Named after the red-orange Kornel cherry, carnelian was believed by the Romans to be a stone of courage--able to shore up confidence and strength. In ancient Egypt, the stone was placed on mummies to assist the dead in their journey to the afterlife.

A Brazilian legend boasts of the Amazon people giving ''green stones'' to the visitors of the region. Europeans were already familiar with green microcline (my-krO-kline) from Russia and assumed the blue-green rock given to them by the Indians of South America was the same stone. As it turns out, Amazonite is not found in the Amazon Basin and the legend was most likely referring to Nephrite (jade). It is believed that Amazonite was first called ''Amazon Stone,'' and was later changed to amazonite.

Revel in the deep brown, brick red and cream colors that swirl through brecciated jasper. Also known as poppy jasper, this gemstone is available in traditional and contemporary shapes, suitable for a variety of designs.

Blue dumortierite (pronounced do-more-te-rite), also called "blue denim stone," is actually an aluminum borate silicate. A versatile gemstone--great with jeans or with a suit. Colors vary from medium to dark blue.