Emerald - One of the Oldest Gemstones

'Nothing Greens Greener' is the best way that could have possibly described emeralds and Pliny the Elder chose to say it this way. For centuries the vivid green color of emerald has won the hearts of people from all over the world. Whether kings and rulers of the past or modern day celebrities,' emeralds continue to remain highly sought after.

The basic color of emeralds is green, which also gives this lovely gemstone its name. The Greek word 'smarados' which is derived from the French word 'esmeralde' denotes the color green. Emeralds are one of the oldest gemstones that ever existed and date back to at least 4000 years in history. In the Vedas, the holy scriptures of the Hindus emeralds are referred as stones that have healing properties. Emeralds are also said to be harbingers of good luck and success.

The Moguls are said to be extremely fond of emeralds. Jehangir owned a cup made of pure emerald that is now placed at the New York Museum of Natural History. The 'Mogul Emerald' weighing 217.8 carats and dating back to 1695 is one of the oldest emeralds known to exist. This breathtaking stone has detailed engravings along with prayer text. Emeralds have been popular all over the world. In ancient Egypt an emerald was placed around the neck of mummies for timeless youth. The Turkish sultans were so in love with emeralds that the Topkani Palace in Istanbul houses numerous items with emeralds.

The vibrant green color of emerald stands for love, youth, and timelessness. Ancient Romans considered green to be the color of Venus, the Goddess of love and beauty. Green is also the holy color in Islam. The Catholic Church also holds great importance for the color green and considers it to be most essential of all colors. Emeralds, due to their vivid green color hold great meaning in love and also denote everlasting and timeless emotions.

Emeralds in earlier times were mined exclusively in Egypt, Austria and Afghanistan. Columbia later grew to be another good source of emeralds which also happen to be highly sought after due to their vivid green color and shine. Brazil, Zambia, Pakistan, India, Madagascar, Russia and Zimbabwe are other good sources of emeralds. Emeralds from Zambia are known for their dark green vibrant hue.

Unlike most other gemstones, emeralds are oil treated. This helps to fill the cracks and fissures on the surface of the stone. This also significantly improves the look and texture of the stone. Emeralds demand good care, and being a softer variety of stone they require proper storage as well. Care must be taken while storing emerald jewelry. One must make sure they are separately wrapped in soft tissue or cloth and the surface does not come in contact with any other stone or metal. Harsh detergents and soaps must be avoided while cleaning emerald jewelry.

Emeralds look beautiful in every possible form of jewelry whether emerald rings, emerald earring or emerald pendants. Whether simple emerald jewelry or coupled with sparkling diamonds, these stones always stand apart.

Emerald Rings, Emerald Earrings

Emerald: Gemstone of Improved Memory and Enhanced Love

The dark green Emerald is traditional Birthstone for the month of may, and designated for the 20th and 35th wedding anniversary. Emeralds are said to improve memory and enhance love.

Emerald comes from the Greek word "Smaragdos" meaning "green stone". This deep green gemstone is currently the most valuable stone in the world by weight. The Egyptian Goddess Cleopatra prized this stone as her favorite. She lavished herself in emerald jewelry and gave departing guests carved emerald likenesses as gifts. This ancient stone was sought after even before Cleopatra's time. Many gave their lives seeking this coveted stone to use as jewelry.

Emerald is most noted for its association with the eyes. Many cultures had the same ideas that this deep green gemstone either had healing properties or aided in seeing the future more clearly. Theophrastus, a Greek philosopher who lived in the third century, studied the properties of stones. He credited emeralds as having healing power over straining eyes. In turn gem engravers set emeralds on their workstations to look at from time to time to relieve the effects of eye strain.

Throughout time and place emeralds are speculated to have been used as a healing agent. According to some legends, an emerald stone could hurl itself off the wearers faceted jewelry to alert an upcoming illness. The following is a list of ailments emeralds have been thought to heal:

* Strengthen the backbone

* Relieve problem associated with sugar diabetes

* Cure epilepsy

* Enhance the immune system

* Dispel poison and poisoned bites

* Relieve eye strain

* Cure intestinal blockage

* Cure dysentery

* Aid in fertility

On a more spiritual level emeralds are thought to promote clairvoyance, memory, and faith. Wearing the stone can bring an equilibrium to mental, physical, or emotional state of mind. It is said to work as a natural tranquilizer for those seeking to clear the mind. Some cultures thought emeralds to raise consciousness and improve psychic abilities. Emeralds are suggested for those working as athletes, nurses, doctors, chiropractors, environmentalists, optometrists, marriage councilors, masseurs, people who work in confined places or with radioactive materials.

May is the traditional month for the emerald gemstone. Emerald jewelry is associated as a gift of friendship, loyalty, and faithfulness. It is also associated with the astrological sign of Taurus and has an a affinity for those born in Cancer or Libra. Emerald rings, earrings, and pendants are also a great idea for couples celebrating their 20th and 35th wedding anniversary. Becoming popular as a replacement of the traditional diamond is a precious emerald gemstone engagement ring. It is a unique way to express love, loyalty, and faithfulness to the one you plan to spend your life with.

Written By: Nicolle Chamberlain

To learn more about the mysticism and lore of other gemstones visit http://www.silverandgoldgallery.com/library.html.

Peridot Jewelry is More Than Affordable, It is Sublime

Gemstone jewelry is always much sought after but the August gemstone, peridot, is highly prized by connoisseurs of fine jewelry whether or not they are born in August!

Peridot is a sublime green gemstone, which shines with a bright green glow even at night! Because of this, it became known as the gemstone of the sun by ancient Egyptians and as the "evening emerald" by the Romans. In fact, Cleopatra's fabled emeralds are now known to have been stunning peridot gemstones! And the color of peridot, ranging as it does from a light citrus green though a golden grass green to a deep near emerald green makes it a perfect choice for anyone wanting a green gemstone, but prefers something more affordable than precious emerald!

Unlike some other gemstones, such as tourmaline, which vary in color, peridot is always green. This is because it is idio-chromatic, or self-colored. This means that peridot's green coloration comes from elemental iron which is intrinsic to the gemstone and essential for its formation. The color therefore comes from the structure of the gemstone itself, rather than from impurities contained within it.

However, peridot does range in shade of green because of the differing amounts of iron contained within each peridot crystal. Some peridot gemstones also contain traces of chromium and nickel, which further affect the precise shade of green of the gemstone. And because the iron is vital for the structure of the peridot, peridot crystals are always clean. This enhances the desirability of peridot. In fact this striking gemstone has become synonymous with elegance, fame and security and also represents the sixteenth wedding anniversary.

Because it is a clean gemstone, peridot is unusually facetted when set into gemstone jewelry. Depending on the precise tome of the green, peridot can be set into sterling silver or yellow gold with equally devastating effect! Furthermore, the affordability of peridot compared to some other precious gemstones, such as emerald, means that it can be set into elaborate styles, such as chandelier earrings.

If you have never experienced the beauty of peridot, then peridot set into sterling silver in a gorgeous pair of stud earrings might be the way to go. However, the true beauty of peridot can be appreciated just as well during the evening as during the day, so why not go for a piece of jewelry, such as a bracelet or peridot ring, which you can you can appreciate without a mirror? For further information and a selection of sublime artisan designed peridot jewelry, please click on the following links.

For sublime peridot jewelry, or for your choice of artisan designed bargain peridot rings please click on the links.

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Emerald Earrings - Best Gift for Thanksgiving Day

Gemstone jewelry has an appeal of its own and the most wonderful thing being that each variety of jewelry differs from the other in look, color and beauty. Available in a myriad colors gemstones have a unique charm that has won many a hearts through the centuries. One of the most favored and sought after gemstones that have been a favorite with women is the lush green emerald. Gemstone jewelry in every form looks stunning whether emerald rings, emerald earrings, emerald pendants or emerald bracelets.

But since earrings are the most favored piece of jewelry for most women let's talk about the charming emerald earrings that have an allure of their own. Emerald earrings also make lovely gifts and are especially appropriate as Thanksgiving gifts. So if you keep wondering each time what gift to settle for every year during Thanksgiving, here is a great way of charming the special ladies in your life with an evergreen pair of emerald earrings.

The best thing about emerald earrings is that they are available in a wide range of designs and styles to cater to every individual style and preference. So while you can settle for a pair of emerald studs for someone who prefers quiet elegance you can go for a pair of stunning emerald chandelier earrings for the lady who loves wearing elaborate and stylish jewelry.

The other brilliant Thanksgiving gift idea would be emerald hoops whether alternating with diamonds or with emeralds alone. The size of the hoops could depend on the age and preference of the person you'd like to gift them to. Emerald danglers of varying designs and styles are another good option of Thanksgiving gift and so are emerald drop earrings that look ultimately dainty and pretty. For women who prefer subtle but charming jewelry the emerald flower earrings or the emerald cluster earrings with or without diamonds is a perfect choice.

Since emerald hoops come in such variety of designs and craftsmanship it is easy to select a pair that will suit the style and preference of individual women. One thing is for certain; women simply love the alluring emeralds and are sure to appreciate a gift of emerald earrings for Thanksgiving.

Emerald Earrings and Emerald Pendants at Angara.com.

Enchanting Emerald Earrings

The word, emerald comes from Sanskrit 'marakat' and belongs to beryl mineral family. Marakat means "the green of growing things". Since its discovery in various cultures, it was christened with different names. The Latin for emerald is "smaragdus" which later changed to emerald in.

Emerald is found to be studded into variedly styled jewelry. Especially, emerald earrings come for great prices when they are greater in carat size, in spite of being heavily flawed. In history, emerald jewelry has been a key player in the world of precious gemstone. Even Queen Cleopatra was herself fascinated with lush green emerald.

Muzo mines in Colombia give most of the finest colored emerald roughs. Today in the modern times, due to various techniques to treat stones, flaws are hidden easily. In spite of high yielding naturally flawless emerald found rare, treated stones are filled with oil or epoxy resin to hide their cracks and fractures.

As a matter of fact, this vivifying and youthful gemstone is found to be doing a great work in beautifying people. However, there have been many misnomers or informative stuff which should be kept in mind while buying emerald jewelry.

Emerald shades vary as sources become different. This article spares light on the varieties of emerald with a difference in hue. In addition, to mislead customers, there are an incredible number of fraudulent in the market. Especially in the places which are exotic gem mining spots.

African emerald is mined in Zambia. These possess a fine clarity and an intense green shade. Colombian emerald is the finest of the emeralds present. These boast of a desirable pure green with a faint hint of blue. In addition, they have the property of dichroism, i.e., the color has two axes as viewed from different angles. Colombian specimens of this elegant gemstone. These ones are the most sought after emerald gemstones.

Brazilian stones are a little lighter in color. However, they comprise of more yellow than Colombian ones. The rocks are also mined from India and Pakistan too. There are errorless roughs mined which have been a part of the royal jewelry in Indian culture. For example, Mughal period displayed a massive Taj Mahal emerald. This was one of the treasured lush spring signifying gemstone which has Islamic writings carved at one side and floral designs on the opposite side.

Talking about the misnomers and their actual names, the information is quite consistent. Chatham emerald is a synthetic stone which actually misleads people. Esmeralda emerald is actually a green tourmaline which corrupt jewelers sell at high prices as authentic emerald. Peridot, a lovely light green transparent gemstone is often misjudged as one due to its similar hue.

A doublet is a gemstone which is top fused to an appropriately colored glass bottom. Therefore, doublets present with names like Lannyte, Mascot, and Soude` emerald is present to innocent buyers as authentic pieces. In addition green sapphire is also sold as emerald known as Oriental emerald.

Emerald Earrings, Ruby Earrings and Tanzanite Earrings at Angara.com

Emerald - May's Gemstone of Earthly Envy

Emerald is a precious gemstone frequently incorporated into some of the most modern, beautiful handmade jewelry in the world. It is most often found in shades of opaque or translucent green, and is widely recognized as the May Birthstone and the gemstone for the 20th, 35th and 45th anniversaries. But beyond its modern-day uses and associations, emerald holds a decadent mythological, spiritual and etymological history that adds nostalgic value to its already strong aesthetic worth. Read on for more information that will help you fall in love with your emerald us of colored stones, ranging from a light lemony-lime green to a dark, intense forest green, and jewelry - or inspire you to buy some today!

Emerald is the green variety of the species beryl and is one of the three most precios bluish-green. The name Emerald is derived from the French word "esmeraude," which goes back to the Greek word "smaragdos" that means "green gemstone." Emerald has long been considered the finest of the green colored stones, as it is often compared to rich green landscapes--Ireland is called the "Emerald Isle."

The ancient Incas and Aztecs in South America worshipped the Emerald, proclaiming it was a holy stone, offering it to the Gods. They would rather suffer death than reveal their Emerald sources! The Greeks also dedicated this beautiful green gem to the goddess Venus.

Emerald gemstones look best as parts of formal evening jewelry when paired with Black Onyx, white pearls or black diamonds. More casual combinations include lighter contrasts of green emerald with quartz, carnelian or topaz. Emerald is typically considered a sophisticated gemstone that works well with any outfit. In earrings, it works especially well to enhance the luster of green or hazel eyes.

Emeralds are believed to promote physical and emotional healing, in addition to symbolize faith and immortality, aid eye-sight, and intelligence. They are said to have a powerful affect on both the subconscious and conscious mind, increasing memory and psychic awareness.

The Emerald was first mined in Egypt around 3500 BC. The Egyptian Pharaohs called these sources "Cleopatra Mines." Egypt was a major source until the 16th century, until the Spaniards discovered more in South America (Columbia). Today they are found in Zambia, Brazil, Africa, and Russia, just to name a few.

Mohs' Hardness score is based on a 10 point scale where 10 is the most resistant, like a diamond, and 1 is easily scratched, such as Talc. Emerald gets a score of 6.5-7, meaning that it is somewhat scratch resistant and therefore suitable as a component of jewelry. Emerald gemstones should be regularly cleaned by a professional or with a soft rag and mild soap and water. Avoid ultra-sonic cleaners, solvents and harsh chemicals when cleaning your handcrafted jewelry as exposure to these elements can damage semi-precious and precious gemstones and pearls.

Learn more about all semi-precious gemstones, including amethyst, apatite, black onyx, blue topaz, carnelian, chalcedony, citrine, coral, garnet, white topaz, crystal, diamond, emerald, iolite, jade, Labradorite, moonstone, pearl, peridot, prehnite, rose quarz, ruby, sapphire, smokey topaz, tanzanite, tourmaline and tourquoise when you check out this gemstone chart.

Sarah Stephens is the Fashion Director for Dasha Boutique. Visit our online shop at http://www.DashaBoutique.com today, featuring hundreds of handmade jewelry designs, all crafted by San Francisco Bay Area artisans. Customize your design online - orders ship in 3 business days. Dasha Boutique is frequently featured in Lucky, InStyle, People, Bridal Guide, Brides and Bazaar.

To see a selection of handmade artisan jewelry featuring emerald, click here.

Motherly Embellishments As Emerald Rings

The heart of a mother is a deep abyss at the bottom of which you will always find forgiveness.

- Honore de Balzac

In US modern times, Mother's Day has been a national holiday. Since this day is marked as a tribute to motherhood, recognizing mothers and maternal bonds, it is a much felt day for Americans.

A Peep in Roots

Giving a peep in the origin of this day, it mostly marked by women's peace groups. On this day, mothers of all martyrs in American Civil War united. Moreover, it bridged gaps between several families who separated during the Civil War. It was also done as an expansion into annual remembrance for mothers.

Presently, Anna Marie Jarvis revived it, after her mother passed away. She campaigned for making this day an official celebration, national holiday and later an international observance too.

The Celebration

People usually celebrate it to honor all mothers and promote gratitude for the difficulties they face in lives while raising their children. It includes gifts followed with parties or outings.

Jewelry as an Ultimate Gift

Women can never resist jewelry. Sparkling yet colored gemstone extravaganza is what every lady wishes for. Several online jewelry retailers have loaded up their inventories with lovely and awe-inspiring models in jewelry.

Contemporary jewelry including rings, earrings, and pendants comprise the most sought after ones. Apart from classic designs, trendy ones with fascination are counted as voguish for the mothers of today.

Admirable Emerald Earrings

Emerald with its eye-soothing and vivifying green shade is very alluring in the whole personality of a woman. A woman of every age bracket looks stunning with a proper pair of impeccable emerald earrings on her.

Available within both yellow and white gold, meticulously carved designs complete the desired finishing of the dazzling trinkets. Adding a happy twinkle in the appearance of your mother, diamonds always accentuate the flawed gemstone.

Ladies who prefer a simple and classy look can always for this bestseller Oval Emerald and Diamond Border Earrings in white gold, Trillion Emerald and Diamond Border Earrings in white gold and Emerald, and Diamond Hoop Earrings in yellow gold. In addition, Emerald and Diamond Flower Earrings in yellow gold gives an exquisite look.

Likewise, dangles and chandeliers symbolize for bold and ornate choices picked. These can be Emerald and Diamond Flower Earrings in yellow gold, Oval Emerald and Diamond Danglers in white gold, and Emerald and Diamond Chandelier Earrings in white gold are laudable.

A little education

Emerald mostly flawed and treated with oil-filling treatment. Nevertheless, Colombian roughs mined are credited as best in the world. Still, many beginners and tourists do fall prey to fraudulent jewelers in places where mined.

Visit Emerald Earrings and Emerald Pendants for selection at angara.com