Garnet:
Rich in iron and chromium giving them their color, garnets exhibit few inclusions. Inclusions that are present tend to be rounded, seed like crystals with irregular edges.
Garnet is one of the world's most ancient gems and was called carbuncle by early civilizations. The term carbuncle once referred to any red gem but now it refers only to red cabochon-cut garnet.
The name garnet comes from the Medieval Latin word granatum (pomegranate) referring to the stones color or its seed like crystal formation.
Rhodolite Garnet is found in metamorphic rock and gets its purplish color from iron-contaning trace impurities. It gets its name from the Greek rhodo (rose) and litho (stone).
Hessonite Garnet is also known as “cinnamon stone.” It is a grossularite mineral with its reddish-orange color coming from its iron content.
Tsavorite Garnet owes it vibrant green color to its vanadium and chromium content.
Garnet is a January birthstone and is associated with the astrological sign Aquarius.
Lore:
Garnets have long been associated with blood because of their red color. Native soldiers in the Kashmir fought the British with bullets made of garnet believing that they would magically find their way to their targets as recently as 1892.
When on the body, garnets are said to prevent skin diseases.
Garnet is said to assure the wearer of love, faithfulness and safety from wounds.
When danger approaches, the stone looses it brilliance.
Garnets are said to protect the wearer from evil and from terrifying dreams.
Care: Ultrasonic cleaning is usually safe for natural and synthetic garnet. Never steam clean natural or synthetic garnet. Simulated garnet is usually safe in ultrasonic and steam cleaning.

Mexican Fire Opal:
These opals tend to have one body color and do not usually contain the flashes of light and color typical of other opals. Mexican fire opal is the only natural opal that is normally faceted.
Care: Avoid harsh detergents. Never clean ultrasonically or steam clean.

Quartz:
Quartz is the most common of all minerals. Included in the quartz family are amethyst, citrine, flint, onyx, aventurine, jasper, carnelian, rock crystal, agate and chrysoprase.
Smoky Quartz is often incorrectly called smoky topaz.
From the German Quarz meaning “rock crystal.”
Care: Avoid harsh detergents. Ultrasonic cleaning is usually safe. Never steam clean.