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The Origin and History of Sunstone There are many different stories of how Sunstone came to be and how it was used, most notably involving Greek Mythology, Egyptian Mythology, Nordic Mythology, AND Native American culture. Ancient Greeks thought the stone was a representation...

Blue Sponge Coral: The Caribbean Dream      Dakota Stones’ Natural Blue Sponge Coral is just one example of a natural bead that still showcases beauty and uniqueness! It is one of more than 9,000 different living species of sponges in the...

Tips for Turquoise Care     Special stones like turquoise are not meant to be hidden away. Not only are they naturally beautiful, they often hold great sentimental value as they are worn and carried with us through daily life....

Gemstone Focals & Cabochons At Dakota Stones, we love gemstone focals! Pendants and donuts can elevate a jewelry design and create contrast and dimension to an otherwise simple piece.   Druzy Agate Pendants are beautiful organically shaped pendants. No two will be exactly alike...

Turritella Agate Known for its snail fossils entombed within the agate, the stone is brown, translucent to semi-transparent, and found in the Green River formation in Wyoming. It is the most popular stone from that formation. The white snail fossils...

Vintage Gemstones, Statement Beads, & Scarcity   Introduction At our gemstone manufacturing company, we are constantly in pursuit of rare and unique gemstones that showcase the true beauty of Mother Nature. Recently, Jeff, our chief gemstone hunter, was able to...

Is Lapidary A Dying Art? Introduction In a world driven by mass-production, the hand-crafted art of lapidary continues to thrive. Lapidary, which stems from the Latin word "lapis" meaning stone, uncovers the inherent beauty hidden within geological finds. Using cutting, grinding, and...

Once upon a time long ago, when the days and nights were filled with battles between earthly men and the mythical gods they worshipped, a great Eskimo warrior of the Inuit people gazed upon the beautiful Aurora Borealis and coveted it for himself. This warrior took hold

Heishi vs. Rondelle Introduction Heishi beads and rondelle shaped beads have similar appearances when looked at side by side, but their histories couldn’t be more different! While both have a flat look to them, rondelles have a smoother cut and...