http://www.articletrader.com/ Articles at ArticleTrader en-us http://www.articletrader.com/health/beauty/marcasite-a-new-style-of-old-jewelry.html http://www.articletrader.com/health/beauty/marcasite-a-new-style-of-old-jewelry.html Sat, 10 Mar 2007 00:00:00 -0600
Marcasite is a natural mineral that is called iron sulfide and is normally mined in South America though it is found naturally all around the world and marcasite is related to iron pyrite which is also called Fools Gold due to its likeness to gold but relative low value miners would mistake iron pyrite for gold when staking a claim and only realising their error later.

The color of marcasite ranges from dark grey to black often with sparks of yellow or gold throughout the stone. As with all natural stones, the color can differ slightly. Marcasite was considered to reduce negative energy and improve communication.

Marcasite Becoming Fashionable

Marcasite jewelry became fashionable in the Victorian era its black color was popular at the time especially at the end of the Queens reign when sombre clothing and adornment were the vogue. Cameo pendants and brooches/pins were especially popular and there are many examples of the dark marcasite contrasting with ivory.

Marcasite Nowadays

Current marcasite jewelry is now fashionable due to its links with the past. A whole niche has been created for what is often called vintage style where traditional materials are used to make new, fashionable pieces and are regularly seen being worn my a selection of celebrities who like the style.

Caring For and Cleaning Marcasite

Quite often, marcasite is secured in its setting with jewelers cement and because of this, it may require special cleaning.

Do

Wipe gently with a soft and clean damp cloth.

Dry with a clean, soft and absorbent cloth.

Use a towel to ensure that the piece is fully dry.

Dont

Use a steamer, hot water or sonic cleaner

Expose to chemicals or cleaning agents

Expose to extreme termperature

Immerse in water for a long time

As with all jewelry, a bit of love and patience gives its own reward with longer lasting pieces.

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Martin Mallett is the owner and webmaster of Milton Gems which serves customers with designer silver jewellery and has a good range of marcasite jewellery.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/health/beauty/the-gemstone-of-december-turquoise.html http://www.articletrader.com/health/beauty/the-gemstone-of-december-turquoise.html Mon, 05 Mar 2007 00:00:00 -0600
Some people think that the name comes from the Persian word “fiouze” which means turquoise. The Egyptians mined turquoise as far back as 6,000 BC. Some may be surprised when they learn that the finest turquoise comes from Iran, not the American Southwest. You can find exclusive pieces in areas such as Arizona and New Mexico, and areas such as Australia and Afghanistan.

For centuries turquoise has been treated as a holy gem stone and as a good fortune talisman. Ancient Egyptian tombs from about 3,000 B.C. contain the oldest proof of human kind’s awareness of turquoise. There were lovely artifacts adorned with this popular gem stone that were hidden with the royal dead.

The tomb of Queen Zer was unburied in 1900. There was a turquoise and gold bracelet that was found on her wrist, making it one of the oldest pieces of jewelry to have ever been found.

Turquoise has had a sacred place in the religious rituals of North American Indians and by the Tibetans who embrace it in their rituals and ceremonies. People all over the world think that turquoise has the ability to help mental and spiritual clarity to enhance wisdom, trust, understanding, and kindness.

Ancient Persians thought that the sky blue gemstones could be worn as protection to ward off unnatural death if worn around the neck. This gemstone is known worldwide as being a good luck charm to help avert accidents.

Turquoise is not only beautiful its bright color offers self confidence to different personalities, and is normally given as a token of friendship. Turquoise is allied to faithful and long lasting relationships.

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Published by www.MiltonGems.co.uk. Find a stunning selection of December / turquoise birthstone jewellery. Find more about birthstones here.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/health/beauty/the-gemstone-of-november-citrine.html http://www.articletrader.com/health/beauty/the-gemstone-of-november-citrine.html Wed, 28 Feb 2007 00:00:00 -0600
Citrine is mined abundantly in Brazil but has been found in areas of Bolivia. The colors extend from a vivid yellow to deep oranges as well as a desired the “Madeira red”. You can mine natural citrine in the Ural Mountains of Russia, France, Madagascar, and Dauphine.

Citrine has been used for improving the function of the body’s organs such as the liver, heart, kidneys, and the digestive system. Many medicinal practitioners all over the world use Citrine to remove damaging toxins from the body and treat muscular disorders.

Like all other forms of quartz, citrine has been thought to have magical powers. For centuries people have carried citrine with them as protection against the plague, and evil people. It has also been used as a form of charm that protects against snake and spider bites.

If citrine is given as a gift to somebody special it symbolizes your wishes for hope and strength. Citrine is glowing with sunshine yellow brightness which makes it ideal to enhance someone’s life.

Mental health: citrine has been known as being extremely powerful for simulating someone’s mental capacities and enhancing creativity. Some conclude that wearing citrine will develop your memory, give you more energy, and make you feel more optimistic. The magnetic powers of citrine are said to relieve depression and fear.

There is a large quantity of citrine that is offered in the huge market today, and most of it is heat-treated amethyst. In fact real citrine is lighter than the heat treated gems which tend to be a darker orange-brown or a reddish-brown color.

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Published by www.MiltonGems.co.uk. Find a stunning selection of November / citrine birthstone jewellery. Find more about birthstones here.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/health/beauty/sapphire-the-gemstone-of-september.html http://www.articletrader.com/health/beauty/sapphire-the-gemstone-of-september.html Tue, 27 Feb 2007 00:00:00 -0600
Sapphires have long been a tradition for priests who think they exemplify purity, as well as king's who thought they symbolized wisdom.

Compared to other gemstones, sapphires, like rubies, are a class of corundum. Sapphires come in magnificent colors that span from pink and lavender hues to a rare orange color and the most popular deep blue sapphire that helped earn its name.

Sapphires have been mined since the 7th century BC in an part of India now known as Sri Lanka. They are also found in other areas around the world such as Australia, Nigeria, Kenya, Madagascar, America, Thailand, Myanmar, Tanzania, China, and Myanmar.

Due to the way that corundum crystals are formed, it causes large sapphires very seldomly making the largest ones extremely valuable. The 563 carat Star of India which is on show at the Museum of Natural History in New York City. This sapphire is known as the most famous of star sapphires, which are cut to reflect light from inclusions within the stone and reveal a bright six pointed star pattern.

It was said that a poisonous snake put in a vessel made of sapphire would immediately die. Sapphires have earned a reputation as being a great all purpose medicine and have been ingested as an antidote to poison. Sapphires have also been ground into powders as a remedy for problems ranging from colic to mental illness.

Egyptians once associated the clear sapphire with the eye of Horas, the “eye in the sky”. Sapphires were used by Greeks to tap into their sub-conscious mind by opening of the “third eye”.

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Published by www.MiltonGems.co.uk. Find a stunning selection of September / sapphire birthstone jewellery. Find more about birthstones here.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/health/beauty/the-birthstone-of-october-beautiful-opal.html http://www.articletrader.com/health/beauty/the-birthstone-of-october-beautiful-opal.html Tue, 27 Feb 2007 00:00:00 -0600
Opals are mined from deposits located primarily in Southern Australia, but there are still areas where you can find small amounts such as Nevada, Mexico, Brazil, and Czechoslovakia.

Opal is actually a non crystallized silica which is a mineral found near the earth’s surface in the areas where ancient hot springs once were. Roman’s referred to this gemstone as “Cupid Paederos,” which means a child as exquisite as love. The Romans also thought that opals fall to earth from the heavens in a flash of lightening.

On crowns opals symbolize hope and purity for ages. From the 14th century there have been some cultures that have thought that this gemstone was an Eye Stone which watches over royal families. They thought that the opal was the king of all gems because it has the range of all the colors in the rainbow.

You can acquire a black opal which has a dark body hue compared to most other opals, a white opal also referred to as a milky opal, a boulder opal which is very dark and magnificent in color, the crystal opal which has a transparent or semi transparent body tone and include forms of black and white crystal, and lastly the fire opal which is an American name meaning an opal that has got a specific red hue.

It matters not which color of opal you buy just always make sure you know what the hue symbolizes.

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Published by www.MiltonGems.co.uk. Find a vast selection of October birthstone / opal jewellery. You can also get birthstone info here.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/health/beauty/the-gemstone-of-august-peridot.html http://www.articletrader.com/health/beauty/the-gemstone-of-august-peridot.html Mon, 26 Feb 2007 00:00:00 -0600
Ancient Greek and Roman jewelry was heavy in peridot and has been admired all the way back to 1500 BC when the Egyptians began mining it. Egyptians referred to the stone as the “gem of the sun” and even supposed it had the ability to lower anxiety, enhance verbal communication, and help in the success of marriages.

The transparent colors in peridot come in an array of greens ranging from a light yellowish green to a deep olive color. The truer the green hue is of the peridot the most valuable it is going to be. If there is even a slight color of brown in your peridot it seriously lowers the value as well as any evident flaws.

You are able to find peridot crystals in the black sands of Hawaii where this certain gemstone is somewhat abundant. You are able to find peridot here in large sizes. The Hawaiians think that peridot is the tears of Pele, their volcano deity.

While peridot is most abundant in Hawaii you can also find it as far away as Burma, Australia, Norway, the Congo, Brazil and even Arizona. Whereever it is found it is an amazing gemstone.

Peridot is said to have helped dreams become reality and has been given the emblem of fame, might, and energy. Peridot is found in Europe in medieval churches, heavily decorating treasures counting the Cologne Cathedral.

It is known that Egyptian priests drank from cups made of peridot with the belief that it would draw them closer to Isis, the goddess of nature.

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Published by www.MiltonGems.co.uk. Find a vast selection of August birthstone / peridot jewellery. Find more info on birthstones here.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/health/beauty/ruby-the-birthstone-of-july.html http://www.articletrader.com/health/beauty/ruby-the-birthstone-of-july.html Sun, 25 Feb 2007 00:00:00 -0600
Ancient Hindus have referred to rubies as being the “Lord of Gems”. They are well known as one of the most cherished and loved of all gems throughout all periods of their history. The intense firey glow of rubies is thought to have come from its own internal eternal flame.

The ruby is also an icon for many as everlasting love and is a combination of the mineral Corundum which is also called sapphire when it is any other color except red. Only the color red is to be referred to as ruby.

However, there are many exquisite shades of red rubies ranging from an orangey red to a more purplish red. The most valued rubies are perfectly red in color.

Rubies are known for being an enduring gemstone and are only surpassed by the magnificent diamond in regards to hardness. Ancient legends say that you should not make faces at a ruby in a museum or overlook it as it will grow dull if not properly appreciated.

Royalty chose rubies believing they could help to protect them against evil by anticipating its arrival. Monarchs thought that rubies had the ability to grow dark when it sensed danger, and then return to its previous color once the peril had ended.

The Balas Ruby is an unusual type of “spinel” which is a hard glassy mineral. Bohemian rubies are a result of rose quartz, while Siberian “rubies” are in actuality red or pink tourmaline. Rubies are a justly magnificent gem stone and are great as a gift for anybody.

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Published by www.MiltonGems.co.uk. Find a vast selection of July birthstone / ruby jewellery. You can also get birthstone info here.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/health/beauty/the-birthstone-of-june-beautiful-pearl.html http://www.articletrader.com/health/beauty/the-birthstone-of-june-beautiful-pearl.html Sat, 24 Feb 2007 00:00:00 -0600
It is now known that Greeks actually thought that pearls were the toughened tears of joy that the Love Goddess shook from her eyes as she was born from the sea. Arab legend says that pearls were made when oysters were lured up from the depths of the ocean by the moon and was then swallowed moonlit dew drops.

Pearl is also normally known as the anniversary gem stone for the 3rd and 30th years of marriage. For centuries pearls have been found on crowns, jewelry, clothing, and temples. They were even known to be beloved of Cleopatra. They are simple enough to be given to young girls and are a regular gift for a first communion.

Magnificent pearls come in a range of colors that range from delicate rose white to black. When it comes to pearls the greater the luster or orients the more costly it is. It may be hard to envisage that these desired treasures come naturally from the mollusk.

Deep sea divers seek out natural pearls in The Persian Gulf as well as the waters off Japan, California, the South Pacific Islands off northern Australia, and the coasts of Panama and Venezuela.

Other than the normal round shaped pearls usually seen, there are also large hemispherical cultured pearls known as mabe. These fresh water pearls are elongated in many interesting shapes and colors. The South Sea cultured pearls can grow upwards of 10mm.

There was a time when only those with royal class could sport something as precious as pearl jewelry, but these days they are seen on people from all over the world. Pearls are an ideal present for anybody of any age.

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Published by www.MiltonGems.co.uk. Find a vast selection of June birthstone / pearl jewellery. Find more information on birthstones here.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/health/beauty/the-gemstone-of-may-emerald.html http://www.articletrader.com/health/beauty/the-gemstone-of-may-emerald.html Fri, 23 Feb 2007 00:00:00 -0600
At one point in time, emeralds were prescribed for eye diseases because the beautiful color of green was thought to be very relaxing to the eyes. In fact, early gemstone cutters kept emeralds at their working tables to look at as a way of resting their eyes.

The ancient Egyptians mined emeralds in the eastern region of Egypt. In more modern times North Carolina is where the new source of high quality emeralds can be found. You can find more supplies of emeralds in other areas of America, Colombia, Brazil, Zimbabwe, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Madagascar, Nigeria, and Russia.

Egyptians carved emeralds with the signs of spring flora to denote eternal youth and buried the stones with the deceased. The ancient Romans thought emeralds were associated with fertility and renewal.

The Incas worshiped these stunning emeralds. In the 1500’s they were invaded by the Spanish Conquistadors who savagely stole their precious gemstones and even raided the mines. Now many of the world’s greatest emeralds are lost on the floor of the ocean inside Spanish ships.

Emerald is made up of the Greek word smaragdos which means green stone. Emeralds can vary from a deep blue-green to green hues and some have are a yellowish green. If the color is too yellow or blue then it loses its emerald identity and becomes a different form of beryl.

The most stunning emeralds are most regularly found in Colombia. They are known to have a deep grass green coloring with a highlighting of blue. Emeralds are certain to please anyone as a gift.

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Published by Milton Gems. Find a stunning selection of May / emerald birthstone jewellery. Find more about birthstones here.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/health/beauty/the-birthstone-of-april-diamond.html http://www.articletrader.com/health/beauty/the-birthstone-of-april-diamond.html Thu, 22 Feb 2007 00:00:00 -0600
Diamonds are so gorgeous that ancient Greeks thought they were splinters of the stars that had fallen down to earth. Some even said that there were tears of the Gods. The precise origin of diamonds is a mystery to scientists and geologists.

India is thought of as having the first large source of diamond mining. Ancient Hindus called the diamond Vajra, meaning lightening because of the sparks of light that it emits as well as its incredible strength. By far the most lovely stone on the globe, it is also known as the hardest substance in the world.

Diamonds are found currently in Australia, Botswana, Russia, and South Africa.

For quite some time diamonds have been known for having certain curative properties. In the middle ages gemstones were thought to cure illness if the patient took the diamond in their bed with them.

It is said that Cupid’s arrows were tipped in diamonds so it makes sense that over the years this beautiful stone has gotten a reputation as being the gift of love.

Diamonds used to be kept for only royalty and others who were allowed their symbolism of might and courage. In 1477 Archduke Maximillian of Austria gave a diamond ring to Mary of Burgundy and set a tradition of diamond engagement rings.

Interestingly enough early Egyptians thought that the vena amoris also known as the vein of love ran directly from the heart to the third finger on the left hand.

Giving a diamond for any purpose is sure to be appreciated.

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Published by MiltonGems.co.uk. Find a beautiful selection of April birthstone / jewellery with diamonds. You can also get birthstone info here.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]>