Nephrite Jade, commonly called greenstone is found near Trial Harbour on Tasmania's rugged West Coast. This Jade comes in a variety of colours and is commonly included with metals and minerals such as nickel and garnet. Most material is opaque whilst a small amount is translucent and a fine apple green.
It is said that Nephrite Jade is a stone of protection, safe travels and attracts good luck.
Rare and Beautiful is a Tasmanian family run business that creates an ever-changing collection of beautiful and desirable hand-crafted contemporary jewellery and natural gemstones.
The collection is hand-selected by Christo and Melissa Lees as they travel the globe, and around Tasmania. They are both trained gemmologists, jewellers and gem cutters who live in Tasmania, Australia.
Their business Rare and Beautiful has evolved from a life long passion for prospecting in the wilds of nature. This passion they have shared for the past 30 years. The Rare and Beautiful collection showcases the beautiful and unique gems, minerals and fossils they find on their adventures.
Simplicity is the key to their jewellery designs, they believe the stones should speak for themselves. More than 100 gemstones are featured in their jewellery collection including many rare stones from Tasmanian and around the world. Sustainable artisanal mining is their ethos.
Wood Fossil
Fossil Wood found by us Rare and Beautiful at Lune River in Southern Tasmanian Australia. This wood is from the Jurassic Era when the dinosaurs where roaming our earth. We have cut the stone into a stunning flat Pear cabochon this stone has some interesting patterns and lines to set it apart from others. Set in sterling silver with a flat band, and the oval ring a hammered band
Fern Tree Fossil
Lune river in southern Tasmania produces some of the worlds finest plant fossils. The rare fossil ferns, trees and cycads from Lune river are preserved perfectly to a cellular level by agate and jasper. Dating to the mid Jurassic period,180 million years ago.
Lunea Jonesii
Stitchtite & Serpentine
Tasmanian stitchtite and serpentine set with sterling silver. This stone was first discovered in 1910 on the west coast of Tasmania, Australia, a rare combination of Stichtite (purple) and Serpentine (green).
Tasmanian Jade
Tasmanian Jade from the west coast. These stones have very interesting patterns due to the nickel and garnet inclusions. Set in solid Sterling silver.
