Modern – Aquamarine Traditional – Bloodstone Mystical - Jade Aquamarine is a member of the Beryl family. The name Beryl may not be familiar to most but the more common names of the variety of its colors are well known. Beryl’s come in pink (Morganite), yellow (Heliodor), green (Emerald) and blue (Aquamarine). The name of March’s blue birthstone comes from the Latin for seawater. Aquamarine’s blue-green color is reminiscent of the sea; evoking the calming, soothing and cleansing nature of water. It was believed in ancient times to be the treasure of mermaids and used by sailors as a talisman to calm waves and keep sailors safe at sea. It was also believed to counteract the forces of darkness and find...
Modern - Amethyst Traditional - Amethyst Mystical - Bloodstone Amethyst is the most valuable variety of Quartz. It gets its violet color from irradiated iron impurities. You may have heard of other colors of Amethyst, but by definition, it can only be purple. When there is a higher iron content with hematite inclusions, it appears black. Pink Amethyst is simply a lighter lavender version. Green Amethyst is technically not an Amethyst but actually another type of quartz called Prasiolite. I can't honestly say how it ever became commonly known as Green Amethyst. Possibly, because its an easier name to remember than Prasiolite. Amethyst derived its name from the Greek word "amethystos". The Greeks believed amethyst gems could prevent intoxication...
Modern - Garnet Traditional - Garnet Mystical - Emerald When most people think of lush garnets, they think of the traditional transparent dark burgundy red that has long been associated with the January birthstone. In fact, the word garnet comes from the 14th‑century Middle English word gernet, meaning 'dark red'. Red garnet represents love. It can aid in revitalizing feelings and enhancing sexuality. It helps to control anger, especially towards oneself. Because of the differing minerals in garnets, there are actually a number of colors varieties. There is even a rare color changing garnet that appears brownish or orange in daylight but rose-pink in incandescent light. This picture from the GIA website shows a variety of the colors:...
Ever since I started designing jewelry with gemstones I have been curious about the lore surrounding the energy of stones and crystals. In the metaphysical world, the words stone, gem, crystal and Crystal Kingdom are used interchangeably. That was always a bit confusing to me until I learned that most gemstones are actually mineral crystals - a pure solid substance that has an orderly repeating arrangement of atoms and molecules in three spatial dimensions. Some stones and organic materials used in jewelry such as turquoise, lapis lazuli, sunstone, amber, jet, coral and pearls are not crystals but still have metaphysical properties associated with them. Learning that fact was just the tip of the iceberg. There are gems properties associated with emotional and physical...
