PERIDOT-A Gift from Mother Nature

It is difficult to believe that it is time to do another Birthstone blog. Time is just going too fast.

Wear a Peridot or for thee,
No conjugal fidelity,
The August born without this Stone
’Tis said, must live unloved and alone

Like a gift from Mother Nature herself, Peridot has that color of new sprouts of Spring growth.

It may be, however, a Gift from elsewhere. Peridot is one of the only Gemstones-if not the only one-to be found within Meteorites.  It is also formed by volcanic action, and most of the World’s Peridot will be found in areas of greater seismic activity.

Maybe it is because of these Earthly upheavals that Ancient People from all over attribute to Peridot the attributes of calming anger and dispelling negative Emotions.  Think about it. If you find Peridot AFTER an eruption or earthquake, it can easily be thought that Mother Nature, or some other Diety, sprinkled the Peridot to stop the activity...Just a theory of mine.

Although not one of the most favorite of all Gemstones, Peridot have been prized since the 2nd century BC.  Sometimes because they have been confused for Emeralds, but often times valued for their own Beauty.

Mogok Valley, Myanmar...Home of the Finest Rubies

Through jungles, over mountains, Hilltribe Villages and farmland, arriving at the Mogok Valley is no easy task. So why do almost 500,000 people live here?

Rubies and Sapphires. Of course.

One of the Best of the Best was found on 30-June1919, just 2 days after the signing of the Treaty of Versailles to end WWI.  To bring about an era of Peace and Prosperity this 42ct Rough Ruby Crystal was named “The Peace Ruby”-an absolutely stunning specimen of Pigeon’s Blood Red and only a minor crack in the stone.  

From Mogok the stone traveled to Bombay where it was cut and polished into a Perfect Round Brilliant Stone of 25ct. The next stop for the Peace Ruby was Paris where it was sold to an unknown American, for an unknown amount.  Its whereabouts are not known to this day.

For at least the last 5000 years people have been living in the Valley, and finding some of the Finest Stones imaginable. Separating rough Gemstones from ordinary stones and dirt, by harnessing the power of water.  

We have all seen images of Prospectors panning for Gold, knee-deep in a river. The same techniques have been used for Gems for generations of generations.

A back breaking business it is. To this day many Families still use this same technique. Dad collects the material to be sifted through, and Mom and the children will go through the dirt and stones looking for the telltale glints of Color to signify a potentially Fine-hopefully-Gemstones.

“Kanase” still exists. Anyone is permitted to look through the cast off Material.  Hoping against Hope that Mom missed something valuable.

Doing Exactly What I Never Realized I Wanted To

So any of you that have opened a new business know that you have NEVER worked harder for any other boss in your life.  I keep joking with my Friends that I "have to ask the Boss, he can be really Strict”, or “My Boss is a real stickler for the details”....

They have no idea that I REALLY AM.

We make jokes about trying to placate the Boss, Bribe him with this or that. And, yes, if you have been reading along on this adventure of mine, you know that I have enjoyed the Freedom of being in charge, but that I have also had to get used to not answering to anyone. I keep expecting someone to tap me on the shoulder when I am not busy.

I have had Friends come by with bottles of wine on Friday Evenings before closing, and we would open it right then and there.

I have closed the Store to go have lunch with Friends, and gotten carried away with talking that I completely forget what time it is.

BUT on the flip side. I am awake until all hours of the night trying to think of new ideas for the Store-I don’t force the Creative Part, that comes when it comes-always thinking of new ways of promoting the Store, and how to maximize the promoting I have already started.

On top of that, I have just started a PT job that is going to help free up a little bit of money for more supplies, AND the next step of DeAndreaDesigns.

Private Parties-in house or traveling, Jewelry Brunches, Something for the guys to make it easier for Holiday Shopping...FaceBook, Twitter, Online Stores, Website, Blogging, Meeting the Neighbors, Pairing with other local Businesses...AND the list goes on and on.

I have no idea when I am going actually have any down time, but you know what?

I am LOVING everything that I am doing right now.

I would not change any of it.

I am doing exactly what I never realized I wanted...Until I started doing it.

12 Gemstones of the Bible...And Birth Stones.

As I do my research on the Properties, Histories and Myths of Gemstones, I am met, more often than not, with a phrase that reads “One of the 12 Stones of the Bible”.  Or something to that effect.
And Every time I see that phrase, I tell myself, "I am going to find out what that means”

Well, guess what. I finally did.

I wonder if anyone will ever really, TRULY, know which 12 Stones were listed in the Bible?  With translations of translations of translations, I was able to find at least 6 different list of the Stones, but here goes my best attempt.

The Stones we are talking about are from Aaron’s Breastplate of Judgement (or Decision, again depending on your translation).  Aaron was the brother of Moses and father of 12 sons, each becoming heads of the 12 Tribes of Israel.

Aaron was instructed by God to create a Breastplate of very specific dimension, and using very specific materials.  4 rows with 3 Gemstones in each to be worn over the Heart, each inscribed with the name of one of his sons.

                                   “Whenever Aaron enters the holy Place, he will bear the names of the sons of Israel over his heart on the breast piece of decision as a continuing memorial before the LORD.” Exodus 28:29

Gemstones of Biblical times were often named by the color alone of the stones, or the Country of Origin of the Stones.  This alone would make identification of the stones much more difficult.
I am going to go with the New International Version’s list-for no particular reason other than it was the first of many that I looked at.




Row1 Ruby, Topaz, Beryl
Row2 Turquoise, Sapphire, Emerald
Row3 Jacinth, Agate, Amethyst
Row4 Chrysolite, Onyx, Jasper






Some Scholars have gone so far as to say that the Stones of Aaron’s Breastplate are the basis for our 12 Birthstones...Interesting, I see some of the same stones, but how do you make that leap? Well, I will tackle that one for you as well.

The Descendants of Aaron, the High Priests, would communicate with God thru his appointed Gem. Over time each stone was imbued with specific properties, and individuals started to wear a Gem on his breast to receive their own Heavenly Blessing. Whether it was Peace and Tranquility, Strength and Courage, or Protection from Disease or Illness, Common man was able to be Blessed directly.

Just as our Birthstones rain down their Blessings on us, the Gemstones of the Bible did so from God...

Rosser Reeves Star Ruby-Largest and Finest

What is a Star Ruby?

What causes the Star effect?

A Star Ruby is usually cut and polished as a cabochon-flat base, rounded smooth top. Deposits of Titanium Oxide are found within the Corundum-Ruby or Sapphire-and typically arrange themselves such that when light enters the stone and is reflected around an Asterism or Star Pattern is seen. Most usually 6 pointed, but sometimes 12 points are possible.  The Titanium Oxide is not only responsible for the asterism but also adds to the silkiness and translucency of the Ruby-or Sapphire.

Rosser Reeves Star Ruby 138.7 cts

This particular Star Ruby is a relatively recent find. Not much is known about it before 1950 when it was purchased for Paul Fisher by his Father.
Most believe it to have originated in Sri Lanka where most of the best quality Star Rubies are from, and more specifically from the Kaler Ganga River.
More speculation gives it about 50-100yrs of existence prior to its emergence in the London Gem Markets, probably passing from hand to hand by Wealthy Europeans.
But that is all speculation.
What we do know is that Rosser Reeves purchased this Star Ruby in 1953 with a star that was mis-centered and  heavily scratched. He proceeded to have it re-polished so that the star was centered and the Stone was smooth. Going from 140 cts to its now 138.7 carat weight.
We also know that Mr Reeves carried “His Baby” around in his pocket as a Lucky Stone, he so hated to be parted from the Stone.
Unlike other large stones, no drama or intrigue.  Just the appreciation of a Beautiful Stone.
Then in 1965 he and his wife donated the stone to the Smithsonian so that others could enjoy it’s Beauty.

And what to look for when buying a Star Ruby?

     1. A centered asterism-I like that word.
     2. A Sharp and well-defined asterism.
     3. A silvery white asterism.
     4. The arms of the star should reach all the way to the base of the Ruby.
     5. Desirable Color and Translucency of the Stone itself.

FYI. Over $25 Million for this Particular Stone.

Good Luck finding all of this in a single stone, but now you know what you are looking for...

My First Private Event

Champagne and wine chilling.  Glasses were clean.
Strawberries cleaned. Dip ready.
Everything was cleaned, dusted and swept.

Table and chairs outside for smokers.
Displays tweaked-Again.
Workspace cleared.

I even rechecked the outside paint job to make sure there was not anything that needed touched-up.  Good thing it was all good,  because I was not dressed for painting.

I even cleaned MY Jewelry.

There was nothing to do except wait for the Ladies to arrive.
And Arrive they did. In a whirlwind, 8 Women descended on the Store.
Tried on Everything.
Partook of the Champagne, Wine and Strawberries.
Everyone left with something Special that they felt they just could not live without...And with tweaks on pieces to make them even MORE Perfect, I had my work cut out for me in the morning.

Then off to Dinner at the GeorgeTown overlooking Down Town Pittsburgh with the Ladies.

Beautiful Women.
Beautiful Jewelry.
Beautiful View.
Could not ask for a More Perfect Night-well maybe if we had had the Fireworks pictured.

We did not have the Fireworks, but this is My Home.

As perfect as the night was, I was so excited to get back into the Store this morning to see how much reworking of the Displays I had to do. I was so caught up in the excitement that I could not remember all that was purchased, but I did remember that I had a couple of special projects to get to.

I had so much fun. I cannot wait to do more of these Private Parties