Colored Gemstone Choices for Fall and Winter 2018

After studying Pantone's color choices for Fall and Winter 2018, I selected the best gems for you that match the color palette.  These are gems that will compliment Fall and Winter's fashions in clothing and accessories; colors you may want to consider while planning your jewelry creations for later in the year.

Image borrowed from Pantone website

 Red Pear - Ruby, Garnet

Valiant Poppy - Red Coral

Nebulas Blue - not really sure on this one

Ceylon Yellow - another one I am not really sure of

Martini Olive - Smokey Quartz

Russet Orange - Carnelian, Peach Moonstone, Amber

Ultra Violet - Amethyst, Charoite

Crocus Petal -  Phosposdarite, Pink Amethyst, Lavender Moonstone Quartz, Sugilite

Limelight - Lemon Quartz

Quetzal Green - London Blue Topaz

We're Changing Our Name to Tiger Gem Store!

Me and Tiger, 2007

Tiger Bead Store was opened in October of 2007, and at that time, it started out as a bead store.  We carried all types of beads:  gemstone, glass, wood, clay, crystal, and lots of strands of pearls.  As the store developed, I kept adding new merchandise to see what kinds of gems and jewelry supplies my customers were interested in.

When I began to add cabochons and faceted gemstones, there seemed to be quite a need for quality gems at affordable prices.  And that is really what took off as far as sales went for the store.  So Tiger Bead Store, has really become a gem store.  And that is why the name change.

Only the name has changed.  The store is still owned and operated solely by myself.  You will continue to find quality gemstone cabochons and faceted gems, and superior customer service at Tiger Gem Store.  In a few months, I am also going to change the look of the store too, which I am excited about.

Me and Tiger, 2016

As always, if you have any feedback or suggestions for me, I would love to hear from you.  Thank you for all your support over these years.  And I am always here to answer any questions or concerns you may have regarding gemstones or the products I carry.

Thank you.

July's Birthstone, Ruby

 July's birthstone, the ruby, is among the most highly prized of gemstones. Large rubies are harder to find than large diamonds, emeralds and sapphires. As a result, rubies’ value increases with size more than any other gemstone.

Ruby is a pink to blood-red colored gemstone, a variety of the mineral corundum, also known as aluminum oxide.  The red color is caused mainly by the presence of the element chromium. It is harder than any natural gemstone except diamond, which means a ruby is durable enough for everyday wear.

 Prices of rubies are primarily determined by color. The brightest and most valuable "red" called pigeon blood-red, commands a large premium over other rubies of similar quality. After color follows clarity: similar to diamonds, a clear stone will command a premium price.  Cut and carat weight would be the last determining factors in pricing a ruby.

All natural rubies have imperfections in them, including color impurities and inclusions of rutile needles known as "silk". Gemologists use these needle inclusions found in natural rubies to distinguish them from synthetics, or substitutes.  Almost all rubies today are treated in some form, with heat treatment being the most common practice.  Rubies that are completely untreated and are of excellent quality, command a large premium.

Rubies come from all over the world but good gemstones are found in India, Madagascar, Zimbabwe, North Carolina in the U.S., Afghanistan, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Kenya, Tanzania, Kampuchea, and perhaps most notably, Burma.  The Mogok valley of Upper Burma is famous as the source for the finest and rarest rubies of all, the pigeon blood-red,  named for the stones’ intense red color. Another major source of rubies is Thailand, well-known for dark, brownish-red rubies. Both Thailand and Burma regard the ruby as their national stone.

(Information shared from the websites:  American Gem Society and Earth Sky.)

Mohs Scale of Hardness for Gemstones

Have you ever heard of the Mohs scale and wondered what it was?  I have read about it in reference to the hardness of gemstones over and over, but I decided I wanted to know more about, it so I did some research.  This is what I found.

The Mohs scale was created in 1812 by the German geologist and mineralogist Friedrich Mohs.  Minerals were tested for hardness by scrathing one material against another, and seeing which was the harder substance.  Hardness refers to a minerals resistance to scratching.  Then they were rated by which was more scratch resistant than the other. 

The scale shows the hardness of minerals in a range of 1 to 10 where talc at 1 is the softest and diamond at 10 is the hardest. On this scale minerals with higher Mohs numbers can scratch minerals with lower Mohs numbers.

Here is a sample of some gemstones and where they rate on the Mohs Scale.

This graph is taken from Wikipedia

Here is another table showing more gemstones and other materials, and where they are considered to be on the Mohs scale.

This graph is taken from Wikipedia.

More on Gemstone Treatments

Dyed Chalcedony

Since I am interested in knowing how and why gemstones are treated, I thought you might like to know to.  

Many dealers treat gemstone materials through several of the methods listed below.  The reason being, to gain higher prices when selling on the world markets.

The goal of any gem treatment is to improve the stone's color and clarity. Some methods help to remove inclusions; some fill the cracks in a stone; other methods can make clear crystals appear colorful.

The following list will help you identify and understand some of the gemstone treatments known to exist in the gem trade. Some of these treatments are temporary, while others are permanent.

Heating : Heat is used to achieve a desired alteration of color, clarity, and /or phenomena. This is a permanent treatment. Examples: Tanzanite, Blue Topaz, Smoky Quartz, Citrine, Aquamarine, Quartz.

Diffusion: The use of chemicals in conjunction with high temperatures to produce color and/or asterism-producing inclusions. This is a permanent treatment. Examples: Topaz, Sapphire.

Irradiation : The use of neutron bombardment to alter a gemstone's color; may be followed by a heating process. This is a permanent treatment. Examples: Topaz, Smoky Quartz, Diamonds.

Coating : The use of surface enhancements such as lacquering, enameling, inking, foiling, or sputtering of films to improve appearance, provide color or add other special effects. This is a temporary enhancement.Examples: Emerald, Opal.

Dyeing : The introduction of coloring matter into a gemstone to give it new color, intensify present color or improve color uniformity.  Sometimes stable, but often not, may fade or bleed. This is a temporary enhancement. Examples: Chalcedony, Quartz, Agate.  Sometimes (not always) also used to intensify the color of Amethyst, Garnet, Iolite and many other stones.

Dyed Pink Chalcedony

Oiling/Resin Infusion : The intentional filling of surface breaking cavities with a colorless oil, wax, natural resin, or unhardened man-made material into fissured transparent gemstones to improve appearance. (i.e., oil, man-made resin, cedar wood oil, Canada balsam, paraffin, etc.) This is a temporary enhancement. Examples: Emerald.

Filling : As a by-product of heat enhancement, the presence of solidified borax or similar colorless substances. This is a temporary enhancement. Examples: Emerald, Opal.

Infilling : The intentional filling of surface cracks or fractures usually with glass, plastic, or other hardened foreign substances to improve durability, appearance and / or weight. This is a temporary enhancement. Example: Emerald, Mexican Opal.

Waxing/Oiling : The impregnation of a colorless wax, paraffin and oil in porous opaque gemstones to improve appearance. This is a temporary enhancement. Examples: Emerald, Opal.

Laser : The use of a laser and chemicals to reach and alter inclusions in diamonds. This is a permanent treatment.

Vacumn Deposition  : A newly patented process, that deposits a permanent coating. Stable. This is how all "Mystic Topaz", Green Topaz, and most or probably all Pink Topaz available to the average consumer is acquirred.

Stabilization :  The use of resin like coatings. Usually stable, but may attract grime and discolor. Common with Turquoise.  Sometimes a dealer may incorrectly use this term for chips that have been reconstituted and dyed.

Folklore of Moonstone

  

I love gem folklore.  I find it fascinating to read what different cultures have thought about the powers and uses of gemstones.  The following is folklore for June's birthstone, the moonstone.

"There is a bit of folklore which claims that if a man gives his lover a moonstone necklace on the night of the full moon, the couple will experience intense passion for each other forever.

The moonstone is also believed to bring good fortune, enhance intuition, offer protection, and bring success in love and business matters.

Fortune tellers decorated their crystal balls with moonstone to aid them in predicting the future. It is believed that the moonstone gem regenerates its power when placed under the light of the full moon.

Moonstone in Rome, Greece and France
From ancient civilizations to our modern-day society, moonstone has been prized and sought after to be worn as jewelry.

The Romans revered the moonstone, believing it to be born from the rays of the moon’s light.

The Greeks believed that the moonstone represented the great lunar deities like Achelois, Phoebe, Artemis, Selene and Hecate, and worshiped the stone.

 Indian Moonstone Legends

In India, the moonstone is thought to be a sacred, powerful gemstone. Moonstones there are called 'dream stones' and are believed to bring the wearer beautiful visions during sleep.

The stone is believed to bring luck in love and is given as a traditional wedding gift. Moonstones are always displayed on a cloth that is yellow, which the Indians consider a sacred color.

The legend about how the moonstone came into existence begins with a battle fought between Lord Vishnu and Bali, the demon god. Lord Vishnu destroyed Bali and broke his body into pieces. The pieces then fell to Earth as various jewels. The moonstone was formed from a piece of Bali’s eye.

Moonstone in the Middle East

In the Middle East, many women wear moonstones discretely sewn into their garments because they believe the stone is a symbol of fertility.

Amulets with moonstone are hung from trees to ensure an abundant crop.

Similar to Indians, the people in the Middle East also associate the moonstone with love matters. It is believed that a couple can predict the direction of their relationship if a moonstone is placed in their mouths at the time of the full moon.

The moonstone is also offered as a blessing to young couples. It is believed that the gem will provide fertility and help to create a large and healthy family.

  
Oriental Beliefs

In the Orient, it is believed that the moonstone gem is actually a ray of moonlight that has solidified and that a good spirit lives inside the gem. Emperors were buried with moonstone and other symbolic gems."

This information in from the website JewelryNotes.com

What Are Man Made Gemstones?

Just what are man made gemstones?  I was curious about this myself, so I thought I would do a little research and share what I found with you.  


Man made gemstones are also known as lab created stones,  or synthetic stones.

These stones are created in a laboratory and have similar chemical composition and physical properties of their natural counterparts.  An example is a lab created ruby, which posses similar chemical composition and physical properties of a natural ruby.

Lab created stones look better than natural stones and are fine gem quality. Most of these stones are made of "lab spinel" or "lab corundum" or “lab quartz”. Even experienced gem dealers and professionals are sometimes puzzled to differentiate between the natural and lab created stone.

Lab created stones are the perfect version of the natural stones. Lab created stones usually come with the best colors and without any flaws or inclusions - that is very rare or highly expensive to be obtained with a natural stone.

Man made gemstones have very good sparkle and are flawless.  The price of a lab stone is just a fraction of the cost of a natural stone, which makes it more affordable to buy.
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Another type of man made stone is  he imitation stone, also called simulated stone.  These stones are made in the laboratory and look like natural stones but they do not have similar chemical composition and the physical properties of their natural counterpart.  They just imitate the color and look of a natural stone.  An example is cubic zirconia, or CZ.   This stone has similar look and sparkle to that of a natural diamond but costs just a fraction of the price of a natural diamond.

Most of these imitation stones are made of "lab spinel" or "lab corundum" or "lab CZ" or “glass”.

(this information is being shared from Ebay Guides, What are Man Made Gemstones?  and Why Buy Them?) 

Chryscolla

I recently bought chrysocolla cabochons for the bead store.  I have never purchased this gemstone before so I wanted to find out a little bit about the stone. 

I wanted to know if somehow it was related to turquoise.   What I did find out is that it is often confused for turquoise.   Due to its color similarity, Chrysocolla can be used as a cheaper substitute and is occasionally falsely labelled as Turquoise.

Chrysocolla is a gemstone with a beautiful sky blue to bluish-green color. It's chemical make up contains copper, which is responsible for the bright attractive color.  It can be solid in color, but more often it is multicolored blue and green, with interesting color patterns or mottling, inclusions, or veining of black and brown material. 

Chrysocolla is found worldwide. It is a copper bearing mineral found wherever copper deposits occur 
especially in areas of the southwestern USA, Mexico, Chili, Australia, France, England, the Congo (Zaire), Israel, and Peru. 

Chrysocolla, in its pure form, is soft and fragile, and therefore not widely used in jewelry. It has a 
variable hardness from 2 to 4 on the Mohr's scale of gem hardness. 

Though soft as a gem, you could put a finish over the stone to help make it more durable. If you 
wanted to use it in jewelry, I would recommend using it for a piece that would not get as much 
wear and tear, such as a pin, or possibly a necklace pendant.      

Chalcedony

I was interested in the gemstone chalcedony and thought I would do some research.

Chalcedony is also known as agate. Its colors are bluish white, or gray. The various types differ in color due to metallic impurities, such as iron, nickel, copper, and titanium, present during crystallization.

Some of the best known chalcedony species are:

Bloodstone, an opaque, dark green chalcedony with red spots (caused by iron oxide).

Blue chalcedony, called "Mohave" and "Mt. Airy Blues", originating in California and Nevada, are slightly to moderately grayish blue with a light to medium color range.
Blue chalcedony from Namibia, often called "African Blue", varies from grayish to nearly pure blue and from light to medium dark. The most unusual and most valuable type is from Oregon. Its blues are modified by slight to moderate amounts of pink, making a noticeably lavender gem, which nonetheless is called "Holly Blue."

Carnelian ranges in color from yellow-orange to rich, near reddish orange, to orangey brown, and varies from semi-opaque to highly translucent.

Chrysocolla, marketed as "Gem Silica" is relatively rare. It's color is blue to blue-green, opaque to near transparent material is the most expensive type of chalcedony. Its color agent is copper.

Chrysoprase, apple green chalcedony that derives its color from nickel, ranges from nearly opaque to nearly transparent. Its color spectrum includes olivey, to nearly pure greens of medium tone. Very fine, highly saturated pieces have been successfully misrepresented as Imperial jade.

Opal Doublets and Triplets

Recently I purchased opal doublets for my bead store and so I wanted to write a post explaining what they are, and about their care.  I hope you find this interesting and informative.  

Opal doublets are slices of opal glued to a black backing, designed to imitate the appearance of a solid black opal. Adhering the slice of opal to a black backing causes the color to become much darker and more vibrant.

Doublets can usually be identified by looking at the side of the opal - if the stone has been adhered together you will notice that the line where the colored opal and the black backing meet is perfectly straight. This is necessary for the two layers to be adhered together. If a doublet is set into jewellery with the sides covered, it is extremely difficult, even for an expert, to tell whether it is a doublet or a solid opal. Since the top of the stone consists of pure opal, it therefore appears exactly like a black opal, and thus have a natural appearance.

Opal doublets can be a fantastic alternative to solid stones as they are much cheaper than solid black opals. Solid opals with the same appearance as an opal can be ten times the price as they are rare and valuable, therefore they serve a useful purpose in making beautiful dark opals affordable. However, you need to be aware of what you are buying, and know how to correctly care for doublets to avoid water damage.

VERY IMPORTANT CARE INSTRUCTIONS: Because opal doublets consist of layers which are glued together, prolonged exposure to water may cause lifting between the layers and infiltration of water. (This does not mean your opal will be ruined if you wear it in the shower once, or are caught in the rain.) If water penetration occurs, a doublet or triplet will take on a 'foggy' or grey appearance. You may even notice the appearance of condensation inside the stone. You should avoid getting a doublet opal wet to avoid water penetration.

Doublets may be wiped with a damp soft cloth and mild detergent, but should never be soaked or immersed. Avoid bleach, chemicals, cleaners, and ultrasonic cleaners.

 An opal triplet has three layers. Gem opal (usually a very thin slice) is sandwiched between a piece of dark backing material and a cap of transparent quartz. The transparent cap protects the opal layer and adds depth to the triplet.  The same care should be given to the opal triplet because of the glued layers. 

A solid opal is more valuable than a doublet of similar color, pattern, brilliance and size; and an opal doublet is more valuable than an opal triplet of similar appearance.

(some information shared from LostSeaOpals.com) 

March's Birthstone, Aquamarine: Folklore and Healing Qualities

"There are many myths and legends about the aquamarine stone. The Romans believed that if the figure of a frog were carved on an aquamarine, it served to reconcile enemies and make them friends. Another Roman legend stated that the stone absorbs the atmosphere of young love: 'When blessed and worn, it joins in love, and does great things.' Aquamarine was also considered the most appropriate morning gift to give to a bride by her groom following the consummation of their marriage. The Greeks and the Romans knew the aquamarine as the sailor’s gem, ensuring the safe and prosperous passage across stormy seas. In Medieval times, the stone was thought to reawaken the love of married couples. It was also believed to render soldiers invincible.

The Sumerians, Egyptians, and Hebrews also admired and valued aquamarine greatly. It was a symbol of happiness and everlasting youth. In the Christian era, the aquamarine was identified with the Apostle, St. Thomas, because it 'imitated the sea and the air' and the Saint 'made long journeys by sea, even to India, to preach salvation.' Identifying a certain jewel with one of the twelve apostles was a common practice at that time. William Langland’s 'The Vision Concerning Piers and the Plowman,' from 1377, mentions the aquamarine as an antidote for poison. This antidote was widely known throughout Europe. Because there was a wide amount of poisonings amongst royalty at the time, the gem was in popular demand just for that purpose. It was not necessary to pulverize the stone, as it was/ is with other gemstones. Simply wearing the stone as a pendant or in a ring was just as effective.

Writers of the middle Ages claimed aquamarine was the most popular and effective of the 'oracle' crystals. When cut as a crystal ball, it was thought to be a superior stone for fortune telling. Many methods of using the stone as a divining tool were described in ancient literature. One method involved hanging a stone by a thread over a bowl of water, just touching the surface. The inner edge of the bowl was covered with the characters of the alphabet. The diviner was to hold the top of the thread and allow the stone to hit certain letters, which would spell out answers to an important question, sort of like a ouija board. Another method was to cast a crystal into a bowl of pure water. The disturbances in the water would reveal messages on the surface of the liquid. Aquamarine’s powers of revelation were also said to help one in search for lost or hidden things.

According to folklore, aquamarine would bring victory in battles and legal disputes. The gem was also credited with curing belching and yawning and was considered especially effective for curing ailments of the jaws, throat, stomach, liver and toothaches. Aquamarine was also used in ceremonies in the belief that it would bring rain when needed, or visit drought upon their enemies. When worn as an amulet, it was believed to bring relief of pain and to make the wearer friendlier, quicken the intellect and cure laziness. The ancient philosopher Pliny paid tribute to this gem of vitality, stating, 'the lovely aquamarine, which seems to have come from some mermaid’s treasure house, in the depths of a summer sea, has charms not to be denied.' ” (1)

"According to some legends, aquamarine is the treasure of mermaids, with the power to keep sailors safe. Supposedly its' powers are particularly strong when immersed in water. While on land, it is said to have a soothing influence on married couples. The ancient Romans believed that the Aquamarine was sacred to Neptune, the god of the sea, having fallen from the jewel boxes of sirens and washed onto shore. Early sailors wore aquamarine talismans, engraved with the likeness of Neptune, as protection against dangers at sea." (2)

Information shared from:
(1)www.jewelsforme.com 
(2)www.hubpages.com/hub/Myths-and-Legends-about-Gemstones.com

What is Zircon?

Zircon and cubic zirconium, while often confused, are two different stones.  Zircon is a natural forming mineral and Cubic Zirconium is created in a laboratory or is man-made.

Natural Zircon is made from Zirconium silicate and one of its attributes is its high refractive qualities.  Zircon also comes in a myriad of colors from colorless which is the closest natural forming mineral that resembles the diamond, to blues, greens, yellows and most commonly brown.

It should be noted that Zircon is pretty hard, but can be brittle and scratched easily.  It is a great stone for jewelry, but care for it when wearing it on a day to day basis.  Zircon is believed to come from the Persian word zargun.  This word means gold color, while Zircon is commonly brown, it can also be goldish in color as well.

Most Zircon is color treated with the help of heat and radiation.  When Zircon is exposed to intense heats, usually ranging from 900 to 1,000 degrees Celsius, the color center can change giving it a new color.  In fact, all Zircon can easily change with heat treatments and Zircon can usually go through a round of heat treatments before creating the desired color.

Zircon has plenty of great attributes such as a wonderful refraction which gives the gemstone lots of fire.  It also has an effect called pleochroism, which is  the property of exhibiting different colors when viewed from different directions under transmitted light.

Some of the many regions that Zircon can be found in are Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia and Sri Lanka.  However, Thailand is the world’s leading producer of Zircon.

(this information shared from the website GemstoneEducation.com)

What is Cubic Zirconia?

Is it a natural or man made stone?  This has been a question I have had for a while so I though I would research it.

In 1937, German mineralogists discovered the natural mineral form of the gemstone in a single site. It has never been found in nature again. 

Cubic zirconia, also called CZ, is a synthetic crystalline substance used as an affordable alternative to diamonds.  Cubic zirconia is not a mineral; it is a man-made substance.  The current synthetic version of cubic zirconia is a crystalline form of the metallic element zirconium dioxide. It was first produced in a laboratory in 1977.  Cubic zirconia crystals are made by melting powdered zirconium and zirconium dioxide together by heating them up to 4,982ºF.

Unlike diamonds, cubic zirconia is simulated to be flawless. CZ can be perfectly structured, free of inclusions, totally transparent and possess a brighter fire.  Cubic zirconia has is own grading scale to measure quality.  Like other gemstones, cut, size and shape influence how light is refracted and will affect the stone's brilliance.

A colorless cubic zirconia is extremely difficult to distinguish from a diamond, and appears identical to the untrained eye.   Diamonds are the hardest gemstone in the world, a 10 on the Mohs scale of hardness. Cubic zirconia is softer, but still considered a hard gemstone with an 8.5 rating.  The denseness of cubic zirconia makes it about 75% heavier than diamonds.  Cubic zirconia tends to contain more flashes of color than the typical diamond.  CZ's very high refractive index and transparency mimic the look of the most expensive diamonds in clarity and brilliance.  Cubic zirconia does not have cleavages, making them less brittle and susceptible to chips and cracks than diamonds.

CZs do come in many colors other than clear.
 

(All information shared from HSN.com)

The Greek Myth of Amethyst

There is a wonderful Greek myth that tells the story of the creation of the gemstone amethyst.  According to the myth, Dionysius, god of intoxication, was angered by an insult from a mere mortal and swore revenge on the next mortal that crossed his path, creating fierce tigers to carry out his wish. Along came the unsuspecting Amethyst, a beautiful maiden on her way to pay tribute to the goddess Diana. Diana turned Amethyst into a statue of pure crystalline quartz to protect her from the tigers. Dionysus wept tears of wine in remorse at the sight of the beautiful statue. The god's tears stained the quartz purple, creating the gem we know today.

The Healing Power of Birthstones

I have been wanting to do a post about the healing qualities of gemstones for a very long time now.  There are many stones to choose from but for this post, I thought I would just write about birthstones.  Please note, while I find this information very interesting,  I cannot verify with certainty the actual healing use of these stones. 
  

According to folklore and stories throughout history, many gemstones are thought to offer healing powers to its wearer.   As far back as the Stone Age, men and women wore crystal jewellery.  They had a protective, as well as a decorative function, guarding their wearer against harm.  The ancients employed gemstones for protection, adornment, healing and for seeing into the future.  Gemstones were frequently worn and carried by ancient Egyptians as amulets and charms.  Greek mythology frequently refers to gemstones, and many have been discovered in the tombs of Chinese rulers.  Gemstones were used extensively in ceremonies and initiations by the Native Americans, the Mayans and Aztecs.  The breastplate of the Jewish High Priest was set with precious stones; it conveyed power to the wearer.

It is important to remember that healing is not the same as curing.  Healing is helping the body, or mind, to become stronger and consequently better. 

According to legends and myths about birthstones and their therapeutic healing influence, wearing a gemstone during its assigned month heightened its healing powers. 

January's garnet cleanses and re-energises the chakras.  It revitalises, purifies and balances energy, bringing serenity or passion as appropriate.  Inspires love and devotion.  Garnet balances the sex drive and alleviates emotional disharmony.  It activates and strengthens the survival instinct, bringing courage and hope.  Stimulates past-life recall.  Sharpens perceptions of oneself and others.  Garnet removes inhibitions and taboos.  It opens the heart and bestows self-confidence.

Garnet regenerates the body and stimulates the metabolism.  It treats disorders of the spine and spinal fluid, bone, cellular structure and composition.  Purifies the heart, lungs, blood and regenerates DNA.  Garnet boosts the immune system and energy levels.

February's amethyst is a powerful and protective stone.  It guards against psychic attack, transmuting the energy into love and protecting the wearer from all types of harm, including geopathic or electromagnetic stress and ill wishes from others.  Amethyst is a natural tranquiliser, it relieves stress and strain, soothes irritability, balances mood swings, dispels anger, rage, fear and anxiety.  Alleviates sadness and grief, and dissolves negativity.  Amethyst activates spiritual awareness, opens intuition and enhances psychic abilities.  It has strong healing and cleansing powers.  Amethyst encourages sobriety, having a sobering effect on overindulgence of alcohol, drugs or other addictions.  It calms and stimulates the mind, helping you become more focused, enhancing memory and improving motivation.  Amethyst assists in remembering and understanding dreams.  It relieves insomnia.  Encourages selflessness and spiritual wisdom.

Amethyst boosts hormone production, tunes the endocrine system and metabolism.  It strengthens the immune system.  Cleanses the blood.  Relieves physical, emotional and psychological pain or stress.  Amethyst eases headaches and releases tension.  It reduces bruising, swellings, injuries, and treats hearing disorders.  Amethyst heals diseases of the lungs and respiratory tract, skin conditions, cellular disorders and diseases of the digestive tract.

March's aquamarine is a stone of courage.  Its calming energies reduce stress and quiet the mind.  Aquamarine has an affinity with sensitive people.  It can invoke tolerance of others and overcomes judgmentalism, giving support to those overwhelmed by responsibility.  Clarifies perception, sharpens the intellect and clears confusion.  Useful for closure on all levels.  Promotes self-expression.  Soothes fears and increases sensitivity.  Sharpens intuition and opens clairvoyance.  Wonderful for meditation.  Shields the aura and aligns the chakras.  Highly protective during pregnancy, it helps to guard both mother and baby from harm.  Discourages miscarriage.

Aquamarine is helpful to sore throats, swollen glands and thyroid problems.  It regulates hormones and growth.  Boosts the immune system and alleviates overreactions, such as hayfever or allergies.  Counteracts short-or long-sightedness.

April's diamond’s pure white light helps to bring our lives into a cohesive whole.  It brings love and clarity into partnerships, bonding relationships.  Diamond is a sign of commitment and fidelity, and instills trust to relationships and situations.  It inspires the forces of accumulation, attracting the manifestation of abundance.  Diamond is an energy amplifier.  It is a stone that never requires recharging.  It will bring strength and endurance to all energies and will enhance the power of other crystals.  However, beware, as this means it will increase negative energy as well as positive!  Excellent for blocking electromagnetic stress and for protection against cell phone emanations.

Diamond imparts fearlessness, invincibility and fortitude.  It clears emotional and mental pain, reducing fear and bringing about new beginnings.  Stimulates creativity, inventiveness, imagination and ingenuity.  It brings clarity of mind and aids enlightenment.  Diamond allows the soul light to shine out.  It aids spiritual evolution and reminds you of your soul’s aspirations.

Diamond purifies and detoxifies all of the body’s systems, rebalancing the metabolism, and building up stamina, strength and treating allergies and chronic conditions.  It also helps glaucoma and clears sight.  Diamond effectively treats dizziness and vertigo, and benefits the brain.  Counteracts poisoning.

May's  emerald is known as the “stone of successful love”.  It brings loyalty and provides for domestic bliss.  It enhances unconditional love, unity and promotes friendship.  Keeps partnerships in balance and can signal unfaithfulness if it changes colour.  Emerald stimulates the heart chakra, having a healing effect on the emotions as well as the physical heart.  It ensures physical, emotional and mental equilibrium, bringing harmony to all areas of ones life.  Focusing intention and raising consciousness, it brings in positive actions, eliminating negativity and enhancing the ability to enjoy life to the fullest.

Emerald enhances psychic abilities, opens clairvoyance, and stimulates the use of greater mental capacity.  It helps bring awareness of the unknown to conscious recognition, imparting reason and wisdom.  Emerald assists in inciting activity and focus in ones actions.  It strengthens memory and imparts clarity of thought.  It inspires a deep inner knowing, promoting truth and discernment.
Emerald treats disorders of the heart, lungs, spine and muscular system.  It aids in recovery after infectious illness, helps sinuses and soothes the eyes, improving vision.  It has a detoxifying effect on the liver and alleviates diabetes and rheumatism.

June's pearl signifies faith, charity and innocence.  It enhances personal integrity and helps to provide a focus to ones attention.  Pearl symbolises purity and is known as a “stone of sincerity”.  It brings truth to situations and loyalty to a “cause”.  Inhibits boisterous behaviour.

Pearl treats digestive disorders and the soft organs of the body.  It relieves conditions of bloating and biliousness.  Pearl increases fertility and eases childbirth.



July's ruby encourages passion and a zest for life.  It improves motivation and setting of realistic goals.  Balances the heart and instills confidence.  Ruby encourages joy, spontaneity, laughter and courage.  It promotes positive dreams and stimulates the pineal gland.  Aids in retaining wealth and passion.  Ruby encourages removal of negative energies from your path.  It overcomes exhaustion and lethargy and imparts potency and vigor.  Calms hyperactivity.

Ruby detoxifies the body, blood and lymphatic system.  It treats fevers, infectious disease and restricted blood flow.  Ruby stimulates the adrenals, kidneys, reproductive organs and spleen.

August's peridot is a powerful cleanser.  It releases and neutralises toxins on all levels.  Alleviates jealousy, resentment, spite, bitterness, irritation, hatred and greed.  Reduces stress, anger and guilt.  Peridot opens our hearts to joy and new relationships.  It enhances confidence and assertion, motivating growth and change.  Sharpens and opens the mind to new levels of awareness.  Banishes lethargy, apathy and exhaustion.  Peridot enables you to take responsibility for your own life.

Peridot strengthens the immune system, metabolism and benefits the skin.  It aids disorders of the heart, thymus, lungs, gallbladder, spleen and intestinal tract.  Treats ulcer and strengthens eyes.  Balances bipolar disorders and overcomes hypochondria.

September's sapphire is known as the "wisdom stone" and each color of Sapphire is thought to bring its own particular wisdom.  It releases mental tension, depression, unwanted thoughts and spiritual confusion.  Sapphire restores balance within the body, aligning the physical, mental and spiritual planes, bringing serenity and peace of mind.  It stimulates concentration, brings lightness, joy and peace of mind.  Sapphire is also known as a "stone of prosperity", attracting gifts of all kinds and fulfilling dreams and desires.

Sapphire treats blood disorders, combatting excessive bleeding and strengthening the walls of the veins.  It is used for cellular disorders, regulates the glands and calms overactive body systems.

October's opal intensifies emotions and releases inhibitions.  Encourages both freedom and independence.  Opal enhances cosmic consciousness and induces psychic and mystical visions.  It stimulates originality and creativity.  Helps to release anger and claim self-worth, aiding in accessing and expressing one’s true self.  Opal strengthens memory.  It encourages an interest in the arts.  Wearing Opal brings loyalty, faithfulness and spontaneity.

Opal strengthens the will to live and treats infections and fevers.  Purifying the blood and kidneys, Opal also regulates insulin.  It eases childbirth and alleviates PMS.

October also has another birthstone, Tourmaline.  Tourmaline aids in understanding oneself and others.  It promotes self-confidence and diminishes fear.  Tourmaline attracts inspiration, compassion, tolerance and prosperity.  It balances the right-left sides of the brain.  Helps treat paranoia, overcomes dyslexia and improves hand-eye coordination.  Tourmaline releases tension, making it helpful for spinal adjustments.  It balances male-female energy within the body.  Enhances energy and removes blockages.

November's citrine energises every level of life.  It cleanses the chakras and opens the intuition.  Citrine attracts wealth, prosperity and success.  It imparts joy, wonder, delight and enthusiasm.  Raises self-esteem and self-confidence.  Stimulates the brain, strengthening the intellect.  Citrine promotes motivation, activates creativity and encourages self-expression.  Enhances concentration and revitalises the mind.  It releases negative traits, depression, fears and phobias.  Emotionally balancing.

Energising and recharging, Citrine also reverses degenerative disease.  Stimulates digestion, the spleen and pancreas.  Negates kidney and bladder infections.  Citrine helps eye problems, increases blood circulation, detoxifies the blood, activates the thymus and balances the thyroid.  Relieves constipation and removes cellulite.

November also has another birthstone.  Topaz soothes, heals, stimulates, recharges, remotivates and aligns the meridians of the body – directing energy to where it is needed most.  It promotes truth and forgiveness.  Topaz brings joy, generosity, abundance and good health.  It is known as a stone of love and good fortune.  Releases tension, inducing relaxation.  Topaz promotes openness and honesty, self-realisation and self-control.  It aids problem-solving and assists in expressing ideas.  Stabilises the emotions, making you receptive to love from all sources.
Topaz aids digestion and combats eating disorders, such as anorexia and bulimia.  It fortifies the nerves and stimulates the metabolism.

December's turquoise is a purification stone.  It dispels negative energy and can be worn to protect against outside influences or pollutants in the atmosphere.  Turquoise balances and aligns all the chakras, stabilising mood swings and instilling inner calm.  It is excellent for depression and exhaustion, it also has the power to prevent panic attacks.  Turquoise promotes self-realisation and assists creative problem solving.  It is a symbol of friendship, and stimulates romantic love.

Turquoise aids in the absorption of nutrients, enhances the immune system, stimulates the regeneration of tissue, and heals the whole body.  It contains anti-inflammatory and detoxifying effects, and alleviates cramps and pain.  Turquoise purifies lungs, soothes and clears sore throats, and heals the eyes, including cataracts.  It neutralises overacidity, benefits rheumatism, gout, stomach problems, and viral infections.

I hope you found this information as interesting as I do.  All I can really say is try them for yourself if you feel drawn to this form of healing.  Many civilizations and cultures before ours have used gemstones for their healing.  They just may work for you.

The information for this post has come from various sources:  

Charms of Light by Caryl Haxworth
Love is in the Earth-A Kaleidoscope of Crystals by Melody
The Crystal Bible by Judy Hall

What is Goldstone?

I have always wondered what goldstone was. Is it a true natural gemstone, or is it manmade. So I did some research and this is what I found.

** Goldstone is NOT a real gemstone! It is basically glass with copper flecks in it.
** Goldstone was created by accident in the European Renaissance period, when alchemists were trying to create gold.
** Goldstone was originally made by a group of monks in Italy, and to this day most of it is still made at this particular monastery (though it is made elsewhere too). The "recipe" was for a long time a very closely guarded secret. Due to its origins in the monastery, Goldstone is used frequently in religious (especially Catholic) jewelry.
** In the making of Goldstone, copper salts are added to brown-colored liquid glass. As the glass cools, the salts turn into copper crystals.

** The color of the stone is dependant on the color of the glass, not the crystals (which are always copper). Reddish Goldstone and dark Blue Goldstone are both popular and easy to find. Little mention is made of Green Goldstone, which is NOT well heard-of and is very hard to find but which I have located for you! (Aren't I special?)
** Because it is a man-made stone, it is hard to define any true crystal healing attributes of it. However, some people feel that it has the same powers as natural glass like Obsidian, and that the copper crystals in it provide great conduction of energy. Goldstone is said to promote calmness and stability.

Information written by Suzanne Dallapè of  Ephemerala, Natural Stone Jewelry and Gifts.

Ten Most Famous Diamonds in the World

The third of the ten most famous diamonds is the Cullian I. What an incredible stone.

The Cullinan I


One of the most famous diamonds in the world, Cullinan I, was justly considered the largest diamond in the world up to the discovery of the Golden Jubilee.  Also known as “The Star of Africa”, the pear-shaped stone is the largest of the 9 diamonds cut from the largest rough diamond ever, the Cullinan diamond(3106,75 carats).  Currently, it is the head of St. Edward’s scepter, one of the British Crown Jewels but it can be removed and worn as a brooch.

Amazing!

Ten Most Famous Diamonds in the World

I recently saw this article on the website named Smashing Tops and I thought it was very interesting and so I wanted to share it on my blog, since I share about gems all the time. I do not know who the author is.  If anyone knows, I would like to know too so I can give credit to them.

It is about the ten most famous diamonds in the world.  The article is interesting and the photos gorgeous.  I am going to share one beautiful diamond per post.  So stay posted.

The first diamond is... 

The Hope Diamond


The Hope Diamond is not only one of the most famous gems in the world, but it is also one of the largest blue diamonds (4^th largest). It’s physical value might be estimated but it’s historical importance is priceless. It is so old that no one knows exactly when it was discovered. However, it already had an owner in 1668, in the person of an Indian slave who claimed that the 112 carats stone (which he believed to be a sapphire) came from the eye of an idol. Jean Baptiste Tavernier, a traveler and a gem merchant bought it and sold it afterwards to King Louis XIV of France. Its price today is estimated at $250 million. The legend says that this diamond was cursed by the Hindu priests of the temple from where it was stolen.

Hope you find these posts as interesting as I do.

Dyeing Chalcedony

Chalcedony is one of my favorite gemstones. It is a porous stone so colored dyes can be used to enhance and change the color of the stone.

Deep Red Chalcedony Briolettes

 Chalcedony is quartz that is made from tightly packed microscopic crystals.

In nature, chalcedony can be a subtle variation of almost any color: red, orange, green, black and some forms of bluish-gray. Stronger colors, such as reddish orange, green and yellow may be natural or dyed.

The dyeing process reportedly was discovered in the 1800s in Idar-Oberstein, Germany, one of the world’s leading gem cutting centers.

The process involves the use of strong acids to “open the pores.” Then the chalcedony is submitted to a variety of repeated and prolonged immersions in metallic compound solutions that impart color. Reds, oranges and yellows are placed in iron oxide compounds; greens in chromium compounds; blues in cobalt compounds. Generally, dyed chalcedony has a vivid color and, under microscopic examination, can have concentrations of color along the edges.

Dyeing generally doesn’t affect the value of chalcedony, most of which is moderately priced. The treatment processes that impart color are considered permanent by the gemstone trade.

Golden Chalcedony Briolettes

 Natural Chalcedony is usually a blue/grey/lavender shade. It can also occur naturally in pale pinks or greens, but usually even these colors are acquired by dyeing. It is important to know that dyed stones can fade with exposure to light.

Gemstone Treatments

Though not commonly known to the public, many gemstones are treated in some way to enhance their color and clarity.  These treatments are common and widely accepted in the industry, and normally do not de-value the stone.

Most retail jewelers do not divulge this information to their buying public and sometimes they themselves are not aware of it.  If they are a reputable and ethical establishment, they will be honest if queried on the subject.  Don't expect this information to be offered without inquiring first.

The most common treatments used on natural stones that I have come across are listed and explained here.

Heat treatment is the exposure of a gem to high temperatures to alter its color and/or clarity.  This is the most common method used to color enhance gems.  The most common gems that use heat treatment are:  amber, aquamarine, amethyst, citrine, ruby, sapphire, tanzanite, topaz, tourmaline and zircon.  Heat treatment is considered durable and permanent under normal handling conditions.   The heat may render the gems slightly more brittle than usual, so care must be taken not to damage pointed faceted corners and edges.

Dyeing introduces colored dyes into porous or fractured gems to change their color. Such fractures are sometimes purposely induced by heating the gem so that an otherwise non-porous material can more readily accept the dye.  The most common gems that are dyed are:  pearls, coral, turquoise, lapis, howlite, nephrite jade, chalcedony, quartz, emerald, and ruby.  Dyed gems can be quite durable, but is ultimately dependent on the stability of the dye itself.  Many dyes can be removed if the gem comes into contact with a solvent such as alcohol or acetone.  Some dyes are unstable with exposure to the ultraviolet in sunlight and can fade over time.  The best treatment for dyed gems - care must be taken to not bring them in contact with chemicals such as acetone or alcohol, which could dissolve the dyes, or have them exposed to prolonged periods of sunlight (such as leaving it on a sunny window ledge) which could cause the dyed colors to fade.

Surface Coating alters a gem’s appearance by applying a coloring agent like paint to the back surfaces of gems (a treatment known as “backing”), or coating the  gems surface with such enhancements as lacquering, enameling, inking, foiling or sputtering of films to improve appearance, provide color or add other special effects.  The most common gems that use this treatment are:  diamonds, tanzanite, topaz, coral, pearls, and quartz.  Coated gems tend to have a softer surface and/or the coating may not adhere well to the underlying gem.  These thin-film surface coatings are susceptible to scratching, particularly along facet edges and junctions.  Do not allow any hard or abrasive objects to come in contact with coated gems.


Impregnation stabilizes porous gemstones using a colorless bonding agent, such as polymer, wax or plastic, to add durability and improve appearance.  The most common of these gemstones include:  turquoise, lapis lazuli, jadeite, nephrite, amazonite, rhodochrosite and serpentine.  Many impregnations are often “skin deep” and due to the melting point of plastic and wax, can be susceptible to heat damage. Plastic impregnations are considered durable in gem materials such as turquoise as long as they are not subjected to heat or chemicals.  Care must be taken not to subject gemstones with wax or plastic impregnations to heat, such as that encountered by a jeweler’s torch, since these will likely melt the material.

Irridation uses neutrons, gamma rays, beta particles or high energy elections to alter the color of gemstones.  This is sometimes followed by a heat treatment to further modify the color.  This second step also known as a “combination treatment.  The most common gems that use this treatment are:  diamonds, corundum, topaz, pearl, quartz, some varieties of beryl and spodumene.  Some irradiated gems’ color fades upon exposure to strong light.  Blue topaz, diamond and quartz tend to have very stable colors as long as they are not exposed to high temperatures.  Irradiated colored diamonds' colors may be damaged if the diamond is exposed to the heat of a jeweler’s torch.  In the beryl and spodumene gemstones, the irradiated color tends to be short lived and fades upon exposure to bright light.

Fracture or Cavity Filling is filling surface-reaching fractures or cavities with a glass, resin, wax or oil to conceal their visibility and to improve the apparent clarity of gem materials, appearance, stability, or in extreme cases—to add to a slight amount of weight to a gem. The filling materials vary from being solids (a glass) to liquids (oils), and in most cases, they are colorless (colored filler materials could be classified as dyes).  The most common gems that use this treatment are:  diamond, ruby, emeralds, quartz, aquamarine, topaz, tourmaline and other transparent gems.  Durability?  Much depends on the filler. Glasses tend to be harder and therefore more durable than resins, oils or waxes. Changes in air pressure, proximity to heat, or by exposure to chemicals can all affect the appearance of filled gems by potentially altering or removing the filler substance.

Diffusion uses chemicals in conjunction with high temperatures to produce color and/or asterism, or star like, producing inclusions as in the star sapphire.

Bleaching is using a chemical to alter or rid a porous gem of all of it's color.  Some gemstones are bleached and then dyed, a form of “combination treatment.”  Jadeite jade, pearls, coral, chalcedony and tiger’s eye quartz may be bleached to lighten their color.

Oiling and/or Resin Infusion is filling the surface of breaking fissures in gems with colorless oil, wax, resin or other colorless substances, except glass or plastic to improve the gemstone's appearance.

Waxing is the impregnation of colorless wax, paraffin and oil in porous, opaque or translucent gemstones to improve appearance.

There may be more ways in which gemstones are treated to enhance their color and durability.  These are the more common ones I have come upon as a gemstone buyer.  If possible, try to purchase untreated gemstones.  Know that because they are more rare, they will also be a higher price than treated gemstones.

(Information for this article has come from 2 sources: from the blog Unicorn's Garden and the GIA website)