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Gemstones...
Can you recommend a link to
us about gemstones?
Please email jewellery-link@uk-directory.co.uk
All about Gemstones
Emerald is an extremely
popular gemstone in jewellery and everyone at The
Jewellery UK-Directory love this beautiful gemstone click
here to read more about this incredible gemstone...
As you would expect,
emeralds are the definitive emerald green in colour. Inclusions are
tolerated and can actually add to the beauty of the stone.
The very finest emeralds are more valuable than diamonds.
The name emerald comes from the Greek smaragdos via the Old French esmeralde, and really just means 'green gemstone'.
How much?
Deciding how much you should pay is crucial.
We were wondering how much most people interested in
Jewellery pay for their jewellery - so we thought the best
way to find out was to ask our readers. How much is the
most you have ever spent on a single piece of jewellery?
Email jewellery@uk-directory.co.uk
we'll let you know what our survey reveals...
Shop-around...
It
sounds obvious but you really should shop around - from the comfort of your home or office, add this page to your favourites and
you can visit all the main UK Jewellers from here.
List of UK Jewellery Links
Here's our list of the main UK Jewellers, these jewellers may have several different links to them, so we
are compiling the following quick list for your reference - saving you time and, hopefully, money:
Quck list of Jewellers
StrictlyGold.com
(http://www.strictlygold.com)
Source: The UK-Directory Search.
Are you a
Jeweller? Add yourself to our quick list by emailing
your details to jewellery@uk-directory.co.uk
More UK
Jewellery;
White
Gold...
Jewellery
allergy...
Jewellery
Hallmarks and their meanings...
Diamond
Jewellery
New Jewellery
UK Links:
18ct Gold (http://www.18ct-gold.co.uk)
Everything you should know about 18 carat gold
Find a local
Jeweller in your area;
There are so many
types of jewellery available to buy or sell in the UK. Try
searching Google:
Here is a list of
some of the most popular items;
White Gold
9ct white gold,
14ct white gold and 18ct white gold - sometimes expressed
as 9k white gold, 14k white gold, 18k white gold - or
simply 9ct, 14ct or 18ct. The ct is short for carat - i.e.
18ct white gold is 18 carat white gold.
Common types of jewellery that are made from white gold
are: white gold bands, white gold bangles, white gold bracelets,
white gold celtic jewellery, white gold chains, white gold charms,
white gold crosses, white gold cufflinks, white gold earrings,
white gold engagement rings, white gold peridot, white gold eternity rings,
white gold heart pendants, white gold hoop earrings,
white gold lockets, white gold necklaces, white gold pendants,
white gold rings, white gold solitaire rings,
white gold watches, white gold wedding bands, white gold wedding rings.
We plan to
provide selected information about each and everyone of
these types of white gold jewellery - please add this page
to your favourites and visit us again soon for
developments.
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The Jewellery UK-Directory contains thousands of links to Jewellery related information. We also have hundreds of links to UK Jewellers. Use The Jewellery UK-Directory to compare as many Jewellery products as possible and shop
around. Search The Jewellery UK-Directory in the top red bar.
The Jewellery UK-Directory is constantly updated, so visit regularly. We will provide as much information as we can to help you to find that special piece, engagement ring, wedding ring or any other kind of jewellery visit The Jewellery UK-Directory.
Your
Gemstone Jewellery questions
answered
One question we are often asked
is Which years are associated with which precious metal or gemstone?
There is no definitive answer to this but over thousands of years
the following precious metals, gemstones or jewellery gifts have generally
been associated with the following numbers:
01: Fresh Water Pearl, Gold
02: Rose Quartz, Garnet
03: Crystal, Pearl
04: Amethyst, Topaz
05: Turquoise, Sapphire
06: Garnet, Amethyst
07: Lapis Lazuli, Copper, Onyx
08: Aventurine, Bronze, Multi-coloured Tourmaline
09: Tiger Eye, Leather, Lapis Lazuli
10: Black Onyx, Diamond
11: Hematite, Turquoise
12: Pearl, Agate, Jade
13: Malachite, Citrine, Moonstone
14: Ivory, Gold, Moss Agate, Opal
15: Watch, Crystal
16: Aquamarine, Peridot
17: Citrine, Amethyst
18: Opal
19: Topaz, Aquamarine
20: Platinum, Emerald
21: Iolite
22: Spinel
23: Sapphire, Imperial Topaz
24: Tanzanite
25: Sterling Silver
30: Pearl, Diamond, Jade
35: Coral, Jade, Emerald
40: Ruby
45: Sapphire, Alexandrite
50: Gold
55: Emerald, Alexandrite
60: Diamond
65: Star Sapphire
75: Diamond
A
question we are often asked
is What are Birthstones?
Wearing a birthstone has traditionally been believed to bring good luck or health.
Ancient peoples believed that special powers are attributed to certain gemstones.
Here is a list of the traditional 'Birthstones'.
January's Birthstones:
The Garnet Birthstone:
The history of garnet dates back to the Bronze Age (more than 5,000 years ago), when it was a very popular birthstone. Garnet birthstones are
believed to have regenerative and protective properties. According to Christian and Jewish mythologies, during the Great Flood a bright red garnet guiding Noah on his journey, leading his ark to salvation. Garnets are available in a wide range of
'warm' tones - reds, oranges, yellows and burgundies, as well as various shades of green.
The Rose Quartz Birthstone:
Rose quartz has been carved and faceted since early times to provide birthstones of
high brilliance. Valued for its pale to rich pink color, Rose quartz is considered to be a natural healer and has also been named the 'love stone'.
February's Birthstones:
The Amethyst Birthstone:
Amethyst's intense purple color and beauty has made this birthstone very popular throughout the centuries. Egyptian craftsmen over 4500 years ago were fashioning amethyst in their jewellery. This gem was also popular since Pre-Roman times when the wine-loving Greeks believed amethyst birthsontes could prevent intoxication. Medieval European soldiers wore amethyst amulets as protection in battle and help calm their fears. Amethyst has been used since ancient times for carved figurines and shapes.
The Onyx Birthstone:
There is a variety of onyx which is used in carved cameos and figurines because its layers can be cut to show a color contrast between the design and the background. Onyx has the capability of aiding self-control which in turn can produce a lessening of stress and stress-related conditions. This birthstone is said to contain magical powers and if worn will defend a person from evil intentions of others.
Black onyx is a popular birthstone used in rings, earrings and pendants.
March's Birthstones:
The Aquamarine Birthstone:
For centuries, it was considered that the ocean's energy was captured within aquamarine gemstones. When amulets made of this precious birthstone were worn, sailors believed that unmatched bravery would be instilled in their souls. Today, this gem is used in inspiring serenity, peace and love, resulting in greater understanding. Aquamarine is a hard gem variety, making it a good choice for frequently worn jewellery, especially in rings, earrings and pendants where its delicate color and clarity can be easily noticed.
The Bloodstone Birthstone:
Bloodstone appears as an opaque dark green stone with bright red spots. During the Middle Ages, many Christians held the belief that the red spots were drops of Christ's blood that fell on green jasper at the foot of the cross. Also known as the "martyr's stone", it was often used in Medieval times to carve scenes of the crucifixion and martyrs.
April's Birthstones:
The Diamond Birthstone:
Diamonds have always been known to be a 'Girl's Best Friend'. The word diamond comes from the Greek word adamas meaning the unconquerable. 80% of the world's gemstone market is composed of diamonds.
Diamonds have a great variety of legends and stories attached to them, throughout many years of history. One such legend has it that the first diamonds were discovered by Alexander the Great, approximately 350 BC. The diamonds were supposedly hidden in a valley, guarded by venomous snakes. Alexander's soldiers polished their shields so intensely that when the snakes saw their own reflection, they turned upon themselves. In Genesis, the first book of the Old Testament, Abraham was reputed to have carried a diamond, which was thought to possess great healing powers. Any ill person who viewed the gem was instantly cured. Diamonds are believed to be the gemstone of love, strength, healing and courage, whcih makes them a great birthstone.
The Rock Crystal Birthstone (Quartz):
The word crystal comes from the Greek word krystallos meaning ice and from kryos meaning frost. This is because rock crystal was believed to be eternally frozen. The natural abundance and huge variety of the quartz family have made it the most widely used gem for a birthstone. Rock crystal has and is still being used for making delicate bowls and imitating diamonds.
May's Birthstone:
The Emerald Birthstone:
Emeralds were first mined more than 3,000 years ago, in Ancient Egyptian during the reign of Princess Cleopatra. Emeralds are one of the only stones where inclusions within the gem are considered part of their natural beauty. Emeralds without inclusions are considered exceptionally rare and it is by their inclusions that help to identify the gemstone as genuine. Some of the best gem quality emeralds have come from the Muzo mine North West of Bogota in Columbia. Other deposits have been found in Zambia, Central Africa. The Columbian emerald is known for its green to yellow-green colour, whereas the Zambian emerald is known for its green to blue-green colour.
Emerald birthstones are said to have a powerful effect on both the conscious and unconscious mind, improving memory and increasing spiritual awareness.
June's Birthstones:
The Alexandrite Birthstone:
Discovered in 1830 in the Ural mountains, on the birthday of Czar Alexander II. When alexandrite is viewed under sunlight, it appears green, while under artificial light, it appears red to violet. The Alexandrite birthstone is considered one of the most expensive gemstones to diamond. This birthstone gem is considered to bring a great deal of luck and fortune when worn.
The Pearl Birthstone:
There are three main types of pearls being freshwater, salt water and cultured. Pearls originate from oyster type mussels and are never perfectly round. the Hope pearl is the largest pearl ever found, named after a former owner, weighs 90.8 grams and is 2 inches (5cm) long. This pearl can be found in the South Kensington Museum in London.
The Chinese closely related dragons and pearls. Through Chinese history, during thunderstorms, it was believed that the dragons were fighting within the clouds and the raindrops were dragon tears, which were then swallowed by oysters.
Pearls are closely associated with the gods such as Neptune, Venus, Isis and Poseidon. The oldest known pearl jewellery is a necklace found in the sarcophagus of a Persian princess who died around 500 BC.
The Moonstone Birthstone:
Moonstone is associated with lunar phases and has long been dedicated to the moon goddess. This birthstone is said to possess a wide variety of mystical qualities such as relieving anxiety and nightmares, especially in children and offers a path to inner wisdom. The Romans thought moonstone formed from moonlight.
July's Birthstone:
The Ruby Birthstone:
The first known mining of rubies occurred more than 2,500 years ago in Sri Lanka. Mystics have held the belief that rubies held extraordinary powers within its intense red colour. Some of the world's greatest source of rubies comes from Burma and the ancient Burmese believed that rubies generated a mystical force, protecting the wearer from accidents and attacks. When rubies were worn, they were once believed to contain powers to predict the future based on changes in their color intensity.
August's Birthstone:
The Peridot Birthstone:
The Red Sea island of Zebirget (St. John's Island) about 50 miles off the Egyptian coast, was the primary source of peridot and was used by the ancient Mediterranean civilizations. It has been mined for over 3500 years but was forgotten for many centuries and only rediscovered around 1900. Peridot was known by the ancient Egyptians as the "gem of the sun". This birthstone gem is believed to have powers of protection, health, sleep and wealth as well as once believed to possess the power to break evil spells. People during the Middle Ages wore Peridot to gain foresight and divine inspiration.
In 1749 a meteorite fell in eastern Siberia, which contained peridots that have since been cut.
September's Birthstone:
The Sapphire Birthstone:
Contrary to popular belief, sapphires come in many different colours the most well known one being blue. Other colours include yellow, orange, pink, light red, purple and greenish blue, which are referred to as fancy sapphires. Sapphire has been called the "gem of the heavens". This precious birthstone was believed to contain the power of wisdom by ancient people and those who wore it were able to find the correct solutions to challenging obstacles. The most desired sapphires used to come from Kashmir, India, where deposits were found at heights of 16,500 feet (5000 meters). Most of the deposits have now been fully mined.
October's Birthstones:
The Opal Birthstone:
Known as the "rainbow stone" due to the variety of colours contained within one gem. The name opal possibly derives from the word upala, an Indian word for "precious stone". Black opal is especially rare and valuable. Some of the finest gem birthstone opals have been mined in Australia. Opals were worn in jewellery by the Romans for centuries and considered them a symbol of hope or purity. The early Greeks believed this birthstone held the powers of foresight or prophecy. While the imaginative Arabs thought that opals must have fallen from heaven in flashes of lightning giving them their unique play of color. Opals have been worn by mystics to aid their spirit when imparting from their body as a method of protection.
The Tourmaline Birthstone:
Out of all the birthstones, tourmaline has been nicknamed "rainbow gemstone" and "chameleon gemstone" because it is found in all spectrums of colour. This bithstone's colour varies from greens to yellows to reds to pinks to blues to multi-colours within one stone. Tourmaline has been known in the Mediterranean region for eons though the Dutch only started importing it in 1703 from Sri Lanka to Western and Central Europe. The stone was given a Singhalese name, Turamali, which is thought to mean "stone with mixed colours". Tourmaline has been referred to as the "muses stone" as it was believed that its rainbow colours contain inspirational powers.
November's Birthstones:
The Topaz Birthstone:
Traditionally topaz is known as a yellow to orange birthstone, however out of the different colours, blue topaz stands out the most. The ancient Egyptians associated this birthstone gem with the sun god Ra whereas the Romans associated it with Jupiter, also the god of the sun. This made topaz a powerful amulet that protected one against harm and strengthened the mind.
Fine quality topaz's have found their way into royalty such as the giant specimen set in the Portuguese Crown, the
Braganza.
The Citrine Birthstone:
Citrine gives off warmth and affection. It is believed to assist in relieving pain and tension thus dissolving stress. Citrine birthstone originates from the French word citron meaning lemon due to one of its most popular colour shades being lemon-yellow. In olden times, this gemstone was used to ward off evil thoughts and protect against snake venom hence its great repute in removing toxins from the body. Natural citrine is rarer than amethyst and deposits have been found up in Scotland.
December's Birthstones:
The Tanzanite Birthstone:
These gemstones are fairly new to the jewellery industry and with their unique blue and purple colour make them truly unique. Originally found by Massai herdsmen in Tanzania, South Eastern Africa, in the 1960's. The first gem bithstones were given to the high class New York Jewellers Tiffany who introduced them to the world. This gemstone can only be found in Tanzania, which makes it a very expensive and rare stone.
The Zircon Birthstone:
Zircon possibly derives its name from the Persian word zargun meaning "gold-coloured". However, the zircon bithstone is found in a wide range of colours such as green, dark red, yellow, brown, orange and most commonly in blue. It's name has been derived from its intense sparkle. Because of its brilliance, clear zircon has been mistakenly identified for diamond. Zircon can be used in place of diamonds as an alternative.
In the middle ages, this birthstone was believed to aid sleep and thus relieve stress from insomnia; bring wealth, honour and wisdom to those who wore it.
The Turquoise Birthstone:
The word turquoise could have been derived from two origins: one from the Persian name for turquoise, firouze, since it has been mined in Persia for thousands of years; the other from the mistaken belief that it came from Turkey. Nevertheless its colour is so distinct that this birthstone has been named as such (turquoise). Due to the high copper content in turquoise this birthstone has been given the title of master healer.
Turquoise has been mined for many centuries being one of the oldest birthstone used in jewellery. As a result some deposits in areas of Egypt had been completely mined out around 4,000 BC.
More of your questions answered later - we hope these answers are useful.
Send your question to jewellery@uk-directory.co.uk
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