Semi-precious lepidolite and sterling silver Catholic pocket rosary. Complete sterling silver wirewrapped construction, chain, rosary set, and Miraculous Medal. The wire is non-tarnish Argentium sterling silver. The Our Father has sterling silver accents.

Item #: SSGS1R Lepidolite MM

Price: $35.00

A 15 Promises Heritage Rosary

Semi-precious lepidolite is frequently known as flower sugilite. Its color is violet to pale pink or white and rarely gray or yellow. Its luster is vitreous to pearly and crystals are transparent to translucent. It is 2.5 on the Mohs hardness scale. Associated minerals are quartz, feldspars, and tourmaline.

Lepidolite is an uncommon mica and has only become available on the mineral market in sufficient quantities in the past decade. Lepidolite forms in granitic masses containing lithium. The typical violet to pink color of lepidolite is characteristic and is the only field test available to identify lepidolite from other micas.

Notable occurrences include Brazil, the Ural Mountains in Russia, several African localities and California in the U.S. Lepidolite belongs to the silicates class in the mica group. Its uses include ornamental stone, ore of lithium, and as a heat insulator in industry. A rock made of granular pink lepidolite and red to pink tourmaline is used as an ornamental stone for carving. Single large plates or "books" of lepidolite can have an appealing violet color and make attractive mineral specimens.

Sterling silver wirewrapped carved coral Catholic pocket rosary with sterling silver Our Lady of Charity double sided medal. Beautiful openwork medal with this on the reverse: "...Sra de la Caridad de la Cobre Patrona De Cuba"

Item #SSGS1R OL Charity Coral

Price: $40.00

Organic gemstones were most certainly known and used by the ancients in design. Silver was used in the fabrication of sacred temple objects, as were bronze and gold. 

Coral beads and artifacts were discovered in the graves of pre-dynastic Egypt, dating back to as far as 4000 B.C. They are also found in the graves from Iron Age and Neolithic sepulchers from 10,000 B.C. All over the world, museums have collections of amulets and ornaments made of coral belonging to the period of 1000 B.C. Coral is calcified skeletons of sea creatures that grow in formations resembling the branches of a tree. The use of coral was so highly prevalent in the 13th century that the famous traveler and historian Marco Polo mentioned it. In Africa, coral was worshipped in the ancient days. It was considered the most valuable gift the ruler could bestow. Over a long period, people all over the world have and continue to delight in coral. The Renaissance and the Victorian periods used it in fine jewelry designs. Most coral used for jewelry comes from the Mediterranean Sea or from the Pacific Ocean near Japan and Taiwan.