|
|
|
Arts Variety Newsletter
Num. 5/Summer 2005
Hello, We hope you are enjoying the Summer. We certainly are. For sure you will learn something new when you read this Summer Newsletter.
About July's BirthstoneJuly's birthstone is the Ruby. It is one of the most valuable gemstones. The ruby is the red variety of one of the hardest minerals, the corundum (aluminum oxide). Any other colors of corundum are sapphires. Chrome causes the red color. The price depends on color and brilliance. Star rubies are rare. The most famous ruby is the Black Princes Ruby. It is set in the center of the Imperial State Crown in London's British Crown Jewels, but it actually not a ruby. It is red spinel, an imitator. The most famous source of fine rubies is Burma. Your can mine rubies at Gold City Gem Mine in North Carolina and other mines in the area. The ruby is also the 15th, 40th and 80th anniversary stone.
About August's BirthstoneMay's birthstone is the Peridot. Peridot is an ancient gemstone, but is very popular these days. It is iron-magnesium silicate. It ranges in color from light yellow-green to olive. The intensity of the color depends on the iron that it contains. Ancient egyptians called it the gem of the sun. The ancient romans named it the "evening emerald". Early christians considered it sacred and it is mentioned in the Bible. For many years the United States was the largest producer of this gemstone. Peridotes have been found in meteorites and is popular in native american jewelry. The Simithsonian Institution in Washington D. C. displays the largest known faceted peridot (310 carats.). The peridot is also the 16th anniversary stone.
About September's BirthstoneSeptember birthstone is the Sapphire. It exists in all shades of blue skies, orange, pink, yellow and purple. In the gemstone trade, any non blue sapphire is named "fancy". Just like the Ruby, it belongs to the corundum group which is second in hardness to diamond. Australia is the largest supplier of blue sapphires. A 543 carat star sapphire, the Star of India, can be seen at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City. Prince Charles gave Diana a sapphire and diamond engagement ring. The Sapphire is also the 5th, 45th and 70th anniversary stone.
Did you know that...An 8.01 carat sold for $2,200,00 on April 12, 2005. It set the record for the highest per carat price for ruby. The Rockefeller Sapphire sold at auction for $3,031,00 in 2001. It weighs 62.02 carats and sets the world record for total and per carat price for a blue sapphire.
What's new?As usual, new jewelry has been added to our website. Threader earrings designed with ear threads are very popular these days. We have added two designs to the New Items page. There you can also find a gorgeous Crystal Quartz necklace and a Chunky Sodalite necklace. If you prefer bracelets, then take a look at our chunky Turquoise, and black Agate and Malachite bracelets. Click this link to see photos of all our new jewelry pieces. Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter and enjoy the Summer! Visit us at http://www.artsvariety.com .
Arts Variety http://www.artsvariety.com
Gold-Filled Necklaces Sterling Silver Necklaces Gold-Filled Earrings Sterling Silver Earrings Gold-Filled Bracelets Sterling Silver Bracelets Anklets Scarves Photography Gallery Gift Certificates About Gemstones Birthstones Anniversary Stones Clean and Care Ordering Shipping Resources Newsletters Archive Site Map About Us Guarantee Return Policy Privacy Policy Contact Us
|
