Usually very light in color-- either white, pink, greyish or blue-chalcedony is a translucent or transparent cryptocrystalline variety of quartz almost always used in  More »

Usually very light in color-- either white, pink, greyish or blue-chalcedony is a translucent or transparent cryptocrystalline variety of quartz almost always used in cabochon form for gems. It is most commonly found in the deep recesses of volcanic rocks and in Antiquity the most prized variety came from Chalcedon in Bithynia in Asia Minor. The Egyptians, Romans and peoples of the Holy Land frequently carved intaglio gems into it, preferring the milky white variety above all others. Medicinally, Chalcedony is said to have the power to drive away fevers, to cure or prevent diseases of the eye (especially cataracts) and to aid in the relief of gallstones. It was one of the amulet stones used by the ancients to banish bad dreams. Modern science has developed the technique for changing chalcedony's color with a variety of dyes, which makes it a popular stone for jewelry. Its colors are generally of the soothing variety, and those who chose to wear the stone are blessed with a peaceful and equable disposition. Medium: Chalcedony   « Less

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Origin: Mediterranean Circa: 161 AD to 169 AD Collection: Jewelry Style: Roman Coin Pendant Medium: Silver and Gold Lucilla was married to Emperor Lucius Verus in 164  More »

Origin: Mediterranean Circa: 161 AD to 169 AD Collection: Jewelry Style: Roman Coin Pendant Medium: Silver and Gold Lucilla was married to Emperor Lucius Verus in 164 A.D. She was the daughter of Marcus Aurelius and Faustina the Younger, sister to Commodus, the future emperor. After the death of Verus, she married an elderly man by the name of Pompeianus. However, having once been Augusta, wife of an emperor, Lucilla was not satisfied leading a quiet, private life with a man of much lower station. Later on, Lucilla was implicated in one of the numerous plots to overthrow her brother Commodus and was banished to the island of Capri in 182 A.D. Soon afterward, she was put to death. The splendor of the precious metals is allowed to shine in this pendant. The natural hues of the silver and gold complement each other. In this pendant, the present and the past combine. The classical form of the modern pendant enhances the timeless beauty and majesty of the ancient coin. This pendant is a symbol of the glorious wealth and dominant power of the Roman Empire. To wear this pendant is to reconnect with the past while continuing to look stylish in the present. - (FJ.7019)   « Less

Named after the lemon for its rich yellow to orange/brown coloring, citrine is a member of the quartz family. It was frequently used in Hellenistic and Roman times for rings,  More »

Named after the lemon for its rich yellow to orange/brown coloring, citrine is a member of the quartz family. It was frequently used in Hellenistic and Roman times for rings, intaglios and other jewelry. Though its primary source in Antiquity, as now, was Ceylon, deposits are also known in Spain and the Ural Mountains. Metaphysical science values citrine for its transformative energy, which is thought to raise low vibrations to a higher level, making it useful for healing and meditation. Citrine is also considered as a lucky talisman to bring success in all business ventures. In addition to its curative and soothing properties, its warm, glowing color brings pleasure to the senses. -Medium: Citrine   « Less

Origin: Yemen Circa: 1800 AD to 1900 AD Collection: beaded Necklaces Style: Coral Beads Medium: coral Condition: Very Fine

Origin: Yemen Circa: 1800 AD to 1900 AD Collection: beaded Necklaces Style: Coral Beads Medium: coral Condition: Very Fine   « Less

For centuries, coral—like pearl, a gift of the sea—was classed among the precious gems valued by man. Not strictly a mineral, coral is an organic substance,  More »

For centuries, coral—like pearl, a gift of the sea—was classed among the precious gems valued by man. Not strictly a mineral, coral is an organic substance, composed of the skeletons of millions of tiny marine animals. In its natural state, coral is plantlike in appearance and grows in warm water at depths of up to 90 feet. It must be harvested live to retain its color. Though white coral is quite common, and forms the great reefs of the world, the rarest hues of red, orange, pink and black are much sought after as jewelry and amulets. Pink coral is particularly flattering to the complexion of the wearer and is called “angel skin”. According to ancient sources, Assyrian glassmakers creating opaque colored glass in imitation of precious gems were trying to form red glass to resemble coral, rather than ruby. Examples of coral set in precious metals are known from Biblical, Egyptian and Classical cultures, and its popularity has continued unbroken through the ages. The nattier jewelry of the Arabian Peninsula makes excellent use of bright corals combined with silver. The therapeutic effects of coral have long been understood: it is used as a heart stimulant, an antidote for fevers and toxins in the system, a cure for colic and vomiting and a prevention for childhood diseases. In addition, it is believed to avert sterility. As with the pearl, coral’s mysterious strength seems to derive from its organic source material, the accumulated energy of living things. -Medium: Coral-Gold   « Less

For centuries, coral—like pearl, a gift of the sea—was classed among the precious gems valued by man. Not strictly a mineral, coral is an organic substance,  More »

For centuries, coral—like pearl, a gift of the sea—was classed among the precious gems valued by man. Not strictly a mineral, coral is an organic substance, composed of the skeletons of millions of tiny marine animals. In its natural state, coral is plantlike in appearance and grows in warm water at depths of up to 90 feet. It must be harvested live to retain its color. Though white coral is quite common, and forms the great reefs of the world, the rarer hues of red, orange, pink and black are much sought after as jewelry and amulets. Pink coral is particularly flattering to the complexion of the wearer and is called “angel skin”. According to ancient sources, Assyrian glassmakers creating opaque colored glass in imitation of precious gems were trying to form red glass to resemble coral, rather than ruby. Examples of coral set in precious metals are known from Biblical, Egyptian and Classical cultures, and its popularity has continued unbroken through the ages. The nattier jewelry of the Arabian Peninsula makes excellent use of bright corals combined with silver. The therapeutic effects of coral have long been understood: it is used as a heart stimulant, an antidote for fevers and toxins in the system, a cure for colic and vomiting and a prevention for childhood diseases. In addition, it is believed to avert sterility. As with the pearl, coral’s mysterious strength seems to derive from its organic source material, the accumulated energy of living things. Medium: Coral-Gold   « Less

For centuries, coral—like pearl, a gift of the sea—was classed among the precious gems valued by man. Not strictly a mineral, coral is an organic substance,  More »

For centuries, coral—like pearl, a gift of the sea—was classed among the precious gems valued by man. Not strictly a mineral, coral is an organic substance, composed of the skeletons of millions of tiny marine animals. In its natural state, coral is plantlike in appearance and grows in warm water at depths of up to 90 feet. It must be harvested live to retain its color. Though white coral is quite common, and forms the great reefs of the world, the rarer hues of red, orange, pink and black are much sought after as jewelry and amulets. Pink coral is particularly flattering to the complexion of the wearer and is called “angel skin”. According to ancient sources, Assyrian glassmakers creating opaque colored glass in imitation of precious gems were trying to form red glass to resemble coral, rather than ruby. Examples of coral set in precious metals are known from Biblical, Egyptian and Classical cultures, and its popularity has continued unbroken through the ages. The nattier jewelry of the Arabian Peninsula makes excellent use of bright corals combined with silver. The therapeutic effects of coral have long been understood: it is used as a heart stimulant, an antidote for fevers and toxins in the system, a cure for colic and vomiting and a prevention for childhood diseases. In addition, it is believed to avert sterility. As with the pearl, coral’s mysterious strength seems to derive from its organic source material, the accumulated energy of living things. Medium: Coral-Gold   « Less