This month, we celebrate a most beautiful birthstone, Aquamarine! Aquamarine is a color variety of the mineral Beryl. What’s fun about Beryl is that if it falls toward the BLUE color side, it’s AQUAMARINE, if it falls towards the GREEN side, it’s EMERALD, and if it’s PINK, it’s MORGANITE! They are all the same gemstones, just different colors!
Aquamarine Bead Bracelets that show the soft and varying shades of blue.
Fun Aquamarine Facts:
Mohs Hardness – 7.5 – 8
It gets its name from Latin “aqua marina” which means “sea water.”
The traditional gift for the 19th Wedding Anniversary
Mostly mined in Brazil, but also in many countries across the world, including Zambia, Nigeria, and Madagascar, as well as Pakistan and Mozambique
Considered a symbol of faithfulness, courage, and friendship
The Dom Pedro aquamarine is the world’s largest cut aquamarine gem. Weighs 10,363 carats.
Welcome to February! According to Punxsutawney Phil, spring is just around the corner (not that it’s been a terribly awful one here in Texas this year)!
Besides being the month of love and transition, February is also associated with the mineral Amethyst. Amethyst is a variety of Quartz and gets its iconic purple color from trace amounts of iron that have been naturally irradiated. It is found throughout the world, even here in the United States, but the most significant deposits are located in Brazil and Uruguay. Fantastic specimens weighing thousands of pounds have been found in the fractures of igneous rock there.
World’s largest Amethyst Geode. Almost 11 feet tall and weighs over 5,500 pounds!!
If you are interested in the history or spiritual side of Amethyst, this special mineral has been highlighted in religions for thousands of years. Amethyst was one of the stones in the Bible of the High Priest’s breastplate representing the 12 tribes of Israel. In ancient Egypt, Amethyst was worn by the Pharaohs to help ward off evil and misfortune. Amethyst derives from the Greek word “amethystos” which may be translated as “not drunken”. Ancient Greeks used it to ward off drunkenness. And modern crystal healers associate Amethyst with relieving stress, bringing inner peace, and clearing negativity.
May is here, so here’s a post with a few fun facts about this month’s birthstone EMERALD (along with some horribly photoshopped pics… included free of charge)!
Emerald is one of the most beloved and precious gemstones found throughout recorded history. They are referenced in several of the major religious texts including the Bible, the Koran, and the Veda. Mentions of Emeralds go as far back as ancient Babylon 4000 years ago.
One of the oldest Emerald mines was rediscovered recently in Egypt near the Red Sea. Although it doesn’t produce quality gems now, it was originally operated by the famed Cleopatra, they were one of her favorites!
The earliest reference to Emeralds in western literature is by the Greek philosopher Aristotle. He admired the stone and wrote about it’s abilities to help a person influence business and legal situations. He also believed they assisted with victory in trials and soothing one’s eyesight.
And can’t forget a more current Pop Culture reference from the book and movie “The Wizard of Oz”. I mean, come on, THE EMERALD CITY!!!
“Even with eyes protected by the green spectacles, Dorothy and her friends were at first dazzled by the brilliancy of the wonderful City. The streets were lined with beautiful houses all built of green marble and studded everywhere with sparkling emeralds. They walked over a pavement of the same green marble, and where the blocks were joined together were rows of emeralds, set closely, and glittering in the brightness of the sun. The window panes were of green glass; even the sky above the City had a green tint, and the rays of the sun were green.” The Wonderful Wizard of Oz L. Frank Baum
Throughout history, Emeralds have been associated with Love and Relationships. It was said that if your lover was faithful, it would glow bright green, but if they strayed, it would turn a lifeless color.
Some believe they can turn negativity into positive energy, and promote kindness, trust, and harmony.
A piece of raw Emerald in Matrix (from my personal collection)
Be sure to check it out, there’s some local shows going on this month, and a cool tip about easily twisting wire!
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