Denise Wood uses the following precious
and semi-precious stones in her work:

Abalone Pearl – Sometimes called “the opal of the South-Sea,” these pearls are known for their rich blue, green and red hues. They take their name from the Abalone, a sea snail native to New Zealand. Only about one in several hundred of these creatures produces a pearl, and in many cases it does not have a pleasing shape, so a perfect Abalone pearl is extremely rare and valuable.

Agate – A fine-grained type of chalcedony (a family of microcystalline quartz), formed by the slow depositing of silica into the cavities of older rocks. It is found in a wide variety of colors, including black, gray, brown, green, pink, blue, and yellow. Agate is a porous stone that readily accepts the dyes used to enhance its natural beauty.

Akoya Pearl – Akoya pearls are known for their deep luster and white color with rose overtone. They are usually nearly free from blemishes, and are consistent in shape, color and size. Among the first pearls to be cultured early in the 1920s, Akoya pearls are produced by Akoya oysters, the most common of the pearl oyster species. Akoya oysters are found mostly in Japan, but also in North and South America, Africa, the Mediterranean and throughout the Indo-Pacific.

Amethyst – A type of quartz containing manganese and iron. Colors range from pale lilac to deep purple depending on the iron content. Amethyst is believed to be a physical and mental healer, and is said to aid in creativity, spirituality and intuition. It is also the birthstone for the month of February.

Andalusite – A pleiochroic gem (meaning that it has different colors when viewed from different angles) whose shades of brown, green and reddish brown can be enhanced by specific orientation and cut. Andalusite is a relatively hard stone, well suited to use in jewelry. It was first discovered in Andalucia, Spain, after which it is named. Today Brazil is the chief producer, but Sri Lanka, Russia and the United States also have deposits.

Apatite – A relatively common mineral available in a wide and range of attractive colors: pink, yellow, green, blue, violet and colorless (white). Clear, gem quality crystals, are rare and usually small. It is a softer stone, not well suited to rings, but an excellent choice for earrings. Known to promote communication and mental clarity.

Aquamarine – A member of the beryl family, aquamarine takes its name from two Latin words that mean “water” and “sea.” Natural color is a pale greenish-blue, but heat-treating can turn the stones a deeper blue. Most gem quality aquamarine comes from Brazil, where it is becoming scarce and more costly. Wearing this stone is said to bring hope,banish fear, protect against poison, cure laziness and promote clear headedness. Aquamarine is also the birthstone for March.

Blue Topaz – Topaz occurs naturally in shades of blue, orange, brown, green, pink, beige and red. Colorless topaz can be treated with irridation to produce a wide range of blue shades. Most topaz is found in Brazil, Nigeria and Sri Lanka.One of the most widely used gemstones, blue topaz is one of the accepted birthstones for the month of December, the Texas state gemstone and the anniversary stone for the fourth year of marriage. It is also said to be the gemstone with the widest range of curative powers.

Briolette – A pear-shaped gemstone cut with triangular facets on top. Also known as a “drop cut.”

Cabochon – A stone cut into a convex shape, then polished but not faceted. Cabochon is one of the oldest and simplest cuts. It is often used on opaque and translucent stones, such as opal or chalcedony.

Carnelian – A red/reddish brown variety of chalcedony (a type of quartz), with the best specimens being found in India. Its stunning red color comes from the presence of iron. Once very popular in ancient Egypt, it is now sometimes worn for good luck in the Near East. As red is symbolic for blood or life force, carnelian is worn to bring joy and enhance sexuality.

Chalcedony – Also referred to as “agate,” chalcedony is a semi-translucent silicate (quartz) rock with a wax-like luster. It is available in a wide range of colors including red (carnelian) and greyish-blue. When hung about the neck it is said to defend against enemies and help keep the body healthy and vigorous.

Chrysoprase – This member of the chalcedony family is often referred to as “Australian Imperial Jade” because of its vibrant green color. In the 1800s it was used by thieves who thought it made them invisible. In modern times, it is worn to encourage fidelity and even cure a broken heart. Chrysoprase is an alternate birthstone for the month of May.

Citrine – A rare type of quartz, a semi-precious stone that ranges in color from pale yellow to orange to golden brown. The word “citrine” comes from the French word for “lemon.” The best quality citrine is found in Brazil. Wearing citrine promotes self esteem. Citrine is also the birthstone for the month of November.

Coin Pearl – A cultured freshwater pearl that is formed in the shape of a flat disc. Sometimes referred to as an “M&M” pearl.

Cultured Pearl – Pearls produced by artificially introducing a foreign object in many cases, a mother-of-pearl bead carved from a mussel shell) into the fleshy part of the oyster. The oyster forms a secretion around the object as a form of protection against the irritant and over time many iridescent layers of “nacre” are formed. Cultured pearls come in many different shapes and colors. Pearl is the birthstone for the month of June.

Diamond – Formed from carbon, diamond is one of the hardest and most brilliant substances known to man. The diamond has always been associated with love, fidelity, and faithfulness, and early Christians regarded it as a deterrent for physical and moral evils. Diamond is the birthstone for the month of April.

Druse – The term “druse” refers to the thin layer of small crystals that forms on the surface (usually in a cavity) of a rock or mineral when ground water carrying dissolved silica is forced into a porous area in the rock. The water may cool too quickly, causing the druse layer to form. In many cases, the rock will need to be broken open to reveal the druse (think of the lining of a geode). The most common type of druse is quartz (agate or chalcedony), but many other types exist. The druse receives its sparkling color from the minerals in the material it forms on. For example, cobalto-calcite (bright pink) chrysocolla (bright blue), rhodochrosite (red), psilomelane (black), and blue lace agate (delicate blue). Agate can also be dyed virtually any color of the rainbow, but the result lacks the natural variations found in natural stones.

Fluorite – The natural crystalline form of calcium fluoride. When pure, fluorite is virtually colorless; however, it usually contains impurities that color it. The most common colors are violet, blue, green, yellow, brown, pink, and blue-black; and a single crystal may have bands of several colors.

Freshwater Pearl – Irregularly shaped pearls from freshwater shellfish such as mussels and clams, produced in various countries around the world, including Japan, China, and America. They can be found in a variety of colors, often dyed. Commonly referred to as “Biwa” pearls.

Garnet – A group of semi-precious silicate stones that range in color from red to green. Garnets actually occur in all colors, except blue. Garnet is believed to balance hormones, alleviate mental depression, aid circulation, enhance self-esteem, prevent bad dreams, and encourage success in business. Red garnet is the birthstone for January.

Granulation – A special solderless technique for adhering gold beads to a surface.

Iolite – A deep blue stone, whose name comes from the Greek word meaning “violet.” In ancient times the Vikings used iolite to aid in navigation – a slab of iolite would be gazed upon to aid direction, because iolite can bear a different hue when viewed at different angles, helping the mariner differentiate north from south. Not surprisingly, iolite was believed to ensure safe journeys.

Keshi Pearl – Seedless pearls created as a by-product of the culture of Akoya and South Sea pearls. The term “keshi” means “poppy seed” in Japanese and refers to the small size of these pearls. Keshis are unique because they are made of solid nacre and usually have a bright white/silvery-grey luster, and only one in every thirty harvested is of high enough quality to be used in jewelry. It can take three or more years to form a Keshi pearl, so availability is sometimes limited.

Labradorite – A translucent greyish mineral that shows brilliant flashes of color (called labradorescence) – usually green, blue or red – after it is polished. These flashes of color have been compared to the wings of tropical butterflies. The darker variety of labradorite, which is called “black moonstone,” has bluish inclusions. Labradorite shields the aura, protecting the mind and body from foreign influences, especially during growth phases and intense transitions.

Mother of Pearl – The iridescent substance that forms the lining of the shells of some fresh- and salt-water mollusks. Also referred to as “nacre.” Chief sources are the pearl oyster, found in warm and tropical seas, mainly in Asia; freshwater pearl mussels, which live in many rivers of the United States, Europe, and Asia; and the abalone of California, Japan, and other Pacific regions.

Onyx – A banded variety of chalcedony. The colors of its bands are white and black. Some onyx is natural, but much is produced by the staining of agate. Traditionally, onyx was worn to cool the ardors of love. Onyx is a strength-giving stone, useful for athletes or for people under emotional stress. Its ability to balance and strengthen the mind and body make it an excellent choice for those who are flighty by nature.

Opal – A luminous and iridescent species of quartz, frequently with inclusions of many colors. Many opals have a high water content and they can dry out and crack if not properly cared for (they should be stored in damp cotton wool). Opals are found in many places worldwide, but Australia is said to have the most beautiful variety of colors. Opal was once believed to bring wealth and beauty and enable the wearer to become invisible. Opal is the birthstone of October.

Pavé – A method of setting small stones very closely together, creating the illusion of one or more larger stones.

Peridot – A bright golden green stone, but it can vary to deeper green or greenish-yellow. It is found mainly in Burma, Sri Lanka, the United States and Norway. Peridot is the birthstone for the month of August.

Prehnite – A pale green to a yellowish grass green translucent stone with a waxy luster.

Rubellite – An exceptionally beautiful gemstone from the tourmaline family. Its colors range from the pink to ruby-red. What differentiates rubellite from other pink and red tourmalines is its reaction to light: rubellite never changes colour: it shines as brilliantly and clearly in daylight as in artificial light. Most other pink and red tourmalines show a brownish hue in artificial light.

Spinel – A hard, glassy mineral occurring in many various attractive colors: red, rose, orange, brown, pink, yellow, blue, violet, purple, mauve, green, and black. Completely colorless (white) spinel is rare. Some years ago, synthetic white spinel was used in costume jewelry as a diamond substitute. Although natural spinel is quite hard, the synthetic spinels were not very hard, so spinel developed an undeserved reputation as a low-quality stone.

Sunstone – A translucent variety of feldspar. Color is a rich golden or reddish brown stone with sparkling bits of mica or other minerals.

Tahitian Pearl – Also referred to as “black” pearls. They are grown (cultured) in the waters of French Polynesia, and are among the most sought-after pearls in the world. Tahitian pearls are found in a wide range of natural colors, from creamy white, light gray, and dark gray, to incredible greens, blues, yellows, and purples. Tahitian pearls usually range in size from 7mm to 14mm, with an average size of 9mm. Tahitian pearls come in a variety of shapes, listed here in order of desirability: Round, semi-round, semi-baroque, baroque and circle, and quality is graded depending on the luster and surface purity of the pearl.
 
Tanzanite – A blue, lilac blue, or deep violet blue stone similar to sapphire. It is often heat-treated to produce a deeper blue-violet color. It was discovered in Tanzania, Africa, in 1967, then introduced into jewelry in 1969 by Tiffany & Co. of New York. As the stone is found in only one location in the entire world, it is especially valuable. Wearing tanzanite communicates self-confidence and individuality.

Tourmaline – Exists in more colors than any other gemstone. It is generally thought of as deep green, but can be almost any color, with some some stones displaying two or more colors within the same crystal (watermelon tourmaline is both pink and green).
Tourmaline is mined in Brazil, The Ural mountains in Russia, Namibia, Sri Lanka, and California. It is said to promote vitality and excitement and alleviate fear.

Turquoise – A natural stone that occurs in shades ranging from sky-blue to grey-green, usually in areas where copper concentration in the soil is high. Only the best quality stones show the true bright “turquoise blue” color. It is often veined, spotted or “spider-webbed” with brown, light grey or even black. The most notable occurrences are in the United States, Mexico, Israel, Iran, Afghanistan and China. Many cultures appreciate turquoise as a holy stone, a good luck charm or a talisman. The color of a turquoise will make the wearer feel happy and relaxed, as it combines the blue of the sky with the green of the ocean.

Zircon – Not to be confused with cubic zirconia, zircon occurs in many colors: White, yellow, orange, pink, blue, green and red. It can also be heat treated to vibrant blue and golden colors. Zircon is a brilliant stone that when properly cut can rival a diamond. Zircon is a stone of luck and is said to protect against dangers while traveling. It promotes sound sleep, and attracts happiness and strength. Zircon is also an accepted birthstone for the month of December.