February Birthstone-Amethyst

The God of Intoxication-one of my Favorites-Dionysus, in a fit of anger, swore vengeance upon the very next Immortal that he encountered. He unleashed Tigers upon the Earthly World in Search of Them.  Diana, Goddess of the Hunt, found this out and was on the lookout.  In order to protect one of her Maidens, named Amethyst, turned her to a pillar of Quartz.  When Dionysus saw the Pillar of Quartz that was Amethyst He burst into tears of the Result of his Anger-as well as the Beauty.  Raining his tears of Wine upon Amethyst he stained her Purple, hence creating the Gemstone that we now call Amethyst...

Probably because Amethyst is the Product of Dionysus' tears of wine, the Gemstone is said to guard against Drunkenness as well as instilling A more Sober frame of mind.  Maybe a bit of a stretch, but I am going to make that leap. Because of the tears of wine, Amethyst vibrates strongly with Energies-instilling Creativity, Tranquility, Transforming Negative Energies to Positive.  Intellectual Self-discovery and Peace of Mind are the Result.

Modern Times Amethyst is thought of as the traditional Birthstone for those born in February, and the Gemstone Gift for a couple's 17th Wedding Anniversary.

Want to bring some of Romance of the Greek/Roman Gods to your life?  Try a Gift from the Gods of a wine goblet carved from Amethyst Crystal.

SuperBowl Sunday

Getting my butt in gear to head down to the Store right now. Have to check to see if the Electrician has been out and taken care of the lighting situation. 

I have the Internet connection set-up.

I have Merchant Services set-up.

I have all my Jewelry displayed.

The Windows are cleaned and Merchandised.

Some minor little things-very cosmetic-need finished, but I always figured I could deal with them on a closed day. Tomorrow would be that Closed Day normally, so it will be BUSY no matter what.

If my Electrician done everything he should I will be ONE HAPPY CAMPER. Then the Nerves will  really kick in. Lists to be made-and clicked off.  Everything really is waiting on the Electricity. 

I AM SO EXCITED!!!

My New "Home Away from Home"

I have embarked upon a new adventure.
DeAndreaDesigns is getting a Home outside of my apartment studio space. I have found a GREAT Space-265 sq ft of soon to be FABULOUSITY!
Lilac-almost white-walls, Pale Gold built-ins, Brick Red concrete floors...AND a couple Crystal Chandeliers to add some Bling.  But not so much that it takes away from my Jewelry.
Fine Silver and Gemstones NEED to be the Focus.  THEY ARE!!

I walked into the almost completed space today and I looked around.  I realized I created a Store that I would come back to OVER AND OVER AGAIN!!!

Keep coming back for more of my Life in Jewelry

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