A deep green member of the beryl family, the emerald is the rarest of the so-called precious gems. Though sources for emeralds are found in bath the Old and New Worlds, a  More »

A deep green member of the beryl family, the emerald is the rarest of the so-called precious gems. Though sources for emeralds are found in bath the Old and New Worlds, a stone of good quality is still an elusive abject. Emeralds without flaw are almost unattainable, as the gem exhibits many natural inclusions, but these do not necessarily mar the stone's intense green beauty. The famous queen Cleopatra of Egypt mined emeralds near Zabara on the Red Sea coast in the First Century B.C., wearing the jewels herself or giving them as gifts to favored friends. Julius Caesar particularly valued the gem, to which he ascribed strong curative powers. Emeralds were found in the buried Roman cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum, which probably came originally from Egypt. in Mezo-America, emeralds were treasured by the native cultures, most particularly the Incas who worshipped them as sacred. When the Spanish conquistadors plundered the Inca Empire for gold and jewels, many remarkable large emeralds were taken to Europe, where they entered the treasuries of Royalty, or in Borne cases were traded farther East to the Persian and Indian courts. Today, the major source for emeralds is South America and especially Colombia, where mines first worked by the Pre-Columbian cultures are still in use. The rarity of the emerald has always made it a valuable and potent talisman. It is said to cure diseases of the eye, free the body from poisons, arrest physical decay of all sorts, stop dysentery, facilitate childbirth and end attacks of epilepsy. The bright velvety green of this gem makes it as desirable today as it has always been through the ages. -Collection: Jewelry Style: Beaded Necklace Medium: Emerald   « Less

This exquisite necklace composed of six stands of emerald beads features a 14 Karat gold clasp. A deep green member of the beryl family, the emerald is the rarest of the  More »

This exquisite necklace composed of six stands of emerald beads features a 14 Karat gold clasp. A deep green member of the beryl family, the emerald is the rarest of the so-called precious gems. Though sources for emeralds are found in bath the Old and New Worlds, a stone of good quality is still an elusive abject. Emeralds without flaw are almost unattainable, as the gem exhibits many natural inclusions, but these do not necessarily mar the stone's intense green beauty. The famous queen Cleopatra of Egypt mined emeralds near Zabara on the Red Sea coast in the First Century B.C., wearing the jewels herself or giving them as gifts to favored friends. Julius Caesar particularly valued the gem, to which he ascribed strong curative powers. Emeralds were found in the buried Roman cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum, which probably came originally from Egypt. in Mezo-America, emeralds were treasured by the native cultures, most particularly the Incas who worshipped them as sacred. When the Spanish conquistadors plundered the Inca Empire for gold and jewels, many remarkable large emeralds were taken to Europe, where they entered the treasuries of Royalty, or in Borne cases were traded farther East to the Persian and Indian courts. Today, the major source for emeralds is South America and especially Colombia, where mines first worked by the Pre-Columbian cultures are still in use. The rarity of the emerald has always made it a valuable and potent talisman. It is said to cure diseases of the eye, free the body from poisons, arrest physical decay of all sorts, stop dysentery, facilitate childbirth and end attacks of epilepsy. The bright velvety green of this gem makes it as desirable today as it has always been through the ages. - Collection: Jewelry Style: Beaded Necklace Medium: Emerald and Gold   « Less

One of the most prized gems of antiquity, the dark reddish-purple garnet was often set into gold jewelry during the Hellenistic Age in Greece and throughout the Roman  More »

One of the most prized gems of antiquity, the dark reddish-purple garnet was often set into gold jewelry during the Hellenistic Age in Greece and throughout the Roman Imperial era. It was also favored in the jewelry of the European Medieval times: the famous Sutton Hoo treasure found in England contains over 4000 cut and faceted garnets. Garnet denotes an entire family of silicate minerals found in numerous varieties and colors ranging from pink, to red, purple, and brown to almost black. The most preferred hues are red (for which the garnet as often confused in Antiquity with the ruby) and purple. As with many gems, the finest varieties come from India booth in the Ancient world and the Modern. According to Talmudic legend, the only source of light in Noah’s Ark was a singly garnet. The therapeutic value of the stone is that it keeps the wearer free from wounds and promotes good health in general. It is particularly useful for preventing skin diseases and giving a glowing complexion. -Medium: Garnet   « Less

The dark reddish-purple garnet has been prized throughout history. In the Classical world, its beauty was enhanced by lavish settings of gold. Kings and commoners alike wore  More »

The dark reddish-purple garnet has been prized throughout history. In the Classical world, its beauty was enhanced by lavish settings of gold. Kings and commoners alike wore garnet set in rings, necklaces and bracelets. The famous Viking treasure found at Sutton Hoo contains over 4,000 cut and faceted garnets. Today, its popularity remains undiminished. Garnet is said to keep the wearer free from wounds and to promote good health in general. It is particularly useful for preventing skin disease and giving a glowing complexion. Whoever wears this lovely gem cannot help but glow with happiness. Of an intense blue color, sodalite is thought to clear the mind for rational thought, and to quicken the intellect. It stabilizes the emotions and promotes self-awareness. The deep, rich color of the evening sky, sodalite is thought to revive the spirit in much the same fashion as a good night's sleep. Without question, the person who wears this unusual gem should be congratulated on a wise choice. Since the dawn of time, mankind has created masterpieces from ivory. Ususally taken from elephant tusks, ivory objects have been found in the tombs of the Egyptian Pharaohs, in the palaces of Crete, and in the ruins of Pompeii. Artists of the medieval world and the Rennaissance carved exquisite sculptures out of ivory. The Chinese revered it as sacred, and in Africa it is prized for jewelry. Its soft, mellow tones enhance the beauty of whoever wears it. -Medium: Garnet/Sodalite   « Less

The dark reddish-purple garnet has been prized throughout history. In the Classical world, its beauty was enhanced by lavish settings of gold. Kings and commoners alike wore  More »

The dark reddish-purple garnet has been prized throughout history. In the Classical world, its beauty was enhanced by lavish settings of gold. Kings and commoners alike wore garnet set in rings, necklaces and bracelets. The famous Viking treasure found at Sutton Hoo contains over 4,000 cut and faceted garnets. Today, its popularity remains undiminished. Garnet is said to keep the wearer free from wounds and to promote good health in general. It is particularly useful for preventing skin disease and giving a glowing complexion. Whoever wears this lovely gem cannot help but glow with happiness. Of an intense blue color, sodalite is thought to clear the mind for rational thought, and to quicken the intellect. It stabilizes the emotions and promotes self-awareness. The deep, rich color of the evening sky, sodalite is thought to revive the spirit in much the same fashion as a good night's sleep. Without question, the person who wears this unusual gem should be congratulated on a wise choice. Since the dawn of time, mankind has created masterpieces from ivory. Ususally taken from elephant tusks, ivory objects have been found in the tombs of the Egyptian Pharaohs, in the palaces of Crete, and in the ruins of Pompeii. Artists of the medieval world and the Rennaissance carved exquisite sculptures out of ivory. The Chinese revered it as sacred, and in Africa it is prized for jewelry. Its soft, mellow tones enhance the beauty of whoever wears it.   « Less

One of the most prized gems of Antiquity, the dark reddish-purple garnet was often set into gold jewelry during the Hellenistic age in Greece and throughout the Roman  More »

One of the most prized gems of Antiquity, the dark reddish-purple garnet was often set into gold jewelry during the Hellenistic age in Greece and throughout the Roman Imperial era. It was also favored in the jewelry of the European Dark Ages and Medieval times: the famous Sutton Hoo treasure found in England contains over 4000 cut and faceted garnets. Garnet denotes an entire family of silicate minerals found in numerous varieties and colors ranging from pink, to red, purple, brown to almost black. The most preferred hues are red (for which the garnet was often confused in Antiquity with the ruby) and purple. As with many gems, the finest varieties come from India both in the Ancient world and the Modern. According to a Talmudic legend, the only source of light on Noah's Ark was a single large garnet. The therapeutic value of the stone is that it keeps the wearer free from wounds and promotes good health in general. It is particularly useful for preventing skin diseases and giving a glowing complexion. -Medium: Garnet   « Less

Agate, a member of the quartz family formed in the recesses of volcanic rocks, is found in a variety of colors: red, green, blue, brown, gray and striped. Since Antiquity,  More »

Agate, a member of the quartz family formed in the recesses of volcanic rocks, is found in a variety of colors: red, green, blue, brown, gray and striped. Since Antiquity, agate has been one of the most popular stones for talismans and amulets, and remarkable powers are ascribed to each of the different varieties. The use of agate amulets has continued unabated into modern times, though early examples exist from the Sumerian and Egyptian cultures, dating back four millennia before Christ. In addition to jewelry, agate was carved into cups, dishes and works of art. The Roman naturalist Pliny records that pharmacists favored mortar and pestles crafted from agate, a practice that is still common. By far the most preferable of the agate gems is the brown, or "tawny" type. It is believed to cure an enormous number of ailments, including fevers, epilepsy, schizophrenia, and intestinal troubles, Rheumy eyes and difficult menstruation. It is a good antidote for poison, and is said to quicken the intelligence. Green agate is excellent for quelling eye diseases and preventing sterility; blue cures depression and sleeplessness; gray or white prevents neck problems and stomach upset; while red (or blood) agate was used by the Ancients as an antidote to poisonous insect bites and other ailments spread through the circulatory system. All varieties of agate are useful for curing insomnia and inducing pleasant dreams and are thought to have a universally positive effect on those who wear them. The garnet was highly prized in the Classical world. Its rich color, the reddish purple associated with royalty, made it especially sought after for jewelry. Some of the finest examples of antique jewelry are set with garnet. As with many gems, the finest varieties come from India, which was true in Antiquity as well as today. Therapeutically, garnet is believed to keep the wearer free from wounds and to promote good health in general. It is especially useful for preventing skin diseases and giving a glowing complexion. - Medium: Agate/Garnet   « Less

One of the most prized gems of Antiquity, the dark reddish-purple garnet was often set into gold jewelry during the Hellenistic age in Greece and throughout the Roman  More »

One of the most prized gems of Antiquity, the dark reddish-purple garnet was often set into gold jewelry during the Hellenistic age in Greece and throughout the Roman Imperial era. It was also favored in the jewelry of the European Dark Ages and Medieval times: the famous Sutton Hoo treasure found in England contains over 4000 cut and faceted garnets. Garnet denotes an entire family of silicate minerals found in numerous varieties and colors ranging tram pink, to red, purple, brown to almost black. The most preferred hues are red (for which the garnet was often confused in Antiquity with the ruby) and purple. As with many gems, the finest varieties come from India bath in the Ancient world and the Modern. According to a Talmudic legend, the only source of light on Noah's Ark was a single large garnet. The therapeutic value of the stone is that it keeps the wearer free tram wounds and promotes good health in general. It is particularly useful for preventing skin disorders and giving a glowing complexion. -Medium: Garnet   « Less

Regarded in the east as an especially lucky gem, and in India as a sacred one, moonstone is so named because its translucent milky white color resembles the glow of the moon.  More »

Regarded in the east as an especially lucky gem, and in India as a sacred one, moonstone is so named because its translucent milky white color resembles the glow of the moon. A member of the feldspar family, it is most commonly found in India and Ceylon. It is said to arouse the tender passions of lovers and to give them the power to read the future. Moonstone soothes and balances the emotions, giving mastery over internal feelings and allowing for calm expression. It is said to protect against epilepsy and insanity, to aid women during their menstrual cycles, and to place men in touch with their gentler nature. In addition to its soft beauty, moonstone continues to be valued for its ability to bring good luck to those who wear it. The garnet was highly prized in the classical world. Its rich color, the reddish purple associated with royalty, made it especially sought after for jewelry. Therapeutically, garnet is believed to keep the wearer free from wounds, and to promote good health in general. It is especially useful for preventing skin disorders and for giving a glowing complexion. 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: Moonstone-Garnet   « Less

Regarded in the east as an especially lucky gem, and in India as a sacred one, moonstone is so named because its translucent milky white color resembles the glow of the moon.  More »

Regarded in the east as an especially lucky gem, and in India as a sacred one, moonstone is so named because its translucent milky white color resembles the glow of the moon. A member of the feldspar family, it is most commonly found in India and Ceylon. It is said to arouse the tender passions of lovers and to give them the power to read the future. Moonstone soothes and balances the emotions, giving mastery over internal feelings and allowing for calm expression. It is said to protect against epilepsy and insanity, to aid women during their menstrual cycles, and to place men in touch with their gentler nature. In addition to its soft beauty, moonstone continues to be valued for its ability to bring good luck to those who wear it. The garnet was highly prized in the classical world. Its rich color, the reddish purple associated with royalty, made it especially sought after for jewelry. Therapeutically, garnet is believed to keep the wearer free from wounds, and to promote good health in general. It is especially useful for preventing skin disorders and for giving a glowing complexion. Medium: Moonstone-Garnet   « Less