Amethyst Gemstone Beads: History, Features, Folklore and Healing Properties

The priests wore it, the Egyptians treasured it; this is regarding the birthstone Amethyst which is probably one of the most precious stones, rare in deposits and intricate in its properties. Amethyst is one such gem stone which is a quartz deposit produced in the form of colored crystals that are purple or lilac in color. Myths suggest that Amethyst was a stone which prevented 'intoxication' presumably it was used against alcohol addiction. Due to the presence of iron and magnesium in its composition; the crystal maintains the violet shade, its structure being rhombohedra, with a fracture capacity that is conchoidal.

Geological Significance: Amethyst is a stone of the medieval ages, where the first known evidence regarding its history was detected back in Egypt. The recorded excavation where deposits of the crystal were witnessed was in Brazil at Santa Cruz. Although detected late, it is said that the stone originally may contain either manganese which is mainly responsible for the lilac shade.

The foundation stretches across Düsseldorf in Germany where the composition may also contain traces of sulfur and Iron. Medieval periods unearthed amethyst crystals under the Anglo-Saxon graves. It is a state gemstone for South Carolina.

Amethyst crystal is found in unanimously in places like Mexico, Canada, India, Madagascar, Africa, Europe, Uruguay and the United States. Its formation takes places through its mineral, quartz which predominate from igneous and metamorphic rock sediments. Volcanic deposits also contain geode crystals.

Features: Already mentioned above is the basic fact that the manganese concentration is responsible for the purple color and the intensity of the shade depends upon the quantity of iron inside the crystal.

In the field of chemistry; it is referred to as Silicon Dioxide; the compound maintains such constituents whose color changes depending upon the temperature hence below 48 degrees the crystal becomes unstable and starts to lose color and structure. Therefore it has been found that the stone is processed into two types; Ametrine and Citrine.

Amethyst consists of a refractive index which ranges between 1.5-1.6; a tenacity of 6.8-7 on Moh's Scale and sports a crystal structure which is tetrahedral. Amethyst's specific gravity is 6.5 and fracture is conchoidal.

Folklore: Ancient history depicts the stone to be a precious asset to the Egyptians who believed Amethyst guarded individuals from any negative thought / action. They believed in witchcraft and sorcery, hence regarded the stone as a protective shield against dark forces. Due to the psychological and devout properties, legends have it that the stone was known to prevent addiction as was accepted by the Greeks. In fact, it is also known as the Bishop Stone and has a cathedral history attached in its biography. The stone is February stone meant for the zodiac Pisces.

Healing Properties: Apart from being a stone which is known for imparting wisdom, Amethyst is known to relieve people from migraines, stress and hence leaves a calming effect unless the ambience is negative. It is also known as the dream stone which assists the wearer by triggering sleep thus preventing insomnia. The stone protects the mind from deception, offers strength and positivity hence is a spiritual stone purchased not just for being a gem asset but also for its significance in healing and meditation.

Fiona is experienced with large range of gemstone beads especially Amethyst gemstone beads. For more information and to buy quality Amethyst beads please visit BeadsonSale.com.

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Carnelian Gemstone: History, Properties, Folklore and Uses

A silicon deposit of the mineral 'Chalcedony', Carnelian gemstone is considered semi-precious and is recognizable for its dark brown-red color due to the presence of iron oxide within its composition. The stone is traced back as a birth stone meant for the zodiac signs Leo and Virgo. The stone predominates from the 'Quartz' family and originally was called 'cornelian' due to its cherry red color which was analogous to the fruit 'cornel cherry'.

Geological History of the Carnelian Gemstone: Back in the late centuries, this stone was unearthed in the Bronze Age, so early that the time dates back till the 1800 BC. The main extracts come from Australia in Garie Beach Queensland, Austria, Botswana, China and Brazil already holds repute for famous gemstone excavations. Even in India you can find carnelian dredges as well as traces in Africa, Russia is found to abound in major deposits.

Properties of the Carnelian Gemstone:

• The chemical and physical property of 'Carnelian' differentiates it from another gemstone called 'sard' which is also found as mineral sediment of quartz, and is harder and tougher than the Carnelian.

• The stone was formerly called 'Carnelian Agate' and is prominent in the form of deep red, dark brown and white shades.

• Sporting a molar mass of around 60g/mol it preserves a crystal system which comes under the category of the 'Trigonal'.

• It possesses a fracture which is uneven, conchoidal and jagged. When measured on the Mohr's Scale, the tenacity is measured around 6-7 and maintains a specific gravity of about 2.69-2.61.

• This translucent gemstone undergoes artificial heating such that the color can be deepened for better commercial sale.

Folklore and Legends of the Carnelian Gemstone:

• Since centuries this stone holds a chief significance with respect to its historical myths and beliefs. It was the Egyptians who believed the stone to have healing properties, some which are witnessed for zodiacs of Leo and Virgo.

• The therapeutic convictions talk about the stone being beneficial for blood circulation and produce a positive perspective towards life within an individual.

• Is said to stop bleeding and treat wounds. The Greeks believed the stone to prevent spirits and evil energy from affecting the wearer whereas the Asians native to Tibet and India treated the stone to be a lucky charm which would bring fame, fortune and protection as its charm.

Uses of the Carnelian Gemstone: The stone is popularly used in jewelry in the form of rings, armlets and pendants, the stone can be used in any form of jewelry and therefore has become commercially very popular amongst the masses. The very reason that the Carnelian stone is considered spiritual due to its relevance for medical support as well the high name it holds for being a stone of beauty and charm, its production has increased to a ten-fold thereby promoting more countries to extract this stone, one of them being Madagascar which is another land of its deposits.

Looking to find the best deal on Carnelian gemstone beads, then visit BeadsonSale.com to find the best advice on Carnelian gemstone beads for you.

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Amber Gemstone Beads - History, Properties, Folklore and Healing Properties

The Neolithic stone, Amber, which is basically found in the form of a fossil particularly a tree resin and has been classified under five specific categories on the basis of the chemical components found in quality and quantity. It has been named on the basis of source and constituents, for example amber fossils found in New Zealand coal mines are referred to as 'Ambrite' otherwise it is usually called 'Resinite'.

Geological History: Considerably around 1400 circa, amber was extracted from fossilized tree resins. Amber is naturally denser than stone and was first used by the Europeans for jewelry and perfume fabrication. The most rampant physics subject related to 'Static Electricity' associates with Amber, the stone, was the first substance used for experiments where it was the initiator for attractive forces.

The stone has many chronological events attached with its existence especially the heavy trade commenced from the Baltic Sea across the Amber Road, and has been found as a produce which was traded 2000 years ago.

At present the unearthing of the stone has been found to be significant on a global scale. Being a fossilized version of tree resin, Prussia leads in the mining of the stone. Maximum deposits occur in the Baltic Sea, along the region of Kaliningrad Oblast located in Russia.

Physical and Chemical Properties: The gemstone is normally found under blue earth accretions which are extracted using belt pelting from which the crust normally is removed either by erosion or by using a sand and water mixture. It is a non uniform dreg which is composed of resinous associates that can dissolve in alcohol or ether. It constitutes some major carboxylic acids which are communic, cummunol and bioformene acid. Hence is made up of alkenes which after undergoing heavy pressure and high temperature converts the resin into copal and then readily once the terpenes wash off, Amber fossils are formed.

Often impurities are found within the substance hence making the material usable only for varnishes, thus the amber which isn't pure is known as 'firrness'. Blue Amber is when pyrites mixed with resin are formed. Bony Amber is another sort which contains bubbles within its concentration which gives it an opaque translucence.

The most common color for Amber gemstone beads is deep yellow to dark red, green and most infrequent blue amber which is also known as Dominique Amber. Baltic Amber is another category which is common amongst the finds. Amber can also be artificially produced hence to know the difference between natural and manmade; make a saturated solution of salt and water. Once you find the amber floating, it isn't natural otherwise it is amber in case it floats though sometimes 'copals' are found to be dense.

Folklore and Legends: Love, passion and strength are the basic symbols related to the Amber gemstone beads, apart from soothing hyperactive individuals the stone is also used to calm stressed nerves. Legends technically pronounce the stone to be a magical stone though it's healing and medicinal properties i.e. rejuvenating energy within an individual and increasing physical potency have made it quite popular amongst the masses.

Learn more about Amber gemstone beads, stop by site BeadsonSale.com where you can find out all about Amber gemstone beads and what it can do for you.

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History of Handmade Wire Wrapped Jewelry

Many people do not realize that wire wrapped handmade jewelry has a long and rich history. The fact of the matter is that wire wrapped jewelry has been around for thousands of years, and is considered a great art form in many cultures. The fact that this handmade jewelry is available for everyone in this day and age is amazing in and of itself.

Wire wrapped jewelry has been discovered in places such as the cemetery at Ur, a Sumerian city. This jewelry dates back over two thousand years, and is still in perfect condition. Rome was no exception to the wire wrapped jewelry craze. Roman jewelry has been found that was made by this method.

Wire wrapped handmade jewelry was popular in these ancient times because it didn't require any type of welding or special tools in order to make it. All one needs is wire cutters and something to bend the wire with, such as pliers. There is no fire involved, nothing that would typically be considered as metal working. However, this method of making jewelry certainly works metal, but in an entirely different way.

Essentially, wire wrapping is a matter of twisting and looping wire on itself in intricate patterns. The patterns themselves are beautiful, but the other purpose of this looping is to attach beads and stones to the jewelry without need of welding or glues. This holds the trinkets together in a beautiful and permanent way.

There are many different types of wire that can be used in making handmade jewelry. Historically, these pieces were created using copper, gold or silver wire. Today, you can choose copper, sterling silver, fine silver, galvanized wire, and gold filled wire. You can also use gold wire, but this can get rather expensive in this day and age. There is also a galvanized wire that is coated to give it a specific color.

The traditions of making jewelry in this manner have been passed down through more than two thousand years. Today many people are learning the art. Those who successfully gain the knowledge of how to perform the task can practice until they perfect their skill at the art. These unique pieces are often sold at online auctions and through other venues on the internet.

As you can see, wire wrapped handmade jewelry has been around for quite some time, and will continue to grow as an art form. Inspiration can be taken from older pieces that are available for viewing at museums such as the Smithsonian. Other designers may go completely on their own in creating their designs with only their creativity to drive them. Whatever the case may be, wire wrapping is alive and well as an art form, and many people enjoy the pastime.

Deana "Dee" Marshall is a avid follower of high quality one of a kind handmade jewelry and has been following Skippy's Trinket's artistry. To follow Skippy's Trinkets handmade jewelry artistry visit Skippy's Trinket's Blog.

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The History of the Lady Dior Bag

Christian Dior's Lady Dior bag is one of the most recognizable designer handbags in the world. But do you remember why it is so famous? We all know the name and design of the bag, but what exactly was it that launched the designer purse into stardom? This beautiful handbag features an elegant design and luxurious materials that are fit for a queen, or at least a princess. It is this fact that gives us the answer to our question. It was the late Princess Diana that made this designer handbag so famous. But how did she manage to do it? Let's explore.

It all began back in September of 1995 when France's First Lady, Bernadette Chirac, gave the Princess of Wales the newest handbag from Christian Dior. It was adorned in black leather and featured an elegant stitching. The Princess immediately fell in love with the bag. Her new found obsession led her to order the designer purse in every style available. Since Princess Diana was known to be the most photographed woman in the world, it was inevitable that the designer handbag would be featured in several of these pictures - and that is exactly what happened.

In the following November, the bag was first captured on film during a visit to a children's home in Birmingham. Lady Di was shown holding a child and carrying her new favorite designer handbag. The princess was then seen toting it a few weeks later while on an official visit to Argentina. Following these two major appearances was the birth of a legend. The House of Dior decided to rename the bag in honor of the princess by titling it the Lady Dior. Since then, it has become one of the most iconic bags for the House of Dior.

While John Galliano's design seems somewhat simple, it is no easy feat to bring it to life. Each one requires a minimum of eight hours to construct and the work of seven craftsmen. 130 pieces of leather are needed for each bag and they all must be sanded, dyed, and hand-stitched then manually cut and placed around a wooden mold. Plus, the famous D.I.O.R. jeweled letters are all galvanized in different baths to ensure their luster. Even the feet of the bag are intricately designed with 43 pieces of metal coming together to protect the base from the harshness of the ground. One of the more fascinating elements of the designer handbag is its incorporation of some of the design house's history. Mr Dior's very first fashion show in 1947 featured Napoleon III chairs. These beautiful chairs are channeled through the cannage pattern and stitched leather featured on the outside. This reminiscent element gives the bag a touch of classic elegance that is undeniable.

The Lady Dior bag is one that is synonymous with elegance and style. It is the epitome of French design. However, this design comes with a high price. The good news is that there are ways around paying them. Online stores such as Queen Bee of Beverly Hills offer designer handbags at a discount so fashionstas can look fabulous on a budget. Check it out today and find your Lady Dior handbag at a discount!

Online since 2002, Queen Bee Of Beverly Hills.com has been a leading online designer boutique, offering authentic European discount designer handbags luggage, wallets and accessories.We sell authentic discount designer accessories from Gucci, Dior, YSL and Fendi.

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Looking At The Role Of Fragrances Throughout History

Smelling good and being in an environment that also smells nice has been a passion for mankind many thousands of years. You may be surprised to know how some fragrances were used and where they came from in a time when only natural ingredients were available. Learn more about how people used to obtain the fragrances they applied to their bodies and the ones they used in their homes.

The earthy and musky scent you may prefer goes back into biblical times at the birth of Christ. Wise men brought some of the most valuable gifts to present to Jesus as a babe. These valuable gifts were popular fragrances of that time, frankincense and myrrh. Ancient Egyptians associated some fragrances with deities they worshiped as well.

Several cultures used scents in religious rituals, thus proving how important this aspect of scent is to mankind. The ancient Egyptians also put sweet smelling ingredients with their dead for making sure they had the luxury of fragrance in the other realm. Fragrance has a rich and long history, spanning all around the globe and in most every race and time period as well.

Louis the XIV was famous for many reasons, one being about his love for sweet smelling fragrances. In fact, he became known and still is today as the perfume king. His castle was always filled with aromatic dried flowers and even his guests were scented with sweet smelling oils.

Many of the flowers for the king during that time were grown in the city of Grasse. Today, this area is still known worldwide as being the capitol of the world for perfumes. In fact, some of the first distillation processes discovered that are in modern manufacturing of fragrances today were discovered in Grasse.

The first synthetic ingredient was developed in England. Nitrobenzene produced a sweet almond scent and was often used in soaps. In South America, a man named William Perkin found that tonka beans could be used to produce a sweet hay smell. Throughout the years after these initial discoveries of synthetic components, more and more seem to arise for the body fragrance industry.

Today, the business of smelling good has grown into millions and millions of dollars worth of fragrances. No matter where you travel to, you are likely to find some sort of body scent for sale. Your favorite fragrance is never too far away when you buy online.

Get a complete description of the history of perfume and more information about a leading supplier of fine fragrances at http://www.perfumeandcolognemall.com/ now.

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