The Spiritual Stones are believed to be endowed with special
powers that can be used to heal the body, mind and soul. These stones are
thought to be able to absorb negative energy, cleanse the aura and promote
spiritual and physical well-being.
There is a wide range of stones with different purported
powers, so it can be difficult to know where to start. Some people believe that
it is the stone itself that has the power, while others believe that the power
comes from within the person using the stone.
If you are new to using spiritual stones, it is a good idea
to start with a few of the more commonly used stones. Some of the most popular
stones include amethyst, rose quartz, citrine, and tourmaline.
Amethyst is
said to be a powerful stone for healing and protection. It is also said to be
helpful in promoting peace and calm.
Rose quartz is
said to be the stone of love and is often used in rituals and spells focused on
self-love, love for others, and romantic love.
Citrine is
considered the stone of prosperity and is said to be helpful in attracting
abundance, wealth, and success.
Tourmaline is
a stone of protection and is said to be helpful in warding off negative energy
and evil spirits.
Regardless of where the power comes from, there are a few
things to keep in mind when using spiritual stones. First, it is important to
cleanse the stone before use. This can be done by running it under cold water
or holding it in the smoke of a sage smudge stick.
It is important to charge the stone with your intention. Hold
the stone in your hand and visualize your goal or desired outcome. It is
important to be clear and specific with your intention.
Once you have cleansed and charged the stone, you can use it
in a variety of ways. You can carry it with you, place it in your home or
office, or add it to your meditation practice.
Spiritual Stones can be used in a variety of ways, including
wearing them as jewellery, placing them in your home or office, or using them
in meditation and healing practices.
One of the main properties of crystals and gemstones is their
vibrational frequency. This means that they can emit vibrations that can
influence our own energy field. Studies have shown that exposure to certain
frequencies can have a positive effect on our wellbeing, helping to improve our
mood, reduce stress and promote relaxation.
There is also evidence to suggest that crystals and gemstones
can help to protect us from negative energy. For example, one study found that
placing amethyst in the room of recovering alcoholics helped to reduce their
cravings and promote sobriety.
If you are seeking to maximize the spiritual benefits of
these stones, it is important to choose those that resonate with you on a personal
level. When you are drawn to a particular stone, it is likely that it has
something to offer you on your journey towards spiritual growth and healing.
Spiritual stones can be a powerful tool to help you achieve
your goals and intentions. When used correctly, they can help you create the
life you desire.
There’s no doubt that the metaphysical world has always been
a source of fascination for humanity. From the earliest days of our existence,
we’ve looked to the stars and wondered what lies beyond. And while we may not
have all the answers, there’s no denying that the power of the metaphysical can
be transformative.
People often seek out metaphysical products in an attempt to
change their lives for the better. While such products may have the power to
improve one’s life in some ways, it is important to understand that they cannot
provide lasting change or create lasting happiness.
Metaphysical products are based on the belief that we are all
connected to a universal energy field. This field is full of information and
power, and it can be accessed through our thoughts and emotions. By harnessing
the power of the field, we can create positive change in our lives.
The most popular metaphysical products are crystals
and gemstones. These stones are said to hold information and energy that
can be used to heal and transform our lives. They can be used in a variety of
ways, including wearing them as jewellery, placing them in our homes,
or using them in meditation and visualization practices.
Whether you’re looking for healing, guidance, or simply a way
to connect with the divine, there are countless metaphysical products that can
change your life. From crystals and gemstones to Tarot cards and essential
oils, these tools can help you access the highest vibrations and connect with
your true purpose.
If you’re new to the world of metaphysical products, it can
be overwhelming to know where to start. But the best way to find what works for
you is to simply explore and experiment. There are no wrong answers, and the
only way to find out what resonates is to try different things and see what
feels right.
Metaphysical products are often used for healing purposes.
They are said to be able to help with a wide range of health issues, including
physical pain, emotional stress, and even chronic illnesses. There is a growing
body of scientific evidence that suggests that these products can be effective
in treating these conditions.
In addition to their healing properties, metaphysical
products are also said to be beneficial for personal growth and development.
They are said to help people connect with their higher selves, and to
facilitate personal transformation. There is a growing body of evidence that
suggests that these products can be effective in helping people to achieve
their goals.
There is no doubt that metaphysical products can have a
positive impact on one’s life. However, it is important to understand that they
cannot provide lasting change or create lasting happiness. While they may help
to improve one’s life in some ways, it is important to realize that ultimately,
it is up to each individual to create the life they want to live.
The most important thing to remember is that you are the only one who can create your reality. So, if you’re ready to start making some positive changes, browse our selection of metaphysical products and see which ones speak to you. With the right tools, you can change your life in miraculous ways.
However, the reality is exactly the opposite. As soon as a
green stone appears on the jewelry market, the fashion that has arisen for it
instantly grows into a frenzy. A month or two, and now experts of different
sizes are juggling with superlatives, and buyers who are languishing in queues
demand more than two in one hand.
The psychology of color perception is amazing. It would
seem: there is greener on Earth than any other. Especially when you consider
that the sea water is green. Monotony is boring to a person, and therefore it
is logical for a green decor to stay in a corral.
It would be okay if the stone is new, unknown and promising.
But after all, old finds are quite capable of giving the consumer a honeymoon
of fresh love! In fairness, it should be noted that such a spring in a
relationship from time to time comes to stones of any color. In our case, it
all started with amber …
The advertisement is engine of the trade
The jewelry market has long treated amber like a stepmother
to Cinderella. Buyers were delighted with the democratic price of amber
products. Collectors compiled impressive collections of petrified resins on
modest budgets. Applied chemistry once every ten years created artificial
analogs of natural stone, for the sake of fun painting their creations in
completely unreal colors.
A sluggish amber happiness lasted for a hundred years, until
one day young talented marketers conspired to promote the material so that they
could make good money on it.
The advertising campaign, which began at the beginning of
the new millennium, convinced the consumer: amber is valuable, and it is
prestigious to pay a lot for it. Quickly saturated with amber of traditional
honey color, the market drew attention to colored exotic – fossil fossils of
resins of red, blue, green and other atypical shades.
This is where the holders of artificial amber technology got
excited …
Sleight of hand, and no cheating!
Do not think that the tricks of Thiel Ulenspiegel, who sold
manure under the guise of medicine to pompous burghers, are relevant today.
Gross deception is not in honor these days! But no one tells the truth to the
buyer either …
New-fashioned green stones, called buranite, are positioned
by sellers in different ways. The most innocent are desperately cunning,
calling the stone Arabian amber and telling tales about collecting green
fragments at the bottom of the sea while mining for pearls. Others preach the
theory of artificial aging of natural pine resin, suggesting the original
natural origin of the sparkling green diva.
However, clever traders ignore the questions of the genesis
of buranite, but reasonably reason about its outstanding (in comparison with
real amber) physical and aesthetic properties.
What sellers are silent about
Experienced jewelry market participants remember how various
imitations of amber appeared in different years. Bernite, as the most beautiful
analogue of a precious stone, turned out to be so self-sufficient that soon the
name “artificial amber” disappeared from its price tags.
Not only did the producers learn to tell the burnite the
characteristics of the best amber varieties, they began to change the chemical
composition of the polymer so that the solidifying artificial resin mass
acquired an exotic color!
Needless to say, the most popular varieties of bernite
are green stones?
What distinguishes blizzard from bernite?
The most notable difference is the two letters in the title.
Such transformations in trade names are common: the pronunciation traditions of
letter combinations vary from language to language.
Perhaps blizzard is a product of the updated technology for
the production of bernite? It is not excluded. However, the improvement of the
production process does not change the principle of making artificial green
amber.
But the consumer properties of buranite – this is noted by
all experts – surpass the parameters of the samples of bernite half a century
ago. First of all, the saturation and depth of color of buranite remain at
their original level, regardless of the operating conditions of the product.
Simply put, the stone does not scratch, does not fade, does not crack and does
not grow cloudy even on the hand of the concrete worker of the Sahara culvert.
Serious jewelers at one time neglected Bernite, but modern
jewelry with buranite is exhibited at exhibitions. The skillfully crafted
setting of buranite cabochons helps the stone to look dignified and rich.
Modest bernite beads of the past years of production look less presentable …
Colour! The marketers managed to guess, and the
technologists achieved that degree of color perfection when the stone pleases
with its color any, even the pickiest appraiser. If the main focus of the
production of bernites was the nominal multicolor, then blizzard is produced
only in green, but as beautifully green as possible!
Apparently, Buranite is destined to become the standard of
beauty of transparent green stone. Let’s wait a bit …
Fortunately, neither humans nor any other creatures feed on
adamites. Therefore, there is no need to escape from arsenic poisoning after
episodic communication with a beautiful and rare stone. Yes, and jewelry with
adamites and adamites on the shelves of jewelry stores cannot be found,
although in some cases the stone is cut and set in silver.
Adamite’s story
French mineralogist Gilbert-Joseph Adam, who worked in the
19th century, described adamite from samples brought from South America. The
first specimens of the beautiful yellow stone were found in the Chilean Atacama
Desert, on the territory of the Gagnarsillo ore deposit.
The find took place in 1866. Later, the Adamites were found
in Mexico, Greece, and France. Today, the Adamites are appreciated from Turkey
and especially from Africa, from the vicinity of the Namibian city of Tsumeb.
In Russia, adamite is found in the Far East, in Transbaikalia, near Nizhny
Tagil.
Adamite crystals on limonite
Long known to the American Indians, adamite was used in
shamanic rituals. The person doomed to be sacrificed was decorated with adamite
beads, and a larger bead was put in his mouth. The swallowed stone dissolved in
the stomach of the unfortunate person, guaranteeing the inevitable transition
to the spirit world.
Properties of adamite
Adamite (adamin in the Russian mineralogical tradition) is
rare, fragile and unstable. The hardness of the gem does not exceed 3.5 points
on the Mohs scale. Crystals of adamite usually do not even reach 10 mm in
length, although in some deposits there are beautiful intergrowths up to 2.5 cm
in size. Mexican adamites from the state of Durango are especially large and
sometimes grow up to 12 centimeters in length.
Micro cluster of adamite crystals, France. Macro shooting.
Adamite is extremely fragile and prone to cracking even
without mechanical stress.
In nature, adamite is rare. Zinc arsenate crystals most
readily grow on a limonite or calcite substrate, while adamite forms geodes and
druses in natural cavities and cracks. The thin initial adamite crust is
covered with crystalline grains, after which the growth of well-formed crystals
of the mineral is sometimes observed.
Yellow and green crystals of adamite have a characteristic
prismatic shape, but can be acicular or tabular. In ultraviolet light, adamite
crystals, not too contaminated with impurities, fluoresce with a lemon-tone
glow.
The stone dissolves easily in acidic solutions. The products
of the dissociation of zinc arsenate, which is adamite, are extremely toxic –
so the Indian priests were not mistaken, considering the swallowed adamite the
right ticket to the land of their ancestors.
The chemical formula of the mineral is Zn2 (AsO4) (OH). The
OH hydroxyl group attached to the zinc-arsenic oxide compound is easily removed
by heating. Dehydration causes spontaneous cracking, discoloration and loss of
clarity of the mineral.
Colored adamite
Natural color of adamite is bright, juicy shades of yellow,
yellowish-brown and yellow-green colors. There are, however, and colorless, and
pinkish, and purple, and brownish adamites of uneven color. The abundance of
copper, partially or completely replacing zinc atoms in the molecule of the
substance, makes adamite bright green with a slight blue tint, but weakens the
characteristic glass luster.
Green adamite crystal
Copper-containing, but not devoid of zinc, adamite is called
cuproadamite. If the zinc in adamite is completely replaced by copper, the
mineral becomes emerald-green olivienite, and its crystals sometimes grow in
needle-like brushes, reminiscent of sea urchins.
Cobaltoadamite (especially with a small admixture of
manganese) is beautiful with smooth color transitions from pink to lilac, lilac
and violet. The admixed iron makes additional adjustments to the color
characteristics of adamite.
Using adamite
In the jewelry industry, adamite is not used due to its
minimal hardness, pronounced fragility and a tendency to spontaneous
destruction when dried and heated. However, individual craftsmen take the risk
of converting the flashy mineral into jewelry. Lilac Namibian adamites are
faceted, yellow Mexican stones are turned into cabochons.
The aggregate of accreted adamite crystals is greenish
yellow. Spheroid shape.
The product is created in such a way that to exclude direct
contact of the adamite insert with the body. Such a measure is sufficient to
eliminate the negative impact of arsenic compounds on human health. However, in
most cases, faceted adamites (the known maximum weight is three carats) enter
mineralogical collections.
Collectible specimens of adamite are famous for their
exceptional expressiveness and are in constant demand among lovers of natural
rarities.
Faceted Adamite – faceted.
Home-grown lithotherapists readily recommend the use of
adamite to treat skin diseases. However, adamite applications and other contact
procedures, with excessive zeal, can be harmful: arsenic is destructive to the
cells of the body.
To completely eliminate the danger, jewelry adamites are
recommended to be stored in separate boxes. Collectible adamites should be kept
under glass.
If grateful humanity decides to erect a monument to a
precious stone, then amber will take the first place in the queue for the
pedestal. Because, at least, the acquaintance with electricity, without which
there is nowhere, happened with the help of amber.
What color should the sculpture be carved in honor of the
ancient companion of mankind? Honey, say adherents of the classic amber
variety. Green, will be clarified by deep connoisseurs of beauty – and they
will be right!
Green amber is rare and uniquely beautiful. But what kind of
green amber are we talking about? Let’s try to figure it out.
Different greens of different amber
The lion’s share of amber mined in the Baltics, central and
northern Europe is honey-yellow. In some cases, the mined stones turn
distinctly green – retaining, however, a yellow or yellow-brown hue.
Mineralogists explain such color deviations by special
conditions of “storage”. Some specimens of newly formed amber, on a
whim of fate, fell into swampy water full of decaying organic matter. And they
spent enough time in them for the interaction of tree resins with nitrogenous
compounds.
As a result of slow natural nitrogenation, ordinary honey
amber acquired the color of a dead grass. Such greens are far from emerald
green, but greenish European amber is in demand: after all, they are beautiful,
and even rare … Curious samples of fossil resins are mined on the island of
Sicily. Most of them are red, some cast an obvious blue, sometimes with a
noticeable green tint. Even more beautiful stones were once dug in the lignite
deposits of Saxony: they were distinguished by their transparency and
golden-green color. However, all European green amber “fade” before Dominican
amber.
The most beautiful and expensive
Nature decreed that the tree resins, fossilized in the
geological conditions of the island of Haiti, became similar to the marine
environment. The massif of stone is similar in color and transparency to sea
water. Frequent foreign inclusions imitate sandy mounds and bottom vegetation.
Some of the Dominican amber is more blue than green. But the
most beautiful and most expensive are famous for their beautiful green color
with a slight bluish tint. The cost of the best copies can be calculated in
tens of dollars per gram.
Fortunately, local miners of green amber are not prone to handicraft damage to the stone, and they do not really like to grind gaudy figurines from precious materials. However, if you find yourself in the shopping streets of Santo Domingo, shopkeepers will try to foist you on stale illiquid assets. Feel free to bargain, dropping the price five to ten times, and then in any jewellery workshop in Europe, roughly hewn skulls and figurines of chimeric insects will be turned into decent cabochons by your order.
High price as an incentive for chemical creativity
Emperor Nero gave a young and strong slave for a small piece of green amber. Therefore, even in ancient antiquity, artisans got the hang of turning ordinary amber into the green. Most of the stones cracked from heating in unrefined olive oil, but the color of the amber shards changed to green.
A good effect is also observed with dry heating of amber
under conditions of limited oxygen access. The heated stone is tightly wrapped
in foil and placed in the oven. After processing, the amber becomes glassy and
literally shines with a golden-green color.
To enhance the chromaticity, medieval craftsmen came up with the idea of processing the lower side of jewellery inserts hidden from the user with a dye paste. Green substrates for warm amber were also practised.
In modern conditions, green amber is produced everywhere. The difference in the chemical composition of amber mined in different deposits determines the variety of stone processing technologies. A multistage exposure is used in heated gaseous and liquid media. The saturation of fossilized resins with metal ions is carried out. Intense irradiation with a hard electromagnetic spectrum makes it possible to achieve the effect of luminescence in the thickness of the stone.
Researchers, however, note that the most attractive green
color of amber is obtained not by the introduction of impurities, but by
high-temperature exposure. Atomic aggregations arising under the influence of
high temperatures change the light transmittance of the resins. The longest
wavelengths (red) are absorbed, and the light passing through the array
acquires a green tint.
Fully artificial imitations of green amber
Modern imitations of green amber are devoid of any
disadvantages inherent in processed natural stone. If heated Baltic amber
cracks with its characteristic internal “confetti” and acquires a rusty-green
hue, then bernite and blizzard shine with emerald beauty, are distinguished by
their strength and durability.
Constant replenishment of the market for polyester resins, cured with special additives or ultraviolet radiation, opens up great opportunities for green amber counterfeiters. Handicraft jewellery imitating green amber is becoming more and more perfect every year …
According to lithotherapists, azurite is a remedy for all
diseases, it is enough just to apply a stone to a sore spot. It is useful for
hormonal problems, hypertension. Like any blue stone, azurite relieves eye
strain and is used as a prophylactic agent for decreased vision. Azur-malachite
has even greater healing power. It is placed on the “third eye” area
(that is, in the middle of the forehead) to harmonize the emotional state of a
person.
Horoscope
Azurite is most suitable for Taurus, Libra and Sagittarius.
History
The term “azurite” was introduced into use in 1824 by the French scientist-mineralogist Francois Bedan. Despite the fact that the stone has been known since ancient times, for a long time, it was confused with a similar mineral – lapis lazuli. So, for example, Aristotle in his writings described the properties of these two gems, not noting any differences between them.
In the Middle Ages, lapis lazuli and its “double”
azurite were actively used to create natural deep blue paint. Moreover, the
latter was used even more often, because its processing required much less time
and effort. The disadvantages of azurite paint have already been revealed in
our time. It turned out that with prolonged exposure to air and under the
influence of moisture, the mineral gradually turns into malachite. It is this
physical property of the stone that explains the predominance of green in the
paintings of ancient artists.
The largest azurite in history is called the “Singing
Stone”. A nugget weighing more than 4.5 tons was found in the United
States and is today exhibited at the American Museum of Natural History in New
York.
Interesting facts and features
The term “azurite” was introduced into use in 1824
by the French scientist-mineralogist Francois Bedan. Despite the fact that the
stone has been known since ancient times, for a long time it was confused with
a similar mineral – lapis lazuli. So, for example, Aristotle in his writings
described the properties of these two gems, not noting any differences between
them.
In the Middle Ages, lapis lazuli and its “double”
azurite were actively used to create natural colors of deep blue color.
Moreover, the latter was used even more often, because its processing required
much less time and effort.
The disadvantages of azurite paint have been revealed
already in our time. It turned out that with prolonged exposure to air and
under the influence of moisture, the mineral gradually turns into malachite. It
is this physical property of the stone that explains the predominance of green
in the paintings of ancient artists.
The largest azurite in history is called the “Singing
Stone”. A nugget weighing more than 4.5 tons was found in the United
States and is today exhibited at the American Museum of Natural History in New
York.
Azurite (from French “azur”) – azure, (from
Persian “lazard”) – blue. According to ancient descriptions, azurite
was often confused with dark blue lapis lazuli, which was highly prized in the
East. The words azurite and lapis lazuli come from the same Arabic root
“azul” – blue, and the Persian “lazard” – azure, where the
initial “l” is just an article. This stone is also called copper
azure and mountain blue. In Europe, azurite was called Shessilite, because it
was mined in the French town of Chessy.
Origin and chemical composition
Azurite is a copper ore that is less common in nature than lapis lazuli but is less valuable in the industry. The mineral is formed in deposits with a high content of copper sulphites as a result of their oxidation. Basically, nuggets have a cryptocrystalline form, natural stone crystals are very rare. Azurite often forms pseudomorphs with malachite. This breed is called Azur-malachite. In terms of chemical composition, azurite is aqueous copper carbonate.
Price
The average price for azurite cabochons on the market is $
3-7 per gram. Given the complexity of processing, the cost is significantly
affected by the size of the stone – the larger it is, the more expensive it is.
Azurites from Zaire are considered to be of the highest quality, where large
nuggets can often be found.
Physicochemical properties of azurite
Chemical formula – Cu3 (CO3) 2 (OH) 2.
Color – light blue, blue, purple.
The system is monoclinic.
Hardness – 4 on the Mohs scale.
Density – 3.5-4 g per cm3.
The fracture is conchial.
Processing and use
Jewellery with azurite inserts is practically not found on the market, which is due to the increased fragility of the stone (cracks even with a slight mechanical effect) and unstable color. Azurite is primarily of interest to mineral collectors. Small azurite cabochons, due to their affordable price and the characteristic color, often become the first exhibits in the collections of aspiring collectors. Less often they are used as an ornamental material. In the jewellery industry, azur-malachite has found application, devoid of the shortcomings of pure azurite, but no less beautiful.
Azurite deposits
Azurites are mainly mined in Australia (Queensland), Chile, Mexico, USA (Arizona and New Mexico), Germany, France, Kazakhstan and Africa (Zaire, Namibia, Zambia). In terms of the quality of collectable azurite, the first place belongs to the famous Teumeb deposit in Namibia, where individual crystals reach 25 cm in size with impeccable quality. Azurites from deposits in Morocco – Mibladen and Tuissit are widely known. Interesting samples of azurite are mined at the copper deposits of the South Urals.
Imitation and synthetics
Today, as in the old days, azurite is often confused with
its counterpart lapis lazuli, considering azurite to be only one of the
varieties of the latter. Azurite is a completely independent mineral, which, in
contrast to lapis lazuli, has a much brighter blue tone. Malachite stains are
not observed in lapis lazuli, while azurite often fuses with malachite. Azurite
is easy to distinguish from other stones, as it is the only mineral with a deep
blue color that boils in hydrochloric acid.
The magical properties of azurite
In ancient Egypt, priests used azurite to communicate with the gods. In Ireland, the druids, with the help of native azurite sticks, helped the youth decide on the choice of life. Azurite is useful for those who are engaged in energy practices, fortune-telling and prediction. Occultists and mediums use azurite balls and crystals to meditate and enter an altered state of consciousness.
In the East, it is the “third eye” stone. According to the famous specialist in minerals Katrin Raphael, azurite products will help get rid of negative emotions, overcome fears, and relieve emotional arousal. If you are having a difficult period in your life and you cannot make the right decision, put on jewellery with azurite, and this stone will show you the best way to solve the problem.
As a talisman, azurite is suitable for people who, due to their duty, must be honest and objective – lawyers, judges, journalists, but only on the condition that the owner does not disassemble, otherwise, the stone may punish him.
Aquamarine is a stone, at first glance, discreet. The saturation of its color is not great, and a glance cast with chalk will define the blueness of the crystal as whitish, washed out, and watery. However, it is worth taking a closer look at the transparent stone, and it becomes clear: aquamarine is not easy, its dull appearance hides the advantages inherent in the noblest of the precious minerals.
The silvery inner shine of the stone was appreciated in
ancient times. Pliny wrote about the high cost of crystals that matched the
color of the sea wave. Paustovsky, fascinated by aquamarine, characterized it
as a star-colored stone.
The aristocracy and the nobility of the whole world gladly used and uses aquamarines as a distinctive sign of their chosenness. The Armory of the Moscow Kremlin contains the sceptre of the Polish autocrat, completely carved from aquamarine. Britain, as the ruler of the seas, set the sea-colored stone into the imperial crown. Many exquisitely cut aquamarines are kept in private and museum collections in many countries.
Physical and chemical properties of aquamarine
Chemical formula – Al2Be3 [Si6O18].
The crystals are elongated-prismatic.
Aquamarine color is blue, bluish-green.
Transparency – translucent, transparent.
The shine is glassy.
Mohs hardness – 7.5.
Density – 2.7 g / cm3.
Refraction or refraction period – 1.574-1.580.
Cleavage: absent.
Fracture: conical, uneven.
Crystal system: hexagonal.
Is the mineral fragile: Yes
Aquamarine color
Not every aquamarine is the color of seawater. The stones mined in the middle Urals and beyond Lake Baikal are blue. South Ural aquamarines found in the Ilmen mountains are greenish.
The crystals of aquamarines mined in South America can have
a very thick blue color. About a hundred years ago, a sapphire blue aquamarine
deposit was discovered in Brazil.
Unfortunately, the color stability of these stones turned out to be even more phenomenal than the color itself. Even a short exposure to the bright sun caused the crystals to fade. For several days of “acquaintance” with daylight, the crystals changed color from washed-out blue to dirty yellow, yellow-brown and even earthy color.
The instability to intense electromagnetic radiation of the
visible spectrum and adjacent ranges is inherent in all aquamarines. Some
specimens of the stone, as noted by Fersman, have indistinct color zoning. The
peripheral regions of the crystalline body of aquamarine have a bluish-blue
color, the central region glows with yellowness. It is the mixing of the yellow
color of the inner zone of the crystal and the blue color of the outer layers
that gives a green tint to the overall color of the stone.
Similar, but not aquamarine
Weakly colored blue spinels resemble aquamarine, but they
cannot be compared with the famous gem in gem quality. Spinels are
characterized by gaseous inclusions in the stone mass, visible as tiny bubbles.
Aquamarines have no such defects.
Similar to aquamarine and topaz. However, topaz shines
brighter and gives a much richer play of refracted light. From a certain angle
of view, in the thickness of the faceted flat aquamarine, a silvery reflection
is noticeable, in the shape of a chrysanthemum flower. Topaz is not capable of
such “art”.
The high (up to 70%) quartz content in natural aquamarine
gives fraudsters the hope of imitating natural stone with glass fakes. But
glass tinted with cobalt salts does not have the dichroic effect inherent in
aquamarine. A precious crystal (this is especially noticeable in artificial
lighting) when changing the angle of incidence of light is seen differently.
Tinted glass is the same for any type of observation.
Natural aquamarines of low color intensity can undergo
pre-sale thermal preparation. Heating the stone to 400˚C in a muffle furnace
“thickens” the color, intensifies the blue of the natural mineral.
Irradiation of pale aquamarine with X-rays leads to similar results.
“Improved” stones, however, often “show temper”, acquiring
an unattractive color zoning or dirty tones in a uniform color.
In addition, this stone is even less resistant to sunlight
than natural aquamarine.
The artificial cultivation of light blue and gem-quality beryls is not practised.
The magical properties of aquamarine
The high optical properties of natural aquamarine were used
by ancient craftsmen: lenses were carved from large stones. Needless to say, in
the minds of the people, aquamarine was considered, if not magical, then at
least slightly supernatural mineral.
The mystical perception of bluish crystals thickened as much as possible by the Middle Ages when aquamarine began to be considered the lord of the water element. Every captain of a serious seagoing vessel was supposed to own a piece of jewellery with quality aquamarines. Repeated maritime failures were attributed to neglect of the stone.
The magical properties of aquamarine are still considered
powerful today. The distinct blue color of the crystal indicates a transparent
and bright perspective in the life of the owner. An unexpected color change
towards green is a warning sign of possible trouble. Reducing the transparency
of the stone is a warning of imminent personal troubles.
Wearing or daily tactile communication with a precious
mineral makes a person bolder. The owner of aquamarine is easier to learn
complex humanities – philosophy, political science, sociological disciplines.
The healing properties of aquamarine
Looking at a stone lit by fire or an incandescent lamp can
help improve vision. However, aquamarine plays the main lithotherapeutic role
in pain relief of the entire digestive tract. It is equally effective for
toothache, liver pain, and hemorrhoidal pain.
By reducing the sensitivity of nerve endings, aquamarine
helps to calm the nervous system as a whole. The beneficial effects of the
stone help stabilize emotions and increase mental stamina.
Noticeable medicinal properties of aquamarine are also shown
in the fight against diseases of the thyroid gland. Faceted blue crystals,
collected in beads, enhance the effect of drugs, balance the synthesis of
hormones, and prevent the development of thyrotoxicosis.
Aquamarine for the signs of the zodiac
The signs of Water can count on the full help of aquamarine. The stone is especially effective in relation to Pisces and Cancers. Zodiac Air signs may wear aquamarine jewellery from time to time, but Gemini is better off refraining from purchasing aquamarine jewellery.
Active Taurus cannot expect help from aquamarine: in the
presence of such an energetic person, the stone closes, becomes spiritually
inert. Aquamarine can bring frustration and failure to Sagittarius.
Talismans and amulets from aquamarine
Since ancient times, aquamarine has been the mascot of
watermen. Whoever you work in the sea or river fleet, buy several aquamarines
and keep them in your workplace or in your cabin!
Aquamarine amulet is the first assistant in smoking cessation. Less, but the bluestone also helps in the fight against alcohol abuse. Among other things, aquamarine amulets support creative and research activities. The stone, mentally tuned to good luck in solving complex scientific problems, helps to find the most rational way to solve the mysteries of nature.
The word diamond comes from the Greek “Adamas” – unsurpassed. Scientists have not come to a consensus on the origin of diamonds. According to the most popular hypothesis, the mineral was formed as a result of the cooling of silicates in the mantle of the earth’s crust. And it owes its appearance on the surface of the planet to a series of powerful underground explosions.
Diamonds in nature are inclusions in mountain olivines, serpentines and graphites… In addition, they are sometimes found in river and sea coastal pebble placers, where they get as a result of the destruction of volcanic rocks. To obtain one carat of natural diamonds, it is necessary to process about 250 tons of diamond ore. Considering that, on average, a nugget loses half of its weight during cutting, the number of ore required can be doubled.
In terms of chemical composition, it is one of the simplest
minerals, it is pure carbon with minor impurities of calcium, magnesium and
iron oxides.
Physical and chemical properties of diamond
Chemical formula – C (carbon).
Color – colorless, with shades of yellow, less
often – red, orange, green, blue.
The main diamond deposits are concentrated in Australia,
South Africa, Congo and Russia. These countries account for about 60% of the
world’s mineral production. Botswana, Angola and Namibia also have significant
reserves. Until the end of the 17th century. almost all diamonds were mined in
the mines of India, but today they are almost completely devastated.
Legend has it that in ancient times people used birds of prey to mine diamonds. Pieces of raw meat were thrown into deep crevices with precious placers, to which small crystals adhered. Smelling the smell of prey, the eagles descended into these crevices, grabbed food and carried it away in their claws. After that, it remained to follow the bird, sneak up imperceptibly and snatch out the meat with the jewels adhered to it. The second method involved searching for eagle’s nests, around which a large number of bird droppings gathered. People picked it up and took out diamond nuggets, sometimes reaching considerable sizes.
In fact, in the old days, diamonds were mined only from the river and sea placers by carefully washing out pebbles and sand. The main tools were a shovel, sieve and pick. An alternative to this method was the discovery at the end of the 19th century. A kimberlite pipe is a geological body of vertical shape, formed by the breakthrough of gases through the earth’s crust. Kimberlite is a volcanic rock in which diamond crystals are found along with other minerals. Today, almost the entire diamond mining industry is built on the use of this natural phenomenon.
Interesting facts and features
Each diamond has a unique structure and characteristics. Two identical stones, like two identical fingerprints, do not exist. The widespread myth that a diamond cannot be broken once played a cruel joke with the Swiss mercenaries of King Louis XI. During one of the many internecine conflicts, they seized the jewels of Duke Charles the Bold. Having heard about the extraordinary hardness of diamonds, the war decided to check the authenticity of the stones. The diamonds could not withstand the powerful blows of the hammer and crumble. A huge amount of jewellery was thrown away because the Swiss considered it to be fake. At the end of the 15th century. The Archduke of Austria, doubting the bride’s positive answer, heeded the advice to back up his intentions with jewellery.
How to distinguish fakes
Without exception, all diamond buyers are afraid of being
deceived. In doing so, they tend to pay the lowest possible penalty for the
stones. Fraudsters and dishonest traders successfully play on these conflicting
feelings. The most common attacker ploy is to replace gems with cheaper
counterparts. To imitate diamonds, they usually use transparent zircon,
colorless sapphire, or ordinary crystal. To identify a fake, you need to look
through the stone at the sun. A cut diamond reflects rays in such a way that
only a bright point can be seen through it. L imitators let light through
completely.
In addition, counterfeit sellers often mention the popular myth of the complete transparency of diamonds in the water. In fact, this is fiction. The invisibility effect can be achieved between those materials that have the same refractive index. The refractive index of water is 1, that of a diamond is 2.4. Of all the diamond imitators, the closest in this characteristic to water is ordinary glass, the refractive index of which is 1.5. Thus, a real stone, lowered into a glass, will continue to sparkle, but a fake one will not.
It is almost impossible to distinguish a natural diamond from one created in the laboratory. The advanced technology allows synthesizing of artificial diamonds weighing up to 15 carats. In such a situation, the buyer should be confused by the obviously low price, which may be ten times less than the real one. There are no objective reasons for selling diamonds for a song.
An interesting way to identify a fake was invented by the French chemist Margot. The scientist proposed to determine the true diamond by sliding an aluminium stick along its surface, having previously wetted the stone with water. On rhinestones, the metal will leave a clear, silvery line that is very difficult to erase. And on a natural diamond, no trace of aluminium will be visible. Only a professional appraiser can guarantee 100% authenticity of a diamond. Well-known tips and tricks will only help to identify a low-quality fake.
Processing and use
Diamonds are most widely used in the jewellery industry. But few people know that not every stone is of gem quality. No more than 15% of mined minerals are suitable for creating a diamond, another 45% of nuggets are considered conditionally suitable for cutting. The remaining 40% of diamonds are used as composite materials and superhard elements for industrial purposes. The most common diamond cuts are brilliant cut and rose cut. The first is used for processing large nuggets, the second is for small diamonds.
According to astrologers, Alexandrite is most suitable for
Gemini, Pisces and Scorpio. Aries can also wear it. But Taurus, Sagittarius,
Cancer and Virgo should treat alexandrite with caution.
Alexandrite – a widow’s stone?
Despite the fact that alexandrite was discovered relatively
recently and is still very young, there are already several legends and beliefs
about it. In Russia, for example, it is believed that alexandrite is a widow’s
stone. However, it can only be harmful if you wear one stone. The negative
effect of alexandrite disappears if you wear two, or even better – three or
four stones.
Alexandrite is loved all over the world
In Europe, this stone was considered a symbol of amorousness
and at the same time – jealousy, which was facilitated by a change in color –
from calm green to red, the color of rage. In Sri Lanka, where alexandrite is
mined, it is considered a stone of longevity and prosperity. This is one of the
favorite stones of the clergy. During the hours of prayer and meditation, he
pacifies the soul.
In Indian astrology, alexandrite is characterized as a stone
with a strong energy that reacts with a change in color to a change in the mood
of the wearer.
It is suitable only for people who are strong in spirit and
born under the sign of Scorpio. They must be ready to overcome adversity and
all kinds of trials, then victory and luck await them. The Avestan school of
astrology, on the contrary, believes that alexandrite tests a person for
strength, giving him all kinds of difficulties. Among avid gamblers and
gamblers, alexandrite is considered a talisman that ensures a win.
This stone is called the magic barometer, which shows the color change of the state, possible in the near future. For example, the appearance of yellow in it is a harbinger of an ordeal for the owner. Alexandrite is also considered the stone of travellers. It helps to adapt to a new environment, to understand a different way of life, to find a common language with anyone. If a person wears alexandrite, foreign languages are easier for him.
Healing properties
It has long been believed that the two colors of the alexandrite are magically associated with two circles of blood circulation in the human body. Therefore, for medicinal purposes, alexandrite is used mainly in connection with blood diseases. So, it was believed that alexandrite not only strengthens blood vessels but also cleanses the blood or stops bleeding that has arisen.
Lithotherapists believe that while wearing alexandrite, you
need to monitor how often it changes color – constant color changes may
indicate a sharp change in blood sugar levels. Before going to bed, alexandrite
should be removed.
The history of alexandrite: two centuries or four millennia?
Finding Nordenskjold
Alexandrite was discovered by the Finnish mineralogist N.
Nordenskjold. Exploring the Ural emerald mines, the scientist found a small
green stone and took it with him in order to examine it in more detail under a
magnifying glass. In the evening, holding the nugget to a candle flame, the
mineralogist discovered that its color from emerald green to blood red.
Nordenskjold immediately reported the strange find to St.
Petersburg. The properties of the stone, including the extraordinary hardness
and ability to color reversal, were first studied by the jeweler Perovsky. He
already wanted to give the mineral the name “diaphanite”, which in
Greek means “seeming double”, but on that day, April 17, 1834, Russia
celebrated the 16th anniversary of the son of Emperor Nicholas II Alexander.
Wanting to please the ruling dynasty, Perovsky presented the nugget as a gift
to the young Tsarevich, naming the stone in his honor alexandrite.
From the darkness of the ages
In fact, alexandrites were known long before the 19th
century. The first mentions of a stone, shining and iridescent like a peacock’s
eye, are found in the ancient Indian treatise “Mahabharata”, which is
more than four millennia old. During excavations in Zaporozhye, archaeologists
discovered the burial of the Polovtsian Khan of the 12th century, it was
alexandrite that adorned his ring. The problem is that before Perovsky, no one
could determine the nature of the mineral. The first detailed gemological
description of the stone dates back to 1842.
Superstitions and legends of alexandrite
The gem immediately became fashionable among the Russian
elite of that time. It was considered prestigious to wear jewelry with
alexandrite, because these stones were not only expensive, but also rare. Only
representatives of the upper classes, close to the court of the emperor, could
afford them. The scanty choice of jewelry with alexandrite was partly due to,
among other things, one omen – among the miners it was customary that if you
find this nugget, then you will not see emeralds. So the hard workers tried not
to pay attention to the alexandrites, and even more so not to raise them from
the ground.
After the death of Alexander II, the popularity of the gem
began to wane. However, be that as it may, the consequences of the fashion
trends of the century before last are felt even now. Finding jewelry with
genuine alexandrite is not an easy task. The reserves of the Ural mineral were
completely depleted, and today it is easier to buy an artificial crystal with a
color reverse effect than to find a natural one.
According to legend, the stone acquired the ability to
change color after witnessing the crime of Cain. As if, since biblical times, a
green crystal during the day has been filled with the blood of innocent Abel
every evening, who has become a victim of fratricide.
Alexandrite: interesting features and facts
The largest gem-quality alexandrite was found in the Ural
mines. The weight of the nugget was 532 carats, the price was more than 25
thousand rubles. There was no buyer who could give such an amount for the
jewel, and the stone was divided into several pieces. For comparison: the
annual salary in the first half of the nineteenth century. did not exceed 500
rubles.
The largest alexandrite weighing 1,876 carats (375.3 g) was
found in Sri Lanka, and the largest of the faceted stones weighs 66 carats
(13.2 g).
Residents of the former USSR are sure that all the jewellery purchased in Soviet stores is natural. However, few people know that for the entire period of the existence of the Soviet Union, not a single real alexandrite was sold through the official jewellery network. The fact is that the mineral was considered state property and was never sold for free. Thus, the only thing that guarantees the purchase of a product with alexandrite in the Soviet era is its synthetic origin.
In people, alexandrite is usually called a widow’s stone. It is believed that it can only be worn as a pair. The emergence of this sign has real historical prerequisites. The revival of the fashion for jewellery with alexandrite happened in the post-war period. Many women who lost their husbands on the battlefield wore rings and earrings with artificial alexandrite. So, there was a warning that the stone brings grief to the family. But it really has nothing to do with genuine jewellery.
