Archive for the 'Gemstones' Category
Gem collectors value peridot for its distinct greenish hue and its brilliant luster. But few people realize that these gems have been cherished for almost the entire duration of recorded history. According to ancient writings that have been preserved and deciphered, the Egyptians began to mine peridot around 1500 BCE. It has even been speculated that the captivating emeralds that adorned Cleopatra’s necklaces were in fact peridot.
To this day, the gem is often confused with an emerald. Peridot can be found in just about any shade of green, however, depending on its iron content. A peridot bracelet makes for a stunning addition to any jewelry collection and goes especially well with a little black dress. While peridot jewelry is appropriate for any occasion, it’s especially suitable for a formal affair.
Peridot is one of the few gemstones that occur in only one color: basically an olive green. The intensity and tint of the green however depends on how much iron is contained in the crystal structure, so the color of individual peridot gems can vary from yellow-green through olive green to brownish green. The most valuable is considered a dark-olive green color.
Peridot crystals have been collected from some Pallasite meteorites. A famous Pallasite was offered for auction in April 2008 with a requested price of close to $ 3 million at Bonhams, but remained unsold. Peridot is the only gemstone found in meteorites.
Peridot olivine is the birthstone for August. It is sometimes mistaken for emeralds and other green gems. Peridot necklaces are usually presented as gifts.
If you’re interested in the world of jewelry, you’ve probably realized that gemstones make for some of the most beautiful ornamentation, which includes everything from pendants to beads. To that end, one of these commonly utilized gemstones is jasper. A variety of silica, jasper is often found in red, brown, and yellow coloring. Less commonly, it is also seen in a green form. It is particularly ideal for jewelry because it is so easily polished to a high sheen.
Combining the two properties of bright, vibrant colors and high sheen, jasper remains one of the most popular and common gemstones in modern jewelry making. While it can be used in any type of jewelry, a jasper necklace is a particularly nice addition to any jewelry box. A prominent necklace can add an element of drama to any outfit, especially if the outfit is dominated by neutral or solid colors and the necklace is brightly colored. And that drama is a surefire way to stand out and get noticed.
If you like your jewelry to be a little bit more unconventional, look into collecting your own gemstones. Particularly if you live on the West Coast of the United States and you love the look of agates, it might be worth traveling to the state of Oregon. Within that state, there is an unincorporated community known as Agate Beach. This beach is located within Lincoln County between the landmarks of Newport and Yaquina Head.
Just as the name suggests, the beach is filled with both translucent and opaque agates. If you are able to take this journey, make sure to comb the beach as early as possible. The beach has gained some level of notoriety, especially among West Coast inhabitants, and this means the beach can be picked clean by late morning. But if you are able to find a cache of gems, consider making your own jewelry with your finds. After all, a black agate necklace is sure to be a treasured part of your collection if you handpicked the gems yourself.
Make a bold statement so you can be noticed and complimented about your fashion sense. An eye-catching aventurine necklace may just be what you need. This necklace is 26.5” long with a heavy gold tone circle toggle clasp. It is appointed with gold tone corrugated beads to accent the colors interwoven in the light green stones.
Aventurine glass, also called monkstone, is visually stunning. Sometimes, it is confused with minerals like feldspar or quartz which also have tiny flecks of glittering materials that add shine and sparkle. Aventurine glass was invented in the mid 17th century by an Italian family of glassmakers named Miotti.
Jasper is an opaque and impure variety of silica. It is usually red, yellow or brown in color. This mineral breaks with a smooth surface and is usually used as an ornament or as a gemstone. When highly polished, jasper can be used in vases and seals.
Patterns in jasper are made during the consolidation process of silica rich sediment or volcanic ash. Get noticed by wearing jewelry like a jasper bracelet. The stones are a bit daring in color but will not take over any outfit. Instead, it will be a nice complement to whatever you decide to wear.
It was a long time before the first Europeans who landed on what is now the east coast of the United States began to move westward. When the settlers moved west, under the doctrine of manifest destiny, they found a diverse population of Native American people. These Native Americans had not mastered technology as the white settlers had, but knew more about the natural environment than most settlers ever would. It was these Native Americans who introduced the settlers to turquoise jewelry.
Whether a turquoise necklace, turquoise bracelet, or objects studded with turquoise, American settlers were captivated by these unique stones. The only major deposits of turquoise outside the southwestern United States are located in Iran/Iraq, so the first time most settlers had seen turquoise was in America. Today, turquoise jewelry is available from a number of private and commercial manufacturers, and is quite popular throughout the world.