gemstones
The Chinese New Year
The Chinese New Year is also known as the the Lunar New Year. The Lunar New Year celebration is an ancient traditional festival known as “Guo Nian.” It marks the start of a new year and the beginning of spring according to the Lunar calendar. The lunar calendar is based on moon cycles.…
Read MoreGarnets Are Not All Red
Garnets are one of my favorite stones. Garnets are not all red, although we may tend to think of them that way. There are several garnet varieties that are all related and several different colors. Garnets are rich in symbolism, too. A garnet symbolizes constancy, truth, and faith. Garnets form deep underground where the material has…
Read MoreOpals are for October
Opals are for October – opal is the October birthstone. The Ancient Greeks believed in the supernatural properties of this precious stone – not just for those born under this sign, but to anyone wearing it. It is no surprise as this stone has amazing internal fire. Opals create an iridescent display of colors as they…
Read MoreMy Favorite August Birthstone
Peridot is my favorite of the traditional August birthstones. I love the bright green color! Peridot is one of the few gemstones that exists in only one color: a distinctive signature lime green although the color can vary from yellow green to olive green to brownish. Wearing peridot is said to bring the wearer magical…
Read MoreOne of my Favorites Gemstones – Opal
One of my favorite gemstones is opal. People recognize opals by their characteristic play of rainbow like colors. You need to be careful with opals because opal is a relatively soft (5.5-6.5) stone and they are sensitive to pressure, hard knocks, and heat. Opals are 3-30% water and they can dehydrate if stored under improper…
Read MoreTurquoise is for December
Turquoise is for December!. It’s the traditional December birthstone. Turquoise has been a popular and much used gemstone for jewelry for a long time. It’s the traditional birthstone for December. Turquoise is often used for beads and cabochons and is also tumbled and used as chips. Turquoise is frequently soaked in resin to improve…
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