How to Choose High-Quality Amethysts

The regal purple color of the amethyst is purported to ward off drunkenness and is prized in the crowns of royalty. Traditionally the birthstone of February, the amethyst comes in a range of shades, from lightest violet to deepest purple.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Jewelry Boxes
• Amethyst Jewelry

1. Buy amethysts from a reputable and trusted jewelry store whose staff has experience with gemstones in general and amethysts in particular.

2. Ask if the stone has been treated in any way. Some common treatments to enhance gems include irradiation, heat treatment, dyeing and coating. Not all of these treatments will devalue the stone, but always ask so you know what you're getting.

3. Look at the color of the stone. Deep purple amethysts are rarer and more valuable than light-colored ones. Also, look for rose-colored accents within the overall deep purple color as you turn the stone. Amethysts with this feature are especially valuable.

4. Make sure the gem has perfect clarity with no visible flaws.

5. Check the cut of the stone. Make sure the surface of the amethyst reflects light evenly and that there are no scratches. Turn the stone around in your hand and examine it from all sides.

6. Compare several amethysts side by side. Evaluate color and cut, and choose your favorite one.

Tips & Warnings

• "Rose de France" is one name applied to pale amethysts used in antique jewelry.
• Amethysts form from quartz, and are mined from many locations around the world.
• The yellow, or golden, form of an amethyst is called a citrine. Sometimes the color of an amethyst forms in combination with the color of a citrine, and the resulting stone is called an ametrine.
• If you're shopping online, investigate the site's return policy, and make sure you buy from a reputable online jeweler.
• Amethysts that are very inexpensive are probably not real stones.

on 8/8/2006 Bloodstone, Green Jasper With Red Spots Also Known As Heliotrope.

You would expect a gemstone with a name like bloodstone to be bright red in color. However, the fact is that bloodstone or heliotrope as it is often called, is in fact a dark green gemstone. It is an opaque gemstone with spots or patches of red. Bloodstone is a type of chalcedony quartz and is actually green jasper with red spots. The red spots on this green jasper are due to the presence of iron oxide in the gemstone.

Since many centuries, the Christians have believed that the red spots on the bloodstone are in fact the blood of Christ. It is believed that when Christ was crucified, a green jasper gemstone that lay at his feet was stained with drops of blood. The red spots gave the gemstone it's name and bloodstone is also referred to as the 'Martyr's Gem'. The same 'Heliotrope' was given to this gemstone by the Greeks and it means 'turning or revolving sun'.

Bloodstone is not a very expensive gemstone, but it is today not very easy to find good gem quality bloodstone. The most common bloodstone that is traded today has very few spots of red and in some cases the red color is hardly visible to the naked eye. There are a few reasons for the scarcity of good quality bloodstone gems. The first, is that the gemstone is used to make fairly large carvings and the most popular bloodstone carvings depict the crucifixion of Christ and martyrs. Bloodstone is also believed to have medicinal properties and the Indians and Chinese often use bloodstone powder in various traditional medical formulations. India is also one of
the major producers of bloodstone.

Since the gemstone is not very expensive, large size bloodstone gems are used for setting in men's rings and both, gold and silver bloodstone rings and pendants are popular in many countries. This is one gemstone that is believed to have many metaphysical properties that are favorable to human beings. It is believed that, wearing a bloodstone ring or bloodstone pendant helps to improve blood circulation and also cures many diseases related to the blood.

It is important to remember that when bloodstone is cut for setting in jewelry, it is coated with a special polish that enhances the beauty of the gemstone. You should therefore not expose your bloodstone ring or bloodstone pendant to harsh chemicals or strong detergents as this would damage the surface treatment. For similar reasons, try not to get your bloodstone jewelry wet.


We have compiled a complete report on this very interesting gemstone and you can read it at:
http://www.jewelry.kaijewels.com/bloodstone-gem-stone-kj-01.htm

We do hope that you have found this information to be interesting and useful and we will soon be back with more topics related to gemstones and jewelry.


Thanks and God Bless.
Regards.
Ms.Tuk
http://www.kaisilver.com
http://www.claddagh-rings.com


Ms.Tuk is senior executive at http://www.kaisilver.com the world's largest online provider of high end custom jewelry. All jewelry is available in gold or sterling silver with gemstones of your choice. You can also send us images of your favorite designs to be custom made.