Ruby

Which color would you spontaneously associate with love and vivacity, passion and power? It's obvious, isn't it? Red. Red is the color of love. It radiates warmth and a strong sense of vitality. And red is also the color of the ruby, the king of the gemstones. In the fascinating world of gemstones, the ruby is the undisputed ruler.

For thousands of years, the ruby has been considered one of the most valuable gemstones on Earth. It has everything a precious stone should have: magnificent color, excellent hardness and outstanding brilliance. In addition to that, it is an extremely rare gemstone, especially in its finer qualities.

Pearls

Pearls fit into two categories: freshwater and saltwater. As their name implies, freshwater pearls are formed in freshwater mussels that live in lakes, rivers, ponds and other bodies of fresh water. Most freshwater cultured pearls sold today come from China. By contrast, saltwater pearls grow in oysters that live in the ocean, usually in protected lagoons. Akoya, South Sea and Tahitian are the three main types of saltwater pearls.

The difference between natural and cultured pearls focuses on whether the pearl was created by nature, without human intervention, or with human aid. Pearls are formed inside the shell of certain bivalve mollusks. As a response to an irritant inside its shell the mollusk creates a pearl as a defense mechanism. The mollusk will deposit layers of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) in the form of the minerals aragonite or calcite (both crystalline forms of calcium carbonate) held together by an organic horn-like compound called conchiolin. This combination of calcium carbonate and conchiolin is called nacre, or as most know it, mother-of-pearl. The commonly held belief that a grain of sand acts as the irritant is in fact rarely the case.

The largest pearl ever found came from the Philippines in 1934. Although referred to as a pearl, it is actually a non-nacreous calcareous concretion - gemologically speaking, it is not actually a pearl. It weighs 14 lb (6.4 kg) and was discovered by an anonymous Filipino Muslim diver off the island of Palawan in 1934. Later, a Palawan chieftain gave the pearl to Wilbur Dowell Cobb in 1936 as a gift for having saved the life of his son. The pearl had been named the Pearl of Allah by the Muslim tribal chief because it resembled a turbaned head. In 1980, Cobb's heirs sold it to a jeweler in Beverly Hills, California, for $200,000. It is now estimated to be worth upwards of $40,000,000! Currently, the Philippines produces both white and black pearls 8 to 20mm. However, they are most known for colors ranging from silvery white to champagne gold. The south sea pearl is the national gem of the Philippines.

Emeralds

Emeralds are fascinating gemstones. They have the most beautiful, most intense and most radiant green that can possibly be imagined: emerald green. Inclusions are tolerated. In top quality, fine emeralds are even more valuable than diamonds.

The name emerald comes from the Greek 'smaragdos' via the Old French 'emerald', and really just means 'green gemstone'. Innumerable fantastic stories have grown up around this magnificent gem. The Incas and Aztecs of South America, where the best emeralds are still found today, regarded the emerald as a holy gemstone. However, probably the oldest known finds were once made near the Red Sea in Egypt. Having said that, these gemstone mines, already exploited by Egyptian pharaohs between 3000 and 1500 B.C. and later referred to as 'Cleopatra's Mines', had already been exhausted by the time they were rediscovered in the early 19th century.

Written many centuries ago, the Vedas, the holy scriptures of the Indians, say of the precious green gems and their healing properties: 'Emeralds promise good luck ...'; and 'The emerald enhances the well-being ...'. So it was no wonder that the treasure chests of Indian maharajas and maharanis contained wonderful emeralds. One of the world's largest is the so-called 'Mogul Emerald'. It dates from 1695, weighs 217.80 carats, and is some 10cm tall. One side of it is inscribed with prayer texts, and engraved on the other there are magnificent floral ornaments. This legendary emerald was auctioned by Christie's of London to an unidentified buyer for $2.2m US Dollars on September 28th 2001.

The Centenary Diamond

Before the Centenary Diamond was faceted, it weighed almost 600 carats. It took 3 years for the master cutter, Tolkowsky, to fashion it into the largest, modern-cut flawless diamond. This stone is also part of the British Crown Jewels. The Centenary is cut with 247 facets, 83 of which are on the girdle. It weighs 273.85 carats and is only smaller in size to the Great Star of Africa (530.20 carats) and the Lesser Star of Africa (317.40 carats)

Aquamarine

Its light blue arouses feelings of sympathy, trust, harmony and friendship. Good feelings. Feelings which are based on mutuality and which prove their worth in lasting relationships. The blue of aquamarine is a divine, eternal color, because it is the color of the sky. However, aquamarine blue is also the color of water with its life-giving force. And aquamarine really does seem to have captured the lucid blue of the oceans. No wonder, when you consider that according to the saga it originated in the treasure chest of fabulous mermaids, and has, since ancient times, been regarded as the sailors' lucky stone. Its name is derived from the Latin 'aqua' (water) and 'mare' (sea). It is said that its strengths are developed to their best advantage when it is placed in water which is bathed in sunlight. However, it is surely better still to wear aquamarine, since according to the old traditions this promises a happy marriage and is said to bring the woman who wears it joy and wealth into the bargain. An ideal gem, not only for loving and married couples.

Green Amethyst

"Green amethyst" is a misnomer since the term "amethyst" applies only to the purple variety of quartz. However, that doesn't stop the marketing of these less valuable pale amethyst stones after irradiation and/or heat treatments turn the color green. This fact is not meant to imply that "green amethyst" is not a beautiful stone, because it it very attractive.

Properly, after treatment, this green variety should be marketed as Prasiolite or Green Quartz, not green amethyst, and it should not be marketed as "rare" since there is an abundance of pale lavender quartz which can be treated to produce a light spring green stone.

For more information: http://www.stoneagejewels.com/amethyst.htm

A New Earth- Awakening to your life's purpose (event)

On March 3rd, Oprah Winfrey and Eckhart Tolle began the online class streamed live. This class will cover one chapter per week (for 10 weeks) from the book, "A New Earth- Awakening to Your Life's Purpose" by Eckhart Tolle. If you have not read the book, definitely get it- read it- and find your own "Aha" moment. It's a must read!

I was so excited to have all the system resources necessary for smooth viewing. With hundreds of thousands of people worldwide that attended, however, the congestion caused my system (as well as thousands of others, I'm sure) to stall and stop erratically until the broadcast stopped all together. It didn't take long to lose the live stream.

I was disappointed, but with the resources available to Oprah, (hopefully) by next week's class, these issues will be addressed and corrected. By tomorrow morning, I am sure Oprah will know just how many people wanted to participate in this event.

Even though the archive will be posted tomorrow, there's nothing like attending a live event.

Go to Oprah.com to get more information on this event. It will definitely be worth seeing when the technical issues are resolved.

Jayne

How to Draw Eyes

Very nicely demonstrated video on how to draw realistic-looking eyes!

Check out this drawing video!

This is really cool! You may not understand the language, but the video speaks for itself anyway. Now is the time to put all preconceived notion aside.

JS Gems Offers Quality Lapidary Equipment at Discount Prices

JS Gems' lapidary equipment has been added to the Stone Age Jewels website with a direct link to their online store. They carry everything the hobbyist or advanced lapidarist could possibly need. Even if they don't show the equipment you need, just contact them and they can get it. They are also at most of the well-known rock and gem shows, so visit them at a local show when you get a chance. Their show schedule is at http://www.jsgemslapidary.com/showsch.htm



To see their equipment, go to http://www.stoneagejewels.com/lapidaryequip.htm or from their site http://www.jsgemslapidary.com



I do some work now and then for JS Gems and I can tell you from experience- They are straight-shooters... you can trust them to give you the best deal at the best price. I use their equipment in shaping the stones I use in the jewelry you see on the site.



Thanks for looking!

Progress has been made on Stone Age Jewels

Stone Age Jewels has undergone a major overhaul and though more is added everyday, many new things are currently available for your perusal. Please take a look around and comment on what you see and/or what you would like to see added. I would really appreciate any comments that you can contribute. Thanks in advance, Jayne

Rebate checks to boost the economy

With the recent news that everyone will be receiving checks from the government to boost the economy coupled with the naysayers that speculate the economy that will get the boost is not ours, it occurs to me that the best way to boost our own economy is to buy goods MADE IN THE USA!

If everyone will spend their checks on American-made goods, our economy will get the needed boost, so come on, spend it here in the USA, on items MADE IN THE USA, by people living in the USA and contribute to a boost all our own.

Stone Age Jewels is owned and operated in the USA, by an American Artist, designing accessories in the craftsmanship quality conducive to American-made goods!

Purchases made between January 28, 2008 and June 1, 2008 will come with a free gift. Email jayne@stoneagejewels.com for more information.

BUY AMERICAN TO BOOST AMERICA'S ECONOMY!

Upcoming creations at SAJ

With the many recent requests for more information on gem meanings and specific healing properties, coupled with the need for customers to acquire the best pieces for their individual taste and benefit, Stone Age Jewels will create and add products serving this area. We will offer gemstone kits relevant to meditation, emotional and life enhancements, specific healing combinations, chakra balancing combinations, and gratitude stones.

If you have not seen "The Secret" you should make every effort to view this compelling DVD (or read the book.) It is sure to change the way you think. Within the context of the film, gratitdue stones are discussed.

The general idea is to make a conscious effort to be grateful for what you have, what you are, and what you will become through a deliberate effort. These stones can be as drab as a rough stone found in the garden or as exquisite as a faceted diamond- which stone used is irrelevant... having a talisman to remind you of gratitude is the essence of the focused thought. Gratitude stones are small enough to carry in your pocket where, when you reach into your pocket, you feel it there and remember to be grateful. Start each day with an attitude of gratitude.

If you thank the universe for the things you have, the universe will provide for you in ways unimagined. In order to achieve abundance, the universe requires that you notice and appreciate all that you currently posssess.

A visionary once reminded me to stop worrying about all that I want and don't have, and spend more time wanting what I do have... take time to notice the abundance and be appreciative.

What do you think?

Sapphire

Sapphire (from Hebrew: Sapir) is the non red variety of the mineral corundum, an aluminium oxide (Al2O3). It can be found naturally or manufactured in large crystal boules for varied applications, including infrared optical components, watch faces, high-durability windows, and wafers for the deposition of semiconductors such as GaN nanorods.

The mineral corundum consists of pure aluminium oxide. Trace amounts of other elements such as iron, titanium and chromium give corundum their blue, yellow, pink, purple, orange or greenish color. Sapphire includes any gemstone quality varieties of the mineral corundum except the fully saturated red variety, which is instead known as ruby.

Although blue is considered the normal color for sapphire, it is found in the full range of spectral colors as well as brown, colorless, grey and black. Those other than blue in color are considered fancy color sapphires.

According to Rebbenu Bachya, and many English Bible translations, the word Sapir in the verse Exodus 28:18 means Sapphire and was the stone on the Ephod representing the tribe of Issachar. However, this is extremely disputed as though it is true that the english word sapphire derives from the Hebrew sapir (via Greek sapphiros), Sapphires were actually not really known about before the Roman Empire (and were initially considered to be forms of jacinth, rather than deserving of a word to themselves), and prior to that time sapphiros referred to blue gems in general. It is thought by scholars that the sapphire of the Bible was actually lapis lazuli - which was frequently sent as a gift between middle-eastern nations in Biblical times (Texas Natural Science Center, 2006). There is a wide range of views among traditional sources about the tribe to which the stone refers.

• Blue sapphire is associated with Saturn (Wojtilla, 1973),
• Yellow sapphire with Jupiter in Vedic astrology.
• Sapphire is the birthstone associated with September.
• The 45th wedding anniversary is known as the sapphire anniversary.
• Sapphires are one of the four most valued stones. The other highly valued stones are rubies (sapphires that are red, caused by chromium impurities), emeralds, and diamonds.
  
  Sapphire is a stone of creative expression, intuition, and meditation, and enhances all those things. Sapphire is corundum, and comes in virtually any color of the rainbow including blue, pink, purple, orange (Padparadsha), green, colorless, and red (known as ruby). Sapphire is beneficial for mental clarity and depression. Physically it is good for lowering fevers and inflammation, hearing problems, cancer, and burns. Sapphire is associated with the brow chakra. Various colors of sapphire have properties in addition to the general sapphire properties.

Moldavite

Moldavite is an olive-green or dull greenish vitreous substance formed by a meteorite impact. It is one kind of tektite. It was named by A. Dufrnoy from Moldauthein in Bohemia, where it occurs. It is sometimes cut and polished as an ornamental stone under the name of pseudo-chrysolite. Its bottle-green glass color led to its being commonly called Boute-illenstein, and at one time it was regarded as an artificial product, but this view is opposed to the fact that no remains of glassworks are found in the neighborhood of its occurrence; moreover, pieces of the substance are widely distributed in Tertiary and early Pleistocene deposits in Bohemia and Moravia. For a long time, it was generally believed to be a variety of obsidian, but its difficult fusibility and its chemical composition are rather against its volcanic origin.

Dr. F. E. Suess pointed out that the nodules or small masses of moldavite presented curious pittings and wrinkles on the surface, which could not be due to the action of water, but resembled the characteristic markings on many meteorites. Boldly attributing the material to a cosmic origin, he regarded moldavite as a special type of meteorite for which he proposed the name of tektite. To this type are also referred the so-called obsidian bombs and buttons from Australia and Tasmania, known sometimes as australites, and called by R. H. Walcott obsidianites. Similar bodies have been found in Malaysia and have been termed billitonite, from the isle of Belitung where they occur in tin-bearing gravels. Usually they are flat, rounded or ellipsoidal bodies, sometimes surrounded by an equatorial girdle or rim, and often with a brilliant black superficial luster, as though varnished. Moldavite has been reported also from Skåneland in Sweden.

The total amount of Moldavite scattered around the world is estimated at 275 tons. There are now only four moldavite mines that are in full operation in the Czech Republic. It is predicted that in less than ten years from now commercial Moldavite mining will come to an end. After this time, there will be virtually no appreciable amount of gem-grade Moldavite left in the ground.

There are typically two grades of moldavite: high quality, often referred to as museum grade, and regular grade. You can tell them apart by the way they look--the regular grade pieces are usually darker and more saturated in a darker green colour, and the surface is seen as closely spaced pitting or weathering. This type sometimes appears to have been broken apart from a larger chunk.

The museum grade has a distinct fern-like pattern and is much more translucent than the regular grade. Price between the two varies greatly. The museum grade "flower bursts" are much more prized by the connoisseur. High-quality moldavite stones are often used in hand-crafted jewelry and thus enter the market away from mainstream jewelry fashions, more centered around art and craft, and as such have gained an almost cult status.

Moldavite of good quality can fetch a very high price, but even general comparisons put the stone's value at as 'that of higher quality large Amethysts.'

Isotope analysis of samples of moldavite have shown a beryllium-10 isotope composition typical of the Australasian and Ivory Coast tektites. (Serefiddin, 2006)

Moldavite occurrences are reported mainly from Bohemia and Moravia (Czech Republic), with occasional finds in Austria (Waldviertel) and Germany (Lusatia).

Larimar

The most important outcrop of blue pectolites, is located at "Los Chupaderos", in the section of "Los Checheses", about 10 kilometers southwest of the city of Barahona, in the south-western region of the Dominican Republic.
It is a small complex of volcanic origin, composed fundamentally of basalts and porphyry rocks of great diversity. In its interior, there are concentrations of small mineral blocks with this blue color which is characteristic of the pectolite of our country.

The picture shows a 100% CAB & JEWELRY GRADE LARIMAR MINE ROUGH SPECIMEN in my collection. It is 208 CARATS. Larimar is normally sold by the gram. This piece is 1040 grams.

Also in my collection are the Larimar stones you see below. If you would like a piece made from this material, please email me for more information on your particular fancy. I will take pictures of the actual stone you would like designed into handcrafted jewelry.




93.1 grams of rough Larimar
Since Larimar is found in only one location, that makes it one of the rarest gemstones worldwide. I buy the rough stones from the world’s only mine in Barahona in the Dominican Republic. Larimar is mined under extremely dangerous conditions. Larimar is very expensive and very hard to get. The mine is a mystic place in a very inaccessible mountain area.
Larimar is a form of pectolite (with copper) found only in a single place in the Dominican Republic. It is an opaque sky blue stone with white streaks. There are often some red to brown impurities. Larimar is usually shaped and polished (but not traditionally faceted). Larimar has a hardness of 4.5 - 6.0 and a specific gravity of 2.7 to 2.9. Larimar is not enhanced. It is not easy to work , but when done right you get a wonderful blue with a glassy shine.
Overall Larimar is associated with the Fifth Chakra and the Deva of the Blue Ray. Larimar works to bring truth to the communications process. Larimar supports dissolving different kind of energy blockages that cause physical problems or mental diseases.
This gemstone first surfaced in 1974, although the inhabitants of the region and their ancestors have long been aware of the stone. Larimar is one of the rarest stones at all in the universe which is also known as the Atlantis Stone or the Dolphin Stone. Larimar was named for Larisa (the daughter of Miguel Mendez, a geologist who helped reintroduce this stone) and mar (the Spanish word for sea).