When discovered at source Tourmaline is usually in long slender crystal shards with different variations of colour running along it's length, finding a crystal with only one colour is a rare occurrence. This wonderfully coloured jewel is a rarity in itself as it is the only gemstone to have three si...
Besides their obvious magic and beauty, gems have a vast heritage of healing power. All cultures, religions and times valued gems to prevent illness, misfortune, and to positively influence the spirit of the wearer. From the shamans of American Indians to the astrologers of Hindu cultures, from the ...
To tell the story of jade is really to tell the tale of two ancient empires: the Chinese and the Mayans. Both cultures prized jade's beauty above all other gems and precious metals. Both the Mayans and the Chinese used carved jade beads to make jewelry and they also carved jade into tools and weapon...
Although relatively young compared to other gemstones, alexandrite is not at a loss for history, myth and symbolism with which to surround itself. In the late 19th century, the Russian writer Nikolai Semyonovich Lesov wrote a novella, “Alexandrite: Mysterious Interpretation of a True Fact”, wherein ...