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