Posts Tagged ‘Russia’
Amethyst
Posted on: September 26, 2011
Chemical Symbol :
SiO2
Chemical Make-up :
Amethyst is made up of the macrocrystalline variety of the crystal Quartz. This is a variety of quartz coloured by traces of manganese, titanium and iron. It is of a pale lilac, mauve or bluish violet colour.
History and Legend: Amethyst, is one of the most popular and mystical stones throughout history. Its use in jewellery, albeit very rudimentary, can be traced as far back as 4000BC, while gold rings set with amethyst stones have been uncovered in burial sites from around 2400 BC. Amethyst is the name given to Purple Quartz. It is believed the name “amethyst” comes from the Greek word “amethystos” which transaltes as “not intoxicated”.As with most stones whose names originate from a Greek word, there is a legend linked to it. The legend about amethyst in Greek Mythology is that Dionysus the god of intoxication, and of wine, was pursuing a maiden named Amethystos, who refused his affections. Amethystos prayed to the gods to remain chaste, a prayer which the goddess Artemis answered, transforming her into a white stone. Humbled by Amethystos’s desire to remain chaste, Dionysus poured wine over the stone as an offering, dyeing the crystals purple.
February’s purple birthstone has been found among the possessions of royalty throughout the ages. The intense violet hue of Amethyst appealed to early monarchs, perhaps because they often wore this color. Purple dye was scarce and expensive at one time, and so it was reserved for the garments of kings and queens. Amethyst has been found in ruins dating as far back as the ninth century, adorning crowns, scepters, jewelry, and breastplates worn into battle. A large Amethyst is among the closely guarded gemstones in the British Crown Jewels.
Amethyst is also symbolic of spirituality and piety. It has been used to ornament churches and crosses used in religious ceremony, and worn in rings and on rosaries by bishops and priests.
Medicine: Amethyst was considered to be a strong antidote against drunkenness, which is why in the olden days, wine goblets were often carved from it. It is also said that when worn close to the body, the stone helps instill a sober mind. Put an amethyst under your pillow to bring about pleasant dreams, or rub it across your forehead to offer relief from a headache. Amethyst opens and activates the crown chakra, the third eye chakra, and can also open the heart chakra. Amethyst can be used to fight a number of disorders including headaches, insomnia, hearing disorders, heart disorders, digestive system disorders, and has even been thought to help stabilize mental disorders. Amethyst also works emotionally and spiritually by providing patience, balance, calmness, and peace.
Evaluation :
Amethyst is rated at 7 on the Moh’s Scale of Hardness. Because of its relative hardness and having no particular warnings for care, Amethyst can be used for all jewelry purposes. Amethyst is found in a variety of hues of purple including deep purple, light lilac, lavender and mauve.
Cleaning :
As with all gemstones, the number one rule of thumb with Amethyst is to try to keep it clean. When cleaning is needed use warm soapy water, and a soft brush. Ultrasonic cleaners are also usually safe.
Common Cuts :
Large, fine quality Amethyst stones are often sold in free sizes, but smaller specimens are cut into all of the commonly recognized shapes / cuts. Lower quality Amethyst specimens are usually carved into ornamental objects or beads, or heat-treated to produce Citrine.
Sourses:
Deposits of this gemstone are found in Brazil, Canada, Australia, India, Madagascar, Namibia, Russia,Sri Lanka; and in the United States.
The best investment is an amethyst of average size weighing between 4 and 8 carats, as dark as possible, but not so much so that the light is prevented from reflecting, and with a deep lustre.
Amazonite
Posted on: September 26, 2011
Chemical Make-up :
Amazonite is made up of Potassium and Aluminium Silicate elements, with Iron impurities accounting for the green coloration.
Chemical Symbol: KAISi3O8
Amazonite (sometimes called “Amazon stone”) is a green variety of microcline feldspar. Its color varies from a pale green through to a deep turquoise green including blue-green colors… like the color of the pendant pictured below. The darker stones generally have a more intense vibration, but even the lighter stones will have an impact where needed.
The name is taken from that of the Amazon River, from which certain green stones were formerly obtained, but it is doubtful whether green feldspar occurs in the Amazon area.
History:
It is widely believed that Amazonite is named after the Amazonian women warriors. There is also a belief that Amazonite was named after the River Amazon. However, it is unlikely that the River Amazon was rich in Amazonite, as whilst Amazonite does occur in Brazil, it has never been discovered in the vicinity of the great river.
Sourses:
Amazonite is a mineral of limited occurrence. Formerly it was obtained almost exclusively from the area of Miass in the Ilmen mountains, 50 miles southwest of Chelyabinsk, Russia, where it occurs in granitic rocks. More recently, high-quality crystals have been obtained from Pike’s Peak, Colorado, where it is found associated with smoky quartz, orthoclase, and albite in a coarse granite or pegmatite. Crystals of amazonite can also be found in Crystal Park, El Paso County, Colorado. Some other localities in the United States yield amazonite, and it is also found in pegmatite in Madagascar and in Brazil.
Evaluation :
Amazonites are rated at 6 on the Moh’s Scale of Hardness. Amazonite is considered durable enough to wear everyday, but not an ideal choice for Rings.
Common Cuts :
Polished Amazonite used in jewelry is most ordinarily presented in cabochons or beads.
Cleaning :
Amazonite is best cleaned using warm water, a mild soap and a soft cloth. Avoid any sort of contact with heat and acids. Do not clean Amazonite jewelry in an ultrasonic or a steam cleaning device.
Because of its bright green colour when polished, amazonite is sometimes cut and used as a gemstone , although it is easily fractured.
For many years, the source of amazonite’s color was a mystery. Naturally, many people assumed the color was due to copper because copper compounds often have blue and green colors. More recent studies suggest that the blue-green color results from small quantities of lead and water in the feldspar.
History of Amazonite:Amazonite stone has been in use for thousands of years… and the way the Egyptians used it makes us aware of its importance in ancient times. An example of this us, is that part of the Egyptian Book of the Dead was engraved on Amazonite.
Jewelry made from this stone was found in the tomb of the Egyptian Pharaoh, King Tutankamen.
From the Bible… it is believed and highly likely that this was the third stone in the breastplate of Moses.
It was a prominent stone for making amulets in ancient times… and the Assyrians connected it with their God Belus.
Medicine:
Amazonite calms emotions and empowers the wearer with courage. Additionally, Amazonite enhances self-expression and creativity. In addition to this, Amazonite works on the throat chakra and is especially effective at aligning the heart and solar plexus chakras. It can also be used to control levels of calcium within the body.
jewelrypassion 