If gazing into the sparkling purple depths of an Amethyst suffuses you with a sense of powerful well being, this is only to be expected.  The ancient Greeks believed that this gemstone held many powers, among them protection against intoxication.  In fact, the word Amethyst comes from the Greek word “amethystos,” meaning sober.   In ancient Greece, the gemstone was associated with the god of wine, and it was common practice to serve this beverage from Amethyst goblets in the belief that this would prevent overindulgence.  Even today, Amethyst is considered a stabilizing force for those struggling to overcome addictive behaviors.

February’s purple birthstone has been found among the possessions of royalty throughout the ages.  The intense violet hue of Amethyst appealed to early monarchs, perhaps because they often wore this color. Purple dye was scarce and expensive at one time, and so it was reserved for the garments of kings and queens. Amethyst has been found in ruins dating as far back as the ninth century, adorning crowns, scepters, jewelry, and breastplates worn into battle.   A large Amethyst is among the closely guarded gemstones in the British Crown Jewels.

Amethyst is also symbolic of spirituality and piety.  It has been used to ornament churches and crosses used in religious ceremony, and worn in rings and on rosaries by bishops and priests.

Once considered more valuable than diamonds, Amethyst is a member of the quartz family, occurring naturally as crystals within rocks.   Deposits of this gemstone are found in Brazil, Canada, Australia, India, Madagascar, Namibia, Russia, Sri Lanka; and in the United States.

The gift of Amethyst is symbolic of protection and the power to overcome difficulty.  It is said to strengthen the bond in a love relationship, so it is an ideal anniversary or engagement gem.  Whether or not Amethyst holds such power, it’s stunning beauty will certainly make anyone who wears it feel like royalty!

One glance at the deep red seeds nestled inside of a pomegranate fruit explains why the word “garnet” comes from the Latin word “granatus,” meaning “grain” or “seed.”  This name was given to the garnet because of its close resemblance to the succulent pomegranate seed.  But don’t bite into a garnet, because at Moh’s hardness 6.5 to 7.5, it will definitely damage the teeth!

There are many myths and legends surrounding the garnet.  One Biblical legend is that Noah hung this gem on the ark to light his way through the dark and stormy nights of God’s wrath.  A Greek myth linked to the garnet is the story of the young goddess of sunshine, Persephone, who was abducted by Hades, god of the underworld. Hades eventually released Persephone, but not before he offered her some pomegranate seeds, which guaranteed her return to him.

First mined in Sri Lanka over 2,500 years ago, the garnet is also found in Africa, Australia, India, Russia, South America; and in the United States, in Arizona and Idaho.  Although most commonly known as a red gemstone, the garnet comes in a variety of other hues, including muted yellows, vibrant oranges, rosy pinks, lime greens, and violets—a virtual bouquet of colors.  This diversity is due to unique combinations of elements within each particular gem, such as iron, calcium, and manganese.

Archaeologist findings of primitive style garnet jewelry among the graves of lake dwellers dates the early use of this gemstone to the Bronze age.  But not all garnet is of gem quality.   It is also a very effective abrasive and is used commercially for grinding and polishing.  Garnet coated sandpaper is one such industrial use.

The garnet continues to be the protective gem of journeyers. A gift of garnet is thought to be symbolic of love and the desire for a loved one’s safe travel and speedy homecoming.  It is January’s birthstone, but far from being only a winter gem, the garnet, with its brilliance and multitude of colors, is truly one for any season.

]]> http://www.bthjewelers.com/2012/01/garnet-a-stone-for-any-season/feed/ 0 http://www.bthjewelers.com/2011/12/600/ http://www.bthjewelers.com/2011/12/600/#comments Thu, 01 Dec 2011 20:58:38 +0000 admin http://www.bthjewelers.com/?p=600

As cool and inviting as a blue lake on a blistering summer day, Decembers birthstone is derived from the Sanskrit word “tapas,” meaning fire.  This is because Blue Topaz was considered by ancient civilizations to have cooling properties.  Not only was it believed to cool boiling water when thrown into the pot, but to calm hot tempers as well!  This gemstone was credited with many other healing powers, among them the ability to cure insanity, asthma, weak vision and insomnia.  The Blue Topaz was even thought to have magical properties in its ability to make its wearer invisible in a threatening situation.

Blue Topaz is the hardest of the silicate minerals.  While pure Topaz is colorless, minor changes of elements within the stone result in a variety of other colors, such as blue, pale green, red, yellow and pink.

The blue hue is created when Topaz is heated, whether the heat source is natural or engineered by man.  The three shades of Blue Topaz are Sky, Swiss and London Blue.  The latter is the deepest blue and is often used as a less expensive substitute for Sapphire.

Topaz is found primarily in Brazil, Nigeria, Sri Lanka, Mexico, Pakistan, China, and the United States.

A gift of Blue Topaz is symbolic of love and fidelity.  Luckily, this cool blue gemstone has no legendary power to put out the burning flame of love!

November’s gemstone, Citrine, is as warm as a Van Gogh painting of sunflowers.  The name Citrine comes from an old French word, “citrin”, meaning lemon.  One of the more rare forms of quartz, this gemstone ranges in color from the palest yellow to a dark amber named Madeira because of its resemblance to the red wine.

Perhaps because of its scarcity, there is little mention of Citrine used as a gemstone prior to the first century B.C.  The Romans were thought to be the first to wear the yellow quartz, crafting it into cabochon, or highly polished but unfaceted cuts of stone set into jewelry.  Citrine became more popular during the Romantic Period, when artisans often favored these warm colored gems to enhance gold jewelry.  Citrine, like all forms of quartz, was believed to have magical powers and was worn as a talisman against evil thoughts and snake venom.  It was also considered to have medicinal properties and was commonly used as a remedy for urinary and kidney ailments.

Sister stone to the purple quartz known as Amethyst, Citrine crystals are found in igneous metamorphic and sedimentary rocks.  It is believed that some Citrine may have actually begun as Amethyst, but heat from nearby molten rock changed it to the yellow form of quartz.  Citrine is known to change color when subjected to heat and is routinely heated in the jewelry-making process to intensify its color.  For this same reason, though, this gemstone should not be left in direct sunlight for a long time because it will permanently alter the color.  Most Citrine is mined in Brazil, but other sources of the quartz are Bolivia and Madagascar.

A gift of Citrine is symbolic for hope and strength.  With its sunny brightness, this gemstone is ideal for helping anyone to get through the tough times in life!

Alternate Birthstone
Yellow Topaz is an alternate gemstone for those born in November.  It’s golden color was believed by the Egyptians to be the glow cast by the sun god Ra.  Yellow Topaz ranges in color from a peachy blush to a deep cognac.  A gift of this gemstone is said to symbolize friendship and to strengthen one’s capacity to give and receive love.

]]> http://www.bthjewelers.com/2011/11/november-birthstone-topaz-and-citrine/feed/ 0 http://www.bthjewelers.com/2011/10/october-birthstone-opal-and-pink-tourmaline/ http://www.bthjewelers.com/2011/10/october-birthstone-opal-and-pink-tourmaline/#comments Tue, 18 Oct 2011 18:07:13 +0000 admin http://www.bthjewelers.com/?p=587

October’s birthstone treats the eye to an explosion of shimmering colors, not unlike those of a magnificent rainbow following a summer rain.  The Opal derives its name from the Latin word “opalus,” meaning precious jewel.  Prized for its unique ability to refract and reflect specific wavelengths of light, the Opal was called “Cupid Paederos” by the Romans, meaning a child beautiful as love.  One legendary explanation for this gemstone’s origin is that it fell from heaven in a flash of fiery lightning.

Ancient monarchs treasured Opals, both for their beauty and for their presumed protective powers.  They were set into crowns and worn in necklaces to ward off evil and to protect the eyesight.  These gemstones were also ground and ingested for their healing properties and to ward off nightmares.

Alternate Birthstone
An alternate birthstone for October, Pink Tourmaline has the seemingly magical property of pyroelectricity.  Scientifically speaking, this means that when heated, the gem takes on a static electric charge, making it capable of attracting lightweight objects. No wonder this gemstone was revered for its mystical properties centuries ago!  Considered the “stone of the muse,” it was believed to stimulate the creative process of its wearer. Pink varieties of Tourmaline range in color from pastel pink to ruby red and are mined in Brazil, Afghanistan, Burma, and India.  A gift of this stone is symbolic of hope.

The striking deep blue of a quality sapphire is reminiscent of a cloudless night sky.  Ancient civilizations believed that the world was set upon an enormous sapphire, which painted the sky blue with its reflection.  This legend, as well as the belief that the ten commandments were inscribed upon tablets made of sapphire, gives September’s birthstone a royal place among gemstones.

Named after the Greek word “sapphirus”, meaning blue, Sapphires have long been a favorite among priests and kings, who considered them symbolic of wisdom and purity. These gemstones are prominent among the British Crown Jewels, and Prince Charles chose this as the engagement stone for his fiancée, Princess Diana.

In ancient times, Sapphires were thought to be protective against envy, and even against poisoning.  A common belief was that a venomous snake placed in a Sapphire vessel would rapidly die!  Ground to a powder, the blue stone was believed to cure colic, rheumatism and mental illness, and to strengthen eyesight.

Sapphire is a variety of the mineral corundum.  Corundum is found in every color of the rainbow, with red being designated as ruby and all other hues Sapphire.  But the most prized color of Sapphire is a rich, deep blue. These gemstones were mined as early as the 7th Century BC from India and what is now Sri Lanka.  They are found today in Sri Lanka, Kashmir, Myanmar, Thailand, Australia, Nigeria, Kenya, Tanzania, China, Madagascar, and the United States.  Large specimens of Corundum crystals are rare, although the 563-carat Star of India can be seen in the American Museum of Natural History.  This is the largest and most famous of star Sapphires, which are cut to reflect light from inclusions within the stone, revealing a bright six-legged star pattern.

The Sapphire is second only to the Diamond in hardness, making it a durable gemstone for setting into jewelry.  A gift of Sapphire represents sincerity and faithfulness. As nourishing to the soul as gazing up at the sky on a summer day, this brilliant blue gemstone is truly a heavenly choice!

If fire appears to leap from the vibrant green surface of the Peridot, this may be because this gem is formed as a result of volcanic activity.  Many years ago, natives discovered Peridot crystals in the black sands of Hawaii, explaining their presence as tears shed by Pele, the volcano goddess.  Throughout history, August’s birthstone has been used as a means to connect with nature.  Early Egyptian priests drank a stimulating beverage called Soma from cups made of Peridot, believing this practice to draw them closer to Isis, the  goddess of nature.

The name Peridot comes from the Arabic word “faridat,” meaning gem. Ancient Egyptians called them the “gem of the sun,” because of their dazzling brilliance when seen in the desert sun.  It was believed that the Peridot glowed with light even as darkness fell, which is why miners were said to have scouted for these gems during the night, marking their location, and returning in the light of day to retrieve them.  Perhaps this legendary mining method is the reason that the Peridot is sometimes called  “evening emerald.”

Peridot is a mineral named Olivine, which is found in a variety of greens, ranging from light yellowish green to a dark olive.  Early mining for this gem was done on Saint John’s Island near Egypt around 1500 BC.  The green crystal was considered protective against evil and when set in gold, especially helpful against night terrors.  It was ground to powder and used as a remedy for asthma and as a cure for thirst brought on by fever.  Today, Peridot is mined in Burma, Norway, Brazil, Australia, Hawaii, the Congo, and in Arizona.

The force of nature is alive within a Peridot, making a gift of this gemstone symbolic of vitality.  It signifies strength, both individual and within a relationship, as well as the promise of new growth in years ahead.

This month we are featuring 2 carats total weight diamond stud earrings set in 14KT white gold, for $4,000.  The appraisal value for these earrings are $6,500.00! Stop in today to see this great deal!

Like a perfect red rose, the Ruby’s rich color speaks of love and passion.  Called the “Rajnapura” or King of Gems by ancient Hindus, July’s birthstone is among the most highly prized of gems throughout history. The Ruby was considered to have magical powers, and was worn by royalty as a talisman against evil.  It was thought to grow darker when peril was imminent, and to return to its original color once danger was past—provided it was in the hands of its rightful owner!

Rubies were thought to represent heat and power.  Ancient tribes used the gem as bullets for blowguns, and it was said that a pot of water would boil instantly if a Ruby was tossed into it.  Ground to powder and placed on the tongue, this crystal was used as a cure for indigestion.

The word Ruby comes from the Latin “ruber,” meaning red.  It is a variety of the mineral Corundum, and is found as crystals within metamorphic rock.  Corundum is the second hardest mineral, after Diamond.  It comes in a variety of colors, and is considered a Sapphire in any color except red, which is designated as a Ruby.  Rubies range in hue from an orangey red to a purplish red, but the most prized gems are a true red in color.  Large sized Rubies are very rare and valuable.

The history of Ruby mining dates back more than 2,500 years ago.  The most beautiful crystals are thought to be from Burma, but quality Rubies are also found in India, Sri Lanka, Australia, Kenya, Tanzania, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and the United States.

It has been said that the Ruby’s red glow comes from an internal flame that cannot be extinguished, making a gift of this stone symbolic of everlasting love.  With its hardness and durability, it is a perfect engagement gem.  And if worn on the left hand, ancient lore has it that the Ruby will bring good fortune to its wearer, too!

ABOUT SKAGEN DESIGNS

In 1989, Henrik and Charlotte Jorst came to the United States from their native Denmark to follow a dream: that of owning and running their own business, to introduce the Danish lifestyle and philosophy into the lives of many. Skagen Designs was founded by these two natives of Copenhagen on the principle that beautifully designed high-quality objects can be created at reasonable prices.

The Skagen Denmark Collections reflect owners Charlotte and Henrik Jorst’s creative Danish spirit with clean, elegant designs, skillful craftsmanship and technical perfection. The Jorsts have a hand in designing each piece of the Skagen Collection, from watches to jewelry to sunglasses.

Mission Statement

Skagen Designs strives to create a global community of Skagen Denmark enthusiasts with our commitment to designing an impressive and unique yet attainable product while offering outstanding customer service to our customers and consumers.

About Skagen, Denmark

For centuries, the little village of Skagen, Denmark, and its kilometers of white sandy beaches have been visited by artists seeking the magnificent light; artists who by the 19th Century had spread Skagen’s beauty on canvasses that today are traded at leading auction houses. It is here where the natural purity and beauty of Danish design found its unique qualities. The small village on the edge of the sea continues to be the inspiration for all Skagen Denmark products.