JewelStruck Blog

Aquamarine has been chosen as Gemstone Each Month Series (GEMS) for March. So we would be discussing about it in detail this complete month. Its the birthstone for March and also with the summers approaching, knowing about this cool blue stone would definitely help you  :-). So lets get started with some quick facts on Aquamarine for the first part of this series.

Aquamarine Seahorse Teardrop Gold Earrings by ShadowMoonDesigns

• Aquamarine is blue or to be more correct turqoise variety of beryl (beryllium aluminium cyclosilicate)
• It is named after a latin phrase – “Water of the sea”
• It’s hardness ranges from 7.5-8 on Mohs scale and refractive indes from 1.57-1.58
• Madagascar was first source for Aquamarine, though Brazil produces most of it today.
• It’s the official state gem of Colorado, USA
• It is often heat treated to make it pure blue and remove the green tint.
• And as stated above too, its the birthstone for March.

Here were few quick facts on aquamarine, more will be coming sooner. If you have anything to share on Aquamarine, please do email us on info@jewelstruck.com.

Image credit :- ShadowMoonDesigns

You might be interested in:

• Amethyst for Gemstone Each Month Series (GEMS) – February
• GEMS November – Citrine Mines & Types of Citrine
• Ruby chosen for Gemstone Each Month Series (GEMS) December
• Gemstone Each Month Series (GEMS) January – Garnet quick facts!
• A Gemstone Each Month Series (GEMS) – Citrine for November

Here comes our last post of this month for Gemstone Each Month Series (GEMS) February. In this post we would be discussing on how you can care for your Amethyst Jewelry and make it last longer and beautiful. Also you can see below a very pretty ring using Amethyst by one of our contributor Maura Nicholson.

Amethyst and Jade Ring

Amethyst stones are often set in silver and gold jewelry. You can follow these tips in general too, to care for your Jewelry.

• The brilliance of Amethyst can be lost over time due to a layer of oil and dirt, so its very important to clean it regularly. Its better not to go for ultrasonic cleaning, it can be cleaned with soapy water and a soft brush. Use of soft clean cloth to wipe it dry.
• It is also recommended to keep Amethyst away from extremes in temperature. Store the jewelry in a cool dry place. Extreme temperatures can cause damage to amethyst jewelry
• Once again, Amethyst looses its luster mainly due to layer deposits of oil and dirt, so avoid wearing it to places where it would be more susceptible to dirt.
• Although Amethyst ranks 7 on Moh’s scale, harder gemstones such as diamonds can scratch it. Try to store you jewelry in separate boxes and not ever in piles or together.
• Store your Amethyst Jewelry in a dry place, preferably away from sunlight and avoid use of harsh chemicals on your Amethyst Jewelry.

So that’s all from GEMS series February on Amethsyt. We would come back again, with next Gemstone next month. If you have any suggestions for GEMS March, do email us on info@jewelstruck.com

Image credit: Maura Nicholson

You might be interested in:

• GEMS January – How to care for Garnet Jewelry
• GEMS December – How to care for Ruby
• Amethyst for Gemstone Each Month Series (GEMS) – February
• GEMS February – Mythology & History behind Amethsyt
• GEMS January – Basic information on Garnets

With our second last post of Gemstone Each Month Series (GEMS) February on Amethyst, we would be discussing about metaphysical and healing properties of Amethyst.

Necklace with Amethyst stone, part of the Olbia Treasure unearthed at Olbia, site of an ancient Greek colony

• Amethyst is a meditative and calming stone. It helps easing pain of  grief and has a gently sedative energy that promotes peacefulness, happiness, and contentment.
• Amethyst is believed to help get rid of addictions, help with headaches, insomnia, arthritis, pain relief etc. It can help get rid of addictions (alcohol, drugs, smoking, etc.) and compulsive behaviors of all kinds.
• Amethyst is also beneficial when dealing with legal problems and money issues, which can lead to prosperity and abundance.
• It facilitates the decision-making process, it can also enhance memory and improve motivation.
• Amethyst is  said to be excellent for meditation and lucid dreaming. It is believed to protect against psychic attacks, especially during spiritual work.

So that was all about Amethyst properties. As just last post remains now, if you have anything really interesting to share related to Amethyst, please email us at info@jewelstruck.com asap.

Image credit : mharrsch

You might be interested in:

• GEMS December – Metaphysical & Healing properties of Ruby
• GEMS January – Metaphysical and healing properties of Garnets
• GEMS November – Metaphysical and Healing properties of Citrine
• GEMS February – Mythology & History behind Amethsyt
• Gems February – How to care for Amethyst Jewelry

With Gemstone Each Month Series (GEMS) – February, we would be discussing this time mythology and historical references of Amethyst, the birthstone of February. Only a few days are left for this month to end and also this series on Amethyst, so if you have anything interesting to share or showcase related to Amethyst do comment or email us at info@jewelstruck.com. The beautiful wire wrapped amethyst necklace featured below is made by Pippi Konstanski.

Wire wrapped Amethyst Necklace

Continuing with the History of Amethyst, up to 18th century amethyst was included in the cardinal (most valuable) gemstones along with diamond, sapphire, ruby, and emerald. However since the discovery of extensive deposits in locations such as Brazil it has lost most of its value.

Historical References

• It was largely used for gemstone engravings by the ancient Egyptians, also known as intaglio engraved gems.
• Medieval European soldiers wore amethyst amulets as protection in battle.
• Beads of amethyst were found in Anglo-Saxon graves in England, from early 5th century AD.
• A huge geode, or “amethyst-grotto”, from near Santa Cruz in southern Brazil was exhibited at the Düsseldorf, Germany Exhibition of 1902.

Mythology
The Greeks believed amethyst gems could prevent intoxication. Amethyst was considered to be a strong antidote against drunkenness, which is why wine goblets were often carved from it. There are many stories behind the purple colour of Amethyst featuring Dionysus, the god of intoxication and maiden named Amethystos.

So this was all we explored on Amethyst, we will be back with more on it sooner.

You might be interested in:

• Amethyst for Gemstone Each Month Series (GEMS) – February
• Gems February – How to care for Amethyst Jewelry
• GEMS February – Metaphysical and Healing properties of Amethsyt
• GEMS February – Mines & Types of Amethyst
• GEMS November – The history behind citrine !

Continuing with Gemstone Each Month Series (GEMS) for February, we would be discussing about types of Amethyst and places where its mined. Just to remind you, we would keep on including pics of Jewelry made using Amethyst in each of our posts. So if you would like your Jewelry to be featured do mail us at info@jewelstruck.com.

Steampunk Amethyst Necklace

Amethyst generally are categorized by the source they come from, so lets discuss about both the types and mines of Amethyst together below.

• Minas Gerais and Rio Grande do Sul, Bahaia – Brazil : Bulk of Amethyst is produced from the state of Minas Gerais in Brazil where it occurs in large geodes within volcanic rocks. Also in Brazil is the famous Rio Grande do Sul, where the enormous crystal-lined Amethyst geodes are found, especially in Ametista do Sul. Crystals found here are are generally having fading color to interior, with darker top.
• Uruguay : Many of the hollow agates Uruguay contain a contain a crop of amethyst crystals in the interior. These are generally darker in color throughout and don’t fade in interior unlike Brazilian variety.
• Piedras Parado and Las Vigas de Ramirez, Veracruz – Mexico : Tall, prismatic crystals from Vera Cruz, Mexico. These generally have clear quartz interior and an amethyst exterior.
• Amatitlan, Guerro – Mexico : Another variety from Mexico, generally has a purple interior with a clear or white quartz exterior these are valued high since collectors pay well for these rarities.
• Russia : Much fine amethyst comes from Russia, especially from near Mursinka in the Ekaterinburg district, where it occurs in drusy cavities in granitic rocks. This variety, coming from the Ural Mountains and Siberia in Russia is generally very dark and clear.
• Austria : The largest opencast amethyst vein in the world is in Maissau, Lower Austria.
• Namibia and South Africa : These are often refereed as African Amethyst. Most famous occurrence is the Goboboseb Mountains, near Brandberg in the Erongo Mountains of Namibia. Large deposits are found in the Magaliesberg Mountains in Pretoria and in the Boekenhoutshoek area in the Mkobola district of South Africa. One of the largest global amethyst producers is Zambia with an annual production of about 1,000 t.
• Thunder Bay and Digby, Canada : Thunder Bay, Ontario has Amethyst with an internal coating of red Hematite. Naturally rounded, water-worn Amethyst pebbles are found on the beaches along the Bay of Fundy, in the area of Digby – Nova Scotia.
• USA : Amethyst occurs at many localities in the United States. Among these may be mentioned: the Mazatzal Mountain region in Gila and Maricopa Counties, Arizona; Amethyst Mountain, Texas; Yellowstone National Park; Delaware County, Pennsylvania; Haywood County, North Carolina; Deer Hill and Stow, Maine and in the Lake Superior region.

So that’s all we could collect on Amethyst occurrences and types. We would be posting more about Amethyst in coming days, stay in touch!

Image Credit :- danielproulx

You might be interested in:

• GEMS November – Citrine Mines & Types of Citrine
• GEMS January – Mines and Types of Garnet
• GEMS December – Ruby Deposits and Types of Ruby
• GEMS February – Mythology & History behind Amethsyt
• Amethyst for Gemstone Each Month Series (GEMS) – February