An intense blue gemstone, Sodalite is durable and easy to cut, making it highly desired by hobbyists. With white streaks across a brilliant blue background, Sodalite is one of the components of Lapis Lazuli, but also forms separately from the Lapis stone. The lack of Pyrite inclusions is one of the ways to distinguish Sodalite from Lapis Lazuli.

Elbaite is the most well-known and valuable form of Tourmaline- most of the multi-color tourmalines and almost all Tourmaline gemstones are Elbaite. Elbaite is desired due to its color variety (it is one of the most colorful minerals) and depth of the colors. One of the most prized minerals, Elbaite form in highly aesthetic slender crystals, and instead of being faceted, many crystals are preserved for their beauty in collections. Often a specimen can have more than one color zone in the same crystal. These zones can alternate in color from the inside out (watermelon tourmaline) or from the top to bottom. Elbaite is strongly pleochroic, meaning transparent crystals will appear darker when viewed down the long axis of the crystal.

Elbaite was originally discovered in Elba, Italy (Tuscany region) in 1913, and has since been found all over the world. Elba is also the well-known place of exile for Napoleon Bonaparte.