antiquity –– this stone was thought to give men courage, integrity, and power. Legend has it that Roman soldiers wore the gem into battle to help deflect weapons owing to its optical reflectance properties.
Turquoise
Considered a 'Lucky Stone’ –– Turquoise is one of the world’s most ancient gems. Highly regarded by ancient civilisations due to its majestic colour –– Turquoise buried in Egyptian tombs is among the world’s oldest jewellery (4000BC). On the other side of the world –– the Aztecs inlaid Turquoise into provocative mosaic objects such as masks, knives and shields. For Native Americans, Turquoise was seen as a ceremonial gem and was used in their jewellery and amulets. The Apaches believed that Turquoise attached to a bow increased a warrior’s accuracy. All Jack Grimes London Turquoise is sourced from mines in Arizona and New Mexico.