At SKYDOG, each gemstone is more than just a beautiful addition to a piece of jewelry; it carries a unique story and journey. Our selection is thoughtfully curated, showcasing stones chosen for their rarity, beauty, and history. Take a closer look at the gemstones and fine metals we work with, including their source and significance. We'll also share tips on how to care for them, as well as insights into our sourcing process and our support for other small businesses.

Agate
Description
Agate is a translucent stone that forms in layers, often showcasing mesmerizing bands of color. Agate is often associated with balance, protection, and grounding, symbolizing a connection to the earth and a calming influence on the mind, body, and spirit. It's also seen as a stone of strength, resilience, and promoting well-being.
Source
Our Agates are sourced from a secret location in Malibu, CA. They are collected by us and are some of our most cherished stones. We also have other agates from the USA.
Care
Agate is rated 6.5-7 on Moh’s 1-10 scare of hardness. While not the softest stone, it should still be worn with care and removed when doing strenuous activities where it could be scratched or damaged.
Clean agate with warm soapy water and a soft cloth to keep its natural beauty intact.

Diamond
Description
Diamonds, the birthstone of April, are made from carbon and forged in the depths of the earth over the course of billions of years. They are unique for their unmatched hardness and ability to refract light. While black and white are the most common colors for diamonds, they are naturally found in every color imaginable. Diamonds are widely recognized as symbols of eternal love, strength, resilience, and enduring commitment, stemming from their hardness and rarity, and are often associated with wealth, status, and spiritual enlightenment.
Source
While we source diamonds on a case-by-case basis, most of our diamonds come from an antique diamond dealer in Los Angeles. Mine details for natural diamonds are just beginning to become available in the industry. As that trend develops, we hope to be able to provide those details to our clients. While we try to source diamonds from our antique dealer to minimize the use of new diamonds, when we do source new diamonds, we do ensure that they are sourced from dealers who are not involved in funding conflict and fully comply with the Kimberly Process.
Care
Diamonds are rated a 10/10 on Moh’s scale of hardness. While this is a great advantage, diamonds can still be chipped and scratched if the wearer is not careful. As usual, we advise taking your jewelry off as often as possible when doing strenuous activities, showering, and sleeping.
Clean diamonds with warm, soapy water and a soft cloth, and be cautious of harsh chemicals that can damage the stone.

Emerald
Description
As one of the rarest gemstones, and the birthstone of May, emeralds are highly sought after for their natural beauty and cultural significance. A high quality emerald has a crystal appearance that entranced the Egyptians and the Spanish amongst others. There are other green stones, but none compare to emeralds. Emeralds symbolize love, rebirth, growth, and new beginnings, often associated with spring and nature, and are a popular choice for engagement rings and romantic gifts.
Source
Emeralds are sourced from all over the world including Russia, Brazil, USA, Africa, and Columbia. Arguably the finest emeralds come from the Muzo and Chivor mines in Columbia and require no treatment.
Care
Emeralds are rated 7.5-8 on the Moh’s 1-10 scale of hardness. They are fairly durable but can still be scratched and chipped if not cared for properly. We strongly recommend removing your emerald jewelry when showering, jacuzzi-ing, or any activity involving hot water. Most emeralds receive an oil treatment to enhance color and clarity. The oil is removed when exposed to hot water. Avoid at all costs.
Clean emeralds with warm, soapy water and avoid exposure to chemicals or ultrasonic cleaners to preserve their integrity.

Garnet
Description
Garnet is a gemstone that comes in a spectrum of colors, with the most iconic being its rich red variety. Known for its association with passion, energy, and protection, garnet is both rare and versatile, able to be crafted into a variety of beautiful jewelry pieces.
Source
Garnets are found in metamorphic rocks and alluvial deposits across the globe, with notable sources in countries like Australia, India, the United States, China, Russia, and several African nations.
Care
Garnet is rated 6.5-75 on Moh’s 1-10 scare of hardness. While not the softest stone, it should still be worn with care and removed when doing strenuous activities where it could be scratched or damaged.
Clean garnet with mild soapy water and avoid abrasive cleaning tools to maintain its natural brilliance.

Jade
Description
Jade is considered a stone of purity and serenity, often symbolizing wisdom, harmony, and abundance. Its rare and valuable nature comes from the specific geological conditions required for its formation, making it a cherished material for meaningful jewelry.
Source
We have many jades from around the world. Most of them are mined by small artisans who are very passionate about this stone. We have jades from Big Sur, CA, Siberia, New Zealand, Nevada, Guatemala, and more.
Care
Jade is rated from 6-7 on Moh’s 1-10 scare of hardness. While not the softest stone, it should still be worn with care and removed when doing strenuous activities where it could be scratched or damaged.
Clean jade with warm, mild soapy water and avoid exposing it to harsh chemicals or extreme heat.

Jasper
Description
Jasper, often called the "stone of endurance," is a variety of chalcedony found in a range of colors and patterns, each with its own distinct charm. Its unique patterning and resilience make it a rare and special stone, perfect for grounding and stability.
Source
Our Jasper stones are sourced from Oregon, Mexico, Nevada, and northern California. Some are found by us, and others from trusted sources we’ve met on the road and on the internet.
Care
Jasper is rated 6.5-7 on Moh’s 1-10 scare of hardness. While not the softest stone, it should still be worn with care and removed when doing strenuous activities where it could be scratched or damaged.
Clean jasper with a soft cloth and mild soapy water to maintain its polished surface.

Lapis
Description
Lapis lazuli, birthstone of September, is a striking blue gemstone that has captivated humanity for thousands of years, prized for its vibrant color and the flecks of gold that shimmer within it. Lapis lazuli is often associated with wisdom, truth, royalty, and the heavens, and is believed to promote peace, clarity, and spiritual growth.
Source
Lapis is mined in four locations. Afghanistan, Chile, Russia, and the USA. Most of our rough is from a source in Afghanistan and an old stock chunk of lapis from Chile.
Care
Lapis is a relatively soft stone. It is rated a 5-5.5 on the Moh’s hardness scale of 1-10. Honest advice - Take your lapis jewelry off as much as possible if you want it to look good in 10 or 20 years +. The more cautious you are, the better it will hold up. You can easily scratch or crack your stone(s) by wearing them at the beach, working out, washing dishes, rock climbing, etc.
Clean lapis with a soft cloth and avoid using harsh chemicals, as it is sensitive to heat and solvents.

Moonstone
Description
Moonstone is celebrated for its ethereal, milky glow and delicate shimmer. Its rare and captivating beauty is due to its unique play of light, known as adularescence. Moonstone is a gemstone with a rich symbolism, often associated with femininity, intuition, emotional balance, and new beginnings, drawing its meaning from its connection to the moon and lunar cycles. While it comes in a variety of colors, the most popular are rainbow moonstone and blue flash moonstone.
Source
Sri Lanka, India, Myanmar, Madagascar, and the United States (New Mexico and Virginia). Some of our moonstone is sourced from Madagascar, and some is old stock from our stone cutter in Los Angeles with no details on source.
Care
Moonstone is rated 6-6.5 on Moh’s 1-10 scare of hardness. It’s not chalk but it still needs to be handled with care. Take your jewelry off whenever possible and don’t sleep in it. The more you take it off, the better it will look in 10-20 years.
Clean moonstone with warm, soapy water and avoid ultrasonic and steam cleaners, as high heat can cause cracking.

Opal
Description
Opal, birthstone of October, is a gemstone that captivates with its kaleidoscope of colors, from fiery oranges and reds to vibrant blues and greens, creating a mesmerizing play of light. As one of the rarest gemstones, opal’s delicate nature requires special care, and its beauty can change depending on how it's cut and polished. Opals are often associated with hope, purity, creativity, and positive transformation, with some cultures also viewing them as symbols of love, luck, and protection.
Source
All of our opals are sourced from Australia and Ethiopia. For rings, we focus on Australian opals due to their stability of color.
Care
Opal is a relatively soft stone. It is rated 5.5-6.5 on the Moh’s hardness scale of 1-10. Honest advice - Take your opal jewelry off as much as possible if you want it to look good in 10 or 20 years +. The more cautious you are, the better it will hold up. You can easily scratch or crack your stone(s) by wearing them at the beach, working out, washing dishes, rock climbing, etc.
Clean opal gently with warm, soapy water and avoid exposing it to extreme heat or sudden temperature changes, as these can cause cracking.

Sapphire
Description
Sapphires, most commonly known for their deep blue hues, come in every color of the rainbow, making them a versatile and captivating gemstone. With their unparalleled durability and rich history as a symbol of wisdom, loyalty, and nobility, sapphires' rarity and beauty have made them one of the most sought-after gemstones in the world.
Source
Sapphires can be found all over the world. We source ours from Montana, USA, Sri Lanka, and Madagascar.
Care
Sapphire is rated 9 on Moh’s 1-10 scale of harness. Next to diamonds, these are the second hardest stones on the planet. With that said, you can still scratch or chip your sapphire if not cared for properly. Remember to remove your jewelry when performing strenuous activities.
Clean sapphires with warm, soapy water and a soft cloth, but avoid ultrasonic cleaners as they can cause damage.

Spinel
Description
Spinel, often mistaken for ruby due to its similar appearance, is a rare and stunning gemstone that comes in a variety of vibrant colors. Celebrated throughout history for its enduring beauty, spinel’s rarity and brilliance make it an exceptional choice for timeless jewelry pieces.
Source
Spinel gemstones are traditionally sourced from countries like Afghanistan, Myanmar (Burma), and Sri Lanka, with other significant sources including Tanzania, Vietnam, and Tajikistan.
Care
Spinel is rated 7.5-8 on Moh’s scale of hardness.This is a decent hardness but jewelry pieces should still be treated with care and removed when performing strenuous activities. These stones can still be scratched and chipped if the wearer is not careful.
Clean spinel with warm, mild soapy water, and avoid using harsh chemicals or ultrasonic cleaners.

Tourmaline
Description
Tourmaline, birthstone of October, is a captivating gemstone known for its wide variety of colors, from rich greens to vibrant pinks. Due to its unique crystal structure and natural color variations, it is both rare and highly prized by collectors and jewelry enthusiasts alike. Tourmaline is often associated with protection, healing, and balance, with different colors representing various energies like love, courage, and self-confidence, and is believed to promote emotional well-being and creativity.
Source
Most of our tourmaline is sourced from Brazil, Madagascar, and Tanzania. Limited amounts are also mined in Maine, USA.
Care
Tourmaline is rated 7-7.5 on Moh’s 1-10 scare of hardness. Take your jewelry off whenever possible and don’t sleep in it. The more you take it off, the better it will look in 10-20 years.
Clean tourmaline with warm soapy water and avoid exposing it to high heat or harsh chemicals.

Turquoise
Description
Turquoise, the birthstone of December, is a beautiful stone used for thousands of years in jewelry from Egypt to Iran to North America and beyond. It symbolizes protection, healing, wisdom, and spiritual enlightenment. It is available in teal, blue, light blue, green, and many shades in between. Known by Native American tribes as the Sky Stone, turquoise holds a special place in our hearts.
Source
All of our turquoise comes from the Kingman mine in Arizona and the Carico Lake mine in Nevada. We are close with the owners of both mines and are very happy to support them. Although we only source turquoise from these two mines, there are countless sources of turquoise across the earth. Wherever there is a desert landscape, there will most likely be turquoise.
Care
Turquoise is a relatively soft stone. It is rated a 5-6 on the Moh’s hardness scale of 1-10. Honest advice - take your turquoise jewelry off as much as possible if you want it to look good in 10 or 20 years +. The more cautious you are, the better it will hold up. You can easily scratch or crack your stone(s) by wearing them at the beach, working out, washing dishes, rock climbing, etc.
Clean turquoise with warm, mild soapy water and avoid ultrasonic or steam cleaners to prevent damage to treated surfaces.

Zircon
Description
Zircon is a gemstone known for its brilliance and fire, often rivaling diamonds in its sparkle. Rare and exceptionally clear, it comes in a variety of colors but is most prized in its blue form, making it a dazzling choice for high-quality jewelry.
Source
Zircons are sourced from various locations globally, with significant deposits found in Australia, Southeast Asia (Cambodia, Thailand, Myanmar, Vietnam, Sri Lanka), Africa (Madagascar, Tanzania), and Brazil.
Care
Zircon is rated 6.5-7.5 on Moh’s 1-10 scale of hardness. While not the softest stone, it should still be worn with care and removed when doing strenuous activities where it could be scratched or damaged.
Clean zircon with warm, soapy water and a soft cloth, and avoid ultrasonic cleaning, which can lead to damage.
Gold
Description
Gold, with its rich history and radiant glow, has been used for centuries as a symbol of wealth, love, and devotion. Its rarity and malleability make it a favorite for fine jewelry, with its deep, luxurious hues bringing a sense of sophistication and beauty to every piece.
Source
New gold is sourced from various locations worldwide, with the top producers including China, Russia, Australia, and Canada.We do our best to use as much recycled and Fairmined gold as possible. So far our chain and jump rings are made with Fairmined gold. Our rings are made with a mix of recycled and new gold. As we grow, we aim to eventually use 100% fairmined gold.
Care
To care for gold, avoid exposure to harsh chemicals and store it in a safe place to prevent scratches and tarnishing.
Platinum
Description
Platinum is a dense, silvery-white metal known for its exceptional resistance to corrosion, tarnish, and high temperatures, making it ideal for use in jewelry, automotive, and industrial applications. Its rarity, durability, and hypoallergenic properties set it apart from other metals, ensuring it maintains its value and appearance over time.
Source
Platinum, a rare and valuable metal, is primarily sourced from South Africa, Russia, and Canada, with South Africa accounting for the majority of the world's platinum production.
Care
To care for platinum, simply clean it with a mild soap solution and a soft cloth, avoiding harsh chemicals or abrasive materials to preserve its luster.