Unveiling the Gems of Cysaegir

Unveiling the Gems of Cysaegir: Discovering the Radiance of the Wildwood is an Official GemStone IV Document, and it is protected from editing.

Since the settlement of the aelotoi in Cysaegir, the town and its surrounding lands have remained a tranquil sanctuary, hidden deep within the Glimae'den Wildwood. For the past two decades, this serene region has become a place of discovery, both new and rediscovered, allowing its inhabitants a unique opportunity to study their homeland and understand their place in the world at large.

The name Glimae'den, the Elven term for what is now Cysaegir, hints at the treasures found only within the Wildwood. Glimae, derived from the Elven word glimaer, meaning "glimmer," and den, derived from the Elven word gelden, meaning "stone," roughly translates to "Glimmering Stone." Whether this refers literally to the area's precious gems or metaphorically to the land's inherent value remains uncertain.

One of Cysaegir's most distinctive features is its rare and unique resources. Though it lies within the broader domain of Ta'Illistim in the Elven Nations, Cysaegir is home to materials not commonly found elsewhere. While the gemstones of the land share similarities with those found across Elanthia, the region's distinctive qualities imbue them with unique characteristics that make them highly prized both locally and in distant markets. As their value continues to rise, the discovery and trade of these gems are beginning to shape Cysaegir's economy, fostering new opportunities for prosperity and growth.

Varieties, Preferences, and Potential Uses

Barite

Sometimes confused for a clear zircon, barite is an extremely common, nearly colorless crystal with a slight yellow tinge. Unlike zircon, adding facets to it does little to improve its relatively mundane appearance. It can be easily damaged through normal usage and is not recommended for use as a clothing accent or jewelry, while other uses may vary.

Chalcedony

Two varieties of chalcedony can be found within Cysaegir:

• Black chalcedony is similar to white chalcedony in all aspects save for its deep black color. It is often preferred as a cabochon or rosette.
• Lavender chalcedony typically displays a uniform translucence in its soft, milky hue, and may feature subtle variations of color within a single stone ranging from pale pink to sky blue. While cabochons and beadwork are standard uses, it's not surprising to find an occasional statue carved from it as decor.

Charoite Stone

Highly sought after, the charoite stone features myriad purple hues streaked with white. Its striking appearance is best displayed as a spherical bead. However, as long as it is smoothed and polished, any shape can showcase its beauty.

Epidote

Those seeking a green stone but are less partial to peridot will find the epidote to be a nice counter to the more commonly known gem. The translucent crystal has the shade of roasted pistachios, and deep striations within its composition can often display additional hues ranging from yellowish green to nearly black.

Grossular Garnet

The grossular garnet, sometimes referred to as "cinnamon stone," is considered an inferior variety of garnet due in part to its lower hardness and density. Because of its fragility, care must be taken to seat the gem in a bezel or channel setting to protect it from damage.

Irydia

From the Aelotian word irysi, meaning radiant, and diat, meaning stone, irydia is a multichromatic sandstone that may seem unremarkable at first. However, when caught in the light, various colors radiate throughout the stone, with each variety showcasing different effects.

• Sunbeam irydia has a dull yellow hue that radiates metallic orange and gold streaks.
• Starshine irydia has a dull bluish black hue that radiates sapphire blue interspersed with flecks of silver.
• Moonlight irydia has a dull white hue that radiates opalescent lavender-grey and silver shades.
• Nebula irydia has a dull grey hue that radiates a fuchsia-edged violet and cerulean cloud.

Jasper

Three types of jasper, each with slight variations, can be found in Cysaegir. Faceted cuts are not recommended, as they can disrupt the natural beauty of the stone. Instead, smoothed and shaped stones are best used for pendants, particularly when set in frame-style settings.

• Picture jasper often consists of a sand or earth brown hue with various other hues with accents of yellow, grey, and occasionally black. The colors blend in ways that evoke desert landscapes.
• Sometimes called poppy jasper, brecciated jasper has stark variations in color, with rust brown spots, white streaks, and black cracks.
• The most valuable of the three, damask jasper's black, damask-like patterns create a velvet-like appearance, contrasting with lighter shades and an opalescent luster.

Kyanite

Kyanite features a vibrant hue that rivals the bluest of sapphires. Although it can be cut in facets, only a skilled lapidarist should attempt to do so. Alternately, if made into a cabochon, the variations in the stone offer a subtle chatoyance. Due to its soft nature, securing it within a protective setting minimizes damage it may incur during regular wear.

Petalite

Petalite is colorless and lacks internal fire, making it versatile enough to pair with many styles. Though it is prone to surface scratches, it is well-suited for use in earrings or pendants, where it is less likely to sustain damage.

Phosphophyllite

Phosphophyllite is both fragile and brittle, making it difficult to work with and ill-suited for use in jewelry. As a larger display piece, however, phosphophyllite can be admired for its delicate and rare characteristics.

Pyrophyllite

Phyrophyllite is an incredibly soft mineral that is unsuitable for jewelry use. When cleaved, it forms fan-like groups with a pearly luster. Its powdery composition makes it ideal as an additive in paints, dyes, and ceramic glazes, where it imparts a soft luster.

Rhodonite Crystal

Rhodonite crystal is best displayed as beads or cabochons rather than faceted, as the black manganese base contrasts beautifully with the vibrant pinkish red hues. This combination results in a striking, distinctive appearance.

Satin Spar

A variety of gypsum, satin spar has a white color and fibrous texture with a silky luster that resembles its namesake fabric. Its chatoyance is most prominent when cut into cabochons. Satin spar is highly versatile and can be used in both apparel and jewelry.

Sphalerite

Sphalerite, though visually appealing in its uncut form, is not recommended for jewelry unless the setting provides significant protection. It ranges in color from yellow to black, with lighter stones often showing irregular flaws.

Sodalite

Photochromic sodalite has the unique ability to change from its standard pale grey shade to a brilliant, glowing violet color in direct sunlight. This effect is maintained for up to an hour when removed from sunlight, even emitting the glow if placed in a dark space, before returning to its standard hue. If choosing this gem for wear, it is recommended to consider both its color change and potential glow to limit clashing with the rest of one's attire.

Spodumene

Violet spodumene is too often disproportionately associated with ostentation. Small stones often lose the vibrancy of their hue and may appear a sickly lilac or grey, while larger stones retain the purple color to a greater degree.

Staurolite

Staurolite is most noted for its twinned formation, in that two parts of a crystal intersect each other. Pieces with perfect perpendicularity are of particular interest and are often formed into pendants.

Toadstone

Toadstones, believed to have formed in the head of a toad, have a greenish black color with mottled brown and ivory markings. These stones are considered a ward against poisons due to their association with superstition.

Tourmaline

Two varieties of tourmaline, both equally striking, can be found in Cysaegir.

• Purple tourmaline exhibits a rich grape hue, often with a black ombre at its base. While tumbling it into beads highlights the color variation, the stone is most striking when faceted.
• Named for its resemblance to the colors of a watermelon, watermelon tourmaline showcases a pink-to-green ombre. While faceted rectangular or square cuts can highlight the color gradient, the stone is best presented as a "slice," with little to no facets, to emphasize its namesake appearance.

White Onyx

White onyx has subtle striations that give its milky hue a clouded appearance beneath its vitreous luster. Smaller stones are often used as tumbled beads in bracelets or necklaces, while larger slabs can be found in wealthy residences, where they are used as tabletops or countertops, similar to marble.

Hyzriss'ka, Keh'zriss, and Irydia

When the aelotoi arrived in Elanthia, they held a complex and nuanced relationship with gem and precious stones, shaped by their tragic history with the kiramon on Bre'naere. Over the course of the following two decades, the younger generations, those born on Elanthia or the children who traveled through the portal, began to shift the collective attitude toward a greater acceptance of these stones.

From this cultural shift emerged the hyzriss'ka, a term for those who possess a deep affinity for stones. Derived from the words hyr (meaning "to have"), zriss (meaning "jewel, stone, or gem"), and ‘ka (signifying fire or passion), hyzriss'ka translates directly to "those who have passion for jewels." The interests of the hyzriss'ka are varied, ranging from individuals who collect uncut crystals as home decor to skilled practitioners of keh'zriss, the art of lapidary, or stone crafting. It is thanks to the hyzriss'ka that the aelotoi have come to embrace the varieties of irydia as symbols representing the four clans.

Cyrtae'ni and Sunbeam Irydia

Named for bright sunlight, the sunbeam irydia's vibrant colors inspire warmth and hope for the future. Because of this, the Cyrtae'ni wear this stone with pride, often center-set in a thinly hammered wristcuff.

Gaeh'deh and Starshine Irydia

Stars shine brightest on the darkest nights, and thus, starshine irydia received its name. The Gaeh'dah adopted this stone as a reflection of the past atrocities committed against their clan in particular on Bre'naere, and recognizing their hope shined brightest in the darkness of those times. Its worn display varies on preference. Those wishing a more feminine presentation choose flat cabochons in any variety of shapes wrapped in wire or set in a small ornate frame. This can be worn as a single back pendant set between their wings or multiples can be worn as wing jewels. A more masculine presentation often involves irregularly shaped beads worn as a bracelet or necklace.

Mrae'ni and Moonlight Irydia

Moonlight irydia is named for its color in comparison to that of Liabo at night, and the Mrae'ni view it as a metaphor for illumination of mind and spirit. Appropriating the style of a ferroniere all their own, the Mrae'ni will wear the irydia as a single briolette strung on vaalorn or faenor knotwork chains. This is known as a ne'lira'sah, which directly translates into "Spirit of the Moon."

Vaer'sah and Nebula Irydia

The nebula irydia, named for the similarity in appearance it bears to celestial clouds when illuminated, was adopted by the Vaer'sah as it best reflects their spirit of travel and exploration. Having known the freedom of flight on their home world and being unable to do so on Elanthia hasn't hampered this spirit. The Vaer'sah often choose to wear the nebula irydia in any variety of ways, though many prefer a simple ring or band with a center channel fashioned from a single stone.

OOC Information/Notes

• Created by GM Xeraphina, April 2025
• QC by GM Mariath