Jewel & Jewel

Of all the precious gemstones, diamonds have for years, been typically considered to be the most precious and valued of all the precious gemstones. Diamonds usually range in colors from yellow to bluish white and be found from very small to very large. Other precious stone used for jewelry include rubies, emeralds, and sapphires as well as the less expensive stones, chrysoberyl, topaz, and zircon. Among gemstones considered to be semiprecious stones, the most common gemstones used for jewelry include, amethyst, garnet, opal, aquamarine, jade , turquoise, agate, onyx, lapis lazuli, and malachite.

Gemstones that originate from animals or organic instead of mineral, and are considered to be organic stones, include amber, which is a fossil of tree resin, as well as pearls and corals. To be considered a gemstone, the stone must be one of the 2,000 identified naturally occurring minerals that are valued for their rarity, beauty, and durability. Out of these 2,000 identified minerals, only around 100 of them are actually used as gemstones, and a few 16 of them have achieved a notability of importance. These minerals, though one may supply more than one gemstone, include beryl, chrysoberyl, corundum, diamond, feldspar, garnet, jade, lazurite, olivine, opal, quartz, spinel, topaz, tourmaline, turquoise, and zircon. As an example, the mineral Beryl supplies the gemstones emerald and aquamarine, and corundum supplies ruby and sapphire gemstones. Before being used for jewelry, all of these minerals will have to first be cut and polished in order for them to be usable.

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In an ad that ran in the Washington Post, Tiffany and Co. gave the U.S. Congress kudos for passing legislation that would ban the importation of all gemstones from Myanmar (formerly Burma) into the United States, including those that were processed in a third-party country.

Federal lawmakers had already passed legislation in 2003 that embargoed gemstones from Myanmar as a response to human rights violations by the government’s ruling military junta, which profits from state-run gem auctions. But the new legislation closes a U.S. Customs loophole that allowed the Burmese stones into this country if they were processed somewhere other than Myanmar, such as Thailand, which is known for cutting gemstones and using them to manufacture jewelry.

An estimated 90 percent of the world’s rubies originate in Myanmar and are known in the trade as “blood rubies.”

Tiffany and Co., in accordance with its corporate standards and practices, stopped the purchase of all rubies mined in Myanmar in 2003, and has continued its moratorium on Burmese rubies since then, despite the loophole.

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Besides their obvious magic and beauty, gems have a vast heritage of healing power. All cultures, religions and times valued gems to prevent illness, misfortune, and to positively influence the spirit of the wearer. From the shamans of American Indians to the astrologers of Hindu cultures, from the headmen of the Celts to the ghost men of the Aborigines, they all have used stones to cure, heal and protect. Formerly a secret that was passed on from generation to generation, this knowledge has now become a worldwide movement which, across languages and cultures, is dedicated to the re-enforcement of our spiritual self-consciousness. I frequently get asked: “How could a gemstone possibly heal a sickness?” It is not the sickness that gets healed, but the host. Those who dismiss the old wisdom of healers either think science can (or should) explain all there is, or they have never been really sick (despite, or especially because of modern medicine). To start with, a gemstone influences the light pattern of your body and the energy of your aura. Depending on your constellation, your karma or your walk of life a color might be too dominant or underrepresented in you and thus disturb your inner balance. Keeping the colors of your aura in a state of equilibrium is important for your ability to keep off negative thoughts and add positively to your karma. Though we have yet to understand the connection between color and the human brain, quantum physics has come up with a first notion of how colors may influence us on a atomic level.

Here are the basics, as far as we understand them today: Matter is not as solid as it appears to us. In fact, matter can also be understood as energy stored in form of particles. All energy reveals itself in different wave forms such as heat, light or radiation. Color too is a wave form. A gemstone may thus be seen as stored energy (matter) of a certain wave length. Human emotions and physical processes are based on energy and information, which also is transferred in wave forms. Hence, colors may have a direct physical influence on the human mind and body.

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As Wall Street fluctuates wildly and inflation devalues “money in the bank,” as the dollar weakens and oil prices soar, savy women may have the right investment idea. Women have known for years that “diamonds are a girl’s best friend,” but today they may be more than just a pretty bauble. “Experts in the diamond industry are paying close attention to the rate at which prices for fine quality diamonds have been escalating over the past year, and there is no sign of reversal for these high quality gems,” says gem expert Antoinette Matlins, author of Jewelry & Gems: The Buying Guide (GemStone Press, Woodstock, VT), “and we’re not the only ones watching the market—I’m getting calls from successful women looking for inflation protecting investments that will give them a guaranteed psychic as well as a possible financial return!”

But is this a sound idea? According to Matlins, who consults with clients around the world on their acquisition of jewelry and gems, it may be if done wisely. And, there are now unusual opportunities not just for fine diamonds but for fine colored gemstones as well because supply of these high quality stones is failing to keep up with demand. Matlins sees this gap widening over the next 10 years. “As wealth continues to spread to more people globally, demand is increasing for very fine quality diamonds weighing 2 carats or more, and very fine colored gems in varying sizes, but the supply of these gems is actually diminishing as existing mines are depleted,” Matlins explains.

Matlins predicts that the gap between supply and demand will widen even further as people in the Middle East and China become more interested in acquiring fine quality gemstones, resulting in even stronger prices.

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Are you in search of a unique gift to impress your Valentine? Or are you a person into many years of marriage who wants to add some spice to his love life? Are you looking for some unusual way for expressing love to the special person in your life? Whatever may be the case, say, “I love you” with a ruby and see the sparks fly instantly. This is a gem, which has often been equated with human passion of the highest level. What could be more expressive than letting a part of your thought be known through this remarkable gem? So if you want to share the warmth of your heart with the person you love or you wish to express your passion, make a ruby the conduit of your emotions. Since antiquity, this red member of the corundum family has been adored by Royals, as well as commoners for its blood red hues and flaming radiance. The original grade one rubies, which are rare to the point of extinction, often out price diamond of similar size.

If you want to learn about the types of rubies, you have to first understand the chemical composition of this magnificent stone. Rubies originate from the ore of Aluminum oxide or corundum. The hardness of ruby is measured 9 on Mohs scale and its specific gravity is 3.96 - 4.01. Its glow is due to its refractive index, which is 1.759 - 1.767 to 1.770 - 1.779. These qualities make the rubies especially suitable for jewellery making.

Apart from the color, it is the places of origin that accounts for the broader classification of rubies.

how are they distinguished from each other? It is their unique shades that make them distinguishable according to their places of origin. Let us examine the discernible qualities of some of the world famous varieties of rubies.

 
Burmese rubiesBurma has been the source of the world’s most superior quality rubies. It is the fierce red displayed under any kind of light that makes these Burmese rubies one of the most coveted jewels in the world. The unique color in Burmese rubies is described as ‘pigeon’s blood’. The chromium impurities are accountable for this flaming red in Burmese rubies. The regions around Mogok in northern Burma and Mong-Hsu to the east of Mandalay are famous for ruby mining. Kinds of blemishes are the essential attributes of any natural stone. Burmese rubies contain the least of them. Sometimes they do come with inclusions in blue or pink shades.

Thai rubies

Next in order of quality, Thai rubies come second. Thai rubies come with rather darker undertones caused by the presence of iron along with chromium. Thus you find the Thai rubies with brownish to burgundy hues. Also known as Siam rubies, these of course are no match for their Burmese cousins. Most of them are heat-treated. Chantaburi and Trat provinces lying in the south-east of Bangkok are famous for ruby mining.

Sri-Lankan rubies

If you want a match for those gorgeous Burmese rubies you can some times find it in the Sri-Lankan rubies. These rubies with pink tints have a unique beauty of their own.

Vietnam rubies

Vietnamese rubies have a standard as high as Burmese rubies. Yen Bai and Nghe are two of the prime mines of Vietnam. They have an unpredictable supply.

Tanzania Rubies

In Tanzania, ruby deposits are found in regions near Songea. The color of these rubies resembles the garnet so closely that even jewelers are often baffled by their closeness. It has been noticed that the intensity of color diminishes with size. Therefore, the smaller the Tanzanian rubies are, the more they command price.

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Birthstone jewelry is always popular. All links that will help you find jewelry made from specific birthstones. You’ll find a little bit of everything here, from pendants to rings to birthstone necklaces, all grouped to make it easy for you to compare features and prices. Read jewelry descriptions carefully to find out if stones are genuine or faux.

1. January Birthstone - Garnet Jewelry

Most of the garnet jewelry we see is set with deep red garnets, but the gemstone exists in other colors. You’ll find a huge assortment of garnet jewelry here, and most of it won’t break your budget, even if you fall in love with some of the coordinating sets. 

2. February Birthstone - Amethyst Jewelry

Amethyst is a form of quartz, and its color varies from pale lilac to dark purple. It’s the February birthstone, but amethyst jewelry is a universal favorite worn by people born throughout the year. It looks stunning set in either white or yellow metals. I like to see amethyst used all by itself in jewelry, but you’ll often find it combined with diamonds and other gemstones.

3. March Birthstone - Aquamarine Jewelry

Aquamarine exists in all shades of blue, but clear blue aquamarine is more valuable than versions with traces of other colors in them. White metal settings, like white gold and sterling silver, make aquamarines positively sparkle

4. April Birthstone - Diamond Jewelry

April birthstones are more expensive than the gemstones set aside for birthdates in other months. But that doesn’t mean you can’t find affordable diamond jewelry, because the diamonds don’t have to be large to be beautiful. A series of small diamonds, set side by side, costs less than jewelry set with one large stone that covers the same area. And a pendant that’s pretty all by itself can be even prettier with a single diamond set in a strategic part of the design. Take a look, you’ll find something in this collection to suit just about any budget.

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Sapphires are beautiful gemstones that come in many colors, but are most famous for their blue color. Sapphires come in cognac, colorless, green, orange, peach, pink, purple, violet, white, and yellow (a red sapphire would be called a ruby).On the Mohs scale of hardness, sapphire ranks a 9, highest after diamonds. It is a very durable gemstone and perfect for everyday accessories, such as rings or bracelets.Sapphires are found in Kashmir, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Cambodia, Tanzania, Madagascar, Australia and Montana.

It has been a common practice to heat-treat sapphires. Heat-treating sapphires helps improve clarity and color. The process is permanent and stable.

Blue sapphire is September’s birthstone and is recommended for the 5th, 23rd and 45th wedding anniversaries.

Care

Sapphire jewelry can be cleaned with soapy water or a commercial solvent and brush. Mechanical cleaners are safe, except for heavily included gems.

Always store your sapphire rings, sapphire earrings, necklaces and other sapphire jewelry in a fabric-lined box to keep it safe from other pieces of jewelry. Never wear your jewelry when doing rough work or working with harsh chemicals.

With these tips, your beautiful sapphires, blue or not, should last you for many years.

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Birthstones since the ancient times have been the circle of concentration for most of the people. People in those times believed that they have some magical effect on their lives including bringing good and bad luck, protection from diseases etc. Whether birthstones did something like this during those days or not, but the tradition is still live with a huge number of followers. Many of the people in contemporary times still have same concepts.

The traditional link of birthstones with Zodiac signs is also the product of same historic era, but a modern concept maintains this link according to calendar months. And according to this classification each month has it’s own unique stone that possesses some properties, which have some effect on the person born during that particular month.

Whether it’s based on Zodiac or monthly linking of birthstones, believers love to wear such stones in the form of jewelry, probably to keep the ancient concept alive or there’s some science behind this. Ring is mostly and often earrings are the best choice for keeping birthstones in them.

Not only wearing birthstone but also presenting an item of jewelry set with their birthstone is a considered as a heart touching a delicate gift. According to most of the jewelers, birthstone pendants or birthstone brooches are most common gift items in this concern.

Presenting a birthstone to someone or wearing it both if considered especially with the meaning associated with historic thought makes it special. And when it comes to a quality, no other gem can give this much level of association with beautiful sentiments behind the stone.