Articles about the history and interesting facts about different beads and findings used in SWCreations beaded jewelry designs. Submit gemstone related article.

Below is a list of articles with the most recent ones listed first.

The History of Diamond Jewelry Article
Author: Jonathan Blocker

Diamond jewelry has been valued and worn throughout most of recorded history, although the art and science of cutting loose diamonds is relatively new - and diamond jewelry has only been available to the general public for the last 150 years or so.

Prior to that, diamond jewelry was worn almost exclusively by royalty. The earliest example of diamonds being placed in a setting dates from the time of the Norman Invasion of England; at that time, one of the Árpád kings of Hungary, possibly Andrew I, had rough-cut diamonds set into... read more...

History And Significance Of Gemstone Beads
by Gen Wright

Gemstone beads are very popular these days and they are hence in high demand everywhere. Those who wear them are most often unaware of the history and legacy behind them and the significance that the gems have. Gemstones have always been surrounded with a lot of story telling and they have been part of many mythologies.

The history behind gemstone beads is not very clear but there are definite points in history where we can tell that they were in active use. Ancient Egyptians are famously noted for their love for jewelry and... read more...

Aquamarine ~ One of Natures Most Beautiful Gemstones
by Lisa Coultrup

The gemstone Aquamarine is a very old gemstone, known through out history. The name Aquamarine is Latin for Water of the Sea. The Romans believed that a figure of a frog carved into a Aquamarine it would facilitate friendship between enemies. In the Middle Ages people thought Aquamarine could help people overcome poisoning and even kindle . Sailors of Ancient times believed that if they had crystals of Aquamarine with them on their ships that it would enable them to have a safe voyage. The sailors also believed that the bodies of Mermaids were made of Aquamarine. It is also said that the Aquamarine was kept in the Treasure Chest of the Mermaids. In 1609 Anselmus de Boodt used the term "Aquamarine" for... read more...

An Amazing Purple Semi-precious Stone: the Amethyst
by Priyanka Arora

The term for the semi-precious stone Amethyst comes from the Greek word “Amethystos”, which means not drunken. This stone was actually believed by the Greeks of ancient times to prevent intoxication. It is also the birthstone for those people born in February.

The amethyst is a purple semi-precious stone, with its color ranging from a pale pinkish violet to a very deep purple. It is made from the chemical silicon dioxide. It has a vitreous luster and could be mined from... read more...

Amethyst - Tears of Beauty
Nigel Makin

The Amethyst Gemstone is a semi-precious jewel of violet or purple colour that is available in many different shapes and sizes and is a common form of transparent crystallized Quartz. Amethyst is the Birthstone for the month of February and is mined in Brazil, Uruguay, Russia, Bolivia and Argentina, as well as Namibia, Zambia and a few other African countries, within the United States of America, Arizona is a good source of Amethyst. The purple colouring of the Amethyst is caused by impurities of iron and manganese.

Amethyst compliments both warm and cool colours so it does look good set in white and yellow metals, many of today's designers favour the Amethyst as the ideal Gemstone for use in Jewelry because of it's... read more...

Tourmaline - a Modern Gemstone
by Nigel Makin

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 sided prisms in it's crystal structure.

The Tourmaline Gemstone is often given to celebrate eight years of marriage. Tourmalines are found in a number of regions throughout the globe, with the best sources being Namibia, Nigeria, Tanzania and Zambia on the African continent, and Brazil, Myanmar, Pakistan, and Russia. Within the United States of America, the state of California is an excellent source.

Because the Tourmaline Gemstone comes in such a variety of colours, many different impurities are responsible for the creation of the... read more...

About Gemstone Healing
by Edward Bristol

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 headmen of the Celts to the ghost men of the Aborigines, they all have used stones to cure, heal and protect. Formerly a secret that was passed on from generation to generation, this knowledge has now become a worldwide movement which, across languages and cultures, is dedicated to the re-enforcement of our... read more...

Alexandrite Gemstone Jewelry, Myth & Symbolism
by Applesofgold.com

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 alexandrite is defined as being 'prophetic'. In his book “The Key to the Grand Mysteries”, the French Victorian author and magician Eliphas Levi referred to alexandrite as a mystical gem that clears and strengthens the blood vessels.

In a list of acceptable birthstones drawn up in 1912 by the American National Association of Jewelers, the alexandrite was among those named. In 1952 the Jewelers Association, The Retail Jewelers Association, and the American Gemological Society approved a variation of this list. In it, alexandrite was designated as an alternative to... read more...

Jade Gemstones - Two Gemstones for Two Empires
written for SWCreations by Stephanie Dray

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 weapons. These two ancient empires prized not just the green stones that are popular today, but also black jade, purple jade and blue jade too.

Confucius once likened jade to virtue, and the gemstone took on important cultural significance in China. To express their fascination, the Chinese had a saying: “Gold has value, but jade is invaluable.”

The Chinese were not the only ones to feel this way. Jade was revered so highly by the Mayans and their Mesoamerican heirs that Aztec Emperor Montezuma once sent Cortez four jade beads... read more...

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