or a trail-side altar

Pyrite is iron sulfide with a bright metallic cubic crystal structure

Its delicate concentric banding in shades of cornflower

which gives the stone its characteristic waxy luster and translucent depth

Mohs 2 — that crystallized in ancient evaporite basins as mineral-dense water slowly disappeared over geological time

Carnelian Heart size:1.5"L x 1.5"W x 0.4"T or a trail-side altarWarm iron orange, carved into the oldest form in the lapidary tradition. Carnelian is chalcedonycryptocrystalline quartzwhose orange to red color comes from iron oxide distributed through its microcrystalline fiber structure. The saturation and hue vary from stone to stone depending on the iron's oxidation state, which is why no two carnelian hearts read exactly the same. Mohs 6. 57. This piece is hand carved and polished, its surface smooth and