Carnelian Gemstone. Fit for a queen. An ancient Sumerian queen at that! Cornelian has been an important gem in nearly every great civilization the world has ever seen. From the royalty of Ur the Mesopotamian capital of pre-biblical times, to Napoleon and Tibetan Buddhists, Cornelian has been revered for its healing, spiritual and creative qualities. Also known as Sadoine or Mecca Stone and sometimes spelt Cornelian, the name Cornelian is derived from Carne, the Latin for flesh, due to the stone’s coloring. A deeply religious stone, Cornelian was used by the Egyptian goddess Isis to protect the dead on...
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Ruby Gemstone
Ruby Gemstone. The modern word Ruby is derived from the ancient Latin term “Rubeus”.The earliest record for the mining of Rubies goes back to more than 2,500 years ago in Sri Lanka. Historically, many believe that mystical powers lie within this intensely colored red gemstone. When inserted beneath the skin, the ancient Burmese believed that the stone generates a mystical force, which protects the wearer from accidents and attacks. In the ancient world, many believed Rubies to contain prophetic powers, enabling wearers to predict their future based on the color changes of their gemstones. The ruby gemstone is, according to...
Pyrite Gemstone
Pyrite gemstone is a shiny golden yellow colored mineral with a metallic luster. The name comes from the Greek word meaning “a stone which strikes fire”. This is due to the sparking produced when a lump of Pyrite strikes iron. Pyrite is often mistaken for gold, however the two are quite different and it is not that difficult to distinguish one from the other. Pyrite grains are lighter and tougher than gold, and has broken faces, properties that are not normally found in gold. Thus only a fool would mistake it for gold, which is why Pyrite is also known...
Jasper Gemstone
Jasper Gemstone. A Stone of health, relaxation, integration and protection. Jasper is one of the oldest gemstones. It offers strong protection against risks and especially the night. Believed that prevents bad luck and send negative energy back to its sender. The name comes from the Hebrew word «yaspeh». Notorious jewel in antiquity and ascribes powerful forces. Nechepsos Pharaoh of Egypt wore it as an amulet in the form of a snake from which came sunlight. Considered the father of the stones. Rings of jasper found in Herculaneum and Pompeii under the ashes of Vesuvius that wiped out two cities. Mentioned...
Obsidian Gemstone
The obsidian gemstone is a type of rock that’s glassy in nature, commonly used as a semi-precious gemstone. Obsidian rock itself forms when molten rhyolitic rock cools fast enough to stifle the formation of crystalline mineral structures. This process happens after the molten rock comes into contact with water or mixes with air. As the molten rock cools, it changes into obsidian, often black in color with a glassy luster. Black is the most common color of obsidian rock, though the material can be found in light brown, mottled brown with black and even black with a golden or silvery...
Zircon Gemstone
Zircon Gemstone. There are three natural types of zircons: low, medium and high. The variance is due mainly to the differences in the specific gravity and refractive index. For many centuries, the brilliance of zircon has captured the hearts of those who set their eyes on this magnificent gemstone. Zircon’s popularity began to grow in the sixth century, when Italian artisans featured the stone in jewelry designs. During the Middle Ages, zircon was believed to contain remedial power, protecting the wearer from diseases and banishing insomnia. The name “zircon” is believed to have derived from the Arabic words, “zar”, meaning...