CITRINE...The Merchant/Success Stone

Traditionally the birthstone for November-I know I am very late-Citrine is a pale yellow to amber yellow colored Quartz.

Citrine has been valued as a gemstone since the Hellenistic period of Ancient Greece-323 BC to 146 AD. Often used in Intaglio relief carvings-images carved or "impressed" into the gem. Medieval Scots and Celts valued Citrine as protection from plague and evil thoughts. Even protection from venomous snakebites. 17th century Scots used Citrine to decorate the hilts of their dirks or daggers.

Historically, Citrine has been believed to accumulate wealth. Many merchants would, therefore, keep a piece of Citrine in a box to attract wealth through sales. Hence a "merchant's stone". Citrine also helps to motivate individuals to action, bringing optimism and cheerfulness-also

helpful to the merchant achieve success.

Almost all Citrine that you find in the marketplace today has been treated to achieve it's color, usually low-grade Amethyst or Smokey Quartz is heated or "burned" until that golden yellow color is achieved. Heated Citrine has a reddish tint and a subtle striping-natural Citrine does not.

Could not hurt to keep a small piece in your wallet. Don't you think?

OPAL...Not an unlucky stone!!!

The birthstone of those born in October and the traditional gift celebrating your 13th Anniversary.

Opals are a symbol of purity and hope.

Ancient Arabs believed that Opals originated from the Heavens by flashes of lightning. Ancient Romans saw rainbows locked within. In Australia, where 95% of Opal mining occurs, myth has it that when the Creator came to Earth upon a rainbow with a message of Peace and stepped onto the land, the rocks themselves came alive-sparking with colors of the Rainbow.

Most often in cabochon form to reveal their flashes of color, sometimes they are found in a crystalline state and faceted. My personal favorite form of Opal is the Mexican Fire Opal. Like the name implies it is a fiery red/orange with stunning clarity. Prized by the Aztecs as a symbol of intense love and creativity, it can also be used in spells to bring money and prosperity.

Opals have had a very long association with bringing happiness, beauty, success, foresight and prophecy to the wearer. Unfortunately, relatively recently they have had a bad reputation, thought to be bad luck to any who possess it-other than those born in October. Thanks a novel written by 19th century author, Sir Walter Scott, about an Opal that traps the soul of it's owner- "Anne of Gerstein". A complete fabrication and fiction. Queen Victoria sought to overcome this bad image by giving Opals as wedding gifts.

Opals are considered a "living stone" and do require special handling to maintain their fire. Protect them from heat and detergents as they will dull or even crack. NEVER use an ultrasonic cleanser on your Opals.

Again to reiterate. Opals are charged with every energy used for healing. It is a stone of inspiration. Helpful in enhancing imagination and creativity.

SAPPHIRE-"THE GEM OF GEMS"

The traditional birthstone of those born in September, and the gift for your 5th and 45th wedding anniversaries. Sapphires have been prized as a gemstone since 800BC.

Ancient Persians believed that the sky was painted blue by the reflection of Sapphires.

Another legend has it that the 10 Commandments were written on tablets of Sapphire, eventhough it was most likely Lapis Luzuli. This Biblical refence is not the only one. Because of their blue color an association with the Heavens has been made. During the Middle Ages Sapphire was the stone of choice for many Ecclesiastical Rings. And one of the Stones of the Apocolypse-more on that one later.

Not only a stone of the heavens, Sapphires have been used as a symbol of wise and pure rulers. "The Regal Gem" has been the center of many crown jewels, and given as gifts to and by rulers. Remember Princess Di's engagement ring?

Sapphires, or corundums-come in many different colors. From the traditional blues, to pinks, yellows, black and white-clear. Red occurs often but red corundums are called Ruby. Color change Sapphires occur as well-usually bue under natural light and violet under artifical light-but they are rare.

There is one notable Color-Change Sapphire-the "Le Saphire Marveilleux". Owned by a Polish nobleman in the 18th Century, this stone was the object of a series of stories written by his wife-Mme de Genlis. The stone was used to detect the fidelity of women in the story, changing color if she was unfaithful.

A stone of prosperity, Sapphires protect the wearer from disease and poverty. Wear your Sapphire in good health and proseprity.

PERIDOT. Aka "Gem of the Sun"

Peridot is the birthstone of the August born, as well as the traditional gift for your 16th wedding anniversary.

According to ancient papyri-1500BC, legend has it that the Pharoah would have his workers mine Peridot from the isalnd of Topazion in the Red Sea to add to his Treasury. Until WWII, Zabargad, as it is known today, continued to produce some of the world's finest gem quality Perididot.

A favorite of Cleopatra-many of her "Emeralds" were really Peridot, and today remains the national gem of Egypt.

Large, fine quality Peridot found in European cathedrals were thought to have beeen brought back by Crusader or the Middle Ages. These stones were used to decorate plate and Robes. They have since been lost due to war and pillaging.

These green gemstones have had a long history of talismanic properties as well as being used for adornment. Traditionally used to bring good luck, peace and success to the wearer, it has also been used to help attract love and calm anger. When set in gold and worn on the right arm these powers are at their most potent, at least according to Pliny the Elder of Rome circa 25 AD.

Today Peridot can be found in a number of locations around the world from the green sand of Hawaii's Papakolea beach to Burma/Myanmar or Pakistan. The rough coming from Pakistan producing some incredible large and vivid green gems.

When shopping for Peridot, like with all colored gemstones, color is key in choosing the best gem. The more intensely saturated the color the better. Look for pure vivid greens, and expect to pay up to $120/ct for stones up to 10 carats. Above 10 carat, be prepared to pay $300+ per carat

RUBIES...The King of Gems

Thought to inspire loyalty, confidence , courage and love to the possessor, the Ruby is July's birthstone. As well as the traditional gift for the 15th and 40th anniversaries.

Rubies are one of the 12 precious stones created by God when He created Mankind. Ancient Indian lore says that Rubies were actually created first, and Man second so we could possess them.

In Burma, where the best quality rubies are found, legend has it that this most favorite of gems can produce invulnerability but only if it becomes one with the owner-by being inserted into the skin.

Sanskrit legend has it that Rubies are a talisman against evil. Growing darker when peril is imminent, and returning to normal once the danger has past. So long as you are the rightful owner. Another legend staets that water would boil instantly if a Ruby were thrown into a pot of water.

When shopping for Rubies you should look for clear stones with few inclusions-know that rarely will you find one without inclusions. Color should be a deep fine red with very little purple tones.

You will find different qualities,and colors of stones from different origins-the best being from Burma.

From the beginning, Ruby mining dates back to 2500 BC, til the early 1800's all red gemstones were considered "Ruby". Many famous "Rubies", including British Crown Jewels, throughout history are actually Red Spinel or Garnet.

The 170ct Black Prince's Ruby set in the English Royal Crown is a Spinel.

The Timur Ruby at 352ct is also a Spinel.

I have been asked this question a couple of times now...

What is .925 silver and .999 silver?

Simple answer. .925 silver is sterling silver and .999 silver is fine-or almost pure-silver.

.925, or sterling-silver is 92.5 % silver and 7.5% another metal, usually copper to increase its strength. Sterling silver has been in existence for many, many, many years dating back to the 12th century.

Originally in Easterling, Germany this grade of sterling was used as a standard of currency. As commerce between England and Germany increased, the English discovered "Easterling" silver to be consistent in its quality and hardness. King Henry II then adopted easterling silver as their standard of currency and simply calling it "sterling".

It is no longer in circulation as currency; however continues be be respected for its durability and purity. Today it is still used for everything from flatware to jewlery-of course.

.999 fine silver-99.9% pure silver-is typically too soft for larger functional pieces. I like to use the .999 silver because it is a little more malleable and responds much better to heating than does sterling silver, which turns black upon heating,

Silver has been used for a variety of purposes. Because of its purity, during the Hellenistic period of Greece, around 300BC, silver was used for surgical instruments. Also, traditionally an antidote to illnesses and used to repel vampires-ironically silver bullets are an invention of the movies and the 1940's.

Today because of its high conductivity of heat and electricity, silver still has many industrial uses. But i most concerned with its uses in jewelry.

June's Birthstone is the "Queen of Gems"-the pearl

Pearls today are an affordable adornment for most women-and even some men. But it has not always been this way. Back in ancient times, only royalty was able to afford the pearl. Rumor has it that Cleopatra wagered Marc Antony to see who could throw the most expensive dinner party. Cleopatra took one of her pearl earring and ground it into a powder only to dissolve it in a goblet of wine and drank it down. Marc Antony was forced to admit defeat-the pearl was supposedly valued at 60 million sesterces-the equivalent of 1.87 million oz of fine silver. You do the math and realize why Marc Antony HAD to admit defeat.

We can thank Mikimoto, amongst others, for helping to make cultured pearls available to all. In 1896 he received his fist of many patents in Japan reagrding the creation of pearls using "artificial semination"-the placing of an irritant in the lining of the oyster stimulating the production of nacre. This nacre layers and layers upon the irritant to create something truly remarkable...A pearl, full of luster and beauty.

Going back a few more years. Pearls were thought to originate from the brains of fighting dragons in ancient China. Or from moonlit dewdrops being swallowed by oysters as they were lured to the surface by the moon in Arab legend. Or they are the hardened tears of the Goddess of Love as she was born of the sea. All of these are just as amazing as the scientific way pearls are formed in Nature.

Regardless of what you think is the origination of the first pearls, there is no denying their beauty.

Traditionally they have been a symbol of purity and truth. They are historically given as gifts to brides in order to bless the marriages. Or as the gemstone gift on the 3rd and 30th anniversary.