Gemstone Jewelry Guide

Concave Faceted Gemstones - Effects

noreply@blogger.com (B2CJewels) — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 13:43:00 +0000

Gemstones have been faceted for hundreds of years and up until about 20 years ago the facets have been perfectly flat surfaces. It means having many non-parallel surfaces cut or ground onto the stone. New equipment allows facets to be cut with a dipped shape that gathers light from a wider range of angles and broadly diverges it within the stone. The result is a bright and interesting precious stone. The down side is that the load of the stone is little bit reduced.

WHAT ARE PRECIOUS AND SEMI-PRECIOUS STONES

noreply@blogger.com (B2CJewels) — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 10:52:00 +0000

Stones have been worn by men and women since ancient times. Modern jewelry uses beautiful, rare and colorful stones as a dominant feature for a piece with a metallic setting. The stones used in the crafting of fine jewelry are generally divided into two classes- precious stones and semi-precious stones. These stones are simply rocks (minerals) taken from the earth, and after they have been enhanced by the artisans cutting and polishing, the finest and rarest of them are what we call gems.

RECIOUS STONES
The most precious stones are the diamonds, emeralds, rubies and sapphires. The pearl is sometimes classed among precious stones while strictly speaking it is not a stone it holds an esteemed place in jewelry. Sometimes the opal is also considered a precious stone. Anything except these is considered semi-precious gemstones. The exceptional value of gems or precious stones depends simply upon their use as ornaments these days. Gemstone jewelry is very popular and considered very fashionable and elegant at the same time.

SEMI-PRECIOUS STONES
Among the popular semi-precious stones and less expensive ones are the amethyst, turquoise, aquamarine, topaz, peridot, opal, tourmaline, alexandrite and garnet (but the green garnet could cost more). These stones while comparatively common and inexpensive are indispensable to jewelry makers. These stones come in a variety of colors and thus it is possible to make unusual designs of artistic merit according to the personality of the wearer. The most valuable semi-precious stones would be the amethyst, turquoise, lapis-lazuli, aquamarine, topaz, peridot, moonstone, tourmaline, opal, zircon, chrysoberyl and alexandrite. Some other semi-precious stones that are not as valuable, though valuable still would include jade, garnet, chrysoprase, agate, azurite, bloodstone, coral, malachite, carnelian and a lot others.

For some gemstones the source of beauty is the color or the shine that makes them stand out in comparison to other stones, for others it is the hardness. Rarity also plays a role in classifying as gemstone. Since the valued characteristics of gemstones usually come into effect only through cutting and polishing, hence they are normally considered to be the cut stones.

Cutting and polishing means refinement of what might otherwise be insignificant raw materials. From time to time, new gemstones are discovered or varieties with gemstone quality are found in minerals which have been already known. Harder stones are suitable for jewelry, whereas the soft ones are often sought after by amateur collectors as well as serious lapidaries.

Alexandrite – Emerald By Day, Ruby By Night

noreply@blogger.com (B2CJewels) — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 10:06:00 +0000

If there is any gemstone that exudes royalty, it has to be the Alexandrite. No wonder it is popularly associated with longevity.

Here are some interesting facts about this amazing gemstone:

· Alexandrite is a rare member of the Chrysoberyl family. In daylight, it exhibits a bluish-green or even emerald-green tinge, while under artificial light it appears reddish. The redness ranges from crimson to purple-red and violet-red. Many gemologists jokingly say that it is an emerald during the day and ruby in the evening.

· Alexandrite was discovered on April, 17th, 1834 in an Emerald mine in Ural Mountains (Russia). The dense-green stone was originally mistaken for an emerald; however on closer inspection, it was found to be harder than an emerald, and when inspected under candle light, it exhibited a blood-red fire from within. This important discovery was made on the day the future Czar of Russia, Alexander II came of age. The stone was therefore named in his honor.

· Alexandrite is a favorite among gamblers, as they believe that by wearing it, they can improve their odds of winning. (The color change capability of the stone emphasizes the change of fortune).

· Alexandrite is known to make the wearer more calm, serene and peaceful. Therefore, it is a good talisman for people with anger management issues.

· Alexandrite can also improve circulation of blood, help in blood purification and strengthening of the various blood vessels. It also has very positive influences on the spleen and pancreas.

· Alexandrite’s are known to promote creative thinking and kindle the wearer’s imagination. It also has the quality of boosting the wearer’s intuition, which proves very beneficial in finding a way out from desperate situations.

Aquamarine – The Gemstone as blue as the sea

noreply@blogger.com (B2CJewels) — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 07:36:00 +0000

Aquamarine is popularly considered the birthstone for the month of March. The word ‘Aquamarine’ was derived from the Greek words ‘aqua’, meaning water, and ‘mare’, meaning the sea. This name is a very apt one considering the fact that the color of aquamarines resembles that of sea water.

This characteristic led ancient Romans to believe that aquamarines were sacred to Neptune, the god of the seas. Roman sailors wore talismans made from aquamarine to protect them from the harsh environment and dangers at sea.

Aquamarine is from the beryl family. That makes it pretty hard and durable and a popular choice for making gemstone jewelry. It is available in a wide array of hues ranging from blue-green to a light sky blue. Large deposits of this gemstone are located worldwide, the largest deposits being found in

Brazil

. Other countries where they are found include

Australia

United States

, Africa,

China

and

India

When you gift someone an aquamarine, it signifies that you care about the safety and security of the recipient. Some people even claim that aquamarines can bring that spark back in a mundane relationship, so it’s not a bad idea to gift one on you anniversary!

Related Posts:
Amethyst - The Birthstone for February

Understanding GIA’s Colored Stone Grading System

noreply@blogger.com (B2CJewels) — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 11:33:00 +0000

The following are the steps taken by trained gemologists to evaluate the tone, hue and saturation of gemstones.

The stone is first identified and classified according to its gem type.
The stone is then thoroughly cleaned in order to remove any dirt, dust and grime.
While holding the stone by its girdle against a neutrally colored background, the gemologist inspects the stone from a comfortable distance by looking at it face-up. The distance is usually about 18 inches.
A diffused and aylight-equivalent light source is required, which is usually place about 10 inches above the stone.
Then the gemologist rocks the gemstone back and forth (to an angle of about 30 degrees) while he makes the necessary judgments.

Measuring the tone

The illustration shows the various degrees or levels of gemstone tone. They range form very light (#2) to very dark (#8). The illustration shows that the sample gemstone has a tone that matches #5, which is a medium tone.

Measuring the hue

The adjoining illustration shows how the gemologist determines the hue of the gemstone. The gemstone in the illustration is predominantly green in color, but has a tinge of blue. The gemologist moves the gemstone around in the face-up position. The hue of the stone can be determined from the color seen in bright flashes. If one of the windows of the gemstone is so large that it occupies more than half of the face-up area, then the color exhibited in this window or facet is the dominating color, while the color visible in the brilliance flashes is an additional color.

Measuring the saturation level

As the final step, the gemologist determines the saturation level of the gemstone color. The gemstone is considered to have a vivid saturation if there is no incidence of a grayish or brownish appearance.

Image Source: http://www.awesomegems.com

Registrations for the China International Gold, Jewellery & Gem Fair- Shenzhen are on

noreply@blogger.com (B2CJewels) — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 09:13:00 +0000

For all of you who are in the gemstone trade, this is one event that you shouldn’t miss. The

China

International Gold, Jewellery and Gem Fair- Shenzhen has been fast growing as one of the most important events on the worldwide jewelry industry calendar.

The city of Shenzhen has been rapidly growing in importance and stature in the world jewelry industry. Due to its close proximity to the important port city of Hong Kong, Shenzhen has been growing in popularity as the destination of choice for hundreds and thousands of jewelry manufacturers. Shenzhen alone accounts for over 70 percent of China’s total jewelry production output and it has gained the moniker of China’s ‘City of Jewelry’.

The previous edition of the popular event, held in 2009, attracted more than 300 exhibitors from Turkey, Thailand, Hong Kong, India, Israel, Italy, Korea, the Philippines, Poland, Tahiti, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey and the United States, and it turned out to be a huge success.

The eighth edition of the Shenzhen Fair will be held from 9 - 12 March 2010 at the Shenzhen Convention & Exhibition Center.

Source: jewellerynetasia.com

Amethyst - The Birthstone for February

noreply@blogger.com (B2CJewels) — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 13:03:00 +0000

Amethysts are the birthstone for the month of February.
Here are some interesting facts about this mesmerizing stone.

Amethyst has been recognized as the official birthstone for February by the American National Association of Jewelers.
It is popularly considered as the birthstone for the Zodiac sign of Pisces.
Amethyst can be gifted on the 4th, 6th and 17th wedding anniversary.
Amethyst is considered as the most valuable member of the quartz family.
It has a hardness of 7.0 on the Mohs’ scale.
Amethysts are available in a wide range of colors including deep shades of purple, lavender, lilac and even mauve. Top quality Amethyst stones have a deep medium purple color with a dash of rose.
Historically, Amethysts have been known to ward off addictions such as excessive drinking. They are also used to cure hearing disorders, insomnia and headaches.
Amethysts are known to reduce anger, impatience and nightmares.

Related Posts:

Make Your Mother’s Day Colorful with Gemstones

noreply@blogger.com (B2CJewels) — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 08:13:00 +0000

Even while you were a weeping infant or a furious teenager or a less-thoughtful grown-up, you always remained the favorite gem of your mom. So there’s no better gift than a euphoric gemstone jewelry piece given by your mom’s favorite gem to spellbind her on this Mother’s Day.

Loose Gemstones

Despite the fact that there cannot be a more adept gift than diamonds for a woman, sometimes colored gemstones are successful in creating equal magic. You can choose from a myriad of colored gemstones available at jewelry stores and gift it to your mom with a thoughtful emotion of utilizing it according to her own free will.

The most apt choice in colored gemstones for mature women could be amethyst, pink tourmaline, aquamarine, emerald, chalcedony, smoky quartz and topaz. Garnets and peridots of lighter hues could also be a clever choice that will suit your mom elegantly and not impart a loud appeal.

Multi-Color Gemstone Jewelry

A classy blend of two or more colored gemstones embedded on a stylish piece of ring can prove to be one of the most glamorous jewelry in your mom’s collection. Find for her one such exclusive ring or pair of earrings and watch your mom’s friends go green-eyed on watching it.

Birthstone Jewelry

Universally recommended birthstones can definitely be a unique gift for your mom if she doesn’t prepossess one. And the best mounting for birthstone is undoubtedly a simple and decent pendant or ring which she can adorn always. So find out your mom’s birthstone and get hunting for a graceful encasement.

Diamond Earrings

Diamonds are mesmeric and never fail to inspire the poetry of any woman. Besides they go along well with any attire and any occasion. So if your budget permits, then you can go in for a pair of multiple diamond danglers or hoop earrings. And if not, charming stud earrings can be an affordable choice which your mom will happily adorn daily.

Gemstone Charms

If budget is your constraint or nothing of all coincides with your mom’s choice, then charms can certainly be a reliable option to gift. The amount of beautiful gemstone charms available for sale online and offline are sure to puzzle you, but they will surely bring a million dollar smile on your mom’s face due to their multi-usages. Gift a gorgeous gemstone studded charm and let her decide what use she wishes to bring her charm to.

Valentine's Jewelry Gifts

noreply@blogger.com (B2CJewels) — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 06:24:00 +0000

Valentine's Day is just around the corner and whole town is busy preparing for their unique celebration. So what special have you planned for your sweetheart? We know that choosing the right gift is much more difficult than finding the appropriate place and attire for the evening. We have come to help you find gifts that will not only befit your taste but will also suit your budget.

Gifts below $100

Multicolored Gemstone Earrings Crafted in 14K Yellow Gold.

Spark your Valentine’s Day celebrations by grabbing 30% discount on these enthralling 14K yellow gold multicolored gemstone earrings. Enter ‘VAL0017’ as the coupon code and grab this offer from B2CJewels.com before February 14, 2009.

Gifts below $150

Multicolored Gemstone Necklace Crafted in 14K Yellow Gold.

Get sensational 30% discount of this multicolored gemstone necklace crafted in 14K yellow gold from B2CJewels.com. Enter ‘VAL0013’ as the coupon code before February 14, 2009 to grab this special Valentine’s Day Special offer!

Gifts below $200

14K Yellow Gold Genuine Peridot, Garnet, Citrine, Orange and Lemon Topaz Pendant.

This Valentines Day gift your sweetheart this winged wonder pendant crafted in 14K yellow gold with Peridot drop and multicolored flower which is extremely spectacular.

Get special 20% Valentine’s Day discount on this Yellow Gold Genuine Peridot, Garnet, Citrine, Orange and Lemon Topaz Pendant. To avail this discount use ‘VAL0006’ as coupon code during the purchase. This is multiple usage coupon and can be used up to February 14, 2009.

Jewelry Gift Ideas To Spark Up Your Celebrations

noreply@blogger.com (B2CJewels) — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 09:10:00 +0000

Holiday season brings air of happiness and celebrations with it. Christmas being one of the most cherished and relished occasion binds the whole world in spirits of joy and celebrations. The best way to spend this beautiful season is visiting family and friends to rebuilt and reenergize the strong strings of these relationships. Shopping for self and friends is another much cherished event this season.

Gifts as exciting as they sound are equally difficult to find. Often people get confused wondering what to gift and where to shop them for. The most happening gift idea this season is however the concept of gifting ‘jewelry’. Dazzling and precious as your relationship jewelry make awesome gift option for everyone. Everyone irrespective of their age is fond of jewelry and have certain longing towards jewelry gifts.

So gift your near and dear ones with the best jewelry Christmas gifts this season.
1) Close loved ones can be gifted with pristine diamond jewelry like diamond earrings, dazzling diamond rings and diamond pendants.
2) A younger member would love to possess glistering gemstone charms and gemstone earrings.
3) College goers may fashionably want to show of different designer diamond pendants, gemstone rings and gorgeous sets of gold earrings.
4) Elite, elderly members like granny’s and aunties, love to have a set of classic pearl earrings or a strand of ravishing pearl necklace.

Go ahead and gift these amazing jewelry gifts to your loved ones and see the happiness radiate through their face. Celebrate his joyous season of Christmas by spreading joy and happiness around.

Sapphire – Uses and Properties

noreply@blogger.com (John Taylor) — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 13:27:00 +0000

Sapphires come in different colors based on the quantity of impurities present in it. Elements such as iron, titanium & chromium contribute in shifting the hue of the mineral from transparent to a vast range of colors such as green, pink, orange, yellow, grey & blue.

It is the gemstone form of mineral called corundum but it is called a sapphire only when not red, if it is of the red variety then it is known as a ruby.

Properties

Sapphire is one of the strong & hardy minerals with melting point greater than 2000 degrees C. With 5 times the strength of glass it is quite resilient to scratches & is used in many other applications apart from being used in jewelry.

Uses of Sapphire

In jewelry industry Sapphire is a highly sought after gemstone for use in items such as rings, pendants, bracelets etc. but it is also being used in fields such as construction & electronics. As for example, the first laser ever made used a rod of synthetic ruby which is called the red cousin of sapphire.

Sapphire Jewelry

Sapphire jewelry made of naturally occurring sapphire is comparatively more expensive to jewelry made of synthetic sapphire. The cost of the jewelry also depends on other factors of the gem such as clarity, color, quality, size & cut.

The most valued form of sapphire is the blue variety & sapphire gems with cornflower blue shade are considered the most prized & valuable known as the Cornflower Blue Sapphire.

Sapphires are known as guardians of love, when exchanged with loved one, they enhance feelings for each other & have the power to banish jealousy and envy. So go ahead, gift a sparkling sapphire jewelry piece to your loved one to make him or her look special.

Light of Noah – Garnet

noreply@blogger.com (John Taylor) — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 13:15:00 +0000

The term ‘Garnet’ is derived from the Latin word granatum, meaning a grain or a seed; here it is mainly referred to the pomegranate granule- which is red in color. It is the birthstone for January & its use has been documented in Ancient Egypt.

Egyptians made talismans & jewelry from Garnet and buried it with the dead in order to protect & provide illumination through their journey after life. According to the Bible, Noah is believed to have used Garnet as a guide in his path & for giving light inside the ark.

It is generally associated with color red. However, Garnet also occurs in other colors and hues such as yellow, black, pink, purple & orange. Earlier it was thought that Garnet does not occur in the color blue, but this changed with its discovery in Madagascar in 1990.

Some of the known attributes of Garnet include healing, strength, relief for skin inflammations, curing depression & regulating blood flow. It is also given as gifts; & when exchanged among friends, it shows their affection for each other.

Garnet finds its primary use in jewelry but because of its hardness, it is also used in some industrial applications. It is usually used to blast clean items since it is more efficient than sand, & can also be recovered & recycled during this blast cleaning process.

Spessartite garnet is considered as the new kid on the block, with being discovered only in the 1800’s in Spessart, Bavaria. Price of Spessartite garnet was prohibitive, until the time good deposits of it were found in Namibia & Nigeria. This is a reasonably hard gemstone which is generally free of inclusions, with colors ranging from orange to reddish-orange.

If you are planning to buy gemstone jewelry, it is recommended selecting garnet gemstone for your jewelry item as it gives you a vivid range of colors to choose from & prices that are affordable.

Favorite Gem of Cleopatra – Emerald

noreply@blogger.com (John Taylor) — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 14:15:00 +0000

The birthstone for May – Emerald has always been highly valued. Emerald’s were considered holy stones & were also believed to have power of preventing epilepsy, improve memory, intelligence & sight. The name has been derived from French word esmaraude & Greek word smarados. Both the words mean “green stone”. They are found in many locations around the world with Colombia & Brazil being the major producers.

In ancient Egypt, near Red Sea there were emerald mines. It is known that Cleopatra prized them over all other gems & because of that the mines were named after her. Aztecs of South America, maharajas of India as well as Ancient Incas prized the stone & are known to have possessed many high quality stones in their times.

One of the largest emeralds in world which dates back to late 17th century is the Mogul Emerald, weighing more than 200 carats with prayer engravings on one side & floral ornamentations on the other side. This Mogul Emerald was auctioned at Christie’s in 2001 for $2.2 million.

Best quality emeralds have a grassy green color & outstanding clarity. Many of the stones have internal cracks which are known as inclusions. The number of inclusions & their severity can affect emerald’s value, but more than that the degree of transparency and color have more affect on value.

A very high quality emerald could be more in value than a diamond because they are extremely rare. Emeralds have meant different things to different people over time from being green of spring to being the stone which brings good luck.

How to care gemstones and gemstone jewelry

noreply@blogger.com (John Taylor) — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 05:55:00 +0000

Caring for your precious gemstones is an important and essential exercise. Some valuable tips to safeguard your gems are:

Storing gemstones:
Gemstones can be affected by electromagnetic field. Electronic devices can deviate energy from gemstones, therefore try to keep them away from television and other electronic devices.
When planning to take an X-ray, remember to remove your gemstone jewelry, as it can get affected during the process.
Do not wear gemstones while swimming.
Avoid storing different types of gemstone together. Since some gems are harder than the other, friction between them can lead to scratches.

Cleaning loose gemstone:
1. Cleaning of loose gemstones is simpler when compared to cleaning gemstone jewelry. Follow this process to clean loose gemstones:
2. Take a bowl of Luke warm water and add some mild detergent to it.
3. Soak the gemstones in the liquid for about 10 minutes.
4. Take a soft cloth, rinse it in the liquid and wipe the gemstones with it.
5. Rinse the gemstone under running water and wipe it with soft cloth or soft tissue.
6. Wrap each gemstone in separate soft cloth or soft tissue and store.

Cleaning gemstone jewelry:
1. While cleaning gemstone jewelry, the first thing we should take into account is the setting of the gemstone.
2. It should be tight and the stones should not fall loose from the jewelry.
3. Follow points 1 and 2 as told above (in cleaning loose gemstone). Now take a soft tooth brush dipped in the Luke warm water with detergent and scrub the area where the gemstones are located. This should get the dirt out.
4. Now follow points 3 to 5 as given above.

This process is especially helpful in case of Gemstone Rings, Gemstone Pendants, Gemstone Necklace, Gemstone Earrings and other Gemstone jewelry, that have maximum contact with your body or outside.

Yellow Topaz

noreply@blogger.com (John Taylor) — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 11:15:00 +0000

Topaz is one of the oldest known stones in the world. It is a beautiful crystal gemstone that comes in a remarkable amount of colors. While today Yellow Topaz is primarily used for ornamentation in gemstone jewelry, in the past, as well as modern times, Yellow Topaz was associated with mystical and medicinal properties.

While Yellow Topaz is the most common and least expensive Topaz color, it is extremely beautiful and its array of colors makes very gemstone jewelry facet amazingly fashionable. Yellow Topaz can come in a variety of yellow, such as a pale yellow, bright yellow, brownish yellow and greenish yellow. These awe-some yellow hues are commonly witnessed among gemstone earrings, the dangling ones, often combined with the sparkle of diamonds.

There are plenty of medicinal and mystical properties associated with Yellow Topaz, such as warding off evil and illness. It is also used to calm the mind and inspire creativity.

Sapphire- The Sensuous Stone

noreply@blogger.com (John Taylor) — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 11:12:00 +0000

The corundum group consists of pure aluminium oxide and traces of other elements such as iron, chromium, titanium etc. that give the stone its magnificent color. Sapphires, known for their beauty, constancy and durability, constitute of the non-red variety of the corundum group, the deep saturated red being termed as Ruby.

When talking of Sapphires, the vision of a velvety blue color striking into mind is the obvious reflex; the reason being that blue Sapphires, by far, remain the most popular and sought-after gemstone. This ascertains the esteemed position it commands in the world of gemstone jewelry. But the shades of blue are not all that is offered by this marvelous gem variety. It presents a wide array of colors including yellow, pink, orange, green purple and white. The industry terms Sapphires other than blue as “Fancies”.

The blue sapphire is a common member of the gemstone earring family and is also seen quite often in gemstone rings. Use of multicolored sapphires in gemstone bracelets in combination with diamonds is the recent trend in fashion jewelry.

To obtain a clear white Sapphire is a rare incidence. White Sapphires, often used as substitutes for diamonds, are usually obtained as grey or brown and are then treated to make them clear. As the pink of sapphires moves deeper, towards the hue of ruby-red, their price increases. The gemstone jewelry world often uses the deep pink sapphires as substitute for rubies.

The Sapphires are bestowed with yet more flabbergasting features. There are Sapphires with color shifting characteristic. You have stones appearing blue in daylight and turn to purple when viewed under incandescent light. Peculiar even, a pink Sapphire, that is in daylight, appears green when seen under fluorescent. Furthermore, there are the star-Sapphires exhibiting a star-like phenomenon known as asterism. The star sapphire is almost always used in single faceted jewelry such as gemstone pendants and gemstone rings.

The value of a Sapphire is determined by its size, color and transparency. The color of a Sapphire is largely dependent on its origin, thus, making origin an important factor in value determination. The Kashmir Sapphires with a pure blue hue and a subtle violet overtone intensified by a silky shine are the most valuable followed by Burmese Sapphires whose color ranges from a royal blue to a deep cornflower blue. Whether the stone has undergone some treatment or other is also a factor under consideration while determining the value of a Sapphire. The value of star Sapphires is determined not just by the size of the stone but also by the visibility and intensity of the asterism.

The rough Sapphire is sent to the cutter, who scrutinizes the stone and musters his skill to cut the Sapphire in the best possible way in order to bring out utmost brilliance and sparkle.

Up to 60% off on White Gold Genuine Sapphire Bracelet for mother's day

noreply@blogger.com (John Taylor) — Thu, 08 May 2008 11:01:00 +0000

This bracelet creates a beautiful contrast with the combination of prong set deep blue sapphires awesomely secured within a frame of sparkling diamonds set in 14K white gold.

Deal Price: $3,970.00

Retail Value: $7,100.00

For extra 10% discount on discounted price use coupon available on site.

Coupon code: mothersday

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Coupon Offer Valid for first 1000 users. (via Mother's Day)

14K White Gold Genuine Amethyst And Diamond Earrings

noreply@blogger.com (John Taylor) — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 14:48:00 +0000

The lovely amethysts in these 14K gold earrings are prong set and are sure to add a sparkle to her ears.

Amazes of Amethyst

noreply@blogger.com (John Taylor) — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 14:15:00 +0000

Amethyst is the purple variety of quartz occurring in hues ranging from a light pinkish violet to a deep grape purple. The most sought after color is the deep violet exhibiting flashes of red. This variety is termed as the “Siberian” though it is got from places other than Siberia. Most material from Brazil occurs in a tender violet, while that coming from Madagascar are generally red or violet. Uruguay has the most exquisitely deep colored amethysts but the supplies have almost tarnished.

The legend of this stone holds that the Greek God of intoxication, Dionysius, was once insulted by a mortal and swore revenge on the next mortal crossing his way. Amethyst, a beautiful maiden, who was on her way to pay tribute to the Goddess Diana, happened to be the next mortal in Dionysius’s way. To save her from the brutal attack of Dionysius, Goddess Diana turned Amethyst into a crystal statue which turned purple by the tears of Dionysius in repentance at the sight of the statue. This is how the stone acquires its name.

Amethyst has been celebrated as an idyllic gem for use in gemstone jewelry by designers owing to its royal color, size and shape variations and an extensive tonal range from pale lavender to dark purple. Its popularity in the gemstone jewelry industry can also be attributed to its modest price, due to abundance in all parts of the world, making it affordable for jewelry lovers and a hardness of 7 to ease the caring process.

As an ultimate choice in jewelry, amethyst often finds its way in gemstone rings and gemstone pendants as a solitaire stone. Gemstone earrings, mostly danglers, with a fine intersperse of amethyst with diamonds or other varieties of gemstones are gaining peeks in popularity in recent times.

Apart from its use as an ornamental stone in gemstone jewelry , amethyst also has a firm niche in medicine and is believed to be bestowed with miraculous powers. It is held that amethyst brings good fortune in war and hunt, drives out evil spirits and inspires the intellect. It is referred to as the gemstone of friendship and is the birthstone of the month of February.

Ruby - King Of Gemstones

noreply@blogger.com (John Taylor) — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 13:23:00 +0000

RUBY - King of Gemstones

Ruby, one of the most valuable gemstone, belongs to the corundum family and is considered to be the King of Gemstones. Only the red variety of corundum is at liberty to command the title of Ruby, while all other varieties are categorized as Sapphires.

Rubies consist of aluminium oxide and chrome, the latter giving rubies their wonderful color. But chrome is also responsible for creating multitude of fissures and cracks inside the crystals. It is, therefore, rare to find rubies of considerably big sizes. Some rubies display a splendid and glorious silky shine called the “silk” of the gemstone which is caused by the fine needles of rutile. Sometimes the rutile forms a star-shaped deposit within the ruby causing a mesmerizing light effect called asterism. Such rubies are called Star- Rubies and are precious rarities.

The red of the rubies is a hot, passionate and powerful color. Rubies are considered as a perfect way to expresses compassionate and powerful feelings. Rings set in rubies are, therefore, thought to symbolize passionate love.

The value of a ruby depends on its color and attractiveness of the color. Rubies fall into various categories depending on their color and value. The top most category being the “Burmese Ruby”. It does not necessarily mean that the gemstone is of Burmese origin; it is merely an indication of a rich, full red with slightly bluish hue of the concerned ruby, which is a peculiarity of the stones from the famous deposits of Burma, now Myanmar. The color is sometimes referred to as “pigeon-blood-red”.
Other qualities that are determinants of the value of a ruby are cut, clarity and size, similar to that of other gemstones.

Jewelry

noreply@blogger.com (B2CJewels) — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 05:15:00 +0000

Gemstone per Month

noreply@blogger.com (John Taylor) — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 11:27:00 +0000

Gemstones are believed to have mystical powers. They are thought to have some connections with stars/sun-signs and bring good luck, health, prosperity, happiness to people of the respective birth sign.

Based on their linkage with signs, gemstones are allotted to particular months. Accordingly the gemstone serves his master, born in that respective month. The various gemstones that serve different sun-signs are listed in ascending order of months from January to December:

Garnet (January): Garnets are said to be a stones of purity and truth. These stones are a depiction of loyalty and constancy in friendship, a symbol of love and compassion and believed to help increase the sex drive. These stones possess the power to bring success in business, fame and popularity. They also provide protection and bring spiritual awareness.

Amethyst (February): Amethyst gets its name from the name of a beautiful Greek maiden. It is said that Goddess Diana had turned Amethyst into a crystal statue to prevent her from the brutal claws of Dionysius-God of intoxication- when he swore revenge on the next mortal passing from the path, after being insulted by a mortal. At the sight of the beautiful statue, Dionysius wept tears of wine in repentance of his action.
Ranging from pale lilac to deep purple, this stone is believed to encourage celibacy and was hence, used in ornamentation of churches in Middle Ages. Amethyst still symbolizes sobriety.

Aquamarine (March): This sparkling blue gem obtained its name from sea water. The color ranges from light to medium blue. Aquamarine is said to be the treasure of mermaids and is believed to have the power to safe guard sailors. Immersing in water is thought to strengthen its charm. It is also said that it has a soothing effect on land, particularly so for married couples, and provides protection against ruse of evil.

Diamond (April): Diamonds have got their name from the Greek word ‘Adamas’ meaning unconquerable. It suggests the eternity of love. Diamonds are the traditional symbols of love. These are the crystalline form of carbon and posses the quality of reflecting light beautifully. Since they are composed of a single element, they are considered to be the purest of all the gemstones.

Emerald (May): This grassy green gem is a variety of beryl. The dark velvety green emeralds are considered to be the most valuable than other shades. Emeralds are the gems of eternal spring with plenty of sparkle and life. They are known to give keen insights in dreams. They are believed to transmit patience to the wearer and help in meditation.

Pearl (June): The sparkling beauty of pearl strands has been cherished since ages. According to the ancient Greek belief, pearls are capable of promoting marital bliss and help in the prevention of tears to the newlywed. They are also known to eliminate emotional imbalances.

Ruby (July): Ruby’s satisfy all the hallmarks of value- rarity, durability and beauty. They are the most expensive of all gems other than the rarest red variety of diamonds. They are also harder all materials other than diamonds. It is a common belief that rubies accord wisdom, happiness and health to the wearer. They are also known for maintaining balance in love and all spiritual endeavors.

Peridot (August): Peridot, the volcanic gem, is an awesome yellow-green gem named as the Evening Emerald by the Romans as it doesn’t darken its tint in the night. It was used to decorate medieval churches. It is said to bless the wearer with success, peace and good luck and also incur strength and physical vitality. It helps create a positive outlook and alleviate spiritual fear.

Sapphire (September): Sapphire is recognized as the gem of the heaven or the divine gem. Though, the most popular varieties are the truly royal blue sapphires, they range from dark blue to bright blue, golden to reddish orange and violets as well. Sapphires symbolize sincerity and faithfulness and are known to grant spiritual enlightenment, inner peace and a means of personal expression to the wearer.

Opal (October): These beautiful, flickering gems are thought to have got their name from the Greek word “Oppalus” meaning “change in color” and later the Latin word “Opalus” meaning “precious stone” came into being. They are believed to have strong spiritual value and are thought to glow with extraordinary, positive energy. They are considered to be the omen of hope and promise the bearer protection from impurities and bad health. It is, by some, considered to be unlucky.

Topaz (November): The old Egyptian belief holds that the color of Topaz can be owed to the golden glow of the mighty Sun God, Ra, and were considered to be powerful amulets against harm. According to the Greek belief this gem possesses the power to increase strength. It is known to dispel enchantment and help improve eyesight. It blesses the wearer emotional balance, calmed passions, spiritual regeneration, released tension and a feeling of joy.

Turquoise (December): Generally, thought to have received its name from the French phrase “pierre turquoise” which means “Turkish stone”, turquoise is also sometimes believed to get the name from a Persian word “fiouze” meaning the color turquoise. The gem, in ancient times, was often included in graves for protection from evil and was recognized to attract good spirits. Turquoise is known to bring wealth and well being of the wearer and also support luck and love.
It varies in color from deep sky blue to aqua with hints of green.

Gemstone guide

noreply@blogger.com (John Taylor) — Sat, 15 Dec 2007 08:35:00 +0000

Sapphire

A highly valued member of the corundum species. Sapphires are any color of corundum other then red (ruby). Unless otherwise noted the color of a sapphire is blue, when is is another color the hue precedes sapphire (pink sapphire, purple sapphire, etc.).

Ruby

Ruby is the red form of the mineral species corundum. Rubies symbolize beauty, charity, love, passion, power, and royalty.

Emerald

Emerald is a member of the beryl species of minerals and has a vivid green hue. The color of most emeralds is caused by trace amounts of chromium in the atomic structure. Colombia has been a major source for emeralds for centuries, but emeralds have also been found in Brazil, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Emerald is the birthstone for the month of May and is traditionally the gemstone used for twentieth and thirty-fifth wedding anniversaries.

Amethyst

This type of quartz is found in shades of purple ranging from light lavender to deep, intense purple with subtle flashes of red helps to draw your attention beyond the mind to the realm of pure spiritual knowledge. Amethyst is the birthstone for February. It is also the 6th anniversary gemstone.

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