Amazonite .....The Courageous Green Gem.

Amazonite is a tribute to the legendary women warrior tribe of the mighty Amazon River basin area of South America. 

Like the waters deep and ancient of the Amazon River this captivatingly beautiful turquoise- green stone promises to soothe the spirit and calm the soul. Its energy is as powerful as the river for which it is named, and as bold as the colossal women warriors with whom it is connected, yet it tempers aggression, tames the irrational, and stills the disquiet. It provides harmony and balance.

Amazonite was also worn as jewellery in pre-Columbian South and Central America, and was believed to have adorned the shields of these semi-mythical Amazonian female warriors, who lived in the 10^thcentury B.C.

Though being formidable warriors these women also wore these gems as pieces of jewellery; as they were first female.

The pull of decorating themselves with shining and statement making pieces of jewellery has always been the prerogative of the female of the species since creation. 

As a powerful talisman of healing and prosperity, Amazonite has been used in jewellery and cut into beads since the time of the early Mesopotamian cultures. Well-known in India, Egypt, Sudan and Mesopotamia, it was a popular amulet stone and was once used as decorative material for building facades. It was carved and cut into tablets for the Egyptian funerary text, Book of the Dead, and an Amazonite scarab ring was found among Tutankhamen's treasures. It was believed to be the third stone in the breastplate of the Jewish High Priest.

They also used Amazonite medicinally to heal wounds and illnesses of all kinds. As a metaphysical healer, Amazonite soothes the chakras and aligns the physical body to the ether; it is particularly rejuvenating to the Heart and Throat Chakras, enhancing loving communication on all levels. It balances one's masculine/feminine energies as well as many aspects of the personality. It awakens compassion for others by allowing one to perceive both sides of a problem and accepting differing points of view. Therefore it promotes kindness and practicalityand balance the emotion.

 It is an excellent stone for temperamental artists, as well as for rational men.

Pale azure blue Amazonite is known as the lucky "Hope Stone". It will be lucky for all your hopes and dreams. Amazonite is a blue-green to pale green stone in the feldspar group. It is today also found in the United States, Australia, Brazil, Madagascar and the Russian Mountain range.

In jewellery, when encrusted with diamonds and set in white gold or platinum; this metaphysical gem glistens both as a decorative stone as well as a mysterious beckoner. 

Amazonite is a charismatic gem which not only adorns the persona of a beautiful woman; but also doubles up as a spiritual healing gem with calming qualities. 

Rhodochrosite .......The Spiritual Gem.

Rhodochrosite is a precious gem as ancient as the Inca Civilization of South America. This beautiful pink gem held a position of great value in the now lost mystic civilization. 

The Incas not only used this gem in their jewellery and Royal memorabilia but also revered this gem; as they believed it was endowed by their Gods with mystical and spiritual powers. 

Today Rhodochrosite is Argentina's "national gemstone".

It is commonly found in the form of stalactites and stalagmites in the caves of Argentina. Rhodochrosite (whose name means rose-coloured) often forms pink and white bands.

It is many a time carved into figurines or boxes, while tubular stalactite formations are often sliced for use in jewellery. Fine gem quality crystals are sometimes cut into gemstones for use in high end jewellery, but more common grad is used extensively in silver and gold jewellery.

A romantic mysticism surrounds this gem since the times of the Inca people. It is believed to be not only a decorative gem stone used in jewellery and collectibles but a stone whose healing, spiritual and magical powers have a definitive effect on the lives of human beings.

The Incas who called it Inca Rose attributed all kinds of energy powers to this gemstone. They believed that Rhodocrosite had the power to influence energies like love, friendship, health healing, wealth and longevity.  

The effect of its mysticism has endured over the millennia. In the modern world it is believed to have influences on the spiritual chakras of the human being. 

The Frequency of Rhodochrosite is surrounded by the heavenly energies imbued with the golden sphere of Light and emits not only the pink/red aura rays of influence, but a harmonious blend of pink and light orange. It not only heals the Heart Chakra, but is supposed to be the God-sent deliverer whose purpose and mission is to clear the Solar Plexus and integrate the energies of the physical and spiritual realms.

Rhodochrosite is also believed to help in the development of freedom within; by helping to resolve inner conflicts as a stone of love and balance. 

Today Rhodochrosite is also found in Colorado mines. It is the official mineral of Colorado and sometimes beautiful transparent specimens can be found that are suitable for cutting faceted stones.

In American jewellery Rhodochrosite has a place of pride as a central gem stone. 

A woman of flair and oomph needs this gemstone to make a precious fashion statement in her jewellery treasury!

Peridot .....An Ancient Green Symphony

Peridot is not only born of fire here on earth, but it has also arrived to Earth from outer space. Although many different gems can be found in meteorites that have fallen to earth, peridot is the only one that is found in a large enough size to make jewellery from. In 1749, a meteorite landed in a desolate area of Siberia. It was found to contain many pieces of peridot crystals large enough to be set into peridot jewellery.

Peridot is a well-known ancient gemstone; with jewellery pieces dating all the way back to the Pharaohs in Egypt. The gem variety of the mineral Olivine, it makes a lovely light green to olive-green gemstone.

Peridot is named after the French word peritot, meaning gold, because the mineral can vary towards this colour. It is the birthstone for the month of August. It is also the stone given to celebrate the 16th year of marriage. 

Peridot is the National gem of Egypt. Ancient Egyptians knew it as "the gem of the sun" and has a very long written history. Ancient papyri record the mining of these stones as early as 1500 BC. In Ancient times, peridot stones were used for carved talismans. 

 Peridot was mined for over 3,500 years on Zabargad or St John's Island in the Red Sea that is often shrouded in fog, making it difficult for ancient navigators to find. The location has been lost in fact, for several centuries, and was rediscovered in about 1905. Island habitants were forced to collect the gems for the Pharaoh's treasury.  

In the 19th Century, the mines on Zabargad Island produced millions of dollars worth of peridot. After 1905, production of the gems peaked, but by the late 1930's it tapered off to practically nothing and reached a virtual standstill in 1958, when the mines were nationalized. Although parcels of St. Johns peridot still come into the market once in a while, it is not known whether it is new or old. Most assume it is old.

A few jewellery historians are now convinced that some, or possibly all of the emeralds Cleopatra was famous for wearing, were not actually emeralds, but Peridot from Egypt. This emerald-looking shade of green has sparkled in the thrones, crowns and sceptres of the kings and queens of the Ancient World. 

One famous large peridot gem adorning the shrine of the Three Holy Kings in the cathedral at Cologne was for centuries, believed to be an emerald, and only identified as peridot late in the last century

Peridot has long been called "an Evening Emerald," for under artificial light, the stone glows a brilliant green. Peridot is similar to the emerald but softer in intensity. Peridot of two or three carats is expensive, and a fine eight-carat stone is extremely rare. Any stones beyond eight carats are collectors or museum pieces. 

Most of the peridot mined today comes from China, Pakistan, and Arizona and the gems that are found are mostly less than 3 carats. Two of the finest peridot collections in the world can be found at the Field Museum in Chicago, and the Museum of Natural History in New York.

Known for its stunning green hues, peridot is one of the only gemstones to be found in a single colour. Most stones can be found in a variety of different colours and can often range from light pink to blue, but peridot boasts the everlasting elegance of green. 

Peridot's green hue can range from the rich green of the sea to the lighter colour of a freshly fallen leaf. The radiant deep olive green colour of this gemstone sets it apart from most gems.  

Peridot can be combined with diamonds, topaz, or rubies to make a stunning piece of jewellery in a dual colour spectrum. 

Peridot can be cast as a ring, earrings, bracelets or an entire ensemble; fit for either a Queen or a Bride!

Citrine .....The Golden Obsession

When you think Citrine you think of the golden fire flashing from the Sun! 

This gem is November's Birthstone and the  Wedding Anniversary.

Citrine is a transparent, yellow variety of Quartz, ranging in colour from pale to golden yellow, honey or almost brown, and may contain rainbow or sparkle inclusions. The name comes from the French word citron, meaning lemon. It was used as a gem in Greece as far back as 300 B.C., and because of its colour, is sometimes mistakenly referred to as Gold Topaz, Madeira or Spanish Topaz, or Safranite.

Citrine deposits were found in South America. Brazil is the top producer of citrine and the southern tip of Brazil gives us some of the best citrines. Other Citrine producing sites are Uruguay along the Atlantic coast that sits like a wedge between southern Brazil and eastern Argentina. Artigas, the mining area for the high quality amethyst and citrine, is almost 400 miles directly north of Montevideo near the Brazilian border.

Synonymous with Citrine's innards radiating sizzling tangy hues of golden yellow and ochre brown; are images of hot blooded South American women dancing the captivating sensuous Samba, Carimbo and Lambada.  With the hot sun in their eyes, a blazing yellow flower tucked behind one ear, and the surf breaking on the lips of their beaches; they gyrate sensuously to the rhythmic beat of the large African drums brought by their ancestors to the Americas. 

Citrine has been used ornamentally on tools and in jewellery for thousands of years. In ancient Greece, the stone now known as citrine first gained popularity as a decorative gem during the Hellenistic Age, roughly between 300 and 150 B.C. In the 17th century, Scottish weapon makers used citrine to adorn dagger handles, sometimes even using a single large citrine crystal as the handle itself.

 In Europe, the boom on this yellow crystal quartz didn't begin until, in the 1930s, European agate cutters settled in South America, sent large quantities of citrine back home, along with amethyst and agate. This supply to Europe with sufficient raw material came just at the right moment for the nascent upheaval in social conditions. As the bourgeoisie grew in strength, the demand for jewellery across a broader spectrum of social strata also grew, and the Citrine found a permanent niche for itself. Since until then it was really only the topaz which was known and used as a gold-coloured gemstone, the yellow and brown crystal quartz quickly became very popular among the ladies, being known as gold topaz or by the double-barrelled names that proclaimed their origin. However, this gem was also found in step and table cuts as cuff-links and rings in the evening wardrobe of fine 

Citrine encrusted with diamonds and other precious gems adds colour and gaiety to the personality of a beautiful woman!

Rubellite .... The Iridescent Pink Gem

Rubellite belongs to the family of Tourmaline gemstones. It is the pink to red variety of tourmaline and is considered the alternate birthstone for October along with Opal.

The gemstone known as Rubellite is a particularly striking gemstone from the colourful family of the tourmalines. Its vivid colour ranges from a deep purplish pink to purplish-red, and it is well-known for maintaining its colour under different lighting. Not every pink or red tourmaline deserves to be called Rubellite, only the most saturated and vivid colours are given this name.

The prices and value of Rubellite vary depending on the size and quality of the individual gemstone. Colour is the most important determinant of value, with the most saturated and redder colours being the most valuable. 

The stone was first discovered by Dutch traders off the West Coast of Italy in the late 1600's or early 1700's. The name tourmaline comes from the Sinhalese term "turmali," a name given to all coloured crystals on the island of Sri Lanka at that time. This all inclusive name indicates the inability of ancient gem dealers to differentiate tourmaline from other stones. In fact, at one time in history, pink and red tourmalines were thought to be rubies. Pink tourmaline tends to be pinker in colour than ruby. 

The Chinese have engraved and carved figures with tourmaline for many centuries, and ancient examples are still displayed in museums, a testament to the durability of the stone. Intricately carved Chinese snuff bottles made from pink tourmaline were a part of the Royal treasures of Chinese Kings. . 

For centuries, various cultures have had different beliefs about what virtues the tourmaline can bring to the wearer. 

A Dutch scientist claimed that a tourmaline wrapped in silk and placed against the cheek of a feverish child would induce sleep. 

In Africa, tourmaline was once used as a stone to awaken one from "the dream of illusion." 

Ancient ceremonies in India included the use of the gem as a tool to bring insight and help in the discovery of that which is good. It would also serve to make known who or what was the cause of troubles or evil deeds. 

According to an ancient Egyptian legend, tourmaline's variety of colours is the result of the fact that on the long way from the Earth's heart up towards the sun, tourmaline gems travelled along a rainbow and on its way it collected all the colours of the rainbow. This is why nowadays tourmaline is called the "Rainbow gemstone". The word "rainbow" is used figuratively to describe tourmaline stones. In reality, it is a well recognized fact that tourmaline's diversity in colour is not limited to the seven colours of the rainbow.

Many of the finest pink tourmaline crystals have been found in Pala, California, but they are also found in Brazil, Africa and Afghanistan.

Rubellite Tourmaline, also known as Pink Rubellite, is a stone of the perfected heart - one that is strong, vital, and full of passion for love and life. This Tourmaline's combination of vibrant pink and ruby red colour energy creates a vibration pattern that resonates deeper with the Heart Chakra than other heart-stones. It is the purest of the heart chakra stones, a representative of the feminine or yin energies. This stone helps stimulate feelings of joy, happiness, love and relaxation. This stone is one of the strongest stones in helping to calm oneself and relieve stress in your life.

It links not only to the heart of the Earth, but opens to love that goes beyond human relationships and reaches out to the Universe.

Pink Rubellite balances the feminine and masculine aspects within a woman, empowering her to reach her full potential. Pink Rubellite is a feminine gem with qualities pertaining to the discerning instincts of a sensitive woman.It carries the feminine ray, which vitalizes the feminine aspect in all living beings. Pink Rubellite helps a woman understand and come to peace with her feminine and masculine selves as it fosters the inner harmony and strength she needs to develop her true feminine power.

With its mystical powers and glowing pink aura it can create a special place in the collection of jewellery of a mysterious and desirable woman. The majesty of this jewel when set in design to grace the ornamental personality of a woman is one of par excellence!

Pink Rubellite is a jewel in the crown of a graceful and charming woman.