Peridot, the birthstone for August,
is a variety of Olivine,
and it is a gemstone that
only comes in one color - green -
unlike other gemstones, such as garnet and sapphire,
that come in many colors.
Peridot comes in shades of green,
from yellowish green to dark olive green.
Peridot is known as the gift to
celebrate the 16th anniversary.
Peridot, is also known as the birthstone
of those born under the sign of Leo
and the month of August.
The sign of Leo is represented by the lion
and is ruled by the sun.
Leos are considered warm, joyful,
charming, smart and funny people
with sunny personalities.
Those born under the sun sign of Leo
are sometimes also known as dramatic.
Interestingly, peridot stones make
dramatic entrances to our earth.
They either shoot out of volcanoes, in lava,
and earthquakes or
fall from the sky in fiery Pallasite meteorites!
Space gems, anyone?
(These are rarely gem quality, though.)
Peridot was first found on an island
off the coast of Egypt a very long time ago.
It was popular with Pharohs,
and they considered it the
"gemstone of the sun"
as it was the color of
grass, plants and summertime,
and thus, represented renewal and rebirth.
Peridot is the national gemstone of Egypt.
As we know, there is much
volcanic activity on the Hawaiian islands,
so it is not surprising to learn that
they have a Peridot Beach,
where the sand has a green shimmer
from the crushed olivine stones
of the lava.
In fact, peridot gems were
considered tears of Pele,
the Goddess of Fire and Volcanoes.
The San Carlos Reservation in Arizona
is the main source location
for peridot in the U.S.
Thousands of years ago, there were
massive volcanic eruptions there!
While about 80 - 90% of all peridot
comes from Arizona,
the highest quality peridot
is found in Pakistan and Myanmar.
While peridot is found in shades
from yellowish green to dark olive green,
it is the iron content that determines its color.
An iron content under 15%
and colors from lime green to grass green
are valued most,
but eye clean, transparent gems
are most valued.
Did you know?
Peridot is called the "evening emerald"
as it appears to shine its color
even in the darkness!
Peridot is usually not enhanced or heat treated either.
Peridot was the Color of the Year from 2017.
Peridot is an invigorating color gemstone,
and it conveys peace, success and good luck.
It is associated with peacefulness and harmony
and its energy is said to help heal relationships.
Lore has it that peridot
was used as protective talisman to protect
from the forces of evil and darkness.
It also is said to protect from nightmares,
when set in gold.
Peridot is also said to
repel negative feelings and
bring you positive energies
and cheerfulness!
More fun info on Peridot:
* Princess Kate wears peridot, blue topaz
and diamond earrings
* The largest peridot found is 319 carats
* Peridot vintage jewelry was popular
in the Edwardian era.
* Cleopatra's peridot gemstones
were mistaken for emeralds!
CARE OF PERIDOT
Peridot is a soft gem,
which may not be good to wear as rings,
as it scratches easily;
best for pendants and earrings!
Never steam clean peridots!
They are heat sensitive.
Best to only use a soft bristle brush,
warm water and mild dish detergent
to clean them.
If they are not set in metal,
they can be stored in cotton in a box.
Enjoy your peridot jewelry!
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and is associated with the zodiac signs of Virgo and Libra.
Tourmaline is also known as the 8th year Anniversary gift.
Did you know that Tourmaline is the official State Gemstone of Maine?
]]>Tourmaline is a crystalline boron silicate mineral
that mixes with other chemical combinations
to create the large variety of colors it comes in -
in fact, more than any other mineral group!
This beautiful, semiprecious stone comes in colors of
green, black, pink, blue, red yellow, purple, clear, grey, orange, brown
and multiple color varieties.
Tourmaline is one of the birthstones for the month of October,
and is associated with the zodiac signs of Virgo and Libra.
Tourmaline is also known as the 8th year Anniversary gift.
Tourmaline derives its name from the Singhalese words
"turamali" which means "stone of mixed color" and
"toramalli" which means "mixed gems".
Tourmaline is purported to promote
self-confidence, empathy and compassion,
while soothing fears and paranoia.
It is also considered a balancing stone (think Libra),
and it is considered to stimulate artistic inspiration.
Also known as a lucky charm stone.
Did you know that Tourmaline is the official State Gemstone of Maine?
Tourmaline is most commonly found as small crystals, as you can see
of these pink tourmaline raw crystals in the image above,
forming among larger pieces of rock.
They are usually found in millimeter sizes, as they are here.
Minas Gerais, Brazil was the most important source of tourmaline
for about 500 years. Green tourmaline crystals that were
first discovered back in the 1500's were thought to be emeralds,
until the modern technology of scientists
in the 1800's determined them to be tourmalines.
In the United States, tourmaline was first discovered in 1821
in the state of Maine.
Tourmaline was also discovered in southern California in the
late nineteenth century, becoming the most important source at the time.
Tourmaline found in this area was mostly shipped to China
to be carved into jewelry and charms for a Chinese Empress,
who had taken a fancy to these beautiful stones.
Later in the 20th century, tourmaline was also found
in other countries, such as Afghanistan, Namibia, Tanzania,
Mozambique, Pakistan and Nigeria.
Raw crystal tourmalines usually have a geometric appearance
that form in various shapes that help in identifying them
with scientific names.
For those of us who are not geologists or gemologists,
there are easier names being used to identify them.
As said before, it is the various chemical combinations
that result in the myriad of colors tourmaline can be found in.
Additions of iron can produce green and blue tourmalines,
while manganese additions can produce reds, pinks and yellows.
Rubellite (image above) tourmaline is usually red, purplish red,
brownish red, orange red, or purplish red.
Indicolite tourmaline is usually a greenish blue or dark violet blue,
created by chemicals or elements other than copper,
while the famous Paraiba tourmaline is the intense greenish blue
color found in Paraiba, Brazil, that is caused by copper.
Chrome tourmaline is an intense green color.
Parti-color tourmaline refers to tourmalines that are more than one color!
Watermelon tourmaline is one example of this.
It is pink on the inside and green on the outside,
generally triangular in shape,
like the one pictured above.
Black rutilated or Tourmalinated Quartz refers to
clear quartz with needle-like black tourmaline inclusions.
The black tourmaline (which is the most common tourmaline)
is referred to as schorl, and was used in the Victorian era
for mourning jewelry.
Yellow tourmaline can referred to as canary tourmaline.
Petro or petrol tourmalines are found in autumn colors of
browns, oranges, and golden yellows and in the greenish yellow shades
resembling petroleum colors.
Single tourmaline crystals exhibiting two or more colors
are referred to as "color zoned" tourmaline.
Parti-color tourmalines are "color zoned", as well as
watermelon tourmalines, which are the most popular
of the multi-colored gems.
Cat's Eye tourmalines reflect light which looks like a "cat's eye",
a property known as "chatoyancy", whereby the internal
crystalline structure reflects light this way
when the gemstone is cut in a certain way.
Cutting some other tourmalines in certain ways
can result in the stone showing a "color change".
This usually means the stone looks darker or lighter
when viewed from different angles.
Tourmaline stones are often heat treated to brighten the their color.
This treatment is usually permanent as opposed to irradiated treatments,
which can possible change over time.
The most valued and prized tourmaline is the Paraiba tourmaline,
which is a bright blue to bright green, vividly colored stone
found in Paraiba, Brazil in 1989.
This rare color is created by tiny amounts of copper that mix in the crystal.
The color has been found in other parts of the world, but it is the
natural, untreated stone that comes specifically from Paraiba, Brazil
that goes for very high prices.
Determining the correct geographic location a stone of this color
originated from, can only be done by special equipment.
Tourmaline is a good stone for every day wear, as it is hard enough
to resist scratches from regular wear and abrasion,
having a hardness of 7 - 7.5.
It should only be cleaned with a soft brush, mild soap and warm water,
never ultrasonic or steam devices.
A fun fact about tourmaline is that it can generate an
electric current or static electricity when it is rubbed or heated!
This can cause it to attract more dust and need more frequent
careful cleaning by hand.
]]>
white clouds in the blue sky and turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea.
Although this gemstone is most often thought of to be
a light or intense blue or turquoise, it also comes in white, green,
blue-green and sometimes with red or brown spots,
as seen in the example above.
Larimar is a unique gemstone with an interesting history!
]]>
most often thought of to be
a light or intense blue or turquoise, it also comes in white, green,
blue-green and sometimes with red or brown spots,
as seen in the example above.
Larimar is a unique gemstone with an interesting history!
(Click on the images for more information)
Larimar is not considered one of the classic birthstones,
nor is it associated with a particular zodiac sign.
However, the blue variety of larimar is associated
with the Spring Equinox - a time of awaiting new blooms,
while winter ends and prepares for Spring,
and the turquoise variety of larimar which is
associated with the commencement of Spring
and actual blooming and rebirth.
Larimar is said to have been originally found in 1916,
but was re-discovered formally in 1974
in the Dominican Republic
by a Peace Corp. worker, Norman Rilling, and
a local resident, Miguel Mendez.
"Mar" is Spanish for "sea",
and "Lari" is short for the name "Larissa",
Miguel Mendez's daughter's name,
hence they named their discovery "Larimar".
Larimar is often referred to as Blue Pectolite,
the Dolphin Stone, Stefilia's Stone and even
the Atlantis Stone!
Legends claim that the Dominican Republic
was once part of Atlantis.
Larimar forms when needle-like crystals grow together as a
solid mass in caverns within volcanic lava.
It is a variety of Pectolite.
It is found only in the Dominican Republic.
The darker the blue color of the stone and
the more translucent it is, the more valuable;
however, sky blue with cloud-like patterns
is also very valuable and desired.
Larimar can also display a chatoyancy
also known as a cat's eye effect.
Larimar is most often found in jewelry in a cabochon form,
smooth and highly polished, and is most
commonly set in silver rather than gold.
It can easily scratch and should be stored
in a protective box or pouch for safe keeping.
Larimar is best worn as necklaces and pendants and earrings,
but as it is so lovely to gaze at, it is often found in rings.
Larimar is also sensitive to sunlight exposure,
as it can fade if out in strong sunlight too long.
Visually, larimar is a calming, soothing gemstone.
It is known to calm stress, perhaps lower blood pressure,
and inspire relaxation.
Lore even has it that it is useful in finding a soulmate!
Larimar should be carefully cleaned
with a SOFT brush (so as not to scratch it),
gentle detergent and warm water.
Never use heat, steam or ultrasonic cleaning machines.
Avoid contact with cosmetics, perfumes,
hairsprays or household chemicals.
Visit our
to see more.
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Moonstones come in many colors,
such as peach, pink, gray, yellow and green;
however, it is usually thought of as white in color, just like the moon itself.
Moonstone is a fascinating gemstone with unique attributes that
give it its allure and popularity,
as well as a long history!
Moonstone is one of the three birthstones of the month of June
and for those born under the zodiac sign of Gemini and Cancer.
Those born under the sign of Cancer
have the moon as their ruling planet, as well.
Moonstone is also the gift to celebrate the 13th wedding anniversary
and represents love and fertility.
The Romans named this unique stone Moonstone
for its resemblance to the moon, and thus,
the Moon Goddess, Diana.
Lore has it that the stone is made of captured moonbeams,
as in "light of the moon".
Light seems to move across the gem as you change your view of it -
as does our moon when seen through wispy high clouds.
Its moon-like flashes were thought to aid and protect
travelers at night, as if by the "light of the moon".
Why does moonstone have this fascinating light show quality?
Moonstone is a combination of two minerals of feldspar -
orthoclase and albite -
which become alternately stacked layers when the stone is formed.
When light hits these layered stones,
it fractures into many directions flashing blue and often rainbow colors.
This effect is termed "adularescence".
Why such an unusual name?
One of the early sites where moonstone was first found and mined
was in Switzerland near Mt. Adular.
Moonstone can be found not only in the U.S.
states of North Carolina, Virginia and New Mexico,
but also in Australia, Madagascar, India, Norway,
the Austrian Alps and many more locations.
The very best quality moonstone,
those stones that appear clear but with a strong blue flash,
come from Sri Lanka.
The more flashes, shimmer and deep blue
color show the moonstone has,
Many wonder if moonstone and labradorite
are just different colors of the same stone
because of their similarity in flashing.
Although they are really sister stones
with a slight mineral difference,
rainbow moonstone is often considered white labradorite.
When worn as an amulet (of love),
moonstone was believed to bring an old lover back to you.
Many old legends have it that if you wear moonstone
during a full moon and meet someone new,
passionate love can ensue.
While moonstone has a long history in ancient times,
moonstone was very popular in the Arts & Crafts period
during the nineteenth century.
Importantly, it was also very popular in the Art Nouveau period,
as both Louis Comfort Tiffany and Rene Lalique
often created amazing jewelry with this stone,
as well as many other jewelry artists.
Moonstone jewelry was also popular in designs
of the 1960's, as well as the 1990's,
and it is still very popular today.
This unique gemstone looks well with all colors of metals,
including sterling silver, oxidized blackened silver,
yellow gold and rose gold.
Did you know this fun fact about moonstone?
Moonstone became the official gemstone
of the State of Florida in 1970 when we landed on the moon
with space flight Apollo 11!
As of yet, moonstones have still not been discovered
in either Florida or on the moon.
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Aquamarine is the shade between green and blue color variety
of blue beryl (and so is emerald).
It is known as the birthstone
for those born under the zodiac sign of Pisces and the month of March.
Aquamarine is also known as the gift to celebrate the 19th wedding
anniversary and is thought to enhance the happiness of marriage.
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Its name originates from the Greek word "ametusthos" meaning "not" and "intoxicate" and, as such, lead to the belief that amethyst could protect its wearer from intoxication and seduction. Wine goblets were often carved of amethyst as a hopeful antidote to the state of drunkeness.
Did you know that amethyst is the official gemstone of South Carolina?
The biggest value factor in amethyst is its color, the most valued being deep purple with flashes of red. Prior to the 19th century amethyst was as expensive as precious gemstones.
The discovery of large deposits of amethyst in Brazil changed that. Amethyst is also found and mined in South Korea, Austria, Russia, India and Zambia internationally. Domestically amethyst can be found in Arizona, Colorado, Texas, Wyoming, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Maine, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan.
"Rose de France" is a light lavender/lilac shade of the purple amethyst.
Beautiful ametrine is the bicolor variety that is half citrine and half amethyst that is found in Bolivia.
Interestingly, lore has it that amethyst was the stone of St. Valentine! He wore an amethyst ring carved in the image of Cupid. Amethyst is considered a stone of love, by the way.
See our AMETHYST COLLECTION:
https://doolittlejewelry.com/collections/amethyst-jewelry-february-birthstone-jewelry
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GARNETS - THE BIRTHSTONE OF JANUARY
Garnet comes in an extraordinary variety of beautiful colors - not just red!
Prized as an ancient talisman for protection on the battlefield,
garnet is also known as the gemstone of love and passion.
Lore and legends claim garnet
is known to bring health, wealth and happiness to its wearers.
Garnet comes in many colors, and I love them all - emerald green tsavorite
garnet, hessonite garnet with its rich caramel colors,
pinky plum rhodolite garnet, olive green garnet,
scarlet, crimson pyrope garnet, orange mandarin garnet, spessarite garnet,
almondine garnet and uvarovite garnet.
This strand of garnet rondelles shows some of the many beautiful colors garnet comes in - from light golden shades to lavenders and deep plums. |
While red is the most traditional color garnet is known for,
ranging in shades from burgundy to browns to reds that rival rubies,
generally the green and orange varieties can be the most valuable.
Garnets can be found in almost every color, including colorless;
there is even a color change variety!
This can make identifying garnets confusing.
Garnets are one of the most complex gems in the world
with numerous species and varieties.
The five or six most important species are generally pyrope, almandine,
spessarite (spessartine), grossular, andradite and uvarovite.
Most of the garnets we know are blends of these species,
and they have their own unique names.
Rhodolite garnet is loved for its mulberry, plum pink color in all of its shade ranges. |
Rhodolite garnet is a blend of almandine and pyrope garnet. In the earrings on the right, I have mixed rhodolite garnet with amethyst, tsavorite garnet, mandarin garnet and more. In the earrings on the left, I have mixed rhodolite garnet with hessonite garnet and olive quartz.
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I love how this warm golden and caramel gemstone mixes with other colorful gemstones. |
In this pair of chandelier earrings I have mixed hessonite garnet with olive quartz briolettes as well as rondelles of rhodolite garnet and green vesuvianite mixed in with a few peacock pearls. |
Another one of my favorite garnets is tsavorite garnet! I love its vibrant, cheerful green color for mixing with other gemstones. I find it useful to mix in jewelry for all seasons: it is perfect to mix with reds for the winter Christmas holidays, with pinks and yellows for spring/summer weddings, and it is especially lovely mixed with autumn hued gemstones. |
Tsavorite has one of the most intense and vivid green colors of any gemstone. Some interesting facts about this variety of garnet are that it is never treated nor altered to improve its color and that it is 200 times rarer than emerald. It was also discovered in Tanzania in 1967 as was tanzanite!
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Another favorite garnet I love to use in jewelry is mandarin garnet, a pure orange variety of spessarite garnet. It has a vibrant inner fire that brings life to any gem mix. |
Mandarin garnet is used in the clusters of these pearl earrings mixing with Ethiopian opals, citrine gemstones, yellow sapphires, crystal quartz and lots of tiny pearls. |
Mandarin garnets are used in the clusters of this jewelry set, mixing with sunstone, pink sapphires and Madiera citrine over rutilated quartz briolettes on rose gold filled wires. |
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Rich, regal, red garnet is always a favorite! As mentioned before, very expensive red garnets can rival rubies for their beauty and color. |
I love to use red garnets with mixed metals of oxidized silver and gold as well as with moonstones and other colors of garnet. |
One day I hope to find varieties of the color change garnets, particularly the blue garnets that change to red with purple! In the meantime, the best way to clean garnet jewelry is with warm water, mild detergent and a soft bristle toothbrush, never with high heat or machine cleaners. ~ ~ ~ SHOP OUR GARNET JEWELRY COLLECTION https://doolittlejewelry.com/collections/garnet-jewelry-january-birthstone-jewelry |
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