Category Archives: Gemstones

    Helix Piercing

    Posted on by fatima

    Helix piercings have been around long, even before body piercing became trendy. The Helix refers to the upper portion of your ear, composed of cartilage. Earlier, this part of the ear was commonly called cartilage piercing. The helix area doesn’t have a lot of blood circulation, so it’s crucial to take excellent care of it to avoid infections. To keep it clean is essential. There are three main types of helix piercings: double, triple, and forward.

    Double Helix Piercings

    A double helix piercing is a trendy ear piercing where two individual holes are made along the curved outer edge of the ear, called the Helix. These two piercings are typically positioned above the other, resulting in a stacked or layered appearance. The placement of double helix piercing is often on upper part of the ear’s cartilage and their precise alignment can vary to suit individual preferences and ear anatomy.

    There’s a wide variety of jewellery options available for double helix piercings, giving people the chance to showcase their distinct styles. You can adorn these piercings with studs, hoops, rings, or other jewellery options, with materials ranging from surgical stainless steel to 14k or 18k gold, depending on your preferences and potential sensitivities. A professional piercer should do double helix piercings using sterile equipment like all piercings. Healing times can vary, but following aftercare instructions diligently is crucial to minimize the risk of complications. It’s a good idea to seek guidance from a professional piercer before proceeding with a double helix piercing. They can assess your ear’s anatomy, discuss placement options, and help you choose the perfect jewellery to create a unique and fashionable look.

    Triple Helix Piercings

    Triple helix piercings are a unique and stylish form of ear piercing involving the creation of three separate holes along the curved outer rim of the ear, known as the Helix. These piercings are typically positioned on the upper part of the ear’s cartilage, and the three holes are often arranged in a vertical or diagonal pattern, creating a visually captivating stacked effect. Like other helix piercings, individuals can choose from a wide range of jewellery options, including studs, hoops, rings, or other decorative pieces, allowing for personalization to match one’s style and preferences. While the pain experienced during the piercing process varies from person to person, it is generally manageable. Healing times for triple helix piercings can vary, ranging from several months to a year or more, with proper aftercare being essential to prevent infections and promote healing.

    For a triple helix piercing that is both successful and comfortable, it’s essential to engage the services of a professional piercer who uses sterile equipment. Each piercing is created individually, carefully focusing on placement and alignment to achieve the desired aesthetic. Following aftercare instructions diligently, which includes regular cleaning with saline solution and avoiding unnecessary contact with dirty hands, is essential for a smooth healing process. Consultation with a professional piercer is advisable before getting triple helix piercings, as they can assess your ear’s anatomy, discuss placement options, and assist in selecting the ideal jewellery to create a unique and eye-catching look. Triple helix piercings offer a distinctive way to adorn the upper ear, and they are an excellent choice for those seeking an eye-catching and personalized piercing arrangement.

    Forward Helix Piercing

    A forward Helix piercing is a trendy and stylish type of ear piercing situated on the front part of the ear’s cartilage, specifically on the upper curved rim,known as the Helix. The placement of forward helix piercings is usually in the upper section of the ear, near the area where the Helix takes a forward curve. These piercings can be positioned as single or multiple piercings along this angle, allowing for individualized placement based on personal preferences and ear anatomy.

    When it comes to jewellery choices, forward helix piercings offer versatility. You can select from various jewellery styles, including studs, rings, or hoops, and choose materials that match your unique style and comfort. Like any piercing, it’s crucial to have forward helix piercings done by a professional piercer who uses sterile equipment. Proper aftercare, such as regular cleaning with saline solution, prevents infections and supports healing. The level of discomfort experienced during the piercing procedure can differ among individuals, but it is typically within manageable limits.

    Healing times may range from a few months to a year, and following aftercare instructions diligently is vital to ensuring proper healing and reducing the risk of complications. Overall, forward helix piercings offer opportunities for personalization and creativity, allowing you to express your style through your piercings while enhancing the front part of your ear’s appearance. Consulting with a professional piercer before getting a forward helix piercing is advisable to discuss placement options and select the right jewellery to achieve the desired aesthetic.

    Is Helix piercing painful?

    Getting a helix piercing can be painful, even though this area doesn’t  have many nerve endings. If it gets infected, it can stay painful. So, it’s super important to follow the aftercare instructions carefully. Fighting infections can be challenging because there’s not much blood flow in that part of your ear. Try not to touch the piercing when not cleaning it; this helps keep it clean and free from infections.

    High-quality jewellery is the must for all your piercings, including helix ones. It makes sure your piercing has the best chance to heal well. Avoid jewellery made from materials like nickel that can irritate your skin. Surgical-grade steel is a good choice.

    If you’re not keen on going through the pain and possible complications of a helix piercing, some fake piercings look natural and are easy to use without discomfort.

    Best Jewellery for Helix Piercing

    The best jewellery for a helix piercing is typically made of safe, hypoallergenic materials and suited for initial healing. Here are some standard options:

    Surgical Stainless Steel: Surgical stainless steel is a commonly favoured option for piercings due to its durability, resistance to corrosion, and lower likelihood of triggering allergic reactions.

    Look for jewellery labelled as “implant-grade” or “316LVM.”

    Titanium: Titanium is lightweight, biocompatible, and highly resistant to corrosion. It’s an excellent choice for those with metal sensitivities.

    Niobium: Niobium, a hypoallergenic metal similar to titanium, is a suitable choice for individuals with metal allergies.

    14k or 18k Gold: High-quality gold, such as 14k or 18k, is safe for many people and adds a touch of luxury to your piercing. Ensure its nickel-free if you have metal allergies.

    Bioplast: Bioplast is a flexible and biocompatible material frequently employed in the healing process of piercings, helping to minimize the potential for irritation.

    Glass: Borosilicate glass is non-porous, hypoallergenic, and easy to clean. It’s an excellent choice for those looking for a more unique style.

    PTFE (Polytetrafluoroethylene): PTFE is a flexible, hypoallergenic material commonly used for initial piercings. When choosing jewellery for your Helix piercing, you must consider your individual preferences and any sensitivities or allergies you may have. Additionally, ensure the jewellery is the right size and style for your piercing to avoid discomfort or complications during the healing process. Consult a professional piercer for personalized recommendations and ensure the jewellery is inserted correctly.

    “From Ancient Tribes to Modern Trends: A Fascinating Journey of Lip Piercings and Mouth Adornments”

    Posted on by fatima

    Body piercing is a longstanding tradition involving the puncturing of body parts to create openings for the insertion of jewellery. This practice dates back thousands of years and serves various purposes, including religious, spiritual, sexual, and aesthetic reasons. Some forms of piercing, like ear and nose piercing, have been practiced for over five millennia, while newer types of body piercing have emerged with the advancement of civilization in the 21st century. Additional examples of body piercing include lip, tongue, navel, nipple, and genital piercings.

    Lip piercing and mouth piercing: are practices where a hole is intentionally created on the lips or its surrounding areas to accommodate decorative jewellery, such as lip studs. The location of the piercing can vary around the mouth, but the actual surface of the lips is left untouched. There are several types of lip piercings, each with its own unique name and location on or around the lips. Some of these include the Monroe piercing (located off-center above the upper lip), Labret piercing (positioned in the center of the lower lip), Madonna piercing (placed on the right or left side above the upper lip), Jestrum piercing (center of the upper lip with a curved barbell), Vertical Labret piercing (vertical placement on the lower lip), Spider bite piercing (multiple piercings on one side of the lower lip), Scrumper (a combination of vertical labret and lower lip piercing), and Medusa piercing (center of the upper lip above the cupid’s bow). These various names indicate the specific style and placement of the lip piercing. This type of piercing is distinct from lip piercings and is commonly done to wear tongue rings or barbells.

    Lip piercing: has a long historical background that can be traced across diverse African and American cultures. It was a prevalent tradition among various groups, such as the inhabitants of Papua New Guinea, the Dogon people of Mali, the Nuba people of Sudan and Ethiopia, and several tribes residing in the Amazon basin of South America. These cultures embraced lip piercing as a significant aspect of their customs and rituals. In the Pre-Columbian era, lip stretching was a prominent custom among South American populations and certain tribes in Malawi. This involved piercing the lips and gradually inserting plates or plugs to stretch and enlarge the lip area. The specific name for these lip discs in Malawi is “pelele.”

    For the Dogon people of Mali, lip piercing holds a symbolic meaning that represents the creation of the world by their ancestor spirit. According to their myth, the goddess Noomi wove a thread through her teeth, and when it emerged from her lips, it transformed into speech. This sacred act is reenacted through lip piercing as a ritual practice in their culture.

    Similarly, among the Makololo people of Southern Africa, lip piercing is a significant part of their cultural tradition. Makololo women adorn themselves with plates, known as “pelele,” in their upper lips. This practice is associated with betrothal rites, where the potential husband inserts the plate about six months before the marriage ceremony. The size of the plate holds great importance, as it correlates with the dowry the groom must offer to the bride’s family. The larger the plate worn by the bride, the higher the dowry expected from the groom.

    The ancient Aztecs of central Mexico and the Mayans of southern Mexico engaged in various body modifications as part of their ritual and ceremonial practices. One such modification was lip piercing, which held special significance for different social groups.

    For young males intended to become warriors, lip piercing was performed at a tender age. An ornament was inserted into the pierced hole and gradually stretched as they captured more war prisoners. On the other hand, labret piercing, a form of lip piercing, was reserved for males of higher castes. These privileged individuals adorned themselves with exquisite gold labrets shaped like serpents, often embellished with precious stones.

    In the case of both lip and labret piercing, immediately after the initial piercing, no ornament was placed. This allowed for intentional bloodletting, seen as an offering to appease the deities and invoke their favor or protection. These body modifications were deeply rooted in the religious and cultural beliefs of the ancient Aztecs and Mayans, and they served as significant markers of status, identity, and connection with their spiritual beliefs.

    Despite its ancient origins, Lip piercing continues to be embraced in modern society, primarily for aesthetic reasons. Today, people choose to undergo lip piercing to enhance their appearance and express their individuality through body adornment.

    Lip piercing and mouth piercing Difference are related but distinct practices in body modification:

    Lip Piercing: Lip piercing specifically involves creating a hole in or around the lips for the insertion of jewellery This type of piercing can be done on either the upper or lower lip, or even on the corners of the mouth. Common types of lip piercings include Monroe piercing (off-center above the upper lip), Labret piercing (center of the lower lip), Medusa piercing (center of the upper lip), and Spider bite piercing (multiple piercings on one side of the lower lip), among others.

    Mouth Piercing: Mouth piercing, on the other hand, is a broader term that encompasses a variety of piercings done in and around the mouth area. It not only includes lip piercings but also encompasses other types of oral piercings, such as tongue piercing, frenulum piercing (piercing under the tongue), cheek piercing (through the cheek), and uvula piercing (piercing of the uvula at the back of the throat).In summary, lip piercing focuses specifically on piercing the lips, while mouth piercing refers to a wider range of piercings done in and around the mouth region.

    Silver metal beads with Jewelry

    Posted on by admin

    Silver metal beads

    by Binasaji

    Silver has been used to create jewelry since time immemorial. The Navajos combined silver with turquoise to make gorgeous jewelry pieces like the Squash Blossom necklaces and silver bracelets with inlay work. These are popular even today. Silver is cheaper than gold but is equally attractive; with men and women, both wearing silver jewelry.

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    Available in a range of finishes – dull, bright, oxidized and a tantalizing choice of designs, silver beaded jewelry is versatile and economical – purchasing several pieces is affordable and the ornaments can be funky, traditional or formal. Silver chunky beaded jewelry often teamed with darker colored gemstones like navy blue, dark green or deep reds are now sported by men – not just as rings but also chains, bracelets and amulets. Dull or tarnished silver beads complement the tough exteriors of stylish men and make great gifts – different from the traditional clothes and perfumes. Oxidized silver jewelry can be bought off the streets at dirt-cheap prices (although the purity of the metal is questionable).

    Other than silver, gold is the other precious metal popularly used to make beaded jewelry. Platinum being highly priced is also used but is available at select premium outlets which cater to an exclusive clientele.

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    Silver Facts

    Silver shining beads have an allure that makes jewellery sparkle and liven up the dullest outfits. Pure silver is extremely malleable and lends itself to making very thin sheets and wires. Silver can be made into sheets so thin that they are almost transparent and allow light to pass through. In fact, over one hundred thousand such sheets placed over each other will equal only one inch! Thin wires finer than a human hair can be drawn out of pure silver easily. Although good quality silver stays bright for a long time eventually, it starts to blacken as the pollutants in the atmosphere react with it.

    For jewellery making purposes, silver is mixed with other metals especially copper to form an alloy which gives it strength, the addition also makes it possible to craft the silver into desired shapes and sizes.

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    Types of Silver beads

    While all silver used for crafting jewellery is not 100% pure, it helps to know the common terms referred to while buying silver beaded jewellery. Silver is marked as per its purity – pure silver jewellery will refer to a minimum mix of copper ranging from 1% to 3% in pure silver.

    Sterling silver beads have at least 7.5% of copper mixed and are approximately 92.5% pure. Sterling silver is stronger than pure silver and it is easier to carve and mold sterling silver beads. These beads usually have a dull finish and the niches are tarnished giving them a vintage appearance. In some countries, sterling silver is not called sterling but is marked .925 indicating the purity of the silver is 92.5%.

    Nickel silver or German silver is so called only because it resembles silver beads. These beads have no silver in them and are actually an alloy of copper, nickel and zinc.

    Handmade silver beads can make heads turn with their beautiful designs and carvings. Some of the most popular handmade silver beads come from the island nations of Bali and Thailand . The former is known as Bali Silver and the latter as Hill Tribe Silver. These gifted silver artisans create tiny works of art with their hands and usually it is impossible to find two pieces which are alike. These beads have very distinct designs – mostly depicting images from nature (animals, trees, birds, flowers etc.) and are usually tarnished or oxidized. Most of these beads are sterling silver in order to achieve the traditional effect.

    Manual techniques and very few implements are employed by the artisans in these island nations to create interesting designs which have found acclaim throughout the world. Silver is melted and then either made into sheets and wires or poured into moulds. The wires or sheets are cut to create various shapes and sizes of beads. Some beads are made by poking holes in the sheets and fusing wires onto it creating gorgeous filigreed beads. Designs are sometimes engraved onto the beads giving it the distinct appearance of Bali Silver and Hill Tribe silver. The last part of the process is oxidization, where the beads are dipped into various liquids to highlight the images on the bead.

    Buying & Caring tips

    Hollow silver beads are lighter than the solid ones and care should be taken while using beaded jewellery with hollow silver beads as they can dent easily. Solid silver beads should be bought from reliable stores since they could easily be pewter beads with just a silver plate on top. Compare prices – solid silver beads will be more expensive than silver plated beads and will weigh lesser than them since pewter is heavier than silver. .

    Always check the purity of the silver before buying beads – the price of sterling silver beads will be cheaper than pure silver although the amount of effort and time spent in carving or finishing the bead will also determine the price. Handcrafted beads will usually cost more.

    Many manufacturers now machine make beads and call them Bali Silver and Hill Tribe Silver since the designs are the same as the authentic Bali and Hill Tribe silver beads. Make sure you check the authenticity of the origination on the beads before purchasing handcrafted beaded jewellery.

    Buy your silver jewellery after deciding the purpose, if you require it for daily wear, buy beads which have the least amount of metals added – the silver should be at least 98% to 99% pure. Higher purity will ensure no tarnish for a longer time although the design of the beads should be such that it can tolerate the stress of daily usage.

    Over a period of time, silver tarnishes. Pure silver tarnishes slowly and silver mixed with other metals has a quicker rate of blackening. This is also a test to check the purity of your silver beads.

    Many silver beaded jewellery carry a tarnished appearance to give the piece depth and an antique look. One needs to be very careful while cleaning (if required) such silver beaded ornaments. The tarnish can be removed with anti-tarnish polishes, or even lemon juice or toothpaste with a soft cloth.

    Cleaning silver beaded jewellery embellished with crystals or enameled beads or any other beads treated with coatings need special care. Remember the anti-tarnish polish or lemon juice will react with the coatings and normally expose the bead under the coating ruining the complete piece.

    Store your silver beads away from pollutants in a soft cloth bag or airtight plastic covers. Remember to wipe the silver after use and avoid spraying harmful chemicals on it. Unless, you like the tarnished look, don’t wear your silver beads while swimming or in the shower.

    Delicate filigreed beads, carved by the tribal artisans, wound around semi-precious stones, chunky large stand alone beads as pendants – silver beads are always in vogue.

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    Roman Empire Sparkle Jewelry

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    The Sparkle of Jewelry in the Roma

    The Sparkle of Jewelry in the Roman Empire

    by Shalini Kagal

    Jewelry designs and trends during Roman empire period – The strange thing is that the Romans were when the empire first began, rather austere in their tastes – their food, their clothes, their ornaments. What they wore was more functional rather than flaunting. Then came the army’s success as they began to spread out and conquer. Soon, Spartan gave way to Style. This could have been due to two reasons. One, the fact that they saw a new world out there where many dressed in a more resplendent manner and flaunted jewelry. Two, the fact that very often they carried back the spoils of war of which gold and precious stones formed a part. By the first century B.C., there was a variety of jewelry available with a wide choice of designs.

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    The first foray was probably into
    gold as this was the metal that they
    brought back most often from their
    conquests. Then, the trend grew to
    embrace both Greek and Eastern
    influences. So we see beads made of
    glass, colored stones and the use of
    silver as well as the rare bronze.
    After all, according to Homer,
    wasn’t this the metal used to
    fashion Achilles’ shield? We also
    see the use of pearls and bone.

    It all started with piercing – but
    piercing with a purpose. The men
    pierced themselves as a show of
    strength. If they pierced their
    nipples, it symbolized both their
    loyalty to their empire as well as
    being a symbol of power. In fact the
    gladiators would pierce various
    parts of their body believing that
    this was supposed to protect them
    from injuries.

    As interest in jewelry grew, the
    early designs show a marked leaning
    towards the Greek styles. However,
    with time, a more distinctive Roman
    style seems to emerge. The Romans
    had a partiality for stones like
    emeralds, sapphires, rubies and
    topaz. They also had a choice of
    pendants which were encased in gold
    and were cameos. Some of them were
    made to be large enough to hold a
    bit of perfume. These were in full
    display with the ladies who came to
    watch the chariot races as they
    began to get more popular in Rome.
    The horses too, especially the ones
    that took part in the races, were
    decked out in pearls and stones
    woven into their tails and their
    manes. The young boys usually wore a
    neck chain or a ‘bulla’ which had a
    small pouch that contained
    protective amulets.
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    The Romans were very conscious of
    their status in society. So clothes
    became important items of
    demarcation between the various
    classes – between those born free
    and the slaves, as well as the many
    classes in polite society. Jewelry
    therefore became a very important
    status symbol together with clothing
    to make this distinction.

     

    Roman Jewelry

     

     

     

     

    One
    could see a lot of gold
    hemispherical shapes which were made
    into earrings, necklaces or
    bracelets. The men usually were a
    little more subtle and their jewelry
    was constrained to one finger ring.
    At first these rings were made of
    iron, then of gold. Then precious
    stones were used for rings as were
    semiprecious stones like chalcedony
    and carnelian. The trend grew
    however and there were some Roman
    men who wore a ring on every finger.
    Roman women were said to wear
    friendship rings as well. Both men
    and women wore carved rings – the
    stone was often carved so it would
    facilitate sealing documents. The
    ring was pressed into hot wax and
    the document sealed. This practice
    continued well into the later times
    when kings used this method to seal
    anything.

    The trend of relief where silver
    ornaments and vessels was concerned
    was practiced in the fourth century
    B.C. This type of ornamentation was
    done a lot in the Greek era and it
    permeated all silverwork right
    through the Roman civilization.
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    The most popular item of jewelry by
    far however, was the brooch. This
    was what held most Roman clothing
    together. It really was an
    ornamental safety pin but the Romans
    raised it to a work of art. In fact,
    you can find variations of it in far
    flung parts of the Roman Empire.
    What was unique at that point of
    time was the clasp or the ‘fibula’.
    Though the brooches served a very
    functional purpose – that of holding
    clothing together – they were
    beautifully made. There were laurel
    leaves, branches of palms, winged
    eagles and goddesses.
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    From what has been unearthed and is
    now in the museums, one realizes
    that over two centuries ago, this
    empire had jewelry that used
    diamonds from India and sapphires
    from Sri Lanka. In the England of
    the Roman era, ‘jet’ or fossilized
    wood was used to make jewelry. The
    ancient Romans used a lot of amber
    in their jewelry as well. Amber is
    the resin from fossilized trees and
    it was referred to as the ‘gold of
    the north’. One sees that a lot of
    ornaments fashioned out of amber
    were made during the second century
    B.C. Many of the ancient
    civilizations made jewelry out of
    amber and they were much-prized
    possessions. Remains of amber
    workshops have been found in parts
    of Europe.

    Etruscan-Jewellery-Set-Met-Museum

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    The women wore beautifully designed
    jewelry in their ears, fingers,
    around their necks, on their clothes
    and even in their hair! As well
    designed as their brooches and
    clothes pins were, equally so were
    their jeweled hair pins. Of course,
    some of the jewelry was worn by the
    superstitious – and there were many
    of them – to ward off what they
    called the ‘evil eye’.
    df66a18b2022b45408064696f1f534adMany of the Roman designs and ideas
    were spread through their conquests
    of places near and far and many just
    spread and got mixed with the
    neighboring cultures after the
    decline of the Roman Empire. Soon,
    one saw a change from a more
    barbaric and resplendent taste in
    jewelry in the conquered regions to
    a more understated, elegant one.
    So even though the ‘grandeur that
    was Rome’, sung about by poets and
    philosophers waned, their
    contribution to the world of jewelry
    design did not. It grew, changed and
    flourished all over the world

     

     

     

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    Ruby in History

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    Ruby in History

    by Yuman Hussain

    Ruby in history talks about the special place of ruby as a gemstone in historical perspective. It was a highly prized stone almost equally the diamond in value and beauty right from the beginning of the human civilization. Its virtues are mentioned in Bible and many ancient and medieval Indian and western texts and treatises.

    Ruby known as the king of gems is considered to be a prized possession
    throughout the history of mankind. They are treasured by royalty and
    religious heads and held in awe by commoners over considerable period of
    time. There are several traditions and legends associated with ruby in
    history. Bible’s mentions that the price of wisdom is above rubies signify
    the importance of rubies since antiquity. No wonder the appreciation for
    this beautiful stone has united people across the nations, continents and
    empires.

    Ruby

    Ruby is mentioned as one of the twelve precious stones created by God
    when he created mankind. It is mentioned in “Lapidaire en Vers” of Philippe
    de Valois that Ruby, the lord of gems was given to Aaron on the command of
    Jesus Christ. It adorned the Aaron’s breastplate and was symbol of Judah.
    Christian leaders also loved rubies right from the medieval period. During
    this period rubies were considered even more valuable than diamonds. In 16th
    century these were priced 8 times higher than other stones. Great Poets and
    authors from Chaucer to Shakespeare have written extensively in the praise
    of the ruby’s beauty and brilliance.

    Ancient Indian legends said that God first created ruby and later created
    man to possess it. India was seen as country of gemstones due to abundance
    of precious stones among the royalty. The word corundum is taken from the
    Sanskrit word ‘Kuruvinda’. Ruby was given the name of ‘Ratnaraj’ literally
    meaning ‘King of Gemstones’ and ‘Ratnanayaka’ meaning ‘Leader of precious
    stones’. Another name describing the beauty of the stone was ‘Padmaraga’
    meaning ‘Red as the Lotus’. Ruby as a gemstone was divided into different
    categories just like caste system by the ancient Indians. The oriental Ruby
    was a Brahman followed by Rubicelle as a Kshatriya; the Spinel was
    considered a Vaisya and Balas ruby as Sudra. The one who possessed the
    Pasmaraga or the Brahman Ruby considered to be safe from the evil eyes and
    enemies. His fortune said to be that of a king. It was also held that good
    quality stone should be preserved carefully to enhance their quality.

    Ruby as a gemstone has captured the imagination of many civilizations and
    there are many myths surround this stunning stone. The kings and the
    emperors used ruby to decorate their insignia. The royalty favored rubies as
    they believed that it would ward off danger .The red color would darken and
    once the danger is past it would return to its original color. People also
    believed that ruby would act only in possession of right suitors. It was
    also held that the stone has power of fire which could even made the water
    boil. It was said to remove evil thoughts and influence the decisions and
    mental and physical health of the wearer. The dark colored and star rubies
    were considered as male stones and those lighter in shade were suppose to be
    female stones. Ruby had come to be associated with valor and courage. One
    legend says that ruby used to be implanted under the skins of warriors to
    help them face enemies bravely. Many ancient tribes used gems as a war
    weapons for its hardness.

    Ruby has been derived from Latin word ‘ruber’ meaning red. It is
    associated with Tuesday, summer season and St Mathew. Ancient tradition says
    that ruby glows with inner fire so it was also known as glowing stone
    .According to ancient Chinese texts ruby was used for lighting the royal
    chambers. Hindu priests held that gemstones like rubies and emeralds lighted
    the homes of the deities. Greeks legends speak about huge rubies which were
    given to Heraclea by the female stork to lighten her room as a token of her
    kindness.

    The history of ruby mining can
    be traced as early as 2500 BC. Burma’s ruby mining areas have reported
    presence of pre-historic tools showing the fascination of people with
    gemstones. Sir John Mandeville in his fourteenth century treatise mentioned
    several virtues of the Ruby. According to him those who possess the
    brilliant specimen are assured of peace and harmony. They would be protected
    from their enemies and the stone would guide their houses and property. The
    treatise advised the wearer to set the ruby in a ring or a bracelet and for
    best results it should be worn on the left side of the body. Jean Tavernier
    a famous 17th century traveler had also written extensively on rubies in his
    well known travelogue ‘Travels.’ The ruby as a color of heart has also
    inspired passion and romance for centuries. It was also considered to have
    magical properties invoking good fortune for the wearer. Romans considered
    rubies as carbunculus. Ruby elixirs are mentioned in apothecary and medical
    texts having medicinal and curative powers.

    Throughout history gems like
    spinel and
    garnet had been confused with ruby.
    Till 1800 red colored gemstones were called rubies. Many so called large
    precious rubies in the crowns of French and English monarchs had been turn
    out to be spinel instead. The most prominent being the “Black Prince’s ruby”
    which adorns the English royal crown is a spinel. The other famous stone is
    Timur Ruby which is 352 carat red spinel is now with British monarchy.
    However there are some beautiful rubies in the history like Rosser Reeves
    Star Ruby (137 carat) at Smithsonian Institute, Edith Haggin De Long star
    ruby (100 carat) displayed at American Museum of Natural History and Edward
    Ruby (167 carat) in British Museum of Natural History.
    Man’s fascination for beauty has led to the love for precious gemstones.
    Ruby has and will always have a special place in the history of civilization
    due to its brilliant color, cut and fine features.

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    Amethyst engagement ring buying guide

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    Amethyst engagement ring buying guide

    by Seema Susheel

    You want to choose an ‘Amethyst’ embellishment for your engagement ring, then to know more on the stone is interesting as well as informative. Amethyst is a purple colored transparent gemstone. The color varieties are from light purple to medium and dark differing from stone to stone and in today’s world amethyst has become a very popular gemstone, as generally the color purple is considered to be royal, rich and glamorous.

    Summary: You want to choose an ‘Amethyst’ embellishment for your engagement ring, then to know more on the stone is interesting as well as informative. Amethyst is a purple colored transparent gemstone. The color varieties are from light purple to medium and dark differing from stone to stone and in today’s world amethyst has become a very popular gemstone, as generally the color purple is considered to be royal, rich and glamorous.

    Amethyst Engagement Ring

    To own one of the most beautiful and elegant engagement ring is an enthralling experience. Specially if the engagement ring is embedded with the most charming of the gemstones “Amethyst” then the jewelry piece becomes a proud possession. You have decided to buy an Amethyst engagement ring for your fianci’ then a buying guide would help you follow the right track to make the right buy.

    * You want to choose an ‘Amethyst’ embellishment for your engagement ring, then to know more on the stone is interesting as well as informative. Amethyst is a purple colored transparent gemstone. The color varieties are from light purple to medium and dark differing from stone to stone and in today’s world amethyst has become a very popular gemstone, as generally the color purple is considered to be royal, rich and glamorous. The stone oozes style and grandeur to any jewelry design. This elegant gemstone can be interestingly used for any classic or contemporary design style.

    * You would have chosen amethyst stone considering it’s a birthstone for people born in the month of February. An engagement ring is something your loved one will wear on her finger always, and if it’s her birthstone then that’s a very thoughtful gift by you. It’s not the usual diamond but an amethyst which is different, attractive and best part your fianci’s birthstone.

    * You can choose from the different settings of 18K yellow gold, white gold, platinum or silver for this beautiful ring. You could design it your self as to what setting will look the best in contrast to the purple amethyst. You can even have the main amethyst stone surrounded artistically by diamonds and set on a white gold base. Amethyst being purple in color it will stand best on a white gold or a platinum setting. This ring will perfectly suite your fiancis wardrobe and every formal or informal occasion.

    * Once you have thought of the design the next step is to settle on a budget for the engagement ring. Amethyst as such is affordable gemstone so you could be little more liberal in spending on the adjacent diamonds or also go for platinum setting instead of white gold.

    * To make the buy you could log on to many different jewelry sites available on the net and gather all the information you need, they even have a function where in you can design the ring yourself, tell them the specification and order the piece on the net. There are lots of options and pieces of jewelry displayed in the site, helping you to choose the right one. Lots of people are surfing and buying there precious jewelry on net nowadays as many don’t have the time to roam around shops physically and make the purchase. The other advantage of buying through these site is that you can be in Canada and make a buy from the United States .

    You are not going there personally but you still can enjoy the benefits of buying from your office or home computer and receiving what you wanted on the right time. You are in a hurry, don’t have the time to run around shops, you are buying a piece of jewelry for the first time and are lost as to where to go to shop then the net is the solution. These jewelry selling sites are reliable and are catering to many individuals around the globe with an excellent customer service to help you in every step of your purchase.

    * To get engaged is a special moment and the engagement ring stands testimony to your special bondage with your life partner. You feel you can spend quality time to buy the ring personally then to shop from a store is a good idea too. You have to choose a reputed jeweler who is an expert in gemstone jewelry and who can offer you an amazing range with affordable prices.

    Many stores have loose amethyst stones which you can select, looking at the right cut, color and clarity of the stone and giving an order to make the ring. You can tell them the design you have in mind or choose from the many designs available in the shop, choose the kind of setting you want, yellow gold, white gold or platinum and then order the ring giving the ring size. When selecting the amethyst stone take care of the color and the cut which determines the overall look as it is the light reflecting through those many cuts that adds to the brilliance and beauty of the gemstone.

    * Don’t forget to find out the gold prize, the loose amethyst stone prize and making charges for the ring, then you can go for custom design made to order by you; this will cut down the cost. Don’t hesitate to know the many procedures that will go in making your ring and the cost separation. By the end of it you should be happy with the quality of the purchase as well as the cost. Go for a purchase which will make your fianci happy and dying to showoff the ring and in future will become a proud family possession.

    * You can even do some research and find out if your friends or relatives have a permanent jewelry shop where they are buying from generations then you could request them to take you there. This will make sure you don’t get cheated with fake stones and bad quality for a high price taking advantage of you being a novice in jewelry buying. Once you are satisfied by the quality and comfort you will always prefer to go to the same place again and again as its more convenient and the first step of choosing the shop gets deleted. As people have a family doctor they are always looking for a family jeweler too. When buying valuable jewelry nobody wants to be at risk with the quality of the purchase and everybody looks for value for money. As your friend has introduced you to the shop you could even ask for a discount. You will get a guarantee certificate for the gold and the gemstone and any repairs would be promptly done by the jewelry shop.

    Amethyst The February Birthstone

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    Amethyst The Febr

    Amethyst The February Birthstone

    by Seema Susheel

    There are gemstones set for each month of the year. They suit and benefit people born on that month and hence are known as birthstones. ‘Amethyst’ the purple colored transparent beautiful stone is the birthstone for people born in the month of February. According to old legend and general beliefs worldwide amethyst is considered to make the wearer calm and in control of his various emotional levels.

    Summary: There are gemstones set for each month
    of the year. They suit and benefit people born on that month and
    hence are known as birthstones. ‘Amethyst’ the purple colored
    transparent beautiful stone is the birthstone for people born in the
    month of February. According to old legend and general beliefs
    worldwide amethyst is considered to make the wearer calm and in
    control of his various emotional levels.


    images courtesy: Mineralminers.com  – Raw
    Amethyst


    Amethyst Mystical and healing powers

    AmethystThere are people who have great
    belief in supernatural, myths, spirituality, and
    astrology and basically the acceptance that
    there is something then our own actions that
    control the happening of our lives. The fact
    that the  human body and mind can be
    maneuvered by using the
    different
    elements that nature offers for example
    precious stones. Everything has reason and a
    purpose behind it. If you are wearing this
    gemstone in the form of a ring or bracelet
    because it just looks good and you like the
    color or its in fashion then there is
    nothing to think about. But if you want to
    know more about how this as a birthstone
    will benefit you, what does astrology and
    ancient religious believes say, then you
    would be amazed to know that the power of
    the gleam from the stone is just not eye
    striking but also soul stirring.

    Birth
    Stones

    AmethystThere are gemstones set for each month of the year. They suit and
    benefit people born on that month and hence are known as
    birthstones. ‘Amethyst’ the purple colored transparent beautiful
    stone is the birthstone for people born in the month of February.
    According to old legend and general beliefs worldwide this stone is
    considered
    to make the wearer calm and in control of his
    various emotional levels. This stone though a birthstone for
    February born Aquarian can also benefit Sagittarius as well as
    the Piscean as they are the people always going through highs
    and low with there emotions. It also is supposed to evade
    drunkenness according to the Greek mythology. This gemstone
    ranges from the light purple to dark and is said to bring luck
    and intelligence to the wearer.

     


    Gemstone and our universe
    According to the
    Hindu/Indian astrology the movement of the planets,
    the sun and the moon determines the happening in a
    person’s life. The time, date and place of birth of
    an individual are calculated to know the life
    history of that person. The astrologer can find out
    what kind of person you are, what kind of physical
    ailments you have, your family history and except
    the time of your death he can tell you the answers
    to all your questions on your future. It’s a science
    and not any magical power that a stranger can guess
    the many happenings in your past without you telling
    them anything. There is a science known as gemology
    which compliments astrology as it’s believed that
    each gemstone is related to all the planets in the
    galaxy and there movement into an individual life
    circle makes or breaks things. For example Amethyst
    has the power to control the effects of a planet
    which will cause problems for you, then to wear this
    stone of a particular size as a ring or a bracelet
    can protect you from the ill effects of the
    planetary movement. An astrologer and a gemologist
    will determine the right stone for you which will
    truly be your birthstone and wearing it will protect
    you always. They will even tell you the right size
    and what kind of setting (set in
    gold
    jewelry     or silver jewelry) the
    ring should have and on which finger to be worn etc.

    But to do all this you should have a belief in the science of
    astrology and if you think I can be successful and rich by just
    wearing the birthstone and not doing anything then you are wrong.
    The birthstone is not magical, it will only compliment and inspire
    your efforts and hardships. By getting yourself a birthstone after
    much consultation you will be able to let go of your fears and
    concentrate fulltime on your task moving forward with a strong
    belief that the stone is going to protect me from falling down. This
    mindset itself is going to prove positive for you and you will be
    grateful that you decided to go for a birthstone.

    Amethyst Gallery
    The gemstone amethyst has a
    beautiful purple color and because of its grandeur
    was the most commonly used jewelry embellishment by
    the kings and queens of the yesteryears. It was the
    color purple or the belief associated with this
    beautiful gemstone that made amethyst so popular
    among the royals is still a question.

    This protects the wearer as it’s a crystal that
    repels without attracting. It repels negativity.
    According to the belief that it also protects from
    getting drunk, this gemstone is used to cure
    alcoholics of their addiction. The amethyst when
    worn as a birthstone is supposed to keep you
    financially secure and calms the nerves and helps
    you focus. The stone is supposed touch the body to
    transfer its energies to make this possible, the
    stone can be just strung together to make a bracelet
    or a charming neck chain. Amethyst is such a beauty
    that anybody can wear it, even if it’s not your
    birthstone you can still have it in your jewelry.
    It’s not going to have any adverse effect on the
    wearer.

    Image courtesy: TheImage.com

    A gemstone jewelry
    can be made in many designs it could be a
    ring    , ear rings,
    bracelet    , neck chain or even brooch or cufflinks. A gemologist is the one who has studied the
    various gemstones their properties and their usage. He is the right
    person to tell the benefit of amethyst as a birthstone. There are
    many jewelers dedicated to gemstone jewelry from generations where
    you could purchase your birthstone jewelry. Many websites on the net
    have ample information on the benefits of amethyst as a birthstone.
    There are instances of people who have benefited from wearing
    amethyst -their birthstone, that is the reason there is a blooming
    market of birthstone jewelry available for every individual to
    benefit from .There is no official guarantee that the birthstone
    will have an effect or not but its more to do with the belief that’s
    been passed on from generations all around the globe. The belief is
    different in different regions but the fact that the birthstone does
    have a beneficial effect is proven by people’s experiences and age
    old science which is both mystical as well as intriguing.

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    Amethyst Mystical and healing powers

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    Amethyst Mystical and healing powers

    by Seema Susheel

    Amethyst apart from being the beautiful charming purple gemstone is also known to be powerful and effective in bringing about a change in the person, internally and externally. Some people believe that the amethyst gemstone can be used to remove negativity and fear of failure and bring about a more intense spirituality and positive energy leading to success.

    Summary:Amethyst apart from being the beautiful charming purple gemstone is also known to be powerful and effective in bringing about a change in the person, internally and externally. Some people believe that the amethyst gemstone can be used to remove negativity and fear of failure and bring about a more intense spirituality and positive energy leading to success.

    Amethyst Mystical and healing powers A human is always looking at happiness in all areas of his life be it relationships or work, he is always searching to make his life peaceful and happy. There might be problems in the relationships or at work or health, in the search to find solutions to these problems man has tried out many avenues from Allopathy to Ayurveda, Reiki to Color therapy and Gem therapy and many more. Many have found success in their endeavors as they have had a strong faith in these alternative medicines.

    Even gem therapy or in simple words wearing of certain gemstones or carrying it close to you has been beneficial to many people worldwide. The experience of these people has led people to buy gemstones for not just the aesthetic value but beneficial healing properties too. Amethyst apart from being the beautiful charming purple gemstone is also known to be powerful and effective in bringing about a change in the person, internally and externally. Some people believe that the amethyst gemstone can be used to remove negativity and fear of failure and bring about a more intense spirituality and positive energy leading to success.

    It is said to reflect energies, it absorbs the positive energy from the nature and throws out negativity from the persons mind and soul. Many people worldwide have used amethyst as there lucky charm and prospered. These people have had full faith in the belief that gem therapy works and hence after wearing the gemstone have experienced the desirable changes in their course of life leading to peace and happiness. Once the wearer has a strong belief in the powers of amethyst it works psychologically bringing about a change in him mentally and spiritually helping him move forward in his path winning all odds. From the yester years amethyst the translucent purple quartz is supposed to evade drunkenness. Even now, this property of the gemstone is been put to use by curing alcoholics of their addiction.

    Apart from the general treatment given to the alcoholic they are supposed to wear the amethyst as a finger ring or a neck chain or meditate by holding the amethyst in there palm and letting the stone emit its positive energy to the body. This has proved beneficial and is been practiced to cure alcoholics of their addiction. According to ancient Indian astrology the planetary movement and their positions in a particular period of a person’s life determines the many happenings in his life. Calculating these planetary movements with your birth date, time and place of birth an astrologer can accurately tell the happening of your past, your physical and mental nature and also future predictions.

    Based on your problem and constitution the astrologer will suggest which gemstone is to be worn, other particulars like the size of the gemstone, has to be worn as a finger ring or a locket, which metal to be used to set the stone – gold or silver, which finger to be worn on etc, all these particulars will be suggested by the astrologer. From the ancient times precious gems have been worn to ward off the ill effect of a planets movement and it’s believed to protect one against problems. According to the practitioners of gem therapy believe that gemstones carry certain vibrations which when placed within a person’s aura, have the effect of changing it. It is believed that the human aura consists of nine colors any deficiency or excess of these colors upsets the body’s energy balance leading to illness. Gemstones heal by restoring the balance to the original composition of the nine colors. The fact that the gemstones are from the earths crust strengthens the belief that they have beneficial properties. It could be because of the effect of the Sun rays, color, touch or simply the conviction that gems can heal when medicines can’t that has led people using gemstones to attain better health.

    As per Vedas (Ancient Hindu religious text) an illness can be cured by prayers, gems and medicine. This holds good even now. Amethyst is considered to be connected with the water element and also plays an important role in Reiki and color therapy. Amethyst is supposed to calm the tensed nerves hence is best for individuals who are subjected to lot of tension be it in the work place or in there personal life. It helps a great deal to people who are very emotional and impulsive. The amethyst brings about a spiritual understanding and a sense of peace and contentment. It has benefited people with weak finances and is believed to bring about intelligence and wit to its wearer. The amethyst is considered to be the mystical gemstone as it’s believed to help heal wounds and protect the wearer from disease. It’s believed to change color in the presence of a coming danger warning the wearer and protecting him from the danger.

    From ancient ages in Egyptian, Roman, Chinese and Indian civilization the beneficial properties of amethyst were identified and used in ancient times to bring peace and prosperity. The Kings and Queens have adorned the beautiful amethyst as a jewel in their crowns and necklaces. The amethyst was supposed to influence the power of nature and increase the wealth, power, stability, and fame of the wearer. Apart from this that amethyst is such a feast for the eye the belief that it has beneficial properties would be a reason that it’s such a popular gemstone among the royals. A gemstone works differently for different people so to buy a gemstone by the research you do looking at books or the net is not a safe method. Amethyst or any other gemstone worn for its therapeutic uses should be bought after much consultation from a reputed astrologer and the jewel should be made from a professional genuine gems dealer taking care that the gemstone is real. A level of faith is must for the gemstone to work for you as only then positive waves will be generated and the expected results achieved.

    Amethyst perfect 6th anniversary gift

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    Amethyst perfect 6th anniversary gift

    by Debjani Banerjee

    Amethysts have a scintillating range of color. A wide range of purple characterizes this gemstone. The crystals as they occur in nature are in the form of sparkling clusters growing amidst chunks of quartz and other kinds of rock. The mineral manganese in quartz gives amethyst its special hue.

    Summary: Amethysts have a scintillating range of color. A wide range of purple characterizes this gemstone. The crystals as they occur in nature are in the form of sparkling clusters growing amidst chunks of quartz and other kinds of rock. The mineral manganese in quartz gives amethyst its special hue.

    Amethyst is commonly known as the official birthstone for the month of February; it is also the birthstone for the Zodiac sign Pisces. Amethyst is usually gifted on the 4th, 6th, 17 Th, wedding anniversaries. Amethyst has been a very popular gemstone through thousands of years owing to its almost miraculous powers!

    This lovely gem is not very expensive as it is freely available in nature, but its loveliness of color and clarity is unparalled; other violet gemstones are compared to Amethyst to make a comparison. Amethysts are very much the favored choice of stone for jewelry of various styles. It is also used for ornamentation purposes.

    Let us get acquainted with the salient features that distinguish its peculiar composition. Amethyst or SiO2 is transparent purple colored quartz. It is the most important among all varieties of quartz. Amethysts occur mostly as long prismatic crystals; in layman’s terms it resembles a six-sided prismatic pyramid like structure
    on one side and ends in a pointed ending on the other. Amethyst has a hardness of 7 on Mho’s scale of hardness.

    Amethysts have a scintillating range of color. A wide range of purple characterizes this gemstone. The crystals as they occur in nature are in the form of sparkling clusters growing amidst chunks of quartz and other kinds of rock. The mineral manganese in quartz gives amethyst its special hue.

    The lighter amethysts are known as rose de France variety, the deeper ones with dense color and deep rose flashes in-between are the expensive varieties. Darker hued amethysts have no need to be further enhanced or heat-treated; the lighter ones are sometimes heat treated to citrine color. Most of the Amethysts that are commercially available nowadays are normally heat treated to get a deeper colors.

    The color of the pure and expensive amethyst is a clear purple, but the normal range of color in amethyst can vary from lilac, lavender, and mauve to even deep purple and its intermediate colors. An” Amethyst geode ” can be one of the most arresting sights in nature for its sheer beauty. A huge piece of quartz studded with sharp violet crystals with deep pink flashes in their hearts remind one of nebulae ready to give birth to a million new stars! Top quality amethyst is a deep purple stone with pink flashes.

    No wonder the Amethyst has been a popular choice for the ” Royals” of all ages, its purple color echoing the colors of royalty. Amethysts paired with diamonds, or set in platinum with other precious stones like emeralds and rubies have been extensively used in the crown and state jewelry of all European royalty and have similarly found pride of place in the huge jewelry collections of our Indian princes and Maharajas.

    There are various types of Amethysts like all other minerals. Experts, geologists can distinguish varieties by shape and color. The” types of clusters” are also pointers to the place of origin. Experts can identify localities from where the amethyst specimen originated by its tint and hue.
    The color, shape, cluster are key factors in determining the place of origin. Amethysts are found extensively in many countries of the world. Vera Cruz from Mexico, Guiro from Brazil and Mexico are prismatic crystal varieties. South America boasts even larger crystals; Africa has smaller stones of deeper and more intense colors whereas Australia has only smaller varieties. The Minas Gerais from Brazil, Maraba from Brazil, Thunder Bay from Canada are other popular varieties of this gemstone.

    This gem is mined from South America, Africa, Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina, Bolivia, Zambia, and Namibia.

    The origin to the name of this stone is the stuff of fable and legend! Greek mythology is full of tales stranger than life. Amethyst’s folklore and origin of name has a fascinating story to it! The goddess Diana to save her from Bacchus the Wine God’s raging anger turned “Amethys” into a quartz statue. Bacchus shed tears of remorse, when he saw the statue, and his tears stained the stone transforming the statue into “Amethyst,” a new stone! The word “Amethustos” in Greek means, “not drunk”, this could also be the origin to the name Amethyst. The stone was therefore believed to have miraculous powers and ward off intoxication. Curiously wine goblets were often fashioned out
    of amethyst to keep the drinkers merrymaking for a while longer, and not be lost to the world in a drunken haze!

    The Amethyst is believed to transform lower negative energies to positive ones. Religions of the world have vouchsafed for the stone’s magical efficacy. The church has used amethysts in rosaries; Bishops wear the stone in their church regalia and rings to gain from its beneficial and healing, vibrations. The Tibetans believe amethysts play a
    significant part in their religious rituals.

    No wonder this stone’s popularity has frog leaped from being an exclusive item used only by the rich and the famous to becoming an important fashion accessory for our time.

    Amethysts can be set in rings, bracelets, chokers, bracelets or any other creative way, like embellishing lamp stands, jewelry watches, paperweights, the sky being the limit to the innovative ways it can be used!

    Last but not the least, Amethysts have become very popular for a very specific reason. Amethyst’s metaphysical properties have in recent times augmented its use in meditation and healing sessions in gem crystal therapy. Its clear nature causes
    energies to flow easily through it aiding one to attain serenity, gain inner peace and balance. It aids intuition and is considered the stone of wisdom. It sharpens thinking, and is also believed to be a common aid to relieving headaches, cure sugar imbalance, transform all lows and blues to a more positive and constructive state of mind. Its almost magical efficacy in reversing the negative emotions of anger and violence would make everyone wish to wear this gem birthstone or not!

    Appraising the Value of Gems

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    Appraising the Value of Gems

    by Mathew Abraham

    Gems are appraised mainly to determine their fair market value (FMV) or for insurance purposes. Qualified gemologists undergo specialized training to be certified as accredited appraisers of gems. If a gem has been certified by a Master Gemologist Appraiser, his/her valuation is accepted as final.

    The Need for Having Gems Appraised

    The techniques for manufacturing imitation costume (or artificial) jewelry have been developed to a level where it is almost impossible for an average person to differentiate between them and the originals. Add to this the fact that some jewelry retailers ridiculously inflate the price of genuine precious stones and you can see why it is necessary to have your gems appraised and certified at the time of purchase. After spending a tidy amount on a gem you have just acquired, the last thing you would want is to find that your friend has purchased an identical stone for a much lower price, or that your stone is of inferior quality! There is no ready market for the resale of gems so you need to get professional advice and analyze the various gems and their characteristics before deciding what to buy. Whether it is for your collection, an investment for resale, or as a gift, get your gems appraised for insurance purposes as well as for knowing their fair market value.

    Grading and Appraising Gems

    There are a standard set of rules to be observed in the purchase of any gem, followed by separate rules for each variety of gems. While the system for grading and valuing diamonds is well established and dependable because of steady market conditions and stable supply and demand, the same cannot be said for most other gems, especially when supply and demand are unpredictable. While most gemologists can prepare a grading or identification repot on a stone, only an appraiser can give its exact value. Most appraisers include a grading report also. Some jewelers subject inferior quality colored gems to enhancement – like heat treatment, irradiation or oiling – to get a better price for them and a good appraiser will be quick to notice such embellishments. Some stones have a high value because of the history or folklore attached to them. Stones coming naturally in identical pairs or suites fetch a comparatively better value than a single stone of the same quality.

    What does an Appraiser do?

    The term ‘appraising’ refers to the process of evaluating a product on the basis of specific criteria and for specific purposes. Gems are appraised mainly to determine their fair market value (FMV) or for insurance purposes. Qualified gemologists undergo specialized training to be certified as accredited appraisers of gems. If a gem has been certified by a Master Gemologist Appraiser, his/her valuation is accepted as final. These appraisers need to have their credentials revalidated every five years. They need to update themselves with the latest developments in the field of gemology. Appraisers may specialize in evaluating different kinds of gems and jewelry. They are even given special courses in market research and analysis for gems.

    Appraisers make a detailed study of the various characteristics of gems. The chemical composition is analyzed to determine if it is essentially a chemical element, a simple chemical compound, or a complex compound of chemicals and elements. The crystal structure is analyzed to determine whether they are crystalline, non-crystalline or organic. The crystal structure can be cubic, hexagonal, tetragonal, orthorhombic, monoclinic or triclinic. Gems are studied for their optical effect. Besides assessing the color, they are analyzed for factors like optic character, refractive index, birefringence, dispersion, fluorescence, phosphorescence and clarity of color. Some gems display rare special optical effects called ‘phenomena’, which enhance the attractiveness and value of the stone. These gems are studied for chatoyancy, asterism, iridescence and aventurescence. Each gem is assessed for specific gravity or relative density. Durability of the stone is assessed to determine hardness and toughness. Thermal conductivity is assessed as the ability to conduct heat varies from stone to stone.

    A variety of appliances and accessories are used in the process of appraising a gem. These include binocular microscopes, refractometers, polariscopes, Chelsea filter, aka emerald filter, spectroscope, ultraviolet light source, special specific gravity testing liquids, X-ray photographs, etc.

    The Final Analysis

    Generally gems are categorized as Precious stones – diamonds, rubies, emeralds, sapphires, opals and pearls – and Semi-Precious stones – most other colored gems. But this classification is rather ambiguous as inferior quality ‘precious stones’ are much cheaper than top quality ‘semi-precious stones’. Even the general differentiation between diamonds and ‘colored stones’ is inappropriate, as some diamonds are colored and some ‘colored’ stones have no color. Some unusual gems are further classified as Museum Grade stones and Rare or Collector stones.

    The basic principle of the 5 Cs is applied for all gems – Cost should be determined by Carat, Cut, Clarity and Color.

    The price per carat does not rise proportionately but exponentially. This is because large gems are difficult to come by. While larger carat weights naturally attract higher prices, the stones should be of a size suitable for ornaments to have value.

    A gem must be strikingly beautiful in appearance to have real value. Sparkle and color are the primary considerations and should be evident even from several yards away. Cut and clarity determine the impact of sparkle and color. The pattern of cutting differs for diamonds and colored stones, as the optical properties of the latter are variable. Different types of cuts include heart, octagon, pear, marquise, round brilliant, oval, square, trilliant, round cabochon, princess, antique cushion, baguette, emerald cut, and briolette. Good diamonds should be dazzling with their white fire and good colored stones should maintain the richness of their color in daylight as well as indoor conditions. A really good gem will stand out anywhere, anytime!

    Some persons claim they can asses a stone with just one careful look. They may or may not be correct in their assessment, but, when you consider the professional competence of a certified appraiser, it is much better to be certain than to take a risk when investing your valuable money in gems. Certified gems are far more valuable whether they are for resale or for a collection. It is a good practice to have precious stones appraised and revalued periodically, so that you can always rest assured that you know the exact value of your collection.