Monthly Archives: July 2010

Tanzanite Gemstone

Tanzanite Gemstone

Tanzanite

Was discovered in the Meralani (Merelani) Hills of Northern Tanzania in 1967, near the city of Arusha, Tanzanite is the blue or purple stone, the variety of the mineral zoisite. It is used as a gemstone. Tanzanite is noted for its remarkably strong trichroism, appearing alternately sapphire blue, violet, and burgundy depending on crystal orientation.

Legend says that it was Masai cattle herders that first noticed this stone some 30 years ago after a fire caused by lightening burned areas in Tanzania. The herders noticed that brown zoiscite crystals had turned a deep blue-purple due to the heat from the fire.

In October 2002, Tanzanite was added to the official birthstone list by the American Gem Trade Association as an additional birthstone for December. Tanzanite is a brittle stone and although it can be worn daily, care should be taken to protect it from knocks, pressure and extreme temperature changes. Do not use a home ultrasonic to clean jewelry with tanzanite.

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Tiffany Gemstone

Tiffany Gemstone

Tiffany Stone

Tiffany stone is such a rare opaque gemstone which found only in a small region of southwestern Utah. For years, it was available only as a minor by-product of the Brush-Wellman’s beryllium mining operation. When the mine was closed to collectors, the tiny supply of tiffany stone was cut off, and it seemingly forever.

Tiffany Stone is composed of varying combinations of minerals such as bertrandite (beryllium silicate), beryl, calcite, chalcedony, cobalt, dolomite, fluorite, manganese oxide, rhodonite, quartz and zinc. The purple color that characterizes Tiffany Stone was created by fluorine gases, while the distinct black-colored veins were caused by manganese oxide; all of which were sealed within the sedimentary layers, becoming opalized over time. Unlike precious opal, Tiffany Stone does not display any opalescence or “play of color” that is common in its namesake.

Tiffany is a purple, lavender, white stone sometimes with patches of mauve, yellowish-brown and black is found in beryllium ore (Bertrandite) . This stone is known as opalite, ice cream opal, opalized fluorite and opal fluorite. The name Tiffany Stone presumably comes from the jewelry company of the same name that used it in some of their designs.

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The Yellow Positive Citrine

Citrine Stone

Citrine

Citrine is a variety of quartz whose color ranges from a pale yellow to brown. Citrine is actually naturally heated amethyst and smokey quartz. It is nearly impossible to tell cut citrine from yellow topaz visibly, but they differ in hardness. Citrine has ferric impurities, and is rarely found naturally. Most commercial citrine is artificially heated amethyst or smoky quartz.

Brazil is the leading producer of citrine, with much of its production coming from the state of Rio Grande do Sul. The name is derived from Latin citrina which means “yellow” and is also the origin of the word “citron.” Sometimes citrine and amethyst can be found together in the same crystal and is referred to as ametrine.

Citrine brings happiness, joy and optimism into your life. One of only two minerals on the planet which do not hold or accumulate negative energy, but dispels and transforms it. You don’t ever have to cleanse Citrine, because it doesn’t hold any negativity! Citrine energizes, and invigorates, promotes warmth, comfort, and energy.

This is a “stone of success” in all walks of life, and should be a part of anyone’s gemstone collection. If you don’t have any citrine, and you have not been very successful in your endeavors, perhaps balancing the “Yellow” energy will turn things around for you.

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Chrysocolla Isn’t Turquoise

Chrysocolla Stone

Chrysocolla

Chrysocolla is a very beautiful green-blue color gemstone belonging to the Quartz family which resembles Turquoise. The meaning of this name is ‘golden lime’ in Greek. This stone is also known as Gem Silica.

The name comes from the Greek chrysos, “gold”, and kolla, “glue”, in allusion to the name of the material used to solder gold, and was first used by Theophrastus in 315 BCE.

The gemstone Chrysocolla is often confused with turquoise. It is a copper bearing mineral found wherever copper deposits occur especially in areas of the southwestern USA, Chili, Zaire, Australia, France and England.

Pure chrysocolla is too soft for jewelry purposes but it is often found in quartz deposits which makes it hard enough to polish for cabochons. It is often found mixed with malachite, turquoise and azurite.

This stone promotes clarity of thought, emotional balance, wisdom, intuition and patience. It also decreases stress, overcome negativity, nervousness and irritability. This stone is best worn as pendant made in copper and around the throat.

Chrysocolla is a very beautiful stone with many beneficial energies. It is known as a healing stone among Native American Indian cultures where it was used for strengthening the body’s resistance and bringing about calm feelings where there is ups

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Gibeon Meteorite, The Real Outter Space Stone

Gibeon Meteroite

Gibeon Meteorite

The Gibeon Meteorite was first reported by Capt. J.E. Alexander in 1838. He heard of masses of native iron up to two feet square on the east side of the Great Fish River. While he did not see the masses himself, he was able to obtain samples for analysis. Undoubtedly, the natives in the area were previously aware of these occurrences, since they were found on the surface.

Gibeon Meteorite is fascinating, it comes from broken asteroid fragments or an exploded star, and maybe even from the planet Mars. Gibeon Meteorite is composed mainly of iron (90%) and nickel (8%). A great many gemstones can be faked, but not the Gibeon Meteorite. The formation of Gibeon Meteorite requires a cooling rate of only one degree Celsius (33F) per million years.

Kalahari Desert tribesmen picked up meteorites that lay on the ground’s surface and made arrowheads and assagai-heads, a javelin type weapon made of long, thin pointed iron rods with sharp edges.

Meteoric iron is used for alignment and balancing; it symbolizes the aptitude and strength required for endurance. Nickel is thought to purify the blood and increase the body’s iron content.

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Charoite Purple Stone

Charoit Stone

Charoite

Charoite, discovered in Russia in 1978 in the Murun mountains in Yakutia. This the only known location for this rare mineral. The name Charoite is derived from the Charo River which is near where it was found.

This part of Russia is known for its forbidding climate and terrain and as a traditional place of exile for political prisoners. Why charoite has not been found in other locations is not fully understood. But it is probably due to a combination of a chemically unique limestone reacting with a chemically unique intrusion and subjected to unique physical conditions.

The colors range from bright lavender, violet and lilac to dark purple with swirling patterns of black Augite, transparent crystals of microcline feldspar, and/or orange Tinaksite. Charoite is used as an ornamental stone and as a gemstone.

Charoite is said to enhance self-esteem, accelerate spiritual growth, and improve the ability to love. Since this is a recent discovery (1978), there are no known legends surrounding this stone.

Moreover, it can boosts productions of hormones, calms nervous system, insomnia, hearing, digestive tract, heart. Insomnia, headaches, hearing disorders, posture and skeletal system, stomach, skin, and teeth. As an elixir in the treatment of arthritis.

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The Greener Variscite

Variscite Stone

Variscite

Variscite is a hydrated aluminium phosphate mineral, it is sometimes get mistaken with turquoise, but its colors are light bluish green, medium and dark greens. It has a waxy luster and takes a fine polish.

Variscite is found in the United States (Utah, Nevada), Australia (Queensland), Germany and Brazil. It is also known as Utahlite, Barrandite, Bolivarite and Lucinite.

The mineral stone of Variscite is not very hard and should not be manhandled. Exposure to high temperatures and harsh chemicals like acids is strictly discouraged. Variscite articles should be cleaned only with a mild soap and warm water.

Mining and marketing of the variscite as “chlor-utahlite” on a small scale for the jewelry trade continued up to about the time of the World War 1.

Variscite is believed by some to be soothing, calming, and balancing for both the body and mind. It is said to aid the blood and heart, give emotional stability, self confidence and bring abundance.

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Bloodstone

Bloodstone

Bloodstone

Bloodstone is a heliotrope mineral, which is a cryptocrystalline mixture of quartz and its monoclinic polymorph moganite.

Bloodstone (also called heliotrope) is green with distinctive red spots that resemble blood, giving this stone its name. Bloodstone is a green stone with red spots. It also occurs in shades of dark green with red, brown and multicolored spots. The iron minerals cause the deep red and brown colors. Sometimes the inclusions are yellow, in which case the mineral is given the name plasma.

There is a legend that says the bloodstone was formed from the blood of Christ dripping on the green earth and solidifying. It was also called heliotrope by the Greeks and was thought to bring change. The bloodstone has been used as an amulet to protect against the evil eye. Bloodstone is the symbol of justice.

The bloodstone was used to stop bleeding especially nosebleeds. In ancient times, bloodstone was thought to be able to stop hemorrhages with the merest touch. Bloodstone relieves stomach and bowel pain. It strengthens blood purifying organs and improves blood circulation. Bloodstone has a positive influence on a bladder.

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Green Is Emerald

Emerald Stone


Emerald

Emerald is grass-green variety of beryl that is highly valued as a gemstone. The physical properties of emerald are essentially the same as those of beryl. Emeralds occur in a variety of green colors. The magnificent green color that gives extraordinary value to this gem is due to small amounts of chromium and vanadium. Some emeralds have yellowish to bluish overtones.
The stone loses color when strongly heated.

The name Emerald is derived from the French “esmeraude” and the Greek root “smaragdos” which means ‘green gemstone’. Emeralds are found in many countries, but Columbia and Brazil are the major producers and Columbia is recognized as the source for the finest stones. They are also found in Pakistan, Russia, Australia, South Africa, India, Norway, and the United States.

Emeralds have cut in variety of different shapes, ranging from the traditional rectangular step-cut, known as the “emerald cut,” to rounds, ovals, squares and cabochons. There is also princess cut, pearl cut, trillion cut, marquise cut, square cut and straight baguette cut.

Because emeralds usually contain many cracks, fissures, and inclusions, the majority of these stones are “oiled”. This means that they are immersed in oil which reduces the visibility of the inclusions, and also improves the clarity.

The emerald is the sacred stone of the goddess Venus. It was thought to preserve love. The emerald has long been the symbol of hope. It is considered by many to be the stone of prophecy. For some the emerald acts as a tranquilizer for a troubled mind. The emerald is said to bring the wearer reason and wisdom. The strongest time for the powers of the emerald is said to be spring.

Though not meant to replace traditional medical treatment, emerald is extensively used for physical and emotional healing. Emerald has refreshing soft green color, which has amazing healing powers for eyes, and it is a good talisman for any eye trouble. When worn, the stone is supposed to prevent epilepsy attack, and when held in the mouth it is believed to be a cure for dysentery. It is supposed to assist women at childbirth.

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The Joy Of Topaz

Topaz Stones

Topaz

It is mentioned that Topaz is an aluminum fluorite silicate containing fluorine and become one of the few gem minerals which, under suitable conditions, grow into enormous crystals.

The name topaz is derived from the Indian Sanskrit word tapas, meaning fire. According to another theory topaz derives its name from the Island of Topazos, in the Red Sea, where the Romans obtained a stone which they called by this name.

Pure topaz is colorless and transparent but is usually tinted by impurities; typical topaz is wine, yellow, pale gray or reddish-orange, blue brown. It can also be made white, pale green, blue, gold, pink (rare), reddish-yellow or opaque to transparent/translucent, and the most valuable color is a golden orange-yellow, called “imperial topaz”.

Red and pink topaz gems were used in the jewelry of the 18th and 19th Century Russian Czarinas and is why topaz is sometimes called “Imperial Topaz”.

The most famous topaz is actually a colorless topaz that was originally thought to be a diamond. It is a 1680 carat stone known as the “Braganza Diamond” set in the Portuguese Crown Jewels.

Based on the folklore of Topaz, during the Middle Ages topaz was thought to heal both physical and mental disorders and prevent death. Moreover, the Greeks believed it had power to increase strength and to make its wearer invisible while the Romans believed it had power to improve eyesight. The Egyptians wore it as an amulet to protect them from injury.

It is also said that Topaz balances emotions and calms passions. It releases tension and gives feelings of joy. Topaz is known as spiritual rejuvenation gemstone.

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