Thursday, 3 September 2015
Monday, 1 July 2013
Sunday, 14 April 2013
Topaz Gemstone- Semi Precious Stone
The topaz is a fluorine aluminium silicate and comes in
yellow, yellow-brown, honey-yellow, flax, brown, green, blue, light blue, red
and pink ... and sometimes it has no colour at all.
The topaz has been known for at least 2000 years and is one
of the gemstones which form the foundations of the twelve gates to the Holy
City of the New Jerusalem. These so-called apocalyptic stones are intended to
serve in protection against enemies and as a symbol of beauty and splendour. It
cannot be proved conclusively whether the name of the topaz comes from the
Sanskrit or the Greek, though the Greek name 'topazos' means 'green gemstone'.
The Romans dedicated the topaz to Jupiter.
The colour in which the topaz is most commonly found is
yellow, and that is the colour in which it occurs in one of the major German
gemstone rocks, the Schneckenstein (a topaz-bearing rock said to resemble a
snail) in Saxony. In the 18th century, it was mined there during a period of
over 60 years. However, most of the crystals were hardly a centimetre in
diameter. You had to go to Siberia or Brazil to find crystals as large as your
fist. Having said that, anyone who is interested can convince himself of the
beauty of cut specimens in the topaz set in Dresden's Grünes Gewölbe (Green
Vault). The enormous and magnificent topaz from the Portuguese crown, the
Braganza, was for a long time thought to be a diamond. It weighs 1680 ct.
In mysticism, the topaz is attributed with a cooling,
styptic and appetising effect. It is said to dispel sadness, anger and
nocturnal fears, to warn its wearer of poisons and protect him or her from
sudden death. It is reputed to make men handsome and intelligent and sterile
women fertile and happy. However, it is probably better not to rely too much on
its magical powers, since it was also claimed that you could immerse your hand
in boiling water after a topaz had been thrown into it and retract it again
unharmed! It is the stone of the month November.
In the Empire style, the topaz was still widespread, but
then the more reasonably priced citrine took over from it and even usurped its
name - gold topaz. Since then, the topaz has been a rather exotic figure in the
jewellery trade, and has been given the additional predicate 'pure' to make it
clear that the topaz, not the quartz topaz, is meant. And it is still waiting
for its well deserved comeback to this day.
Types of Topaz
The market is flooded with different types of topaz today.
If you plan to buy topaz, it is vital to know the various types. Read on to
know the various types.
Imperial Topaz - The imperial topaz is the rarest and most
expensive type. It has a beautiful yellow shade. This type of topaz appears to
have a golden-orange-pink colour under daylight and appears orange-pink under
incandescent light. However, this gem is imbued with pinkish to reddish tints
to enhance its yellow shade to a richer golden shade. Imperial topaz is very
popular and the most sought after gem by jewellers.
Precious Topaz - Precious topaz is mined in many places
across the world amongst which Brazil is the most famous. It is a yellow
crystal used widely in jewellery items and other attractive ornamental
purposes. It is highly valuable than other synthetic or man-made topaz gems.
Topaz is a highly precious gemstone having a hardness factor of 8 and a high
refractive index.
Blue Topaz - Topaz stones generally undergo an irradiation
treatment by synthetic means to enhance their colour. Natural precious topaz gems are exposed to
the irradiation treatment to preserve their golden-brown colour. Whereas, on
the other side, colourless or smoky topaz gems when exposed to irradiation by
electrons and neutrons result in beautiful different colours. The colour mostly
results in blue and other shades of silver, green or teal. They are not true
topaz stones and relatively inexpensive.
There are various colours of blue present in the topaz like
sky blue, London blue, Swiss blue, light blue, sierra blue and electric
blue. However, the colours within the
stone can fade after sometime or even break off as they only touch the top
layer of the stone.
White Topaz - White topaz is a clear and transparent type
which can be mistaken with a diamond when cut perfectly. The white topaz is the
most common variety. The Glacier topaz is the purest type of white topaz. These
gems are untreated because of their clear purity. The glacier topaz is found in
Murzinka mines in Ekaterinburg.
Smoky Topaz Gems - The smoky varieties are also mined in
many places around the world. They are quartz like crystals having an orange or
yellow colour. These topaz gems are not precious gems technically, but are
often confused as being real topaz due to language disparity
Thursday, 4 April 2013
Blue Chalcedony Gemstone- Semi Precious Stone
Blue Chalcedony is a demure crystal, subtle and mystic, cool
and serene, ethereal yet solid. It has an inviting, soft blue translucence, and
an almost imperceptible movement within the stone that invokes a stillness of
silent reverence. It's calming, and speaks of spirit and trust.
Chalcedony is a member of the Quartz family with a
cryptocrystalline structure, perfect for magnifying its crystal energy to
soothe and restore balance, from the conscious mind to the inner child, all the
way down to the animal self. Its name may be derived from the Greek port city
of Chalcedon. The ancient civilizations of Egypt, Greece and Rome used
varieties of Chalcedony in jewelry and carvings, and, as gems of antiquity,
they were believed to imbue their holders with certain powers.
Chalcedony is known as the Speaker's Stone, the stone of one
who must measure his words. It encourages reflection and meditation, its gentle
radiance preparing us for action but helping to hold back words we might
regret. The great Roman orator, Cicero, is said to have worn one around his
neck.
Considered a nurturing stone, Chalcedony absorbs negative
energy and dissipates it before it can be passed on. It promotes brotherhood
and good will, opening the mind to new ideas, instilling feelings of
benevolence and generosity.
Chalcedony was considered a sacred stone by the Native
American Indians, using it to promote stability during their ceremonial
activities. It is still in use today for meditations, and as a pathway for
receiving successful thought transmissions.
Chalcedony is common quartz found in United States, Austria, Czech Republic, Iceland, Mexico, Britain, New Zealand, Turkey, Russia, and Brazil.
Monday, 1 April 2013
Black Onyx Gemstone- Semi Precious Stone
Onyx is one of the more popular precious gemstones. Its
quality, colors and substance is very attractive by many consumers and Onyx is
a great stone to compliment or accent other high quality gemstones or precious
metals. The great news about Onyx is that it comes in a variety of colors,
shapes and sizes to fit almost any consumer’s needs. Here is some more
information.
Onyx is a beautiful type of quartz that comes in a variety
of colors. It is extremely similar to Agate, another type of quartz. Onyx
usually comes in black or black with white bands. The bands that are found on
Onyx run parallel and are consistent. Agate bands are round or circular and are
not consistent. Onyx makes a great stone to compliment other types of precious
gemstones, as well as precious metals. Because black is a popular color for
Onyx, many people use Onyx with gold, silver, platinum and even white gold.
Onyx is also available in a red, brown or reddish brown color. These colors are
usually given the name Sardonyx and they are extremely attractive and used
quite frequently.
Onyx is available in many shapes and sizes. Onyx is a fairly
strong stone and has hardness measured by Moh’s hardness scale of 7.0. This
means that it will stand up to the daily grind and will usually last for many
years, or even many generations if kept well. Onyx can come in many shapes and
it can be fit for a ring, bracelet, earrings, charms, etc.
Aquamarine Gemstone- Semi precious Stone
Aquamarine is the beautiful gemstone that is the color of
the sea, bluish – green. It has been known to man for thousands of years.
Ancient sailors would take these precious stones on ships when they travelled
to stay safe, in medieval ages, it was believed to have mystical qualities such
as for one to be happy in marriage and to be honest and faithful. Aquamarine is
made from Beryl, one of the most readily available minerals in the world;
however it does include Beryllium which is a rare element.
Beryl comes in many colors, for instance, in bluish green,
it is Aquamarine, when yellow or yellow orange, it is called Heliodor. Beryl
also comes in a pale pink called Morganite, there is even a white Beryl called
Goshenite. Besides these colors, one of the most sought after color of Beryl is
the rarest of them, a deep red Beryl called Bixbate.
Beryl is a mineral that grows hexagonal in nature and its
crystal habits are prismatic, elongated or flattened. The transparency and
translucence of this mineral make the Beryl look very glassy adding to the
overall beauty of the stone. The stone has a hardness of 7.5 or 8.0 which is
considerably hard and perfect for ornamental jewellery uses. However, it should
be noted that it can still fracture or break. Aquamarine has been found in
large sizes weighing over 200 hundred pounds, however, most Aquamarine that is
found is much smaller, usually a few carats.
The
History and Origins
Aquamarine
is a very popular gemstone that is found in many parts of the world. Aquamarine
is made from Beryl, this mineral is very common, however it should be noted
that Aquamarine itself does possess minute quantities of a very rare substance
and element Beryllium. Aquamarine is known throughout the world as having a
gorgeous hue of bluish green. However it should be noted that the mineral
itself, Beryl can come in many colors. For instance, when it is a very intense
green, it is called Emerald, when pale yellow or yellowish orange it is often
give the name Heliodor, it can even occur as being colourless, the name given
to it in this case is Gosenite .
Aquamarine has been known to man since the beginning of
written history and has been used by many sailors in ancient times to keep them
safe when sailing the seas of the Adriatic, Mediterranean and other Seas.
Because, it was a common mineral, it is said to have many uses, most dealing
with the mystical or fantastical. For instance, for a sound night’s sleep,
sailors would keep Aquamarine underneath their pillows. Aquamarine was also a
way to ward off poison. Ancient sailors said that the mythical mermaid’s tail
was made from Aquamarine.
Aquamarine comes from the Latin word meaning “Sea Water”. It
was also used in medieval times to preserve love between a married couple and
keep a husband and wife faithful. It is given as a gift as a birthstone in
March, as well as for the astrological sign of Pisces and Scorpio.
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