Gemstones and Crystals that Look Amazing in Handcrafted Jewelry

Gemstones and Crystals that Look Amazing in Handcrafted Jewelry

Looking to add just the right splash of color to your jewelry? Gemstones and colored Swarovski crystals are some of the most popular, offering a wide mix of styles and shades. When combined with a beautiful diamond or glass bead, they make a bold statement that looks good no matter where you are. Use this brief guide to gemstones to learn more about these precious stones and how to incorporate them into handcrafted jewelry.
Apatite Gemstone - Gemstone Meanings and Magical Traits

Apatite Gemstone - Gemstone Meanings and Magical Traits

Magic is something everyone ponders at some point in their life. We could be living the happiest, most successful lives and yet we'll still long for some abnormal escape from reality. Perhaps getting lost in Harry Potter novels and dreaming about being psychic or having extraordinary healing powers are just not the right way of going about it? It will amaze you, as it amazed me, the things this simple gemstone is capable of when worn in jewelry and beaded jewelry. 
Agate, the Force Field of Ancient Times

Agate, the Force Field of Ancient Times

Today, we have home security systems that set off an alarm if an intruder enters. In the future, we will be protected by a force field, like the one Scottie switches on when the Klingons are at the backdoor of the Enterprise and Captain Kirk starts getting nervous.

In ancient times, say roughly 20,000 B.C. the Stone Age people found comfort in agates, as a form of protection.

 

September 27, 2013 — Stephanie White
Amethyst: The Myths, Legends & Magic

Amethyst: The Myths, Legends & Magic

According to the 16th Century French poet, Remy Bellau, Bacchu the Greek god of wine, revelry, and debauchery was once captivated by a beautiful maiden by the name of Amethyste. Bacchus pursued the fair Amethyste relentlessly, chasing her for mile after mile. Desperate not to become the prey of the lustful god, Amethyste called out to the goddess of chastity, Diana, for help. To protect Amethyste’s treasured virginity, Diana turned the maiden into a stone of the purest white. Humbled by her sacrifice, Bacchus poured a libation of his symbolic wine onto the stone, staining Amethyste the most glorious purple.

Dazzling Drusy Crystal: A Hot Item in Today’s Jewelry Market

Dazzling Drusy Crystal: A Hot Item in Today’s Jewelry Market

One form of quartz crystal that is becoming more popular among jewelry designers today is known as the Drusy (pronounced DREW-zee) mineral. Oddly enough, there are many different spellings, including “druzy,” “drusie,” “druse,” and even “drusies.” The word itself originated from the German word, druse, and is defined as a beautiful grouping of very tiny crystals that grows on the surface of a stone. It is also not uncommon for drusy to form in the cavity of a geode or larger pocket of a mineral deposit.
August 26, 2013 — Lisa Vella
Famous Gems and Beaded Jewelry: The Amber Room

Famous Gems and Beaded Jewelry: The Amber Room

In 1716, Prussia gave Peter the Great of Russia an extravagant gift honoring the peace between their nations - an entire room made of amber and encrusted with beaded jewelry. The panels were backed with gold leaf, which made the entire room glow with a topaz-like warmth.

The gorgeous Amber Room, made of real amber and beaded jewelry, glows like citrine or topaz. Image from Imaging-and-Art.com.

It was called the “Eighth Wonder of the World.” Historians estimate that today it would be worth $146 million.