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Emerald

emerald - goldfish jewellery design studio

You have all heard of Emeralds. This simply sparkling-green precious stone is sometimes even more valued than diamonds. It truly gives its owner the gift of eloquence.

The name comes from the Greek word Smaragdos, which means “green stone”. Many ancient races thought of the Emerald as the stone of the Gods. The Greeks associated this stone with the goddess Venus, and for many people it is a symbol of constancy and true affection reflecting the security of love. Legend has it that if an Emerald is given to a lover the stone will pale and grow dull as the love fades (don’t go into a panic, your stone might just be dirty!).

In the book of Revelations, Emerald is said to compose the throne of God. The Holy Grail is speculated to be carved from a huge Emerald… which fell from Satan’s crown when he was banished from heaven. And somewhere someone suggested that Jesus used an Emerald bowl at the last supper.

The first Emeralds came from the Egyptian desert. Not surprising then that Cleopatra made gifts of them to give her favourite ambassadors.

The Incas and Aztecs worshiped it as a sacred stone. Julius Caesar collected them for their healing properties, which are vast. Nero, while watching the gladiators in the arena, used it to lengthen his vision.

Emerald is the zodiac stone for Cancer and birthstone for May.

An excellent general healer. It acts as a blood detoxifier and encourage abundance, growth, peace, harmony, love and fidelity. It also lifts depression and helps those in need of inspiration. Emerald is said to give inner clarity and wisdom, and has been used for healing asthma, heart problems, indigestion, jaundice and poor eyesight.

— Reinette

Goldfish Jewellery Design Studio works with all precious metals, stones and diamonds. For further information, please contact us.

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Garnet

Rhodolite Garnet with a total of 0,22ct Diamonds and eight little Rubies set in 9ct White Gold. Made by Goldfish Jewellery Design Studio.

The gemstone for the month of January, the Garnet has a long and interesting history dating back to 3000BC.

This popular and affordable gem is found all over the world in all colours from red (Pyrope) and green (Tzavorite), to pink (Rhodolite), yellow (Andradite), and everything in between. The colour blue was absent until blue pyrope–spessartine garnets were discovered in 1990 in Madagascar. It changes colour from blue-green to purple depending on the colour temperature of viewing light.

Due to its color-changing quality, this kind of garnet resembles Alexandrite – which should be noted, is a totally different mineral. Though it has been found in a few other places as well, it is still very rare and highly expensive.

History & Legends

The name is believed to have been derived from the Greek word “granatum”, meaning “pomegranate seed”.

Some Asiatic tribes used red garnets as bullets for sling bows because they pierced the victims quickly, and could not be seen well in the body when they mingled with the blood.

There is some speculation whether garnets were buried with dead in order to offer protection during the death experience or offering of payment for safe passage to the underworld. Garnets are also used for protection during any other travel.

Garnet jewellery has been found that date back as far as the Bronze Age (3500 to 1200 BC).

During the 13th Century, the gemstone was commonly worn to repel insects, evil spirits and ward off the evil eye.

In the Koran, the garnet illuminates the fourth heaven of Islam.

Legend has it that Noah kept a garnet on the bow of his ark to help him navigate at night.

Garnets have been valued as a sacred stone by South and North American Indians, Aztecs, African tribes and the Mayans.

The use of red garnet was used by Egyptian pharaohs for both decorative and ceremonial purposes. On statues of the Egyptian nature goddess Isis, garnets are often found on her ceremonial belt to represent her blood and power.

Ancient Romans also wore garnet rings and traded garnet gemstones.

Garnet is a power stone that has long been associated with passion, love and sensuality. This is also a good stone to help you through emotional trauma; set in silver it has a wonderfully soothing effect.

Goldfish Jewellery Design Studio works with all precious metals, stones and diamonds. For further information, please contact us.

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Peridot – Cleopatra`s Favourite Stone

peridot - goldfish jewellery design studio

The Peridot

Also known as Olivine, this gem`s colour ranges from yellow-green through to bottle green.

Until the 19th century, the origin of the Peridot was the subject of much speculation. One such theory was that the gem was found only in meteorites, but early this century it was proven that they actually originated on the island of Zebirget on the Egyptian shore of the Red Sea where it has been mined for 3500 years.

The Peridot now occurs in Egypt, China, Burma, Brazil, Hawaii, Arizona, Australia, South Africa and Norway.

Apart from being cherished for its beauty, it has also been coveted for its healing properties.

The gem is believed to stimulate the mind, relieve stress and open new doors of opportunities and abundance, while banishing lethargy and laziness. It can also help to heal a “bruised” ego by controlling anger and jealousy. It is a good antitoxin stone, cleaning most organs and glands, acting as a “tonic” to strengthen and regenerate the body.

Peridot has been used in the treatment of ulcers and disorders of the heart, lungs, spleen and intestinal tract. It has also been used in the birthing process, thought to stimulate contractions and facilitate the opening of the birth canal.

Peridot is one of the birthstones of September, and  symbolizes married happiness.

— Zak

Sterling Silver Small Protea Peridot Ring

 

Goldfish Jewellery Design Studio works with all precious metals, stones and diamonds. For further information, please contact us.


 

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Carnelian

Carnelian Jewellery - Goldfish Jewellery Design Studio

A type of chalcedony that has been used thousands of years before the birth of Christ, this semi-precious gem has been cherished and loved through the ages, and been used extensively in the jewellery industry.

Being the favourite stone of the Islamic profit Mohammed, it is not unusual to find these stones engraved with Arabic characters or even verses from the Koran. In the western world its main uses were family seals, signet rings, cameos and even scarabs.

Carnelian was believed to calm the temper and still the blood. It is used to stimulate analytical capabilities and precision, and can be used in the treatment of rheumatism, gall and kidney stones, pollen allergies and colds.

Carnelian is the ancient stone of the zodiac sign, Virgo.

The red colour of this gem is due to the presence of iron oxide, and in India they are left to bake in the sun to transform brown stones to red. Most carnelians nowadays originate from Brazil or Uruguay, and have been stained to enhance their colour.

The most interesting thing about Carnelian is most definitely its history.

In Egyptian culture, Isis uses a carnelian amulet named “Thet” to grant protection to those passing through the afterlife, and it is one of the three most powerful gems (with Turquoise and Lapis Lazuli). In Muslim culture it is referred to as “The Mecca Stone”, and those wearing this powerful gem would be granted their every desire.

One very famous Carnelian was worn by Napoleon I, Napoleon III, and Prince Imperial. It was an octagonal shaped seal and disappeared from his body after he was killed by the Zulus in South Africa, since then the stone has never been recovered.

The name carnelian is derived from the Latin word “cornum”, which means berry or cherry.  You will all be most delighted to know that it not only brings good fortune, but it is also recommended for the treatment of infertility and impotence.

–Zak

 

Goldfish Jewellery Design Studio works with all precious metals, stones and diamonds. For further information, please contact us.

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Zodiac Stones and Birthstones

Zodiac Stones and Birthstones - Gem stones

We are often asked about zodiac stones and birthstones, so I thought it appropriate to list them for you. However, do keep in mind that there are variations on these; through the ages many different cultures developed their own associations with different gems.  These are the most commonly accepted:

Zodiac Stones

Star SignDateGem
Aquarius20 January – 18 FebruaryGarnet
Pisces19 February – 20 MarchAmethyst
Aries21 March – 19 AprilBlood stone
Taurus20 April – 20 MaySapphire
Gemini21 May – 21 JuneAgate
Cancer22 June – 22 JulyEmerald
Leo23 July – 22 August Onyx
Virgo23 August – 22 September Carnelian
Libra23 September – 23 October Peridot
Scorpio24 October – 21 November Beryl
Sagittarius22 November – 21 DecemberTopaz
Capricorn22 December – 19 JanuaryRuby

Birthstones and Meanings

MonthGemMeaning
JanuaryGarnetConstancy
FebruaryAmethystSincerity
MarchBlood stone or AquamarineCourage
AprilDiamondInnocence
MayEmeraldLove, Success
JunePearl, moonstone, AlexandriteCompassion
JulyRubyContentment
AugustSardonyx or PeridotMarried Happiness
SeptemberSapphireClear Thinking
OctoberOpal or tourmalineHope
NovemberCitrine, TopazFidelity
DecemberTurquoise, Lapis Lazuli or TanzaniteProsperity

— Reinette

Goldfish Jewellery Design Studio works with all precious metals, stones and diamonds. For further information, please contact us.