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Gemstones are precious stones and semi-precious stones.
All can be called gems. All are minerals that have
hardness, density, refraction, and color.
Stones of all kinds have played a very important part
in the history of mankind. From the beginning, small
smooth river stones were collected and carried for good
luck when hunting.
Used as talismans and good luck charms throughout
recorded history and before, stones in all their many
forms, are considered the 'bones of the Earth'.
Ammolite
Ammolite
is Canada's Gemstone. Extremely rare and beautiful,
Ammolite's iridescent colours glow with the beauty of
the rainbow. Millions of years of tectonic pressure
created this beautiful gem from the fossilized remains
of the ammonite shell.
Each
Ammolite gem is unique in brilliance, colour and
pattern. The rarest and most desirable show three or
more colours.
The following excerpt is courtesy
of Wikpedia:
The
Blackfeet tribe know ammolite as
iniskim, meaning "buffalo stone",
and have long believed it to possess
amuletic powers; specifically, the
gem is believed to aid in the buffalo
hunt, and to draw the buffalo within
tracking distance. The Blackfeet also
believe ammolite to possess healing
powers and incorporate the gem into their
medicine bundles for use in
ceremonies.
In the
late 1990s, practitioners of
Feng Shui began to promote ammolite
as an "influential" stone with what they
believe is the power to enhance
well-being and detoxify the body by
improving its flow of energy or "chi".
Named the "Seven Color Prosperity
Stone", each color is believed by Feng
Shui practitioners to influence the
wearer in different and positive ways; a
combination of ruby red, emerald green,
and amber yellow is most sought after
for this purpose, the colors being said
to enhance growth, wisdom, and wealth,
respectively.
Exciting Finds:
for Gemstone Collectors,
Jewelry Artists/Designers, or Custom Jewelry Designs
Please Note: The exciting gemstones we showcase
here are brand new inventory at Artistic Colored Stones.
However, they are one-of-a-kind and sell quickly. They
may already be sold. We show them to you as
representative of the ever-changing high quality
gemstone inventory found at Artistic Colored Stones.
TA-5403B - Tanzanite Cabochon
(J/D) -
(J/D) indicates this stone is suitable for jewelry use,
but requiring gentle treatment. The gems with this
designator generally can be used in
pins, pendants and earrings with no problem.
If used in rings or bracelets protective settings are
recommended and daily wear is risky. Gems in this group
range from 6.5 down to about 5 in hardness and have good
to fair toughness.
2.76 ct. 8.3 x 10.5 x 4.3 mm. [Gec: H] Pear shaped
cabochon. Just barely less than eyeclean with medium
slightly violetish blue color (easily facet-grade!).
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AT-5427B - Ametrine
(J)
(J)
indicates this stone is suitable for all jewelry uses; in
general, stones with this designation can be used in rings and
bracelets; they have hardnesses of 7 or above and good or better
toughness. Not all (J) gems can be worn safely in high Tiffany
style mounts, or on a 24/7 basis. For that kind of use, gems of
hardness 8 and above are recommended.
14.1 ct. 13.6 x 20.9 mm x 12.5
mm deep [Gec: N] Barion Fan cut. Just short of flawless at 10x
this superbly cut specimen has about 25% medium gold and 75 %
medium dark purple colors. The cut has blended these into an
overall rich slightly reddish purple, with golden-mauve patches
to be seen as the gem is twisted and turned in the light. Cut by
Allen Smith, GG.
Unique and Interesting
Gemstones
Please Note: The exciting gemstones we feature here
are mostly brand new inventory at Artistic Colored Stones. However,
they are one-of-a-kind and sell quickly. They may already be
sold. We show them to you as representative of the ever-changing
high quality gemstone inventory found at Artistic Colored
Stones.
FA-5389B
- Fire Agate Lot
Designer Cabochons
(J) 8.67 ct. tw.
[Gec: N] Ensemble is 21 x 21 mm floral shape. The nine pear
shaped cabs are 5.4 x 8.9 mm each and the center round is 5 mm.
They are have strong red, orange and green iridescence against a
medium dark brown background. The group has been adhered to a
tough cardboard-like backing for setting as a group, or it could
be soaked in acetone solvent until they separate to be used in
other ways.
For a large selection of beautiful gemstones please
visit Artistic Colored Stones
www.acstones.com
Visit 'Our
Gemology Expert' (look in the left hand navigation menu at the
Jewelry Collecting site) for answers to your gemstone and
gemological questions, tips on purchasing gemstone jewelry and
loose gemstones, and learn about the fascinating world of
gemology from Barbara W. Smigel, PhD. Graduate Gemologist, GIA.
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Greetings,
I hope you are
enjoying your summer—or winter, depending on what part
of the world you live in. I would like to let you know
how much I appreciate your subscribing to the Jewelry
Collection newsletter. I am working on my schedule and
hoping to fit in a more frequent newsletter in the
coming month or so. A weekly one is my goal by fall, but
until I am finished various website projects I have on the
go, I can only promise at least one a month.
What's New & Exciting -
Upcoming Interviews and Collection Reviews
As promised,
we will be featuring an exciting series of stories and
interviews about Kirks Folly in the coming weeks. Known
as the Fairy Godmother, Jenniefer Kirk was a wonderful
interview a few weeks ago—she is so warm, witty, and
full of personality. Truly a success story, Kirks Folly
is deserving of the high praise it gets for jewelry
designs, and other fine products. The Kirks love their
customers and show it with regular specials, shows, tea
parties, and other events. I have been working on this story
for some time now and will be arranging to interview the chief
designer, Helen Kirk, whose fine eye for impeccable
detail and stunning designs is legendary.
Hope you have enjoyed
the three-part Alexa Hirst of Loopy Monkey interview,
featured for the last month, and trust you
have visited her site at
www.loopymonkey.com
to view more of her simply elegant jewelry. I so love
her designs, and amazing prices, too!
The Elvis Jeweler - Lowell
Hays
A couple of weeks ago
I spoke with Lowell Hays, Elvis Presley's jeweler. Our
interview will be appearing on the site very soon. Check
out his fantastic new website at
www.elvisjeweler.com. I am so impressed with Lowell,
a real Southern gentleman, and his jewelry expertise—and
I'm also a big fan of Elvis, too—so I will be creating a
section exclusively for collectors of genuine Elvis
jewelry made by Lowell Hays.
Regarding our antique
jewelry articles, they are on the way, as is our
interview and story about Fay Cullen—look for this
probably first week of August or so.
Introducing 'Our Gemology Expert' -
Barbara W. Smigel, PhD.
Graduate Gemologist, GIA
Last newsletter I
announced that
Barbara W. Smigel,PhD. Graduate
Gemologist, GIA, had graciously accepted our
invitation to be 'Our Expert Gemologist' for the Jewelry
Collecting site at Bella Online. Her feature will be
called, 'Our Expert Gemologist', and here you will find
answers to your gemstone questions, and lots of great
expert advice about buying gemstones.
Today, I am officially
introducing Barbara to the site in my article,
We Are Proud to Introduce 'Our Gemology Expert', Barbara
W. Smigel, PhD. Graduate Gemologist, GIA.
I am currently in the process of developing several
exciting features with Barbara, designed to give you an
understanding of the gemstones that are the very heart
of a fine jewelry piece, and the hallmark of great
jewelry collections. Among our features will be helpful
expert advice from Barbara about buying gemstones, how
gemstones are formed, how they are graded, and lots
more!
On a personal note, I
invite you to visit one of my recent website
projects, which is still under development but 'live'. A
website is always a work in progress, as is the Jewelry
Collecting site, and
Women of the World Unite, is a
perfect example of how a website never ends. This site
will eventually include my jewelry collecting articles,
and other content of interest to women.
Best Regards,
Susan
Jewelry Collecting Editor at Bella Online
www.bellaonline.com/site/JewelryCollecting
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Jewelry by Alexa Hirst
from
Loopy Monkey |
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Celebrate the Magic of
Kirks Folly
We are in
the midst of creating a fabulous series of articles
about Kirks Folly including a fascinating interview we
recently had with Fairy Godmother, Jenniefer Kirk -
coming soon! I personally collect Kirks Folly and highly
recommend the quality and dramatic pizzazz inherent in
every piece in the collection. Check out this fabulous
assortment of jewelry available on sale now at Kirks
Folly Online Store. Simply click on a picture to shop!
The
Artistry of Molly Magdalain
of StarStrings
The Hollywood
Collection 'Favorites'
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Volume 1 Issue 4
