The Discovery of Ethiopian OpalsLet's start with the story behind these beauties. Ethiopian opals weren't really on anyone's radar until the early 1990s when something amazing happened in the Wollo Province of Ethiopia. Miners, on the hunt for something else entirely, stumbled upon these hidden treasures. Talk about a happy accident! Ethiopian opals burst onto the scene with their incredible play of colors and have been mesmerizing us ever since. What Makes Ethiopian Opals Stand Out?
The Ethiopian Opal Earrings we just restocked are the most gorgeous cobalt blue that fire emerald green with sparks of red. They are truly something special! These gems have a unique origin too – they form in volcanic rock, which gives them their distinct character. They're known for their translucency, allowing light to pass through and create those mesmerizing color flashes. It's like holding a tiny piece of magic in your hand! The Meaning and Perks of Wearing Ethiopian OpalsNow, let's get to the juicy part – what do these opals mean and what can they do for you? Well, folks have been attributing all sorts of mystical qualities to them: Unleash Your Creativity: If you're feeling a creative block, Ethiopian opals might just be your muse. They're believed to spark your imagination and get those creative juices flowing. Perfect for artists, writers, and dreamers! Heal Your Heart: These opals are like emotional healers. They're said to help you let go of past traumas and find inner peace. So, if you're going through a rough patch, consider them your emotional support gem. Stay Protected: Opals, in general, have a reputation as protective stones. They're thought to shield you from negative vibes and bad energy, making you feel all safe and cozy. October Babies, Rejoice: If your birthday falls in October, you're in luck! Ethiopian opals are one of your birthstones, giving you a unique and meaningful option for your birthday bling. And if you happen to be celebrating a 14th anniversary soon, these are the anniversary gemstones for you! So, as you start pulling out the fall clothes and pumpkin spice everything takes over, why not treat yourself to these Ethiopian opal earrings? These gems truly capture the magic of this cozy, colorful season, and that's something to treasure. Happy October, gem lovers! 💎🍂
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Beautiful red ruby is the birthstone for July and the anniversary stone for the 15th, 40th and 80th year of marriage. It is one of the four precious stones along with Emeralds, Diamonds and Sapphires. The name comes from the Latin word “ruber” which simply means “red”. Ruby is red corundum and derives its color from the presence of chromium. Corundum is a mineral that produces sapphires of every color. All other corundum colors are called sapphires. Depending on the iron content, rubies can range from pinks and purples to orange and brownish reds; the most desirable being deep blue red which is referred to as “pigeon’s blood”. The largest producers of rubies are Thailand, Madagascar, India and Sri Lanka but they can be found in Africa, Australia and the U.S. Rubies are the second hardest natural stone after diamonds which makes them perfect for jewelry. Larger high-quality rubies are rarer than diamonds of the same size and for that reason can sell for a significantly higher price. The “Hope Ruby” Ring sold for 6.74 million at 32.08 carats and Elizabeth Taylor’s 8.24 carat ruby ring sold for 4.2 million at auction. (That’s $500k per carat!!) Ruby jewelry was a favorite among royalty around the world. They were a symbol of power and believed to be a stone of protection. In India, rubies were believed to help them stay at peace with their enemies. In the Bible rubies are associated with wisdom and beauty. Today, rubies are said to attract good luck to the wearer, protect you from misfortune and shield against negative energy. They symbolize passion and love, release limitations, help with focus and clarity and strengthen energy, courage and joy. Who couldn’t use a little ruby jewelry in their life? Check out Jewel of Havana’s new raw ruby necklace and earrings just in time for July birthdays! Aquamarine, the birthstone for March and the anniversary stone for the 19th year of marriage, has long been prized for its soothing color ranging from translucent pale blue to blue green or teal. A member of the beryl family, Aquamarine is a sister stone to Emeralds, both beautiful crystals but deriving their color from trace amounts of chromium (emeralds) or iron (aquamarine). The name “Aquamarine” comes from the Latin words for water and sea. In ancient times, Aquamarine was worn by sailors for protection on the ocean. It was also believed to be a healing stone for calming anxiety. It is believed to bring courage and happiness to the wearer, increase intelligence and make one youthful. It is also believed to reawaken love, making it a wonderful gift for any anniversary. The largest producer of aquamarine is Brazil but it is found all over the world - Australia, Tanzania, Zambia, Kenya, Madagascar, Nigeria, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Pakistan, China, Russia and several locations in the United States, with India quickly rivaling Brazil for the top spot. Although the clear variety is the most valuable, I prefer milky aquamarine. It is a naturally occurring aquamarine that is translucent to opaque instead of transparent. Milky aquamarine complements almost any skin tone making it a Jewel of Havana favorite. I’ve never seen it look anything but stunning on anyone regardless of skin tone or hair color. Jewel of Havana has beautiful aquamarine necklace sets back in stock just in time for March birthdays or anniversaries. I’ve also added new aquamarine clips for our popular Leaf Bell Necklaces and just a few more aquamarine earrings are left as well. Add this stone of protection and calm to your jewelry collection. It is sure to bring you many years of happiness and natural beauty. Jewelry is a popular gift for wedding anniversaries. But did you know there is a traditional anniversary stone chart similar to that for birthstones? Along with the traditional anniversary gifts like paper, wood and crystal, you can give traditional gem and semi-precious stones on a wedding anniversary to commemorate a special milestone. The giving of traditional anniversary gifts dates to Roman times, when husbands would crown their wives with a silver wreath for 25 years of marriage, and a gold wreath for 50 years of marriage. Thus, the silver and golden wedding anniversaries were born. By the last couple centuries of the millennium, most countries had adopted a list of traditional gifts for major anniversaries like 1st: paper, 5th: wood, 10th: tin, 15: crystal, etc.. In 1937, the American National Retail Jeweler Association developed an expanded list of traditional anniversary gifts to correspond to most every year, and most jewelry retailers adopted a list of anniversary stones as well. Jewel of Havana carries jewelry featuring many traditional anniversary stones, including fresh water pearl, amethyst, onyx, lapis lazuli, turquoise, agate, peridot, and aquamarine. An anniversary stone ring, bracelet, necklace or pendant is a very personal gift, and can help you celebrate and remember a special wedding milestone any time it’s worn. Anniversary Gemstones Gift List Amethyst, the birthstone for February and the anniversary stone for the sixth year of marriage, has long been prized for its captivating violet color, ranging from lavender to deep purple. A member of the quartz family, Amethyst is both beautiful and durable, making it popular and suitable for jewelry. Relatively abundant, Amethyst is found all over the world, making it an affordable gemstone for many. The name “Amethyst” comes from the Greek word, “amethystos,” which means, “not drunk.” For centuries, Amethysts were worn by ancient civilizations for protection from intoxication and seduction. In the middle ages, amethyst was a popular wedding gift as it was believed to bless the couple with happiness and good fortune. European soldiers wore Amethyst amulets in battle, believing they offered protection and healing. And throughout history, both royalty and religious leaders treasured Amethyst for its beauty and value. Amethyst owes its color to the presence of trace minerals and iron impurities, coupled with exposure to radiation. Because of its stratified crystal structure, some varieties of Amethyst can be not just solid in color, but banded purple and white, giving it a variegated appearance. Jewel of Havana carries necklaces and rings in Amethyst, that will make a stunning gift or a welcome addition to any jewelry collection. Amethyst changes color when exposed to extreme heat, and its color can fade with prolonged exposure to intense light. So, care must be taken not to steam clean amethyst, or to sunbathe while wearing it. Amethyst can be safely cleaned with warm, soapy water. Amethyst is said to promote peace, happiness and contentment. There’s a reason St. Valentine always wore it. Whether you choose a ring, earrings, or necklace, wearing Amethyst is bound to bring pleasure to you and those you encounter. |
Ana Maria AndricainAna is a metal clay certified artist creating handcrafted nature inspired artisan jewelry from her Baton Rouge studio. If you love natural gemstones and metal, welcome home! Categories
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