Peridot Jewelry some tips

Peridot Jewelry some tips

by Preeti Sharma

Peridot is actually a transparent stone that is available at large with good amount of clarity. It is interesting that the name topaz may have been applied to Peridot initially because it is found on the Topazos Island in the Red Sea.

Peridot Jewelry Buying Guide

The jewelry made of Peridot gemstone with lustrous green color can lure any jewelry lover. But before you adorn your fingers with that shining green ring or lace your neck with a Peridot necklace, it is important for you to know which Peridot stone has the best quality and features to be a proud part of your beauty. Here is our Peridot Jewelry Buying Guide to tell you all that you should know or want to know about Peridot jewelry.

peridot jewelry
courtesy: mineralminers.com

What is Peridot?

Peridot is one of the most beautiful green gemstones. It has a color that is more or less the epitome of immaculate green grass. The gem variety of the Peridot stone is Forsterite to Fayalite Olivine series. It is formed at the time of volcanic eruptions. Peridot is the August birthstone. But its sparkling color makes it well popular with people born in any month of the year.

Peridot is actually a transparent stone that is available at large with good amount of clarity. It is interesting that the name topaz may have been applied to Peridot initially because it is found on the Topazos Island in the Red Sea.

Colors of Peridot

Peridot is ideochromatic stone colored by the ferrous iron. It is a basic fact to the composition of the stone. The best colors of Peridot stone generally have about 10 to 15 % of iron in them. The ideal color that is selected quite often for jewelry is rich grass green. It is the lime green color that is associated with youth, spring, and eternity as per ancient wisdom. But there are some Peridot stones that have yellowish green or greenish yellow or brown color. The color of the Peridot stone can range from yellowish green to dark lime green.

The brown color versions are also found, but are not desirable generally by the jewelry makers to make jewelry. Usually the dark green color of the stone labels the gem a Peridot. If the color goes more on the yellow side, it turns into a Chrysolite.

Lighting of Peridot

Peridot is not dependent on light as the red and blue gems. It is likely to shine and look good under all lights. Even after the sundown, the color of the stone does not get darken.

Clarity of Peridot

Peridot has the best quality that it is available with eye clean clarity. This is the standard form of the stone. The strong 0.036 double refraction of Peridot can also give stones a little sleepy look. This is most marked out in 10 carats plus large stones.

Cuts in Peridot

There is no limit to the cuts and shapes applied to Peridot. Even if there is any limit, it is the imagination of the jewelry designing. As Peridot is not terribly expensive, the gem cutters can focus on its beauty than its weight retention. You can better expect good cutting techniques, symmetry and proportions. Note here that it is important to stay away from the badly shaped native cut gems. They can be cheap enough to cut with good proportions.

Sizes of Peridot

Peridot is regular in sizes ranging from melee to faceted stones of 10 carats and more. There are more than 300 carats fine faceted stones known, but they are quite rare.

Prices of Peridot

For well-cut gems, Peridot ranges in price from about $50-80 ct. In the 1-2 carat size, it amounts up to as much as $400 – 450 carat for top color of large and fine gems.

Peridot Buying Tips

The most popular type of Peridot is vivid lime green with no olive tones. It is better to select Peridot with equally distributed color. It should not have overtones. The price of the gems increases with the weight of carat. The same rule follows with Peridot too. The small sizes of well cut Peridot and beads of Peridot are available in affordable price range. The larger Peridot stones come from Pakistan and China. The Pakistani Peridot is comparatively high in demand. The American Peridot is mostly three carats or less than that.

The Styles of Peridot Jewelry

The styles of Peridot jewelry depend on nothing but imagination. The creativity and beauty sense of the jewelry makes decides for the styles of Peridot jewelry. You can have just everything in the range of Peridot jewelry-from stunning cuts to whirled beads and dangling necklaces.

Peridot jewelry is quite fashionable these days, owing to its attractive color and mind-blowing styles. You can get the Peridot jewelry in many pretty shades of the gemstone-ranging from clear and kiwi green to yellowish green. The dark shades of the Peridot gemstone jewelry can be blended with many metals and other stones to make a stunning collection.

The jewelry lovers who want bright colors and flexibility wear Peridot jewelry. The green gemstones break away the conventions in jewelry styling. As you team them up with white gold settings or even with yellow gold, it looks spectacular.

Peridot can be fashioned to make earrings, bracelets, chains, pendants, cuff links and rings. It is even sold as it is in different shapes and various shades of green. Its best part is for ladies as Peridot is believed to slow down the aging process and to bring healing and vitality to the body.

Beware of Peridot Imitations

Though Peridot is reportedly never synthesized, but you should beware of its imitations. There can be a number of imitations of the gemstone. This includes the natural stones such as tourmaline and other imitations such as glass. Use of green glass is the most common imitation of Peridot. You can make out the imitation with giving a close look its single refraction.

Peridot Jewelry Care

Measuring on the Mohs measurement, Peridot is between 6.5 and 7. it is certainly not a weak gem. This is way Peridot doesn’t need much protection and can be used easily in daily wear.

The best way with which you can care for Peridot stone is to clean it with warm and soapy water. Not here, to avoid the exposure of Peridot from heat, acid and quick temperature changes. Peridot can have scratches easily.

To preserve Peridot, you must keep it away from the salty water and all other harsh detergents or chemicals. Keep Peridot away from the spray of perfume or hair spray. Avoid using any such chemical while you are wearing Peridot or handling it.

If you follow the tips from our Peridot Jewelry buying guide and use it when you go off to buy an attractive Peridot jewelry style, you will not face any problem and will surely end up with a best deal.

Garnet gold jewelry

Garnet gold jewelry

by Madubanthi Rudra

Many of the world famous antique jewelleries are crafted out of gold and garnet. As a matter of fact, the Czechoslovakian garnet jewelleries were extremely popular among the elite aristocracy of 19th century Europe.

When life becomes too monotonous and emotions do not seem to go by the codes of brain, do not let your spirit die. Add a little bit of color to your otherwise drab lifestyle and let the wild impulse in you, run loose. The indulgence in the riot of color is sure to bring back the lost music of your life. Spring is in the air. So borrow some color from the nature, a vibrant canvas in itself and pamper yourself with some really colorful jewelry.When it comes to the selection of jewelry with vibrant color and gorgeous looks, the first thing crosses our mind is the shimmer of yellow gold. But when this glitter of gold is accompanied by the sparkle of stones, the piece becomes the statement of vanity. But if you are among those stylish few who always adore the royal and vintage touches in the designs of jewelry, the garnet gold jewelry would be the most appropriate choice for your wardrobe.

The extra-ordinary combination of garnet and gold creates such a magical impact that can be aptly defined in these three words- Chic, bright and vibrant. From the aesthetic point of view, the reasons are obvious why gold is regarded to be the most accomplished partner of garnet; the extra-ordinary luminous quality of garnet can be best exploited only when it is accompanied by an equally bright metal like yellow gold. In the practical front, the combination of garnet and gold offers one of the most cost efficient options of jewelry investment. Then, the gold and garnet jewelries have a typical universal aura and an eternal flavour, that makes them equally eligible for gracing the crown of a European prince or as an ornament ornate the delicate neck of an oriental beauty queen. The flaming red grains of stones that remind us of the succulent pomegranate seeds at first sight are the glowing red coals of carbuncle family.

Many of the world famous antique jewelries are crafted out of gold and garnet. As a matter of fact, the Czechoslovakian garnet jewelleries were extremely popular among the elite aristocracy of 19th century Europe. Even the formidable Tsars of mediaeval Russia were arrested by their alluring beauty. The demantoid garnets, very rare and famous for their dazzling green appeal, earned the permanent seat in the pages of Russian history recording the opulence of this mightiest family of pre-communist Russia. On the other hand, The Bohemian garnet jewelries still attract the admiration of the gem-lovers all over the world.

Variety

Although red garnets are most popular and they occur most frequently on red, only a few are informed about the varieties of which garnets are found in nature. A specialist’s version of garnet refers to the denomination for a group of ten different gemstones depicting same chemical characteristics. Except in blue, garnets occur in a number of vibrant shades of orange, pink and even soft green. These varieties go by the names of rhodolite, Malaya, grossular,hessonite,  spessartite, almandine, mandarin and few others.

The deep red garnet, that remained the most popular among its kinds right since ancient days, belongs to the rhodolite variety. However, the color, red is most saturated in small pyrope garnets, which are also known as anthill stones as they are mined by the ants at the time of their home making by digging out the earth. In order of popularity, orange and brownish garnets occupy the second position just after the red garnets. These varieties are known as spessartite and hessonite respectively. The red garnets may be the traditional favorite, but these orange, pink or green varieties of garnets are getting increasingly popular with their innovative use in the works of young designers.

Characteristics

The most valuable fact about garnet is, all its beauty is a gift from the mother nature. The dazzling splendor that used to allure the eyes of Victorian aristocracy is not the result of any human manipulation. Without any chemical treatment, this stone is adored for its own inner beauty. Hardness is another important reason behind the immense popularity of garnet in modern times. It records an excellent hardness of 7 to 7.5 in Mohs’ scale of hardness. So from the point of view of wear ability, garnet jewelry are the perfect choice for the widely traveled modern women. Another physical tenet of this stone that makes for its repute is its high refraction index resulting in an astounding brilliance. Because of this amazing brightness, this stone is immortalized in the pages of folklores for being used as the light in legendary Noah’s lantern. The unique rounded shape of the garnet crystals is also very interesting. They are always found in the nature in the shape and forms that appear like grains and thus justifying its etymological origin of the Latin word, granum, meaning grain. It is this natural shape of garnet that inspired the mediaeval Bohemian craftsmen to create the necklaces by tightly clasping the garnets against each other in a row to give the impression of the cluster of pomegranate seeds.

Design option

Although the tradition of garnet jewelry dates back to the days of early Greeks and Romans, taking note of the minimalist philosophy of current fashion trends, modern jewelry artists drifted a lot from those motif oriented patterns. They rather emphasize on intricate design options. So far as garnet jewelry is concerned, the basic design idea should be focused on the use of brilliance of this stone to its fullest advantage. Although, the shelves of the leading jewelry stores all over the world are flooded with garnet ornaments, it is always sweet to custom make your own jewelry pieces. Before going for a gold garnet combination one should be clear about the fact that gold and garnet pieces are usually meant to add a dramatic effect to the ensembles. When the extra ordinary brilliance of this stone is captured within the boundary of gold, the statement it pronounces is essentially festive and just one piece of them can ravishingly complete any outfit. However, garnets look equally good on heavy as well as thin daily-wear like stuffs. But they definitely look outrageous on bigger sets and so the type of the piece should be discreetly chosen according to the type and color of the attire. Although, garnet is able to receive any classical cut, in order to create a unique piece for yourself, you can experiment with some innovative cuts on your garnet. Only keep in mind that the gold used in the ornament should be hallmarked and the stones should carry with it a certificate announcing its authenticity.

Jasper Buying Guide

Jasper Buying Guide

by Madhubandi Rudra

Jasper is a fine grained variety of Chalcedony. In the circle of jewellery trade, jasper is also recognized by the names as, Stone Canyon, Leopard Skin, Poppy and Opelite. In nature Jasper occur as microcrystalline quartz which are made up of over twenty percent of foreign materials. In fact, the color and the overall appearance of the stone are determined by the presence of these foreign materials.

Jasper is a vibrant and exotic stone in which, eternal beauty meets in a riot of color against the backdrop of myth and legend. This opaque stone comes with myriad ranges of color and patterns, which is really astounding. When these colorful stones are woven into beautiful necklaces, bangles, earrings or finger rings, the appeal of these versatile gems become quite irresistible.

Color is a powerful element ruling our responses to the environment throughout the life. Different colors have different impact on our existence. Blue is soothing, green brings freshness, yellow makes us happy, red implies jubiliation.Probably, because of these strong influences of color, the importance and use of colored gemstones in jewellery designing are ever rising. If you have had enough gold and diamonds, it is now the high time that you opt for the more colorful options of semiprecious gemstones. These alluring gemstones would definitely sprinkle a dash of color to your wardrobe, but without burning a hole on your pocket. Lately many semiprecious gemstones have emerged as the show stealer, but few among them retained a consistent position on the popularity chart. Jasper acquires a position of pride among these few. This is because; jasper is a gem that heightens your spirit, just like the vibrance of the stone itself. An energetic rhythm is part of this gemstone, so much so that, it is difficult to stay unmoved and not get overwhelmed by all its aplomb and stimulus. May be for this reason you feel so much alive and full of energy whenever you flaunt a piece of jasper, in any range of its color.

The multiple shades of jasper give the impression, as if the creator had stolen colors from rainbow in the time of its creation. Although red and yellow are the most commonly used colors in Jasper jewelleries, they are also found in the shades like, green, pink, grey and bluish purple. The gems and jewelleries are the reflection of the finer and softer sides of human psychology and therefore, their beauty always inspires poetry among the men with an artistic bend of mind. But these elements of color and beauty emanating there from are the result of complicated chemistry that has nothing to do with poetry or beauty. But the prospective buyers of any gemstone should know the tidbits of the background and properties of the stone of his or her choice.

First of all, Jasper is a fine grained variety of Chalcedony. In the circle of jewellery trade, jasper is also recognized by the names as, Stone Canyon, Leopard Skin, Poppy and Opelite. In nature Jasper occur as microcrystalline quartz which are made up of over twenty percent of foreign materials. In fact, the color and the overall appearance of the stone are determined by the presence of these foreign materials. As for instance, bright brick red which is the most common color of Jasper, owes its source to admixed hematite. If the crystals occur in clay admixed, then the stone acquires a yellow or brownish shade. It is an important point to note that, uniform distribution of color in Jasper is rare. Jasper is basically a multicolored stone with stripes and spots on it. During the time of the formation, various organic elements and mineral oxides got trapped into it that are responsible for rendering the stone, various kinds of unusual patterns. These patterns often take the forms of landscapes and thus the name; “picture Jasper” came into existence.

Jasper is not a translucent stone; it is only after a skilled polish that the beauty of this stone starts to radiate. Cut is also important to bring out the best look. Cabochon cut suits it most and they are most commonly worn as beads. Jaspers are rather hard recording a score of 6.5 to 7 in the Mohs’ scale of hardness.

When history and legend are added to the beauty of any gemstone, the demand for the stone increases. Although not very expensive, Jasper has been always admired for its mystical powers. It has been admired worldwide for its magical power of protection. The stone that finds reference in the ancient Assyrian, Hebrew and Greek literature, was believed to carry curative properties against snake or spider bites. In early mediaeval, it was believed that jasper causes rain. In the List of Birthstones, Jasper has been assigned as the birthstone for the Sun sign of Virgo. From pure astrological aspect, it gives protection to the star sign of Aries. While blood red Jaspers were regarded as the “mother” of all gemstones, the green variety was used to cure kidney and gall bladder ailments. In general, Jasper is prescribed in all stomach related problems.

Style is a way of life and that gets reflected in the manners how the hip and modern women of today present themselves. Fashion today is a minimalist affair and that is also true of the jewelleries and other accessories. The jewellery designers have done a phenomenal job by using the colored gemstones’ legacy to create an ambience of elegance. By using these semi precious gemstones with gold, sterling silver and even platinum, they have finely integrated cosmopolitan posh elements with conventional. The colorful jaspers with various innovative cuts receive a new dimension when set into bracelets, necklaces or earrings. The net result is the synthesis of unique style and glamour which become quite irresistible.

Garnet Rings

Garnet Rings

by Madhubanti Rudra

The finger ring which is basically a metallic circle, sometimes adorned with bright stones, is probably the most expressive form of ornaments. Because the very circular shape of ring denotes bondage.

Gems and jewelleries have always been regarded the most powerful expression of human might and vanity. There are many instances in the history of mankind, when, rank and position in the social hierarchy has been stipulated by the possession of these glittering pieces of metal and crystals. Human history is full of examples where desire for gems and jewels sparked the flame of war, changed the destiny of nations, forced the re-write of the history. This great journey of jewels as a decisive actor in the stage of world -politics, was initiated at the dawn of civilization with the innovation of an object as small as a finger ring. Over the ages, the significance of this tiny ornament transformed and gradually it came to acquire immense symbolic value.

The reason for having a garnet ring

The finger ring which is basically a metallic circle, sometimes adorned with bright stones, is probably the most expressive form of ornaments. Because the very circular shape of ring denotes bondage. Depending on the purpose, Rings are described by many different names; engagement ring, promise ring, friendship ring and many more. Whatever may be the occasional background, the rings on your fingers are supposed to complement the shape and beauty of your hands. But irrespective of any category, rings universally symbolize the culmination of trust and commitment. That is why every ring in your possession is special and it does not matter how many rings you are the proud owner of. Usually, the ring is such an accessory that can be worn with any attire. However, from time to time you may need a real show stopper to complement a special outfit or to make an individualistic fashion statement on a very special occasion. Sometimes, you may need to think of a special gift to make an impression on the mind of someone you really care for. A garnet ring is something that is sure to make all these special moments of your life really unforgettable, and that is without spending a princely sum from your pocket. This highly luminous stone called garnet was hugely admired even by the snob European aristocracy of 19th century. It has something royal in its appearance that all the garnet jewelleries both in traditional or contemporary designs look sophisticated, at the same time, gorgeous.

Basic information about Garnet

In early European literature, they were described by the Latin word, granum which means grains. This name refers to the unique round-edged shape of garnet that looks like pomegranate seeds and other food grains in the form of rough crystals. The Germans fondly called them, karfunkel because of their glowing red color. In modern gem trade circle they have acquired several pet names like Arizona ruby, Montana ruby, Arizona Spinel and a few more. The phenomenal glow that gave birth to the belief that Noah had used a piece of garnet in his lantern to illuminate the way for his Ark continues to enthrall the gem lovers across the globe. Science attributes this breath taking brilliance to a high degree of refraction index. Thus clarity is the most important price determining factor so far as garnet is concerned. Another characteristic feature that makes for the value of this stone is its considerably good hardness that amounts to 7 to 7.5 in Mohs scale. Because of this hardness, garnet remained a favorite choice of the jewellery designers at all ages.

Whenever we think of a garnet stone, the image of the red flames automatically passes through our mind. But a thorough enquiry about the stone informs us about the many varieties of garnet that are equally brilliant in their luster but different in color. All the variety belong to the same Carbuncle family and all of them display the same chemical structure. In addition to deep red, garnets occur in pink, orange, light brown, pale yellow and vibrant green. The Rhodolite garnets that are available in a range of pink to purplish red and hugely mined in many places of India, srilanka and Africa are most popular and most commonly used on jewelleries. The Pyrope variety of garnet in which the saturation of red color is maximum is most sought after variety of this stone.

Among its green variety, Tsavorith earned the maximum fame. But the Demantoid variety has a class in itself because of its high brilliance and extreme rarity. This green beauty which even obtained praise from the mighty tsars of Russia has always remained a collector’s delight. Then the discovery of huge reserve of fine orange garnets on the valley of Namibia and Angola sparked a dramatic increase in the international garnet trade activities. These high quality garnets were conferred the name, spessertine following their original place of occurrence in German Spessart mountains.

The last few words

Garnet being very sturdy is a good choice for making rings. Because, rings are those parts of your jewellery that get the maximum exposure to abrasion, the stones for your ring should be selected cautiously. The ring stone should be hardy enough to immune itself from scratches and chipping. This very factor makes garnets an ideal option for making engagement rings which are worn constantly all through the daily cores of life. Then, the garnets which used to adorn the Royals and the aristocrats of Victorian Europe carry such an intrinsic sophistication that is sure to give your personality a different height. Although the antique looks are something that is very closely associated with garnet jewelleries, the innovative cuts in the hands of modern artists can give your garnet ring a contemporary touch. It is always prudent to choose gold and that is a yellow one to create your garnet ring because the amazing brilliance of the stone can be properly illustrated only when it is accompanied by an equally bright and high polished metal. And finally a reminder about the protection of the garnet ring. It ranks high on Moths scale does not mean that it is immune to unlimited pressure and always keep in mind that these beautiful red stones that remind of the spark of fire, themselves respond adversely when exposed to uncontrolled temperature.

Garnet Bracelet

Garnet Bracelet

by Madhubanti Rudra

Because of its excellent luminous quality, garnet jewelleries look brilliant in all types of complexion and whichever part of the body you choose to decorate; garnet jewellery can adorn the area in a way that goes beyond any description. When it comes to the time to convey a romantic message, settle on nothing smaller than a garnet bracelet.

Gems and jewelleries always kindle passion in the hearts of women. Because jewellery is the ultimate word, so far as the eternal appeal of feminine beauty is concerned. The term beauty however, never acquired a universal definition. Beauty is an idea that changes with time and place. For the 21st century women, beauty is rather a state of mind which becomes more and more alluring while accompanied by a proper sense of fashion and style. The art of fashion today has become rather thematic with the creative use of different kinds of jewelleries and other accessories. While some jazzy junk ornament can provide a sporty look, with the master stroke of a diamond solitaire pendant, its wearer gets an elegant corporate appearance. But there are moments in every woman’s life, when she banks upon her feminine appeal to make a romantic statement. To add the right color to your life at these moments of emotion, of passion, or celebration, there is nothing as appropriate as a piece of garnet.

Because of its excellent luminous quality, garnet jewelleries look brilliant in all types of complexion and whichever part of the body you choose to decorate; garnet jewellery can adorn the area in a way that goes beyond any description. When it comes to the time to convey a romantic message, settle on nothing smaller than a garnet bracelet. Just imagine a row of fierce red garnet draping your slender wrist that results in a sweet display of glitter with every movement of your arm. It will surely be an out of the world experience for both you as well as for those who behold you. This brilliant gemstone carrying the air of Victorian Europe has always been admired by the jewellery designers for its excellent hardness that is recorded at 7 to 7.5 at the Mohs scale of hardness. The high refraction index of the stone renders it an amazing clarity that makes it look extraordinary in any shape or cuts. It is important to note that brilliance and hardness- these two factors together make for the value of this stone.

It is nothing but a load of confidence that one accrues with a bejeweled and resplendent appearance. In earlier days this glow of confidence used to be interpreted as beauty. For today’s modern, liberated women the definition of beauty transcends the physical connotation and reaches out to include cerebral elements to create an individual fashion statement. So the intricacy and detailing has become the key word in every aspect of jewellery making, from selection of the material to the designing of the piece. With garnet in the helm of the affairs, the design possibilities are countless. Even, a simple tennis bracelet crafted out of a row of tightly stringed blood red garnet is capable of producing an enduring impact. As long as the choice of a garnet bracelet is concerned one should abide by some basic grammar of bracelet making.

First of all, bracelets look truly beautiful only when they are properly fitted. Conventionally, they are supposed to be worn a little above the wrist and clung to your hand in a way that does not give an uncomfortable feel or should not be too loose that it slips down onto your hands. In addition to that you must ensure that the inner side of your bracelet is properly polished so it does not create irritation on your skin. Secondly, because, bracelets are worn in the area of the body that often confronts knocks and pressure, the stones of the bracelets often run the risk of being torn out of the set. This requires that stones should be guarded by prongs or bezels. This also prevents the stones from getting scratched. Third important consideration relates to the device that helps to wear it and take it off. So far as a garnet bracelet is concerned, use of a terminal can be an excellent decision. A terminal is a device that is meant to decorate the open ends of the bracelet and a shank attached to it allows an easy slipping on and off from the bracelet. On the tips of these terminals you can add a couple of small stones of contrast color that would make the piece even more attractive. A clasp can also be used as a device for the same purpose. Only the device should be in harmony with the overall design of the piece. Fourthly, the metal should be chosen with care. Because, the metal is not only meant to accompany the stone but it is the duty of the metal to uphold the beauty of stone. The extra ordinary glow of this stone is most appropriately accompanied by the magnificence of yellow gold. For an antique look, a small proportion of copper can be mixed with the gold. Any white metal like silver is generously used in crafting garnet bracelet. A very interesting option of metal is stainless steel which is being extensively used by the modern designers. Then, In order to add the touch of opulence, you can blend it with small pieces of diamond.

Very few are familiar with the fact that garnets have many color variations which range from deep red or pink to yellow and green. Among them, Rhodolite varieties that come with a bright red to purplish pink hues are most popular of all. However, in Pyrope garnets, the saturation of red is highest and they are available in the market in small sizes only. However Tsavorith is the name for the wonderful green variety of garnet that are famous for their gorgeous appearance. It will be an excellent idea to make a charm bracelet with multicolor garnets. Bring back the charms of 1950’s Hollywood by wearing a charm bracelet with red, yellow, green garnets dangling from it.

Your dressing is never complete without the right selection of accessories and their proper mingling with each other. So when you are going to flaunt your favorite garnet bracelet with a modest intention of stealing the show, keep in mind that the piece is in harmony with the rest of your attire. A short sleeve without frills or other ornamentations makes a perfect accompaniment with a garnet bracelet. As the jewelleries made with this extremely bright stone are naturally very bright, you can safely team them with elegant dresses of a basic color like black or white. A garnet is perfect for the woman of any age and they are worn in whichever form, they always accentuate the feminine vanity.

Garnet earrings

Garnet earrings

by Ashutosh Roy

Generally earrings come up in two basic styles – clip-on and pierced. The technology marvels and the intelligence of human brain have tried to keep pace with the go of the age and a wide variety has come out gradually, like j-hoop, half-hoop etc.

Garnet Earrings

Garnet is much more than a January birthstone; Garnet for years has been treated as a gemstone in successful business. Even the gemstone specialists demand that if you keep 4/ 5 garnets on your operating desk, it is bound to show some radical changes in your business scenario. The ancient people used to treat Garnet as a sacred stone to fight against the evil powers. The red colored Garnet had been used as bullets at times. The name was brought from the Latin word granatus, which means sees, resembles the purity and the starting point of improvement.

On the other hand Garnet earrings have found its place in ear lobes of all types of people irrespective of sex, all around. Starting from the Pharaoh kings and ending up with a newly born kid, earring represents flair, style and status. Even the Bible quotes have shown its divine by “And I put a jewel on thy forehead, and earrings in thine ears, and a beautiful crown upon thine head”.

The enough hardness of Garnet (7.0 to 7.5 in moh scale) has exposed the gemstone to a wide variety of settings like Claw settings, Bezel settings. The wide availability of garnet has been able to keep the price factor reasonable to cater to its spread to almost all categories of people. Even today, a Garnet is available at a price of $5 or even less. Again the earring due to its wide options in size and shape gives you enough flexibility in your budget. You can get Cool Garnet Crystal earrings at eBay at a very moderate rate. But take it without a pinch of salt that Demantoid Garnet is rare and costs very high due to its bright grass green look.

Generally earrings come up in two basic styles – clip-on and pierced. The technology marvels and the intelligence of human brain have tried to keep pace with the go of the age and a wide variety have come out gradually, like j-hoop, half-hoop etc. The primitive Vedic ages have witnessed the Brahmin to pierce their earlobe at a very early age. The women of the older cultures used to pierce their earlobes in their childhood days to accommodate fascinating earrings through out their lifetime. Certain primitive civilizations and cultures made piercing the earlobe compulsory for the newly born babies due to their belief in God and Sun. However it is believed that the earring had come out first in Asian countries way back at 2000 BC and slowly spread out to all corners of the world. Michale Jackson also wears earring.

As Garnet has been treated as one of the most purification jewelries, you will find a very common picture of the old monks wearing garnet earrings in their earlobes. They used to place the garnet on the top of their heads at the time of meditation because Garnet had been believed to reveal only the selected information about the earlier births as per their exact requirement. Earrings have also been treated as a symbol of elegance and highly beloved ornaments over the years. This has been nicely echoed by Anthea Burton, when he thrusts, “I said my earrings are American”

Sometimes earrings are made up of glittering gemstone hanging in the ears, where gemstones are fitted in the dangling part. Even simple stud earrings are also at the height of its fashion. People also use a thin wire made up of Gold or silver to get the hanging earrings fitted in the earlobes. There are various permutations and combinations of garnet gemstone with others for a different look and feel. Sometimes even diamond is added to Garnet to amplify the glittering effect of your favorite earrings. BillBarnes.com has got collections of Garnet and Diamond combined earrings in 14k gold to present you a much more dazzling effect. Remember that the brilliance of the diamond in combination with the glittering red colour of Garnet embedded in a yellow gold or even white gold can really become spectacular. The Red colour of the Garnet in combination with a green Agate gives you altogether a different look. The combination of Garnet with Pearl in earring resembles the glorious Cherry Blossom. So, all options are open to you, it all depends upon your choice and budget.

Garnet earrings are all time fashions mainly for the female, when they fall in love. The myth is, the Garnet, as a symbol of truth and purity, will secure their love lines forever and will not distract their fiancé to any other earthly attractions.

Various Shepherds hook fittings garnet earrings are available at Walsh Brothers where the starting price range is around $50. You may get options for the settings as per your likings. You can even choose irrespective of your earlobe condition, ie, whether it is pierced or you prefer the earring to be fitted around the earlobe by virtue of a chain. You can also visit Jewelrycentral.com for pure 14k yellow gold garnet earrings with two genuine Mozambique garnet stones and an additional wire backing security at a cost of $95. Some shopping houses like House of Gems will even give you a clear direction, how to use the earring for fittings your earlobes perfectly. You will find a 14 WG 3-stone Garnet Earrings at MSN shopping at a price of $69.99. You may also try out from “A fantastically fashionable collection of dangle and drop earrings” from Jewels for Me.

Now while buying a garnet earring, you need to be a bit careful. Ensure that pairs are absolutely equal in colour, shape and size. If it’s to be posted on your earlobe, then find out whether it is fitting properly in the pierce. Ensure that the pin and push should not wobble. If you take the option of the wire, ensure it should be fitted properly in your earlobes.

If you are fatigued of the abuse of being self-centered, why don’t you look for a garnet earring which not only helps you to become popular, but also your changed extrovert nature adds on some new names in your list of friends. At the least the garnet can cleanse your spleen or the thyroid areas!

Turquoise the gem of the Gods

Turquoise the gem of the Gods

by Sunaina Joseph

As all gems, turquoise too, is known for it’s metaphysical properties that have been known and valued by many generations. The blue of the turquoise is said to be have powerful metaphysical properties. As some cultures believe, it awakens feelings of romantic love. Others say that it develops characteristics such as trust and kindness and brings about fair quantities of the much needed wisdom and understanding.

TURQUOISE….THE GEM OF THE GODS

This is the gemstone that is so vivid and distinct, that it has been the source of the name of the color. The gemstone was so revered in ancient Mexico that mere mortals were not permitted to wear it. Turquoise was reserved for the Gods. It has been appreciated in every continent for thousands and thousands of years. Many of these vibrant stones have been found in the ancient Egyptian Tombs. Through research and sources such as these, It has been derived that turquoise has been in use for rituals and adornment since 5500BC. It is also the national gem of Tibet and is used there for making beads, cabochons, carvings and inlays.

Turquoise Jewelry Facts and Figures

The color of this gem varies from lime green to sky blue. The intense polished blue stone is considered to be of more value than the stones leaning more towards green. For the technical part, Turquoise is a secondary mineral which occurs due to circulating waters. The presence of copper gives it the blue that makes it a celebrated gem. The industrial name for it is hydrated copper aluminum phosphate. It’s hardness on the MH scale is between 5 and 6 The gem should cost you approximately $2 per carat. SOURCES There are not many turquoise mines and this lends to its value. The highest quality of turquoise comes from the ‘Sleeping Beauty Mines’ of Globe, in Arizona. There is another rare lime-green variety that is available in limited quantity from the mines of China. Turquoise is also mined in regions of Iran, southwestern United States, Africa, Australia, Tibet, China, Siberia and Europe.

Turquoise Jewelry

THE STIGMA

In the older days, turquoise was a much prized possession. It took a ride downhill from there. In the 1960’s, the hippies used it as it was inexpensive and it complemented their style. Turquoise was then considered cheap jewelry and was not favored by the fashion -conscious. Then it was uphill for the gem again, as designers such as Kim Hulbert (1990) of Timeless Gem Designs celebrated it as a fashion statement. The revival of the gem was well accepted in the world of fashion and magazines such as Vogue and Cosmopolitan patronized it. Turquoise now has a permanent place in the world of jewelry, whether it be worn like costume jewelry or delicately set with diamonds.

THE MYTHS AND THE METAPHYSICS….

As all gems, turquoise too, is known for it’s metaphysical properties that have been known and valued by many generations. The blue of the turquoise is said to be have powerful metaphysical properties. As some cultures believe, it awakens feelings of romantic love. Others say that it develops characteristics such as trust and kindness and brings about fair quantities of the much needed wisdom and understanding. The gem is also said to have some amount of power for physical healing. It can be a great aid in tissue regeneration, body alignment and for strengthening oneself. It is said to draw healing spirits, and bring good fortune. In different cultures there are different myths related to this therapeutic gem, and different uses and beliefs. Some cultures state that this is a gem connected to wealth. Some say that it can change color to expose a woman’s infidelity. In India, Afghanistan, Arabia and Persia, it was believed that the subtle variations in the color of the stone could be read as indications of the health of the person wearing it. But the most widely shared belief that is common to every ancient and present culture, is that the sky blue stone, naturally formed by the earth, is most special for reminding us of our connection with the earth and the sky.

TREATMENTS AND PROCESSES

The hardness of the gem varies, but on an average it remains between 5 and 6 on the Mohs hardness scale. It is also quite porous and this can cause it to discolor over time, unless it has been treated. Common treatments include the use of wax, paraffin and resin. This enhances the color, and reduces the porosity of the gem. These processes are easily identified by any gemologist. In 1990 a new and improved unidentifiable process known as the Zachary Treatment, was discovered. This treatment is said to significantly decrease porosity of the stone, hence reducing the chances of the gem getting discolored by agents such as skin oils. It also improves the stone’s capacity to accept treatment such as polishing. The Zachary Treatment does not modify the composition of the stone in any way.

THE MANY FORMS AND FACES OF TURQUOISE…

Most people, when they think turquoise, they think big, chunky and loud. But there are a number of elegant designs as well for more conservative buyers, such as simplistic designs of turquoise in combination with high-carat gold and diamonds. For buyers who want opulence for as little money as possible, look out for the bracelet, necklace and ring designs released by many experimental apparel designers. Turquoise is a gem which agrees with many styles, according to how its worn. It’s a great accessory for the peasant blouses and bell-bottoms of the hippie-look. It can be a great add on for denim and suede styles as well. Turquoise was the favorite gem of the artist Frida Kahlo, and Salma Hayek (who plays Frida) was ornamented with big turquoise jewelry throughout the movie. This had a considerable effect in the boost in the sales of turquoise in the late 1990’s. All in all, turquoise can be a great accessory for the prairie style, the organic look, or even simple beige and white. Most of the turquoise jewelry is fashioned in a free-form style, so the choices are vast and varied. If you want to make a statement that’s really a statement, add some lively blue pendants or those brilliant turquoise earrings to give your wardrobe the ‘OOMPH’ it needs.

Turquoise Rings

Turquoise Rings

by Sunaina Joseph

One of the most romantic turquoise rings is the Man-Woman Ring. It is said to counteract deep sadness, and add a little bit of sensuality to the your jewelry collection. Man and woman arch their backs and stretch their arms out gracefully to support the Turquoise gem.

‘ACCESSORIZING’ can be quite a task, and unless you are one with fashion advisors and the like, I’m sure you would have just as hard a time as any of us. Maybe this article will give you a little insight into one of the most sought after experimental fashion accessories that has not so long ago hit the ramps, designer stores, and the fingers of many a woman- an experiment that has gone so terribly RIGHT!!!! You’d definitely want to do a little experimentation with the TURQUOISE RING yourself.

TURQUOISE -THE TRENDSETTER

Many designers have recently started giving accessories the importance that was lacking a few decades ago. Turquoise jewelry in itself was a hit, and the rage continues. The bold color and the striking wholeness of the gem has taken the trendsetters by storm. Even though the gem is semi-precious, and not quite as expensive as diamonds (and the like), even the rich and famous have down traded their precious stones for quality turquoise in QUANTITY. With turquoise, the bigger, the bolder. The bolder, the better- the Rings especially. Though the basic designs of the ring is quite simple and sleek, the turquoise used is usually of considerable size .The beauty of the gem, is that even though it is so vivid, it could never look boorish. When the Turquoise Ring was an accessory of the pop culture, it was mainly set in cheap gold and silver and was rarely offset by other gems. Recently, the use of American diamonds and high grade gold is often used to enrich and increase the value of the ring.

TURQUOISE TRIVIA

The most valuable turquoise stone is said to be of the robin’s egg blue or the deep blue azure. Many collectors say that delicate veining on the gem adds to the worth of the ring as it is proof of a natural stone. The evenness of the color of turquoise is the deciding factor in the cost of the gem. The average cost should be $2 per carat. The advantage that turquoise has over other stones is the multitude of healing powers that it is capable of. It is said to be known to ward off disease and strengthen the body. Good fortune is brought who wear the gem. Legend has it that it guarantees accurate aim if attached to a gun or bow. Another more interesting legend is that turquoise reveals the infidelity of a woman by changing color (but we will have to test that one) In Europe Turquoise rings are gifted as forget-me-nots and even Leah (from Shakespeare’s Merchant of Venice) wins Shylock over by presenting him with a Turquoise Ring as a pledge of her adoration.

THE CLADDAGH RING

One of the most historically significant features of the turquoise ring goes back centuries and is said to have originated in a little Irish village. This special ring is known as the CLADDAGH RING is of deep meaning and is relevant to all of us even today. The ring is made up of a heart which signifies love, hands clasping the center heart show friendship and the crown stands for loyalty. These aspects of the ring are symbolic of love and affection. It has always been a great choice as a Valentine’s Ring and has also been used as a mothers day ring. But most often it has been traditionally passed down from mother to daughter as a Wedding Ring. This ring is still popular in Sterling Silver and Gold and can be made to order.

OTHER POPULAR TURQUOISE RING DESIGNS

A popular and contemporary design is a combination of turquoise and coral in sterling silver. The coral offsets the blue of the turquoise and adds to the healing powers. The Chinese Turquoise Ring by Marco Huizer is another popular design. It is minimalist, elegant and breathtaking. One of the most romantic turquoise rings is the Man-Woman Ring. It is said to counteract deep sadness, and add a little bit of sensuality to the your jewelry collection. Man and woman arch their backs and stretch their arms out gracefully to support the Turquoise gem. There are many other designs available and you can even design your own ring and get it made. With turquoise there are no limits as to what you can combine it with, what you can set it in, and how far you can go with your imagination

CARING FOR YOUR TURQUOISE RING

Turquoise is a delicate gem and the necessary precautions should be taken to care for your ring. Turquoise being a hydrous stone can easily be affected by light and water. The softness of the stone makes it vulnerable to scratches, sharp blows, hot water and household chemicals. It easily absorbs body oils which makes the gem yellow over time. Chlorine must also be avoided.

TURQUOISE-YOUR LUCKY BLUE

Turquoise is one of the oldest known stones, with the most number of legends myths and mystic related to it. It is still one of the most fashionable stones, and will never go out of fashion, so go ahead, join the party, and get yourself some TRUE BLUE TURQUOISE!

Turquoise Buying Guide

Turquoise Buying Guide

by Shewata Dhanuka

Turquoise was first mined in Iran (earlier known as Persia). For many years it was the prime source but now all its mines are depleted. Today, this opaque beauty in large quantity is received from Mexico, China and United States (Arizona and California). It is also procured from Australia, Afghanistan, Chile, Israel, Tanzania, Tibet and Turkey.

Turquoise is a treasured gemstone for many years. In every century people have been using it for making beautiful jewelry items. It is important part of Southwestern American jewelry. It can be set into any material like gold, silver or oxidized metal. It gets very well paired with other precious and semi precious gems. Oxidized metal jewelry consisting turquoise and other gemstone gives unique antique look that is liked by many jewelry lovers around the world. It is jewelry stone most in demand in many parts of the universe such United States, India etc.

It is said to be the oldest found gemstone. Many ancient manuscripts of different countries mentions the beliefs associated with turquoise. It is believed to possess medicinal properties that heal chronic diseases and other properties that bring prosperity and growth. At present, it is widely used in fashion jewelry as an icon of style and youth. Bracelets, rings, earrings, pendent, belts and other items consisting of turquoise gemstone and beads are popular among all the ages.

It is assigned as December birthstone and 5th anniversary gemstone. It is a non-transparent gemstone cut into all the possible shapes like pear, heart, round and flower cut. Oval shape is most common and easily available. This gemstone comes in different colours and quality. Market offers three distinct varieties of turquoise viz. natural, treated or enhanced and laboratory created or imitation. These three further are available in different colours with or without spider web matrix. As such there are no standard guideline for buying turquoise. However, this article gives all the necessary information about source, colour, quality and care about this amazing gem.

Turquoise was first mined in Iran (earlier known as Persia). For many years it was the prime source but now all its mines are depleted. Today, this opaque beauty in large quantity is received from Mexico, China and United States (Arizona and California). It is also procured from Australia, Afghanistan, Chile, Israel, Tanzania, Tibet and Turkey. It is found in association with copper mining and also considered as one of the by-product. It is formed when a chemical reaction takes place after water slowly enters into the rocks containing copper, aluminum and other phosphates. Usually, rough turquoise is very soft & porous and used for jewelry making only after it is treated. Few natural hard turquoise are also produced in nature, found near copper deposits near earth surface where it gets dry.

There is no perfect colour for turquoise. The colour is dependent upon the chemical composition of the rocks. This is the reason why no two turquoise gems shall have identical colour. The colour would range between pale blue to bright green. The blue colour is due to the presence of copper in the gem, green shade appears because of more content of iron or aluminum and yellowish green colour comes from the zinc traces. These rare combinations of different elements are responsible for the varied colours of turquoise. The intense pure blue colour is very rare therefore is priced most. Then bluish green and green shades are valued. Finally yellowish green shades are considered as poorest quality and thus priced least.

Turquoise occurs in one colour while sometimes it consists of few lines or veins of different colour. These veins are referred as spider web matrix. It appears on the surface of the gemstone due to the uneven distribution of elements present in the composition. Same as the colour of turquoise is different, so is the colour of the lines/veins on it. Veins/lines can be black, yellow or brown in colour. These lines would not be in any fixed pattern. It is completely natural so every gemstone is different. Pure single colour gems are priced more than those consisting the spider web matrix. However, intense blue colour with the spider web matrix is priced more than the pale yellowish green shade.

Like unique and varied appearance, turquoise is treated in many ways. Less than 10% natural turquoise is obtained from the mines around the world. These are high quality stones that are naturally hard and do not require any treatment. It is used for jewelry making in its natural state after cutting and polishing. No artificial changes are made. Natural turquoise is prone to colour change with years rolling, same as that of treated gems. Natural turquoise without spider web matrix is seldom found and fetches maximum price.

Experts specify that almost 80-90% of turquoise available in the market is treated. As mentioned earlier, rough turquoise is too soft and for making any jewelry item it needs to be turned hard through a suitable treatment. The enhanced or treated gems are different from the synthetic, man made, artificially created gems in the laboratory. The treated gems are also found in mines same as natural turquoise, but these undergo a treatment process in order to improve the colour, hardness, durability and availability. For example- Turquoise from China is always enhanced as it is too soft and it remains in high demand. Treated gems are equally marvelous but are priced less than the untreated gems.

The treatments are performed for stabilization and enhancement of the gemstone. There are different methods used for different purpose. To enhance the colour, ‘colour treat’ method is used in which epoxy resin along with the colour is injected into the pores of the gemstone. The colour gets stabilized and remains unchanged for a longer duration. The Chinese turquoise is turned hard by the process in which liquid plastic is injected in the stone. There is yet another method ‘ clear treat’ used for turning soft gem into hard. In this method only epoxy resin is inserted inside the gem to stabilize it. As a result colour remains same while gemstone get hard.

Other than the treated turquoise many imitations are also sold as natural turquoise. Buyer should be careful while buying. These are plastic coated or waxed. Therefore, experts recommend to buy turquoise gemstone and jewelry only from the reputed and knowledgeable seller. Always seek written guarantee and certificate before making the final payments.

Turquoise is the most delicate beauty. It is between 5-6 Mohs on the hardness scale and requires maximum care than any other semi precious stone. It should be protected against the scratches and sharp blows. It should not be stored with other hard gemstone rather store in jewelry box lined with velvet or soft cloth.

Being porous in nature, it is absorbent to all sorts of liquids. It must be prevented from direct exposure to hot water, harsh chemicals, cosmetics, oils, perfumes and even the perspiration else it results in colour change or might become dull. Clean turquoise consisting jewelry with mild soapy water and wipe it fully with a soft cloth. It should be completely dry before keeping it in the jewelry box. Ultrasonic jewelry cleaner must be avoided totally.

All the turquoise gems are susceptible to colour change and getting dull with the passage of time. However, this doesn’t affect the demand of the stone in anyway. People wearing turquoise jewelry get attached with the stone mentally. Thus, wearing this exquisite and sophisticated gem becomes their passion.

Turquoise facts

Turquoise facts

by Ashutosh Roy

Turquoise, perhaps one of the oldest gemstone, reminds the tradition of native America. Astrologically It is called the birthstone of December and the accepted gem for the fifth and eleventh wedding anniversaries.

It has been always treated as a holy stone to get rid of the evil powers or rainy days of one’s life. Its clear and sky-blue colour is a symbol of bright and happiness and is supposed to enhance self-confidence. Astrologically, It is believed to bring more mental clarity, wisdom, trust, kindness and better relational bonds to the adorner’s life.

Even being ancient, its at the height of today’s fashion for its prized blue colour. The colour, which is quiet distinctive from others. Basically turquoise are available in 3 colours. Pale green, blue-green, turquoise blue. The word turquoise itself works as an adjective for a very special blue, when referred by the other industries. Normally it is opaque or translucent on thin edges. The spherical shaped Turquoise with an unbroken surface are called Nuggets, where as Flats have their length and width more than their thickness. One can find the Native American jewelry with turquoise all over the world. Even most of the countries have been using turquoise in every sphere of life starting from an excellent birthday gift ending with the remedies for Saturn.

Chemically it consists of Copper, Aluminum, Phosphorus etc. Sometimes Iron comes as an impurity. For the curiosity of the students of Chemistry, the chemical name of Turquoise is Hydrous copper aluminum phosphate, the formula is CuAl6(PO4)4(OH)8 * 5H2O. The mix of iron results shades towards green, while the iron-free one is intense blue. The zinc turn it to yellowish green colour. The hardness is between Five and Six. Just for the comparison, window glasses have a hardness above six. Sometimes one can find some dark markings inside turquoise because of the presence of matrix, the mother stone of turquoise.

Turquoise has been mined in many places throughout the world. As it is formed when water percolates through rocks that contain copper, It is often found with copper deposits. Today, it can be found in various parts of the world like USA, Iran, Siam, China, Japan, Afghanistan, Australia, Chile, India, China etc. But the quality and colour varies because of the geographical locations. Like Clear blue Turquoise are taken out from Persia where as the Indian counter parts produce greenish Turquoise. Today most of the finest Turquoise from Iran as well as some of the south western countries of US.

The usage started in the year 4000 BC in Egypt. Persia and China were the two main sources of turquoise. Even today Chinese mines are contributing a significant portion of turquoise all over the world. The history reveals that Pharaohs and Aztec Kings used to were Turquoise, the robin’s egg blue gemstone.

Turquoise are too soft by nature. The process stabilization in which liquid plastic is injected to bring extra brightness and hardness. Turquoise are thoroughly dried by intense and prolonged heat treatment. Several Chemicals are used to enhance or change color. Its very difficult to get natural turquoise today. The astonishing part of turquoise is that no two pieces are generally alike. Gradually the high grade turquoise is becoming rarer. But even the medium grade looks better than diamonds.

The term “Persian Turquoise” became the hallmark for the quality of turquoise. In the earlier days a common perception was, if the colour gets changed, it’s a danger signal for the wearer. Later on, many chemical tests have found out the reason for changing colour or fading to establish its scientific notion over the prejudices and illusions. Contrary to foolish beliefs, No test result as yet has shown any health danger or toxicity of this mineral. So, you may easily go for a turquoise today, if your pocket permits.

Persian philosopher Al Kazwini wrote: “The hand wearing a Turquoise and using it as a sealing stone, will never be poor.” There are several stories about its nomenclature. Perhaps the French derived it. It came into Europe during the time of crusades and was named Turquoise to refer it as a Turkish stone. It reached India perhaps at the time of Mughal empire. The Indian astrologers believe the sky colour of the stone has got direct links with the sky, thus controlling the astrological behavior of the human body.

The caution message for the turquoise buyers is that they should be careful of imitations. Perhaps the Egyptians paved the way for the imitators. Its very difficult to test its originality. Try to buy this precious jewelry from a shop of repute, which has got market credentials or from someone you know personally for long. You may contact The Zach-Low Turquoise Museum, New Mexico for information. The sleeping beauty Turquoise is now available to the public from the Sleeping beauty mountain, Arizona, which was originally mined for copper and gold.

The increased demand of Turquoise has hyped the price even upto $2,200 per kg. As this is one of the most precious stone, don’t forget to take enough care for maintaining its colour and beauty. Protect it from direct sunlight, heat and other cosmetics. Never ever keep turquoise with other hard stones. Never rub it. This jewelry should be wiped clean to deter its fading tendency due to skin oil and other natural factors. Clean it with warm water and dry it immediately. Otherwise it can fade, fading your luck also!