 |
|
|
|
|
|
Brushy Basin Glossary Terms End of Topic ! (Close)
AGATE/AGATIZED:
Properties in general: Physical Properties- a variety of chalcedony formed from layers of
quartz in a wide variety of colors and textures. Agate is a hard gemstone, usually
within the range of 7-9 on the MOHS scale and is formed by filling a cavity in host rock. As a result, this gemstone sometime is found in fossils such as dinosaur bone, petrified wood, coprolite and are popular gemstones used in jewelry. Agate was highly valued as a talisman or
amulet in ancient times. Metaphysical Properties- according to color of stone, tones and strengthens mind and the body's connection to the earth. -Agate enhances healing of all kinds. It also increases energy.
Agate is particularly helpful with tooth and gum issues, stomach problems, physical endurance, insomnia and protects from fevers. ALGAE: grew in shallow waters along the shore of ancient lakes during the Cambrian period some 570 million years ago. This algae began growth on the bottom and then floated to the surface, buoyed by the oxygen that it produced. As the algae mixed with the calcium in the water, it sank to the bottom and great reefs were built up. Over the years the earth's surface rose and fell and the reefs were covered with several hundred feet of sand, silt and clay. In the eons that followed the algae was dissolved out and replaced a cell at a time by silica laden waters that seeped down through the soils. Through earth sifting and erosion, these algae beds would eventually become exposed and weather out. (Back) (Close) ALLOSAURUS: was by far the most dominant theropod predator of North America n during the late Jurassic period. Its remains are so abundant in Utah that this fierce dinosaur predator has been designated the official Utah state fossil. Swarms of these theropods pursued prey animals across the Morrison basin for millions of years during the late Jurassic. Allosaurus was the largest common theropod, some reaching 43 feet in length. Standing 8-9 feet tall at the hips, they weighed in at least 2 tons! The skull was approx. 3 feet long and was lightly constructed with numerous openings and hollow cavities. The many dagger-like teeth were positioned far forward in the jaw. The neck of Allosaurus seems to have been very powerful and quite flexible with a natural upward S-shaped curve. The vertebrae of the backbone had tall neural spines and horizontal transverse processes that suggest strong ligaments and powerful muscles. The caudal vertebrae had shorter neural spines indicating a more circular tail. This tail helped counterbalance the body and facilitate changes in direction. The hind limbs of Allosaurus were massive. The feet had 5 toes, but only 3 of these supported any weight. The overall structure of the hind limbs, pelvis, and back would clearly enable this dinosaur to run efficiently. The forelimbs were small compared to the hind limbs. Each hand had 3 fingers with very sharp curving claws. With sharper teeth and a more graceful build, Allosaurus rivals Tyrannosaurus-rex as the supreme meat-eater of the Mesozoic. .(Back) (Close) AMETHYST: Physical Properties- the purple variety of quartz. Although it must always be purple to be amethyst, it can and does have a wide range of purple shades including purple, lilac and mauve. Ideally, it is a deep medium purple with rose-colored flashes that give amethyst its beauty and fire. Metaphysical Properties- calms the emotions, creates clarity of thought. Reduces anger, impatience, nightmares. -Has been used as an healing aid for headaches, eyes, circulatory system. Especially aids sobriety, has long been called the "sobriety stone." .(Back) (Close) AMMONITE : Physical Properties- an extinct fossilized animal similar in structure to the snail. These sea faring squids built a chambered shell in which they would pump air into the empty chambers and float at different levels of the ocean in search of food. Ammonites lived approximately 400 million years ago. Metaphysical Properties- a protective stone giving stability and structure to one's life. Helps change negativity into a smooth flowing energy. -Also, beneficial in calming nerves and muscle relaxant. .(Back) (Close) APATOSAURUS: a relative of Diplodocus, is one of the most familiar sauropods to many people because of the popularization of the old name "Brontosaurus". This dinosaur approached 75 feet in length and weighed in at 35 to 45 tons. This sauropod had forelimbs that were a little shorter than the hind limbs giving it a slight forward tilt. The long neck had 15 vertebrae and the tail had up to 80 vertebrae. The skull of the Apatosaurus was elongated with tiny peg-like teeth. Even though the evidence for sauropods being fully terrestrial, the placement of the nostrils on top of the head presents an intriguing puzzle. This dinosaur lived 150 million years ago during the late Jurassic period . .(Back) (Close) ARAGONITE: Physical Properties- translucent purple-pink-brown hexagonal or white needle crystals. Widespread mineral, the stable form of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) at high pressures. It may be distinguished from calcite, the commoner form of calcium carbonate, by its greater hardness and specific gravity. Metaphysical Properties- it also boosts self-confidence and feelings of self-worth. Diminishes anger and relieves stress. -Aragonite can be beneficial for chronic fatigue, hair loss. .(Back) (Close) BAROSAURUS: is the largest of the 3 most common Morrison diplodocids , though it was less abundant. It was about 80 feet long and stood more than 14 feet at the hips. This dinosaur also had somewhat of a slender build. The most distinctive feature of Barosaurus was its extremely long neck, which comprised almost half of it's length. The tail probably tapered to the whiplash tip typical of other diplodocids, A natural impression of this dinosaur's skin was found in eastern Utah and reveals skin that was knobby with many folds. This was a highly successful sauropod during the late Jurassic period. It had an enormous range from North America to Africa. .(Back) (Close) BLACK RIDGE: is located a few miles south of Moab. It is an area with lots of old worked out mines, some of them once being big producers of uranium. It was named Black Ridge because of the dark cedar and juniper trees that gave it a black, sinister look from a distance. It is about 3 miles long with an elevation of approximately 6000 feet. The top part of the ridge is the Cedar Mountain formation with the Brushy Basin formation just under it. .(Back) (Close) BONE CAST: Similar to a limb cast. After a bone was buried, it slowly rotted away, leaving a perfect mold of the bone. As the mold filled with ground water, minerals were deposited and left behind forming agate and creating a cast of the bone. (Back) (Close) BRACHIOSAURUS: was one of the most immense land dinosaurs that ever lived on the earth. These gigantic sauropods had relatively long skulls with large bulging nostrils placed high on the face. Lining the entire margin of the jaw were chisel-like teeth. The 13 cervical vertebrae were highly elongated, giving the Brachiosaurus the longest neck of any dinosaur. The tail, in contrast to the neck, was short and strongly tapered. The front limbs were significantly longer than the hind legs. The limb structure, coupled with the animals extremely long neck, gave the Brachiosaurus the appearance of an overgrown giraffe. This dinosaur also lived during the late Jurassic period . .(Back) (Close) BROWN'S HOLE: is located southwest of Moab and is a large basin area covering several square miles. Once very active with uranium mining, now it's mostly private land with a few homes. In 1882 an old prospector by the name of Doby Brown settled there. He lived there for a short time and then moved on. The area was then named for him. .(Back) (Close) BRUSHY BASIN: 'Brushy Basin' is a member of the Morrison Jurassic formation in the Northern San Rafael swell area of Utah. Localities are known from northeast of Moab, west to the green River, south to the Dolores River, and even farther southwest to areas around the Henry Mountains. Its geology consists of multicolored mudstone, thin brown limestone and brown discontinuous sandstone. This area has most of the dinosaur bones found in the Morrison formation and the only known source of the very rare YellowCat RedWood. .(Back) (Close) BURRO SEEPS: is a small drainage out in the Klondyke Bluffs area of Little Valley, just a few miles North of Moab. A formation in the LaSal Mountains of southeastern Utah, i t has been a favorite area for rock hunters for many years. Back in the 60's this used to be a popular spot for the movie makers of California. There's still an old movie set out in the flats. .(Back) (Close) CABOCHON : 'Cabochons' or cabs for short, is a precious or semiprecious gemstone of convex or oval form. The Cabochon cut, is a method of cutting gem-quality stones with a convex, rounded surface that is polished but unfaceted. The back of a normal cabochon-cut stone is flat, but it may be hollowed to lighten the color. Some cabs are laminated. This is a painstaking process in which several different stones are cut into slabs, then gluing the slabs together to create a cab of different stones. Some cabs are calibrated, meaning they are cut to a specific size and shape so they may fit certain settings. Other cabs are done freeform in which the lapidary artist selects the size and shape. .(Back) (Close) CALCITE: Properties in general- Physical Properties- the most common form of natural calcium carbonate (CaCo3), a widely distributed mineral known for the beautiful development and great variety of its crystals. Metaphysical Properties- all calcite's are useful in lessening fear and reducing stress. It also increases creativity, imagination, and prosperity. Calcite is also a stone of spirituality, wisdom and reconciliation. -Calcite's can aid in the healing of back pain, increase physical strength, heal teeth, and are generally good for all physical healing. .(Back) (Close) CAMARASAURUS: was a medium-sized sauropod, about 50 feet long and stood some 12 feet high at the hips. A mature adult weighed in at 25 to 30 tons. Camarasaurus remains are mostly found in the Morrison formation of Utah. The skull of Camarasaurus is fairly short and massive with large spoon-like teeth. The neck is rather short and thick compared to the Diplodocus. The tail is also short and relatively blunt. The forelimbs are longer than the hind limbs reflecting a nearly leveling of the back. The hind foot of Camarasaurus had 5 widely spayed toes, with the innermost having a large curved claw. The robust teeth were adapted to feed on very coarse vegetation. At least 3 species of Camarasaurus populated the Morrison plains of the late Jurassic..(Back) (Close) CAMPTOSAURUS : is a most common and abundant sauropod dinosaur of the Morrison formation. Most are 15 to 18 feet in length and weigh approximately. 2000 pounds. He has a beak-like snout and chewed his food with small leaf-shaped teeth. He had powerful hind legs with 4 large toes. It is believed that he spent most of his time feeding in heavy foliage. (Back) (Close)
CARNELIAN: : Properties in general: Physical Properties- a reddish brown agate class of chalcedony quartz. Also called carnelian, a translucent, semiprecious variety of the silica mineral
chalcedony. It is also the national gemstone for Norway and Sweden. Metaphysical
Properties-
helps with confidence, boldness, initiative, dramatic abilities, assertiveness, out going. creativity, individuality and courage. Brings good luck, eases or removes sorrow. It is sometimes called the "actor's stone". -Helps relieve rheumatism, arthritis, gall/kidney stones, allergies.
CELLULAR STRUCTURE: The cells of the original bone are replaced cell by cell with mineral laden silica, leaving the cellular structure and perhaps even some DNA cells intact. These cells look like small "blotches " of various colors surrounded by matrix, which is the bone itself. The matrix is usually a different color than the cells. The vivid colors are determined by the minerals present during permineralization. The most prevalent mineral is iron, and that may color the cell structure black, red, pink, or maybe orange. When good gemstone quality dinosaur bone is polished, it brings out the details and colors of the cell structure, and becomes an excellent gemstone. .(Back) (Close) CERATOSAURUS : is not one of the common dinosaurs of the Morrison formation. An adult would reach the length of 20 feet and would have weigh over 1 ton. The skull was large, light, and narrow with about 60 teeth in the upper and lower jaws. He also had prominent horns on the nose and over the eyes. The hind limbs were long, massive, and probably heavily clad in muscle, making it well designed for speed. (Back) (Close) CHALCEDONY: Physical Properties- sacred stone of Native Americans. Member of the quartz family, a compact fibrous structure, a fine splintery fracture, and a great variety of colors-usually bluish-white, gray, yellow, or brown. Other physical properties are those of quartz. Metaphysical Properties- promotes stability, balances energy of body, mind and spirit. Encourages generosity, responsiveness and receptivity. Also, helpful with dementia, senility and mental stability.(Back) (Close) CHINLE FORMATION: existed in the later stages of the Triassic Period approximately 220 million years ago. It consists of coarse sandstone and conglomerate beds between light colored shale. Colorful petrified wood and dinosaur bone are found in this formation. .(Back) (Close) COELUROSAURS:
The Coelurosaurs were a group of small, agile carnivores that evolved in the late Triassic Period
, and persisted through the late Cretaceous. These dinosaurs were rather like miniature, streamlined, tyrannosaurs. They ranged in size
from 2 to 18 feet, and have been called the jackals and hyenas of their time..(Back)
(Close)
CONIFER/FIR: Any member of the division Coniferophyta, living and fossil gymnospermous plants that usually have needle-shaped, evergreen leaves and seeds attached to the scales of a woody cone. These dominated the Mesozoic, and provided the bulk of the food for plant eating dinosaurs. They are still abundant today with names like cedar, cypress, and pine. .(Back) (Close) CONCRETION: Nodules: Mineral mass formed within another type of rock, often very different in appearance and composition. Silica and minerals dissolved in moving groundwater may partially fill hollow spheroids and fossil molds and precipitate crystals to form geodes, or it may cement loose sand grains together to form colorful concretions and nodules. .(Back) (Close) COPROLITE: Physical Properties- 'Coprolites' are the fossilization of the excrement of organisms and are the most rare of all dinosaur fossils. They belong to a group known as trace fossils which includes dinosaur tracks, regurgitalites (fossilized vomit), and cololites (coprolite trapped in the lower digestive tract). Metaphysical Properties- aids memory. Enhances intelligence, mental stability. Is also used for past life regressions because of its inherent link with the past. Increases energy. Particularly useful in calming fears. Calms anxiety and basic fears about survival. -Strong physical healer and energy energizer. .(Back) (Close) COPROLITE GEMSTONE: Probably one of the most unusual gemstone is 'Coprolite'. Who, in his right mind would say that dinosaur dung could actually become a gemstone? And yet, that is exactly what coprolite is-- the agatized nodules of dinosaur excrement. The Morrison formation in Utah (laid down about 140 million years ago during the last of the Jurassic period) is a great location to find these nodules. Those found here are usually about 2 to 4 inches in diameter and about 8 inches long. On the outside they are rather nondescript brown rocks, but check their cross section and you find red, yellow and even blue agate. Metaphysical Properties- agate was highly valued as a talisman or amulet in ancient times. It was said to quench thirst and protect from fevers. Persian magicians used agate to divert storms. Coprolite aids memory. Enhances intelligence, mental stability. Is also used for past life regressions because of its inherent link with the past. Increases energy. Particularly useful in calming fears. Calms anxiety and basic fears about survival. -Strong physical healer and energy energizer. .(Back) (Close) CORAL:
Physical Properties- any of a variety of invertebrate marine organisms of the class Anthozoa (phylum Cnidaria) that are characterized by skeletons-external or internal-of a stone-like consistency. The term coral is also
applied to the skeletons of these animals. Metaphysical Properties- energizes emotions, strength, stability and long life. -Good for helping circulation, bones, harmony, fertility.
.(Back)
(Close)
CROP CIRCLES : are flattened, swirled areas of plants, which have the farmers and local landowners mystified as to their causation. Most are found in fields of commercially grown cereal plants such as wheat, barley or oats; these flattened areas of the crop are often interspersed with areas of standing, apparently unaffected plants, the overall effect often being recognizable geometric patterns of considerable intricacy and dramatic effect. .(Back) (Close) DEER NECK MESA: A large mesa south of Moab in the shape of a deer head and neck. Located just north of the Big Indian mining district which is rich in uranium, copper, and rattlesnakes. .(Back) (Close) DINOSAUR BONE GEMSTONE: Dinosaur bone has long been used for ornamentation. When polished it shows many colors as well as cell structure. Dinosaur bone , as a gem is describe as "jasperized" or "agatized" and are popular gemstones used in jewelry. Of all the fossilized dinosaur bone, only about 2% is the very rare jasperized! Most agatized varieties are more common and therefore less expensive. Moss agate dinosaur bone is the exception. Moss agate dinosaur bone is found in very few locations making it rare and more expensive and very desirable for fine jewelry. The most important criterion for determining the price of 'jasper' and 'moss agate' dinosaur bone gemstones depends on their cell structure, color and rarity. In order to bring out the best in color and texture of our fine jasperized and agatized dinosaur bone gemstones, the stones are cut and polished to round or oval cabochons, or any other softly domed shape, depending on the raw material. Only the jasperized and agatized dinosaur bone gemstones that combines the best possible characteristics and are the most beautiful, which come together in a attractive combinations, are used in the construction of our finest 'Custom Made' jewelry. In the creation of our jasperized and agatized dinosaur bone cabochons we will first carefully remove any impurities using a diamond cutting wheel, before working out the rough basic shape. Next comes the fine cutting, the finishing with sandpaper and then the final polishing with a wet leather wheel. Metaphysical Properties- dinosaur bone increases mental and physical energy. It is particularly useful in solving depression and calming fears and to help its wearer find the true and real love. Calms anxiety and basic fears about survival. Can also be used for past life regressions because of its inherent link with the past. -Is thought to be helpful with the physical healing of paralysis, helps with hearing. Aids memory and physical energy. .(Back) (Close) DIPLODOCUS:
was a large but relatively slender and lightly constructed
sauropod. Full grown adults may have attained a length of 70 to 85 feet, but only weighed between 13 and 17 tons. Like other Diplodocus, the
skull was narrow and long, with pencil like teeth projecting forward from the front of the mouth. The shoulders were lower than the hips which stood about 13 feet high. The extremely long neck provided easy access to the low plant
life of the Morrison basin. All they had to do was stand in one spot and swing their head from side to side. These creatures lived approximately 150 million years ago. DNA: Amber may turn out not to be the only potential source of dinosaur DNA. Scientists at Brigham Young University, in Provo, Utah, has reported finding DNA in cells of fossilized bones recovered from an underground coal mine. After two years of painstaking analysis and hundreds of unsuccessful attempts, a scientist at Brigham Young University has extracted the genetic material DNA from what he thinks are bone fragments of 80-million-year-old dinosaurs. The surprise was that the recovered DNA bore little or no resemblance to that of any modern animals. The bone fragments, possibly from a limb bone and a rib of a large animal, were found in a coal mine in eastern Utah. They were embedded in rock that is associated with dinosaur fossils when found in other Utah areas. It is likely that the bone fragments belong to a Cretaceous period dinosaur or dinosaurs. .(Back) (Close) DRYOSAURUS : was a relatively small dinosaur, ranging in length from 6 to 10 feet and would have weighed about 200 pounds. It had a small and delicate skull with small leaf -shearing teeth. It was a speedy little dinosaur with long well-muscled hind limbs. The hind feet had only 3 toes. (Back) (Close) FLINT: Metaphysical Properties- flint is believed to help improve thought transference, dispel negativity. -Particularly helpful with kidney, liver and skin disorders. (Back) (Close) FOSSIL : Physical Properties- 'fossils ' are usually heavier than the original item since they are formed entirely of minerals (they're essentially stone that has replaced the original structure). Most fossils are made of ordinary rock material, but some are from more exotic gemstone materials such as agate, opal and jasper. Metaphysical Properties- due to the strong life-force that is preserved inside fossils, holding fossils and meditating can be very uplifting when this stored energy is tapped. They also provide a natural link for those wishing to develop conscious bonding with the animal kingdom. -Improves vitality and strength, strengthens physical endurance. .(Back) (Close) GASTROLITH: Physical Properties- gastroliths are in a nutshell "gizzard stones". These stones which are found in the gizzard of the organism help to grind food to pieces as the stomach muscle (gizzard) squeezes to and fro. Gastroliths or " stomach stones" are often found in the remains of sauropods indicating that these gigantic beasts swallowed the stones to help digest the foods that they ate. Appearance-wise, they have rounded edges and smooth polished surfaces, but they can only be called gastroliths when they are found in presence of reptilian remains. Metaphysical Properties- see; dinosaur bone .(Back) (Close) GEMFOSSIL GEMSTONE: Physical Properties- dinosaur bone, coprolite, petrified wood that has been fossilized in a hard jasper, agate, quartz or our very rare YellowCat Redwood are recognized as 'gemstones ' or 'gemfossils '. This very hard fossil material can be highly polished and is desirable for making cabochons for fine jewelry settings. The 'jasperized' fossil gemstones are most sought after. However, 'agatized' specimens are also considered 'semiprecious stones ', although the jasperized fossils are regarded as the elite and are very rare. Metaphysical Properties- it is believed there is a strong life-force that is preserved inside fossils. It is also believed that various gemstone materials hold certain energies to facilitate physical and spiritual healing. So we included the metaphysical properties of our gemfossils so that you can check out these specific energies. Gemfossil, it is claimed, can also provide a natural link for those wishing to develop conscious bonding with the animal kingdom. .(Back) (Close) GEMSTONE: Physical Properties- 'gemstones' may be formed in single or multiple discrete crystals (such as diamond), in massive collections of microscopic crystals (cryptocrystalline ) such as jasper, agate, quartz, chalcedony, or in amorphous (non-crystalline) masses such as opal. There are several classes of crystal structure based on symmetry of the resulting crystals and in addition, there are some organic materials (such as dinosaur bone, petrified wood, coprolite) that have been used traditionally as 'gemstone' or 'gemfossil' material. Metaphysical Properties- throughout history, gemstones have been considered sacred objects. Many ancient texts, including the Bible, make reference to gemstones being used in honoring Gods. There is much folklore associated with gemstones and it was believed that stones held certain energy to facilitate physical and spiritual healing. So we included the metaphysical properties of our gemstones so that you can check out the energies of specific gemstones. .(Back) (Close) GREEN RIVER: probably got its name from heavy concentration of algae in certain areas, especially during summer months. It originates in Wyoming and flows south through the eastern half of Utah before emptying into the Colorado River just southwest of Moab. The Green River has carved out many canyons and eroded thousands of square miles exposing many great "rock hunting" areas. .(Back) (Close) JADE: Properties in general: Physical Properties- jade is the term applied to forms of jadeite and nephrite. These minerals are similar in appearance, but today it is jadeite that is considered the true jade and commands prices much higher than nephrite. Jadeite is a much more vivid green with finer translucency than nephrite. Metaphysical Properties- the Chinese believe jade assists in obtaining health, wealth, longevity, courage, wisdom and justice. -Promotes healthy heart, immune system and blood. .(Back) (Close) JASPER/JASPERIZED: Properties in general: Physical Properties- jasper gemstones come in red, brown, green, gray-blue, and yellow and a variety of other colors depending their mineral composition. Jasper is found in France, Germany, India, Russia, Venezuela and USA (Arizona, California, Utah and Wyoming). Jasper is an ornamental gemstone composed mostly of chalcedony , microcrystalline quartz, in association with other minerals, which give it color. Jasper was a favorite gem in the ancient world, and the name jasper can be traced back in Hebrew, Assyrian, Persian, Greek, and Latin. "Jasperized" Dinosaur bone, make rare gemstones used in some of our Brushy Basin jewelry. Of all the fossilized dinosaur bone, only about 2% are the very rare jasperized! The "agatized" variety is more common and therefore less expensive. Metaphysical Properties- a stone of gentleness and relaxation. It brings tranquility, comforting, wholeness. Jasper was thought to drive away evil spirits and protect against snake and spider bites and that is why it is sometimes called the nurturing stone, because of its nurturing and protective energies. -In the physical realm, jasper is used for the liver, gallbladder, soothing the stomach. (Back) (Close) JURASSIC PERIOD: In the Jurassic period (135-190 million years ago) the climate was tropical and wet. Unlike the Triassic Period , the land was flat and pitted with stagnant swamps, marshes and lakes. Around these foul smelling bogs, oozing with fetid and decayed vegetable matter, grew tangles of luscious tree-sized ferns, palms, giant fig trees, luxuriant willows and primitive poplars. Giant dinosaurs waded and splashed in the shallow water of sluggish, lazy rivers, meandering under the vegetation while swarms of huge insects buzzed in the humid atmosphere. Plants and animals woke one day to find their environment changed. They sadly discovered they had developed so far in one direction that it was impossible to cope with their new environmental conditions. This left them stranded with but one choice: to die and become extinct. .(Back) (Close) KOKOPELLI : is a prehistoric deity depicted in mysterious rock art over thousands of years in the southwestern U.S. Often drawn as a humpbacked flute player, this mystic being has survived in recognizable form from Anasazi times to the present. There is something appealing about Kokopelli which fascinates all kinds of people. .(Back) (Close) LAPIDARY : 'lapidary' is the art of cutting, polishing and engraving gems. Lapidary comes from the Latin word " lapis", meaning stone. Before the 1300s, most gems were cut as cabochons, and that art is still in practice today. The cutting and polishing of flat surfaces at specified angles is known as faceting. Diamonds, rubies, emeralds, and sapphires are popular faceted gems. .(Back) (Close) LIMB CAST: Physical Properties- 'Limb Casts' - nature's sculptures, are a form of petrified wood that are formed when a limb is buried and then decomposes leaving a hollow or mold of the limb. The mold is then filled with sediment which is usually composed of calcite, minerals, and silica. This hardens creating a colorful cast in the exact shape and texture of the mold. The vivid colors within these structures owes to mineral properties within the silica sediment. Metaphysical Properties- see petrified wood .(Back) (Close) METAPHYSICAL PROPERTIES: There is much folk lore associated with the metaphysical properties of gemstones,
artifacts and fossils, usually beginning with Ancient Indigenous peoples who depended on Nature to assist them in life. To them everything in Nature was a part of the "Spirit" world. Everything, had consciousness and
wisdom and it was believed that objects held certain energy to assist humankind, extending beyond the physical boundaries of the matter. Subtle energies of objects may indeed be able to gently nudge your 'vibration' to be in
harmony with that which you want in your life, what the Indigenous peoples of the world had claimed all along. The potential for the human being to create physiological or physical change because they 'believe', is a complete
mystery to conventional science. There is no scientific evidence to prove or disprove that the accepted metaphysical properties of objects actually yield results or are haunted. MOSS AGATE DINOSAUR BONE: is fossilized dinosaur bone that that has been partially replaced by a rare agate that contains inclusions of minerals that resembles moss and hence the name, moss agate. Part of the cellular structure of the fossilized dinosaur bone is still in place, but the matrix, or webbing around the cells has been replaced with moss agate. This type of petrified dinosaur bone is found only in small areas of the Morrison formation where moss agate and dinosaur bone are both found, so it's found in very few locations, making it very rare. Moss agate can be found in other formations, but not with dinosaur bone. .(Back) (Close) OPAL/OPALIZED: Physical Properties- a beautiful gemstone in various shades and colors. Opal has been a popular gem for many centuries and has a very interesting structure. The chemistry of Opal is primarily SiO2 and varying amounts of water. Basically opals are simply a combination of silica and water. Or, to be more precise: Opals are a gel from silica, with varying percentages of water. The name opal probably is derived from the Sanskrit name for precious stone; upala. Today most precious opal comes from Australia with significant sources from Mexico and the Western United States. Metaphysical Properties- for ages people have been believing in the healing power of Opal. It is reported to be able to solve depressions and to help its wearer find the true and real love. Contains water, correlating with our emotions. Clarifies by amplifying and mirroring feelings. Visualization, imagination, dreams, healing. May change color with hi-energy, intensity people. -Beneficial to eyesight, it has been used to aid Parkinson's and lung conditions. Promotes physical growth. .(Back) (Close) ORNITHOLESTES: This moderate-sized theropod dinosaur lived in western North America in the late Jurassic period. The name means "bird robber", a reference to the notion that this animal routinely preyed on birds. It's teeth were large and it had a very powerful bite, along with long forelimbs and fingers, it may have grabbed its prey with a powerful lunge. It grew to about 6 to 7 feet. .(Back) (Close) PALEONTOLOGY: the study of fossils, deals with the remains or evidence of ancient animals and plants preserved in rocks. Only a very small fraction of life is recorded in rocks because fossil preservation requires a combination of favorable circumstances. The (3) main conditions are: (the organism possesses hard parts such as bone, teeth, shell, woody tissue, etc.) (It escapes destruction after death.) (It is buried rapidly to retard decomposition). .(Back) (Close) PALM WOOD: A fossil wood, from the Oligocene period about 38 million to 23 million ago, that contains rod-like structures within the regular grain of the silicified wood. These can show up as dots, tapering rods, or continuous lines, depending on the angle of the cut. The rod-like structures are sclerenchyma bundles, or plant tissues, that comprise part of the woody tissue that give the wood its vertical strength. The best palm wood is found in Louisiana- it's their state fossil. .(Back) (Close) PETRIFIED DINOSAUR BONE: Physical Properties- the product of millennia-old fossilized bone (from dinosaurs!) in which the cellular contents have been replaced by quartz, agate, or in some cases rare gemstone material, leaving the cellular bone structure intact. The deserts of the American southwest (notably Utah) produced many ' dinosaur species' -'dinosaur bones' range in color from browns to black with splotches of red, blue and bright yellow. Metaphysical Properties- petrified dinosaur bone increases mental and physical energy. It is particularly useful in calming fears. Calms anxiety and basic fears about survival. Can also be used for past life regressions because of its inherent link with the past. -Is thought to be helpful with the physical healing of paralysis, helps with hearing. Aids memory and physical energy. .(Back) (Close) PETRIFIED WOOD : Physical Properties- ' Petrified Wood' fossils formed during the Triassic period and Jurassic period by the invasion of minerals into cavities between and within cells of natural wood, usually by silica , calcite or in some cases rare gemstone material. The petrified forests of the western United States are silicified woods, the tree tissues having been replaced by chalcedony. Metaphysical Properties- is a stone that is good for stabilizing emotions. It has ties with the deep past, and this makes it an excellent stone for past life work. A good, all-purpose energetic balancer. -It is beneficial physically for the bones, backaches, skin and hair. .(Back) (Close) PETRIFIED WOOD GEMSTONE: petrified wood when polished shows many colors as well as cells of natural wood fiber. Petrified wood , as a gem is describe as "jasperized" or "agatized" and are popular gemstones used in jewelry. Of all the petrified wood, only about 2% is the very rare 'jasperized'! The 'agatized' variety is more common and therefore less expensive. The most important criterion for determining the price of fine 'jasperized' and 'agatized' petrified wood gemstone specimens depends on the wood fiber structure, color and rarity. Only the jasperized and agatized petrified wood gemstones that combines the best possible characteristics and are the most beautiful, which come together in a attractive combinations, are used in the construction of our finest 'Custom Made' jewelry. In the creation of our jasperized and agatized petrified wood cabochons we will first carefully remove any impurities using a diamond cutting wheel, before working out the rough basic shape. Next comes the fine cutting, the finishing with sandpaper and then the final polishing with a wet leather wheel. Metaphysical Properties- petrified wood is a stone that is good for stabilizing emotions. It has ties with the deep past, and this makes it an excellent stone for past life work. A good, all-purpose energetic balancer. -It is beneficial physically for the bones, backaches, skin and hair. .(Back) (Close) PINE HOLLOW: is a small hollow that runs down into East Canyon several miles south of Moab. As the name implies, it is lined with many pine and cedar trees. .(Back) (Close) POLISHED/UNPOLISHED: Polished End, Polished Bottom, is a reference to the polished bottom, or polished end of a fossil. We generally polish a damaged side, a broken end, or in some rare cases, the rough bottom of a fossil, to show its beautiful rainbow of vivid interior colors, formed by the mineral laden silica that has permeated and fossilized the material. However, if it is a complete specimen, unbroken, and in perfect condition, it usually remains unpolished and sold 'as is'. .(Back) (Close) QUARTZ: In general- Physical Properties- quartzes/chalcedony, comprise a wide group of minerals made up of tiny, interlocking microcrystals of quartz, many forms and colors. Water-clear crystals were known to the ancient Greeks as krystallos, hence the name crystal. Metaphysical Properties- in India, detected food poison by clarity change. Historically quartz crystal has been used to counter black magic, to perform diagnostic healing, and to communicate with spirits and other worlds. -Probably the most versatile multipurpose healing stone. Amplifies energy and healing. Draws and sends energy. Stimulates natural crystals in body tissues and fluids to resonate at new healing frequency. .(Back) (Close) UTAHRAPTOR : is from the Dromaeosauridae family of dinosaurs and is found in the early Cretaceous period. These were fierce bipedal predators with long and powerful legs, a stiff counterbalancing tail, a large skull carrying many razor sharp teeth, and greatly enlarged sickle-shaped claws on the 2nd toes of the hind feet. They were generally small dinosaurs, about 10 feet in length and weighed approximately 200 pounds. But the Utah raptor was 20 feet long and weighed in at 1000 pounds making the Utah raptor the largest known Dromaeosaur in the world. .(Back) (Close) REDWOOD: Limb casts, probably of conifer wood, found initially and most prolifically in the Brushy Basin Yellow Cat area of Grand County, Utah, are among the world's most beautiful examples of agate fortification wood. 'RedWood', as it is called by local collectors, occurs as limb casts containing red-banded agate with accents of white, gray, black, yellow, orange, blue, and violet. This very rare and localized gemstone material has been collected for more than seventy years and, because of its beauty, is much sought after by domestic collectors of fossil wood. All 'RedWood' occurs only in the Brushy Basin Member of the Morrison Formation and of all Brushy Basin petrified wood, only about 0.5% is the very rare 'RedWood'. Although everyone who collects this fossil wood uses the term "redwood", the name is purely a color description and a colloquialism. Prize specimens are agate casts that do not preserve any of the original woody textures, thus making identification impossible. However, the original wood was most likely a conifer. Redwood has been found outside the Yellow Cat area in a few other locations but always in sediments of the Brushy Basin Member of the Morrison Formation. Redwood from Yellow Cat and surrounding areas is one of the world's most beautiful examples of a fossil limb cast. The chances of finding larger deposits of red wood in the original Yellow Cat area are not favorable because the area has been scoured by so many collectors, but a few smaller gem quality specimens can occasionally be found. .(Back) (Close) SAUROPOD: are all herbivores ( plant eaters) and range in size from the diminutive forms which appear in the late Triassic to the gigantic of the Jurassic and Cretaceous Periods. Some of the more notable sauropods are Diplodocus, Apatosaurus and Brachiosaurus. All sauropod dinosaurs tend to have a long slender neck with long whip-like tails. These animals have high shouldered bodies and high snouted heads The heyday of the sauropods was the Jurassic where they were both abundant and diverse in most parts of the world. .(Back) (Close) SILICA: a name for silicon dioxide (SiO2). It is the material most common in the formation of rocks. Except for oxygen, it is the most common element in the earths crust. The mass of the Earth's crust is 59 percent silica, the main constituent of more than 95 percent of the known rocks. Silica dissolved in moving groundwater may partially fill hollow spheroids and precipitate crystals to form geodes, or it may cement loose sand grains together to form concretions and nodules. The vivid colors within these structures owes to mineral properties within the silica. .(Back) (Close) SILVER: Physical Properties- chemical element, a white, lustrous metal valued for its decorative beauty and electrical conductivity. The term 'Sterling silver' denotes any silver alloy in which pure silver makes up at least 92.5 percent of the content. Metaphysical Properties- excellent for mental, emotional cleansing. Works on mind/emotions for emotional balance, patience. It has a gentle, cool, smoothing effect. -Works with pituitary gland and upper energy centers..(Back) (Close) STEGOSAURUS : The most common of the "shield bearing" sauropod dinosaurs. The main feature of this dinosaur is the triangular plates along the back, and down the tail. The smaller species of stegosaurus was usually less than 15 feet long, and weighed one to two tons, while the larger species was 15 to 25 feet long and weighed up to 6 tons. They had a toothless beak and small leaf-shaped teeth that would have been effective in shredding fibrous plants. . .(Back) (Close) THEROPOD: include all the carnivorous ( meat-eating ) types; the name means " beast foot" on account of the very sharply clawed three-toed feet on these dinosaurs. The group includes such notables as Allosaurus and Tyrannosaurus. The body form tends to be very similar with long powerful hind limbs ending in sharply clawed birdlike feet, lightly built fore limbs. The body being balanced at the hips with a long muscular tail. The head was equipped with large eyes and long jaws, nearly always lined with dagger-like teeth. Theropods were fierce predators living for millions of years from the late Triassic through the Jurassic to the end of the Cretaceous periods. .(Back) (Close) TRILOBITES: are very well-known, and possibly the second-most famous fossil group, after the dinosaurs. Because of their diversity and an easily fossilized exoskeleton, they left an extensive fossil record with some 17,000 known species spanning Paleozoic time. They appeared in the Early Cambrian period and flourished throughout the lower Paleozoic era before beginning a drawn-out decline to extinction at the end of the Permian about 250 million years ago. .(Back) (Close) TYRANNOSAURUS : was the top predator living in the Late Cretaceous period approximately 65 million years ago. It was an animal well adapted for hunting. Bigger than any of the other meat-eating dinosaurs of its time, Tyrannosaurus was about 40 feet long and weighed in at 7 tons. With one of the biggest and strongest heads, it could kill its prey with one crushing bite. Tyrannosaurus had strong hind legs to carry its huge body some say up to speeds of 40 mph. .(Back) (Close) TRIASSIC PERIOD: (245-208 million years ago) marked the beginning of the major changes that were to take place throughout the Mesozoic in the distribution of the continents and the impact of those changes on paleoclimates and paleobiogeography. The super continent of Pangaea comprised virtually all the major land masses of the world at the beginning of the Triassic. Terrestrial environments with warm, dry climates predominated, which resulted in an increase in the relative importance of land animals, including the first mammals at the end of the Triassic. Reptiles increased in diversity and number, heralding the great radiation that would characterize this group during the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods. In summary, the Triassic ushered in great changes not only in the distribution of the continents but also in the evolution of living forms on land and in the oceans. .(Back) (Close) TURQUOISE : Physical Properties- used as a valuable ornament for ages and was used by the Egyptians thousands of years ago. The color is of course, turquoise, but this color actually varies from greenish blue to sky blue shades. Metaphysical Properties- it is associated with the sky, and bringing sky energy to earth. It can help promote honest and clear communication from the heart. It is also said to protect against pollution in the environment, and to bring abundance. -Turquoise can also help speed the healing process, and is known as a master healer stone. .(Back) (Close) WIRE WRAPPING: is the art of using gold and silver wire to wrap around a gemstone creating a special piece of jewelry. It can be a simple wrap of one strand or an advanced style of several strands. Many different types of jewelry can be formed using this craft, including rings, bracelets, pins, necklaces and so much more. This art has been around for a long time, but is just now getting popular. .(Back) (Close) YELLOW CAT FLATS:
The '
Brushy Basin Yellow Cat Flats'
area, a Member of the Morrison Formation, at an elevation of about 5000 feet, has an arid climate with an average rainfall of only 8 inches per year. Juniper, pinion, grease wood, Mormon tea, and scrubby brush grow sparingly on the rocky terrain. The curious appellation "Yellow Cat" is derived from a strange looking yellow mountain lion or cougar that was killed near an old campsite alongside one of the rare springs. The site became known as the Yellow Cat Campsite, later the name was used to refer to a mining claim, a mine, and the general area. The Yellow Cat area is located in Grand County, Utah, about 6 miles south of Interstate 70 at Ranch Exit 190 and about 20 miles northeast of the town of Moab. The exact locations where the rare '
redwood limb casts' were once abundantly found weathering out of these sediments are guarded secrets
of the devoted collectors who still look for 'Redwood'!
.(Back)
(Close)
|
||||
[ Home] [Products] [About Us] [ What's New] [Order Info] [ Links] |
||||
[Coprolites] [Petrified Wood] [Dinosaur Bones] [Cabochons] [Fossil Jewelry] [Custom Jewelry] |
||||
