The Encyclopedia · Stones & materials
Hardstone
A general name for opaque or translucent ornamental stones such as lapis lazuli, malachite, onyx, chrysoprase and turquoise.
Hardstones have been carved since antiquity. In the twentieth century the great houses used them for colour and contrast: onyx and coral in Art Deco, and lapis, malachite, tiger’s eye and turquoise in the gold jewelry of the 1960s and 1970s.
What to look for
Hardstones are often dyed or stabilised. Check for cracks, chips and repairs, and for uneven colour that might suggest treatment.
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