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Gemstone Guide
A gemstone is a mineral, rock, organic substance or petrifiedmaterial that can be cut, faceted or polished for use in jewelry and collectibles. Every gemstone is subdivided into different groups, species and varieties. Gemstones are prized for their great beauty and perfection so appearance is extremely important. Characteristics that have an effect on a stone’s beauty are color, unusual optical phenomena, clarity and rarity.
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Amethyst
Aquamarine
Black Onyx
Emerald
Garnet
Opal
Pearl
Peridot
Quartz
Sapphire
Tanzanite
Topaz
Tourmaline
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Amethyst
"The Color of Royalty" – Amethyst is transparent purple quartz and the most important variety of quartz used in jewelry. Amethysts range in color from pale lilac, which is sometimes referred to as “Rose de France” to deep, rich purples.
For centuries, the color purple has been linked to royalty and has, therefore, been in popular demand throughout history. Amethysts were thought to encourage celibacy and symbolize piety and sobriety and were the gemstones worn by bishops in their rings.
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Aquamarine
"A Sea-faring Gem" – Aquamarine is a beryl mineral named with the Greek word for sea water due to its pale blue color with a tint of green. They are always a pastel color blue, but deeper colors are regarded as much more valuable.
Aquamarines are durable gemstones and are appropriate for all types of jewelry.
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Black Onyx
"Twist of Fate" – The name Onyx comes from the Greek word onux, which means fingernail. Onyx is chalcedony quartz with a fine texture that is ideal for carving and rich black color. It is often used in fine jewelry to create a sharp contrast in color between the foreground and background. Onyx was very popular with the ancient Greeks and Romans.
According to legend, one day Cupid cut the divine fingernails of Venus with an arrowhead while she was sleeping. He left the clippings scattered on the sand and the fates turned them into stone so that no part of the heavenly body would ever perish.
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"The Lemon Drop" - Citrine is a quartz gemstone with a golden color. The origin of its name is the French word for lemon, which is citron. Citrine is available in many shades, ranging from yellow-gold to orange-brown. The darker orange colors are sometimes referred to as Madeira citrine and are the most valuable; however, many people still prefer the bright lemony shades of the gemstone.
In ancient times, citrine was carried as a protection against snake venom and evil thoughts. Since most citrines originated as amethysts which have been heated to turn their color to gold, citrine jewelry should be kept away from prolonged exposure to strong light or heat
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Emerald
“Renaissance Gem” - An emerald is a beryl, which is a colorless mineral. Its deep green color is caused by minute traces of chromium. Emerald crystals are grown in metamorphic rocks, which usually restrict their size, making them extremely rare in larger sizes. Because of its rich green color the ancients prized emeralds as the gemstone symbolizing love and rebirth.
Treasured for at least 4,000 years by various cultures around theworld, the emerald is said to “quicken the intelligence as well as the heart”.
Legendsays its owner will be blessed with the gift of eloquence. The fractures that are characteristic of emeralds are traditionally filled with oil to minimize their impact on a stone’s appearance. Therefore, avoid cleaning emerald jewelry with hot soapy water, steam or an ultrasonic cleaner because this oil could be removed or damaged, making the inclusions and blemishes more visible.
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Garnet
"The Protector" - The name garnet is most likely derived from the word pomegranate. Garnets are usually thought of as dark wine-colored gemstones, however, they are actually available in a broad range of colors including autumn orange, fire red, spring green and flower petal pink. Some garnets even change color in different light.
In ancient Asia and the American Southwest, garnets were used as bullets because their glowing red color was said to increase the ferocity of a wound. Garnets have long been carried by travelers to protect them against accidents while they are far from home, and according to legend, light up at night to protect their owners from nightmares.
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Opal
"Explosion of Color" – Opals originated in Australia over 100 million years ago in silica-laden sediment deposited around the shoreline of the Artesian Basin. Opal is one of the few gemstones sedimentary in origin and contains 6 to 10% water from the ancient sea. The play-of-color seen in opals is created through diffraction and is dependent upon the alignment and size of their spheres.
The strength of color seen in an opal varies due to the body color and the transparency of the stone. The body color is what determines the variety and value of the stone. There are several types of opals in existence, black opal being the most valuable due to its brilliant colors. Crystal opal is the next most valuable type. It is transparent with flashes of brilliant colors visible in many layers of the stone. White, milky opals are the most affordable type and tend to display more diffused colors. A more unusual type of opal is the boulder opal with an ironstone host rock matrix which creates a natural dark background to view its fiery colors.
Opals were treasured in the Middle Ages and were referred to as ophthalmios, meaning eye stone, and were believed to be beneficial to eyesight. Some people actually thought the opal's effect on sight could render the wearer invisible and were recommended for thieves. Opals should be protected from heat and strong light, which can dry them out and cause cracks. Ultrasonic cleaners, metal polish, acids, and any strong solvents should be avoided. Opals are best set in a protected mounting.
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Pearl
"Beauty of the Sea" - The pearl is an organic gem formed inside of oysters. They originate from a lustrous substance known as nacre which forms over small irritants that become trapped inside the mollusk’s shell. When several layers of nacre build up inside the oyster a pearl is born. There are a large variety of types, colors and sizes. The most valuable pearls are perfectly symmetrical with a brilliant luster, relatively large and naturally produced. Legend states that cultured and freshwater pearls are considered to offer the power of love, money, protection, and luck. Pearls are thought to give wisdom through experience, to quicken the laws of karma and to cement relationships. and love relationships. They are thought to keep children safe.
Early Chinese myths told of pearls falling from the sky when dragons fought. Ancient legend says that pearls were thought to be the tears of the gods and the Greeks believed that wearing pearls would promote marital bliss and prevent newlywed women from crying.
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Peridot
"Divine Lime" – Peridot is the gem form of the mineral olivine. It is a volcanic gem, found in the rocks created by volcanoes and in meteors that have fallen to earth. The iron in its structure is responsible for its green color, which ranges from a summery light yellow-green to a more vibrant glowing green. Ancient Romans referred to peridot as "evening emerald", since its green color did not darken at night and was visible by lamplight.
The gem was often used to decorate medieval churches and was thought to possess the power to drive away evil spirits, especially when set in gold. Today, peridot is especially treasured in Hawaii as the goddess Pele's tears.
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Quartz
"Spiritual Crystal" – Quartz is one of the most popular gemstones on earth. In ancient times it was used to make crystal balls and bowls, but today it is often used in jewelry, particularly in carved pieces. The pale pink quartz, which can range from transparent to translucent, is known as rose quartz. The color is a pale, delicate powder pink. Transparent rose quartz is considered very rare and is usually so pale that it does not show much color in smaller sized stones.
The transparent, colorless variety of quartz is known as rock crystal and has the clarity and shimmer of water. Colorless quartz crystals have also become popular in jewelry due to the legend that wearing them will benefit a person's health and spiritual well being.
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"Ruler of the Gemstones" - A ruby is a mineral corundum gem; one of the most durable minerals in existence. It is a crystalline form of aluminum oxide. The ruby has been considered one of the most valuable gemstones in the world for several millenniums. It was said to be the most precious of the twelve stones God created when he created all things.
In ancient Sanskrit, the ruby is referred to as ratnaraj, which translates to"king of precious stones". The most important factor in the value of a ruby is its color. The top qualities are saturated red without any blue or brown overtones. The intensity of color in a fine ruby is like a glowing coal, and was thought to possess magical powers by our ancient ancestors.
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Sapphire
"Heavenly Gem" - Sapphires are a gem variety of the mineral corundum: The trace elements found in these stones are responsible for their color.
The most valuable sapphires are an intense shade of royal blue without gray and green overtones and hold their color under all types of lighting. However, sapphires are available in every color of the rainbow, including white. When a sapphire is a color other than blue it is referred to as a fancy sapphire.
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Tanzanite
"A Gift from Heaven" - Tanzanite is part of the Zoisite mineral species and is named after the country where is it mined, Tanzania, which to date is the only place it has ever been found on earth. Tanzanite is one of the most popular blue gemstones available and occurs in a variety of tones from vivid blue to lavender. The discovery of tanzanite was supposedly made when Maasai tribesmen noticed after lightning struck and caused a bush fire the heated raw brown zoisite transformed into a vivid blue-purple. Maasai tribes are also said to believe Tanzanite is the stone of birth because of its blue color and give the gemstone to their wives after the birth of their first child.
Tanzanite is a brittle stone and care should be taken to protect it from knocks, pressure andextreme temperature changes. They should not be cleaned in a home ultrasonic jewelry cleaner.
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Topaz
"Radiant Sunset" - Topaz is a mineral that comes in a variety of colors, including brown, yellow, orange, red, pink topaz and blue, created by irradiation. It is a very hard gemstone but should be protected from hard knocks. Ancient Egyptians believed that topaz was colored by the golden glow of the sun god, Ra. To them, topaz was a very powerful amulet that protected the faithful from harm.
Ancient Greeks thought that it dispelled all enchantment, helped to improve eyesight and had the power to increase strength and make its wearer invisible in times of emergency. Topaz was also said to change color in the presence of poisoned food and drink as well as cure insomnia, asthma, and hemorrhages.
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Tourmaline
"The Gemstone of Artisans" – Tourmaline is a silicate mineral and its name comes from the Sinhalese word turmali, meaning mixed. Tourmalines occur in every color of the rainbow and in more color combinations than any other gemstone. This may be why tourmalines are said to encourage artistic intuition with its many faces and moody expressions.Bicolor and tricolor tourmalines are very popular.
One bicolor combination, known as a "watermelon tourmaline" displays a pink center with a green outer edge. Tourmalines are most often cut in long rectangular shapes because of their long and narrow crystal shape. They are hard and durable gemstones and can withstand years of wear. however, you may want to avoid steam cleaning and heat.
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