March Birthstones

Aquamarine is a gemstone that has a delicate blue or almost turquoise color....can almost have the appearance of sea water. Some of the finest quality of this gemstone comes from Russia. However, it is also found here in the United States in Central Colorado and Wyoming.

Fun Aquarmine Facts:

* State gemstone for Colorado and Missouri

* Gemstone for the 19th wedding anniversary

* People in the Middle Ages believed the stone had the power to overcome poison.

* Sailors often slept with a stone under their pillows to sleep more sound, and thought a mermaid's fish-like lower body was made of the gemstone.

References: Wikipedia

Onyx

Onyx is considered the "modern" choice of birthstone for February. Personally when I think of onyx I think of a black stone, however it can come in a wide variety of colors! The colors can range from translucent , white, gray, red, and even brown. Most of the black onyx stones on the market today have had black dye added to them.

Reference:
Encyclopedia of Gemstones

To see some pictures of different types of onyx, click on the links below:
http://www.donaleedesigns.com/G_Onyx.jpg
http://www.exbali.com/images/Onyx_Vase_E.jpg
http://www.spherestoyou.com/Sshoppe/onyx.jpg

Amethyst

The birthstone for the month of February is the Amethyst, which is a purple variety of quartz. The name "amethyst" comes from the Greeks meaning "not drunken". The stone was thought to lessen the effects of alcohol.

Amethysts were used as medication during the Middle Ages. It's powers were believe to sharpen the intelligence of the wearer and protect him/her from sorcery.

Amethyst is always purple, no exceptions. However, it can vary in the shade of purple.

Amethyst is prevalent in Mexico and South America, but can also be found in Russia, Germany, Africa, and even here in the United States. (North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Colorado, and Maine).



References:
galleries.com
starryskies.com

Garnets & Pink Quartz (JANUARY)

GARNETS:

The name "garnet" comes from the Latin word granatus ("grain") and refers to the Punica granatum ("pomegranate"), which is a plant with red seeds.
Garnest have been used since the Bronze ages as both gemstones and abrasives. Pure crystals of the garnet are used as gemstones, while garnet sand can be uses as an abrasive.
Garnets are mostly seen in the color red, but can also be orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, brown, pink, and even colorless! Wow! I did not know this until doing my research. I've always thought garnets were red. The blue garnet is the rarest of the colors (1)


FUN GARNET TRIVIA:

It is known as the birthstone for January in the USA(2)

It is the gemstone for the 2nd wedding anniversary (3)

It is the state mineral of Connecticut (4)

It is also New York State's gemstone (5)

References:

(1) Wikipedia, the free enclyclopedia
(2) GIA Gem Reference Guide 1995
(3) LongLocks Hairsticks Boutique 10-04-2007
(4) Connecticut State Register & Manual January 2007
(5) State Symbols USA 10-12-2007

Garnet Pictures:
http://search.live.com/images/results.aspx?q=garnets&mkt=en-us


PINK QUARTZ


Pink Quartz is known as the "alternate" January birthstone. It can vary in color from a pale pink to a rose/red hue. Popularity of the pink quartz is not that great because of the pink quartz's tendency to have almost a cloudy look to it.

It is usually found in granite rock in mass form. Some of the areas that pink quartz are mined: Brazil, India, Madagascar, & the United States (South Dakota, California, Maine & Montana)

According to Greek myth, pink quartz got its name from an incident where Aphrodite was cut by a thorn bush trying to save Adonis from an attack. Their combined blood is said to have stained the white quartz a pink color. Hence, Pink Quartz!

For Pink Quartz Picture, click on the following link:
http://search.live.com/images/results.aspx?q=picture+of+pink+quartz&mkt=en-us

Birthstones

I have been studying up on the different birthstones and their substitutes. I find this information very interesting. Therefore, I am going to launch a "series" on the different birthstones by month.

Below is a list of the traditional birthstone vs. the "modern" birthstone, and if available, their substitutes:

January: Garnet or Rose Quartz

February: Amethyst or Onyx

March: Aquamarine or Bloodstone

April: Diamond or Rock Crystal (Quartz)

May: Emerald or Chrysoprase

June: Alexandrite or Moonstone or Pearl

July: Ruby or Carnelion

August: Perodot or Sardonyx

September: Sapphire or Lapis

October: Opal or Tourmaline

November: Topaz or Citrine

December: Tanzanite or Turquoise

Birthstones can be a very personal choice for a lot of people, therefore those that don't like their birthstone will tend to make some sort of "excuse" to claim another one.

My birthstone is Garnet (January). I have mixed emotions about it and am very picky when it comes to selecting a garnet piece. Sometimes I think the garnet is pretty, but a lot of the time I find it to be just "blah".

My favorite birthstone is the Sapphire. (September)

Until next time,
Dawn

Jewelry Style Characteristics1700's to 1900's

There are simply hundres of different styles of jewelry. Here are just a few:

Georgian 1714-1837 - very glamourous, imaginative, delicate style that uses lots and lots of rubies, sapphires, emeralds, and gold.

Early Victorian 1837-1860 - a romantic, sentimental style that has a nostalgic air to it. Many pieces from this era celebrated a loved one in the form of a locket.

Mid Victorian 1860-1885 A very assertive & bold looking jewelry with lots of black stones.

Late Victorian / Edwardian 1885-1905 A much more dainty and lighter design than that of the mid Victorian era. Made use of stars, crescents, bird motifs , (one of my favorites!), and Japanese motifs. More variety of stones used during this era, such as garnets, opals, and sapphires.

Art Nouveau 1895-1910 A very sensuous and emotionally beautiful form of jewelry. No sharp angles / lots of flowing lines and female forms.

Arts and Crafts 1880-1920 Very strong lines with an emphasis on handwork.

Art Deco 1920-1930 Very angular, geometric lines. You see a lot of abstracts during this era.

Art Retro 1935 - 1945 Huge, extravagant pieces with exaggerated use of genuine and synthetic colored gems.

It is very difficult for me to choose a favorite from all of these, but if I had to it would most likely be the Late Victorian / Edwardian era. The designs were very dainty, and I guess deep down, I am just a "girly" girl.

How do you clean your costume jewelry?

Costume jewelry has some different rules when it comes to cleaning (versus "real" jewelry).

Stay away from cleaners with alcohol, ammonia, vinegar, or any other acidics.

Avoid soap and water, because the soap will leave a dull "film" on the jewelry.

Your best bet is to use the softest toothbrush you can find to dust your pieces off.
A soft cloth also works! If you wear a piece quite a bit, clean it once a week. For pieces that you wear seldom, clean it before you put it back into your jewelry box. It will be ready for the next time you wear it.