| Gemstones such as diamonds and rubies are | | | | dioxide and isitself very common but it |
| regularly used in jewellery becausethey are | | | | occurs in many varieties and some are |
| both rare and unique. For the same reasons | | | | verybeautiful. Citrine is a yellow form of |
| these beautiful stonescome with enormous | | | | quartz and this can occur in the samestone as |
| price tags which means that there use is | | | | amethyst- the most beautiful of quartzes. |
| reserved forjewellery that marks special | | | | Amethyst is a translucentpurple, mauve or |
| occasions, e.g. engagement rings and for | | | | violet stone and the very deep and rich |
| luxuryproducts. I am sure that you will have | | | | varieties areincredibly striking and |
| noticed that many items of costume andfashion | | | | seductive. This stone is believed to have |
| jewellery are often described as containing | | | | protectiveproperties, especially against |
| semi-precious gems andthat there prices are | | | | drunkenness an d for protecting crops |
| remarkably less. So what exactly are these | | | | anddriving out evil spirits. It is also |
| semi-precious gems? Well like all gemstones | | | | thought to inspire intellect and as astone of |
| they are naturally occurring and minedfrom in | | | | friendship. Jade is another beautifully |
| the ground which means that they have all the | | | | rich stone and this one is green with a |
| uniqueness of diamondsas no two pieces are | | | | subtlelustre. It has been known to man since |
| the same. What defines semi-precious is more | | | | prehistoric times when it was valuedfor its |
| to do withthe quality and availability of the | | | | toughness which made it a perfect material |
| stones than their actual chemical make up. | | | | for weapons and tools. In |
| | | | |
| In fact even some rubies and diamonds can be | | | | China jade has always been appreciated |
| sold as cheaper semi-preciousgrade. So | | | | aesthetically and has had specialsignificance |
| semi-precious stones have all the natural | | | | as 'the royal gem' and used for making fine |
| beauty of gemstones butbecause they are not | | | | and luxuriousobjects. Perhaps due to its |
| as rare they are able to be sold at much | | | | calming green hue, jade has been known as |
| lower pricesand this makes them perfect for | | | | thestone of inner peace, harmony and balance. |
| use in handmade costume jewellery where | | | | Carnelian is a red or reddish brown variety |
| theycan enhance unique and personal items. | | | | of chalcedony which is semi-transparent and |
| Turquoise- an opaque blue-green stone is | | | | has a waxy lustre. It was used widely by the |
| often classed as semi-precious. Ithas a | | | | Romans forsignet and seal rings because of |
| stunning and beautiful colour which has meant | | | | its unusual property that hot wax |
| that it has been givenornamental use for | | | | doesn'tstick to it. Carnelian is believed to |
| thousands of years and was greatly used by | | | | encourage friendship and cheerfulnessand is |
| ancientcultures for adornment - especially | | | | also recommended to timid people because it |
| those of ancient Egypt and China. The | | | | is said to give themcourage. All |
| | | | semi-precious gems have a unique beauty of |
| Aztecs also made great use of turquoise as | | | | their own and I believe thatthey will always |
| part of mosaic inlays for masks,shields, | | | | be popular for this reason. I think that |
| weapons and sculptures and also of course for | | | | their affordabilitytogether with their |
| jewellery. Thisancient gem has always | | | | individuality makes them ideal to use in |
| remained fashionable thanks to its fresh | | | | handmade costumejewellery where it is |
| andattractive colour. Quartz is a | | | | important for pieces to be both personal and |
| crystalline rock which is composed of silicon | | | | unique. |