Not my favorite time of the year right now. Chill is spreading right through the house and I have no central heating.:) For a tropical born islander this is tough. I am rugging up I bought Ugg boots and a rabbit fleece jumper which is keeping more warm. Staying in on this wild and windy Saturday night to get planning on learning more about gem stones before I attend the Gems and facets fair in Sri lanka. My island is so rich in Sapphires and Rubies not to mention all the semi precious gemstones like Garnets, Quartz, Peridots and Amathysts of all colours and sizes. Here’ a great article I found on that very subject of Sri Lankan Blue Sapphire by
David Federman

Amathyst from Sri Lanka

One by one, the world’s most renowned deposits of blue sapphire seem to run dry or simply not run at all.

Kashmir, the supreme source for less than 50 years, has been a lost cause since the 1920s when production all but petered out. In Burma, now Myanmar, investment is non-existent and miners have focused their limited resources on the more plentiful ruby. In 1974, Cambodia’s famed Paillin region was decreed off-limits to gem mining and this border region remains troubled. About 10 years ago, Thailand’s Katchanaburi sapphire fields ceased to be worth the time and trouble to work. And more recently, miners have been asked to leave Madagascar, the most promising new source for fine sapphire.

All this, says one New York dealer, has left Sri Lanka (still stubbornly called Ceylon by old timers) “the only steady producer left of large fine sapphire.”

So when it comes to newly mined fine blue sapphire, Sri Lanka is now the standard bearer for this species.

Treasure Island

Sri Lanka is the original treasure island. Sapphires are still routinely found every time someone digs a basement or plows a field after a heavy rain. What makes Sri Lankan sapphire so desirable is that it has a color that tends to a light and bright blue rather than the oversaturated dark navy blue of volcanic deposits like Australia or Thailand.

Large Sapphire from Sri lanka

But not all beautiful blue Sri Lankan sapphire came out of the ground looking like that. Sri Lankan sapphire, like Brazilian aquamarine, is a stone that is customarily heated to permanently improve color. Indeed, low temperature, charcoal-fire heat has been used for centuries in Sri Lanka to sharpen hue and spruce up appearance. But this method has limited application. It didn’t do much good for the vast number of the country’s milky, rutile-ridden stones.
Sri Lanka’s production boomed when it was discovered that these milky white sapphires, known as geuda, contained all the raw ingredients in them for creating blue color, if only a way could be found to dissolve these ions into the crystal structure without melting the sapphire itself. In the mid-1970s, gem dealers in Thailand began to experiment with high-heat kilns and later controlled-atmosphere furnaces to transform geuda into blue sapphire. Heat turned cloudy stones clear and induced deep blue colors.

“The impact of the new heating technology was felt far more in the commercial than the fine goods sector,” says a New York cutter. “There was suddenly an enormous influx of pleasing lower and middle cost Sri Lankan sapphire.”

The influx couldn’t have come at a better time. As 1979s inflation drove up sapphire prices and Far East Asian political turbulence disrupted fresh supplies, Sri Lanka’s heatable sapphires became a godsend.

But the flood of affordable and beautiful gems subsided as the stockpiles of formerly discarded rough was treated and marketed. Geuda rough began to command higher and higher prices. Today, with heat treatment an established part of the business, geuda sells at a price appropriate for its potential blue color, not its current colorless state.

And with production now back to normal, Sri Lanka has returned to its role as the reliable slow but steady supplier of medium to fine material: the “Old Faithful” of blue sapphire.

Beautiful Sri lanken Sapphires

It’s brown. It’s silver. It’s circular. And no matter what, if you wear it, you’re a show-stopper. That’s how I would best describe the Bamboo Bird bracelet in my collection.

Bamboo is one of the fastest growing trees on the planet. It is also one of the strongest. Asians use it extensively to build homes and furniture. It’s also considered a sign of prosperity and represents strength in some cultures. Bamboo jewellery is also very popular, mainly because it’s very contemporary in appeal. They look just as stunning as gold and silver, and also have a sturdy, earthy feel.

The Bamboo Bird bracelet, featured in my collection, uses two distinct elements – wood and metal – bamboo and silver, to create a dramatic effect. The roughness of the wood is offset by the sheer brilliance of the silver. The two elements compliment each other perfectly. Just like the two different shades that form a part of the circle of life – happiness and sadness. Health and illness. Good and the bad. Love and hate.

The semi-circular shape with the silver ends is inspired by contemporary minimalist overtones. It’s a great accessory for a fun evening at the bar or a barbeque under the starry skies.

The Bamboo Bird bracelet is a great way to celebrate nature and the majesty of earth’s offerings. It’s also a great way to look fashionable and stand out in the crowd.

The other day, I was holding a jewellery party with a few lovely ladies and I noticed something very exciting. All the women (I mean, every one of them!) stopped on their tracks and uttered a huge, ‘Wow, it’s gorgeous!’ when they set their eyes on my fine Lava Earth necklace. They simply loved it. And that was the way I felt about this beautiful piece, when I first saw it, back there in Indonesia.

Mesmerizing and Mysterious. These are the two words that best describe the Lava Earth necklace. Made of plain black lava stones with 16mm sterling silver toggle clasp, this one is indeed the ultimate black beauty! The two strands of lava stones add a very exotic touch to this necklace. And to think that these rocks were smoldering beneath the very core of Mother Earth…the experience of wearing them is simply magical!

As I was chatting with the ladies, each one came up with the perfect dress that would accompany this unique piece. One of them felt that this would look great with a short white dress; another one told me this would probably look good with a formal shirt and trousers. Another one suggested that this necklace would look fantastic with a plunging neckline for a night out in town. One even suggested a turtle neck with a pencil skirt! That got me thinking. This is a very versatile piece of jewellery! It goes with almost anything. That really is the magic behind the Lava Earth necklace. And you know what, I came to love this piece a little more. And those ladies did too!

The Meaning And Symbolism Of Silver

Silver is a bright metal, shiny gray in color. It is similar in appearance to polish steel, but has both a brighter and earthier tone. It is commonly considered a very attractive metal and classed among the precious metals. It is one of the most desired metals in the world.

Silver embodies wealth, much the same as gold. Silver can be used in a opulent and ornate fashion. However, it also carries a sense of grace and sophistication. Tastefully decorated silver jewellery can covey both wealth and gracefulness at the same time.

Silver is associated with the Moon and its many connotations. It is especially tied to the calming and self-reflective aspects. It is thus connected with the slow, steady rhythm of the tides especially in relation to the cleansing effect of the waves. A gracefully bevelled piece of silver jewellery can be reminiscent of the moon’s reflection in ocean waves.

Silver also has a strong symbolic connection to mirrors and reflections. For centuries, silver was the material of choice for making high quality mirrors. Many modern mirrors are still silvered. Some people use silver jewellery in meditation and prayer as focus to reflect on themselves.

Silver is strongly evocative of longevity and distinction. It is in this sense we call a wise older person “silver haired” and silver is the symbol of a marriage lasting a quarter of a century. Antique or classical style silver pieces can be especially effective at conveying this side of silver.

Silver carries a sense of purity and refinement. Islam and many sects of Christianity forbid or discourage the wearing of gold. Many other people simply prefer the clean simplicity of silver over the bolder color and character of gold. All of these people regularly turn to silver as an alternative to gold for both the symbolism of purity and personal tastes. Silver wedding bands, bracelets, and other items of silver jewellery are quite common in some groups and regions. Silver is also a very popular metal for religious jewellery around the world.

I’ve always been a pendant gal! Some people find it awfully tedious to change pendants according to their attire. I simply love experimenting with pendants. In fact, you can say I have a penchant for pendants!

Pendants have been a style statement since the stone ages. Shells and stones were strung together to decorate the women of yore. Over the years, gemstone pendants made of rubies, amethysts, quartz, sapphires have been popular. But the queen among pendants is quite simply the diamond pendant, which apart from the diamond ring is the most popular accessory in today’s world.

But to look fashionable and chic, you really don’t need a diamond pendant. You can look just as good with any other gemstone or metal or even wood! Gemstone pendants usually look good on gold and silver chains. So does Pearls. However, wooden pendants, beads and even plastic charm pendants go well on beaded chains and black strings.

If you have a large bust, go for vertical pendants and wear them on small chains closer to the neck as this takes the eye away from the bust. For women who are smaller around the bust, a horizontal pendant would look good and you can wear them on longer chains.

It looks good when you match gemstone pendants with earrings and even with a ring or bracelet. Plain silver pendants and gold pendants also look good but its safe to wear them on chains made of the same metal. Mix-n-match does not always work well in this case. Diamond pendants look good on gold and silver chains. Lava stone pendants look mesmerizing on sterling silver. A single black lava stone set in silver worn on a thin silver chain is simply dramatic.

Wooden pendants go well with casual wear and look absolutely cool. For a more whimsical look, choose pendants that have secret compartments. It adds a certain mystery to your personality and also introduces the element of fun in your wardrobe.

A cross pendant is an all-time favorite among many women. Apart from its religious significance, a cross pendant is also a simple style statement. You can find a cross in almost any metal, gemstone or even wood. Choose a cross pendant that is neither too small nor too big. And wear it on a thin chain closer to your neck. If you have an out there personality a Madonna style big cross on chunky chains will keep you in today’s fashion.

1. They are beautiful. A thing of beauty is a joy forever, right?
2. They make me look good and feel good
3. They add a touch of glamour to even the dullest clothes
4. Jewellery lets me show the world who I really am!
5. Also jewellery lets me show the world how I really feel. Happy. Gloomy. Funky. Perky. My jewellery lets me show off my moods.
6. Jewellery lets me connect to my feminine side
7. My clothes may not fit when I put on a little weight but my jewellery always fits me no matter what
8. I believe every piece of jewellery has a story to tell. I bought my strand of pink pearls while shopping with a friend who is no longer around. I inherited my diamond ear studs from my mother.
9. Sometimes jewellery makes me sentimental . Like the time my then six-year-old daughter gave me a handmade bead necklace for Mother’s Day. It’s my priced possession.
10. I love jewellery shopping. It’s one of my passions.
11. From the time I was a kid I have loved organizing my jewellery in a Jewellery Case .It’s still one of my favorite past-times.
12. My passion for jewellery has taken me to the far corners of the world
13. Jewellery business has given me the opportunity to meet so many interesting people, make new friends and share so many experiences
14. Jewels spell romance. Not just the going-down-on-one-knee and proposing kind of romance alone. The journey of the lava stone from core of the earth. The gentle glow of the quartz. The fiery red of the ruby. These are pretty magical, objects indeed!
15. Giving a piece of jewellery is the best way anyone can express love and gratitude
16. You can never have enough!
17. The choice in jewellery is simply endless!
18. You don’t have to always spend enormous amounts of money to buy great-looking jewellery! You can wear an inexpensive bohemian charm necklace and still look like a million bucks!
19. I would say that any piece of jewellery (not just the diamond!) is a woman’s best friend!
20. Finally, wearing a fine piece of jewellery is an experience in itself!

Skitzo lava range from Mintsilver is very unique. I love this necklace out of the whole collection because it represents the the silver being embedded in lava perfectly. Stunning detail in the lava bead that is special to each bead and the necklace as the indentations in the lava are natural and unique. I envisage strong women with passion and courage being drawn to lava.

gems stones rings and earrings

Here are some random samples of Mintsilver range. The gemstones are all real. There’s a Peridot, Amethyst, Pearls and Topaz. Enjoy

Here’s a stylish ring that will surely make you feel like royalty. This stunning piece is embellished with neatly-cut garnets and tempered with a lavish spread of moonstones. Set in sterling silver, this ring gleams magnificently with an air of romance from past times.

This ring is a personal favorite of mine, simply because it has the classiness of a bygone era but fits in perfectly with today’s wardrobe. This silver ring is available in sizes 5 and 6 and you can order in any size if you are prepared to wait a while.

http://mintsilver.com.au/products/Fit-for-a-queen.html