Moon Stone Kunzite beads Bracelet with faceted Amethyst pendant

Amethyst

Amethyst is the purple variety of quartz and is one of the most popular gems. If it were not for its widespread availability, Amethyst would be very expensive. Amethyst is a widely used gem.

The name "amethyst" comes from the Greek word "amethustos" which means "not drunken."

In the first century, Pliny wrote that amethyst was so named for its color being nearly the same as that of wine. Early Greeks believed that drinking wine from an amethyst cup would prevent intoxication.

Amethyst and are both verities of Quartz. The difference is color. But natural, with its lovely transparent yellow to orange color, is extremely rare. So almost all on the market is actually amethyst that's been heated to change its color.

Amethyst may be used to remove radiation the body stores on the sides of the head...such as from computers and such. of Amethyst are particualy good for this, just place the head next to it, you will then feel the radiation being drawn out.

Place on the 3rd eye and visualize yourself breathing in the color for total mental emotional soothing. It's a very good technique to do in bed before going to sleep.

It is a amazing all round healer and also a brilliant meditation crystal.

Amethyst can be used for massage in, egg or form.

It makes a great elixir.

Moon Stone

Moonstone shows an almost magical play of light as its characteristic feature. It owes its name to this mysterious gleaming which appears different whenever the stone changes its position in movement. Experts call this the “adularescence”, and in earlier times the phases of waxing and waning moon were though to be discerned in this phenomenon.


Moonstone from Sri Lanka, the classical country of origin for Moonstone, shimmers pale blue on almost transparent ground. Specimen from India shoe cloudlike plays of light and shade on beige brown, green, orange or simple brown background. These subdued colours in combination with the fine shine make Moonstone an ideal gemstone for jewellery with a sensuous and feminine character. This gemstone was once before extremely popular, about a hundred years ago in the times of Art Nouveau. It used to decorate a striking amount of pieces of jewellery created by the famous French Master Goldsmith René Lalique and by his contemporaries. These pieces are usually only found in a museum or in collections nowadays.

Many mystical and magical connotations surround this stone. In several cultures, like for example in India, it is considered a sacred and magical gemstone. In India Moonstone is also appreciated as a “dream stone”, as it is supposed to bring about sweet and beautiful dreams. In Arab countries women often were Moonstone sewn into their garment, because there this gemstone is appreciated as a symbol of fertility.

Moonstone symbolises a holistic view of man and woman. Its soft shine will support the emotional and dreamy tendencies of a person. The associations thus involved make Moonstone of course the ideal stone for lovers, reputed to bring forth feelings of tenderness and to protect true love. It is also reported that wearing a Moonstone will further intuition and your sensitivity for others.

What are Moonstones and where do they come from?

The mystical stone belongs to the large mineral family of feldspars, which provide almost two thirds of all stones on our Earth. In the case of Moonstone, we are looking at the feldspar variety called “adularia” a silicate of potassium aluminium in gemstone quality, which is also found in the European Alps near the Adula-group – thus the name “adularia”. Another synonym for Moonstone is “Selenite”, according to the Greek goddess of the moon, Selene.

When uncut, Moonstones look quite boring and make it difficult to discern their attractiveness: the mysterious play of light. It will only be brought out by the cutter’s expertise and skills. Classical Moonstones are always cut as cabochons. Here the appropriate height of the stone is essential. The cutter must also bear in mind to locate the crystal axis exactly in the zenith of the stone, because only then the desired effect of light play will be achieved.

The classical, bluish and almost transparent Moonstones traditionally came from Sri Lanka. But they are also found in the USA, in Brasil, Australia, Myanmar, and Madagascar. Since blue Moonstones in fine qualities have become more and more scarce in recent time, the prices have increased accordingly.

For some years now also green, blue and peach or smoke and champagne coloured, black and reddish specimen have been offered, which come mainly from India. Some of these show not only the typical the typical floating play of light, but also a cat’s eye or a multi-rayed star. These stones, then, are not only cut as cabochons, but also cut as intricate cameos, sometimes engraved as children’s -, moon - or gargoyle face. They also show the play of light which is so typical for Moonstone, just like the spheres and beads made from suitable raw material to be crafted into fine necklaces.

Where does the striking play of light come from?

The light of a Moonstone is something special indeed in the fascinating world of gemstones. Experts call this phenomenon “adularescence”. The origin of this phenomenon is the interior structure of the gemstone in scales or lamellas. Incoming rays of light are refracted inside the stone and scattered. In this way, then, there is created a unique play of light, which makes Moonstone so special and coveted.

This beautiful gemstone, however, has a considerable drawback: it only achieves a hardness of merely six on the Mohs’ scale. Moonstones should thus be handled carefully, as they are very fragile. On the other hand, small damages which will arise after longer periods of being worn, can be corrected relatively easily. A jeweller can have a dulled Moonstone polished in such a way, that it will regain its mystical light like on the first day.

Three-dimensional colour and seductive charm

When purchasing Moonstone you will be astonished at the striking differences in price. The more intense the colour, the larger and more transparent the stone, the more valuable is the gem. Really top quality fine blue Moonstone show an incredible “three-dimensional” depth of colour, which you will see clearly only when playfully tilting the stone and moving it. Such specimen are very rare and thus highly coveted, and of course accordingly valuable. The brighter coloured Indian Moonstones are not only a fashion trend. They are usually a little less expensive than the classical blue variant, so that everybody today may pick his or her favourite Moonstone to meet exactly all requirements of taste and budget.

Moonstones are Nature’s treasures with a sensuous and seductive charm. The do not only ask to be looked at and admired, the require to be worn and moved a lot. Because only then the soft veil of light which makes this gemstone so attractive will be able to display its beauty to the best effect.

Kunzite

Kunzite and Hiddenite are both varieties of the mineral Spodumene. Kunzite carries the pink ray of Divine love and joy, and Hiddenite carries the green ray of Divine healing and gratitude.

Kunzite's realm is the emotion of the heart- learning to see the energy of Divine love in every aspect of reality. Hiddenite is the physical aspect of the heart- the expression and experience of gratitude for the wellspring of abundance and healing that is the Universe.

Joy and gratitude are inseparable. When one is moved to feel joy over some aspect of one's life, one inevitably feels gratitude as well; and when the understanding of the gifts of the Universe stirs the feeling of gratitude within one's heart, it is inevitably followed by joy. The flow of energy created by the emotions of joy and gratitude are similar to a double-helix, the same pattern as our DNA. When we are feeling joy, we are receiving the full energy of Divine Love. When we are experiencing gratitude, we are giving that love back to the Universe. This flow creates an even energy exchange between the Universe and the physical plane.
Though we are but sparks in a vast Universe of stars and consciousness, we are as important to the Divine plan as if its execution depended upon us alone. Many people feel that humanity is a backward and unlovable species, constantly committing crimes against each other and the world in which we live. This attitude, as well as the acts that precipitate it, have their origins in the concept of separation from the Divine force of the Universe.

Kunzite and Hiddenite remind us that when we reconnect with the immeasurable love of the Universe through the emotions of Joy and Gratitude, we see all things as sacred. In renewing our connection to the Divine, we may very well be renewing our chance at the "redemption' of the Human race.

Kunzite and Hiddenite have appeared as your Allies to remind you of the power of joy and gratitude in your life. At the moment in which you experience these emotions, you are experiencing reconnection to the Divine Creator. Gratitude is the recognition of flow between you and the Universe. When you express gratitude for your life and experience, you establish a flow of energy, giving and receiving between your self and the source of all things. This flow strengthens your sense of connection with all beings.

Joy is the recognition of this inner connection. When you sense Joy, you are experiencing the affirmation of the unbreakable bond between the creative force and the creation. While in the state of Joy, you recognize the interconnectedness of all things, and the beauty of the Universe's love for you.

Kunzite and Hiddenite are bringing to you the remembrance of your connection with Source, and the celebration of infinite creation. Be grateful for your lessons, your life, and your creations. Give thanks to the Universe for the opportunity to be a conscious being who is able to learn and grow and change. Celebrate the Joy of being a spark of the Divine's Light on Earth. Share this joy and thanksgiving with others, and soon the entire Human race will be raised up to a new level of understanding and Love.
CHAKRA: Heart
AFFIRMATION: I give thanks joyfully for the gifts I receive.

Ametrine

Ametrine is especially inexpensive when you consider that it comes from only one mine in the world. Amethyst and citrine colors found in the same crystal of quartz. These bicolor yellow and purple quartz gemstones are called ametrine.

Ametrine is most typically faceted in a rectangular shape with a 50/50 pairing of amethyst and citrine. Sometimes a checkerboard pattern of facets is added to the top to increase light reflection. Ametrine can also be cut to blend the two colors so that the resulting stone is a mix of yellow, purple, and peach tones throughout the stone.

Ametrine is a very durable gemstone suited for a variety of jewelry uses. Most sizes and shapes are available but the color contrast is most pronounced in sizes over seven carats.

Faceted

Facets are flat faces on geometric shapes. The organization of naturally occurring facets was key to early developments in crystallography, since they reflect the underlying symmetry of the crystal structure. Gemstones commonly have facets cut into them in order to improve their appearance.

 

Of the many hundreds of facet arrangements that have been used, the most famous is probably the round brilliant cut, used for diamond and many colored gemstones. This arrangement of 57 facets was calculated by Marcel Tolkowsky in 1919. Slight improvements have been made since then, including the addition of a 58th facet (a culet) on the bottom of the stone. Since this is calculated to show maximum brilliance, round diamonds are rarely cut in any other arrangement, although recently the Princess cut is becoming popular. Other cuts, including "rose" cuts, are most typically found in antique jewelry. See diamond cuts for an in-depth discussion and diagrams of various shapes and ways of cutting faceted stones.

The art of cutting a gem with facets is a very precise activity. The aim with a faceted cut is to produce an article that sparkles with internally reflected light, and that shows off the "fire" of the stone. Accordingly, only transparent or translucent stones are usually faceted.

The angles between each facet are precisely calculated. As the aim is to maximise the effect of the internal reflections, these angles depend on the refractive index of the material. This means that although the name and general shape of a particular cut may be the same between different materials, the actual angles will be slightly different, for the maximum effect.

Thus, although cubic zirconia and rock crystal may look similar to diamond, and all can be cut in a round brilliant cut, the angles must be different to produce the same optical effects. Additionally, as diamond has a refractive index significantly higher than the other natural transparent stones, it can have a much greater sparkle than other materials.

While some facets can be cut by cleavage, specialised machines are used for cutting arbitrary facets. These consist of two main features:

a flat abrasive, usually diamond dust of precise size bonded onto a metal disk (called 'laps') or carried by an oily fluid on a smooth metal or ceramic disk, and
a system for holding a stone onto the disk at a precise angle and position.
This usually requires the stone to be attached to a holder or dop, which is then placed in an indexed vice. This allows progressively finer abrasives to be used without disrupting the orientation of the stone. The final abrasive must be smaller than the wavelength of light, so that the scratches it creates are invisible. Modern machines tend to have indexed gears for moving the stone, so that rotating the stone to cut the next facet can be more precisely controlled.

An older machine called the jamb peg faceting machine used wooden dop sticks of precise length. By placing one end into one of many precisely located holes in the jamb peg, the other end, with the stone, could be precisely placed onto the lap. These machines took considerable skill to use effectively.

Much less commonly, faceters use cylindrical machines, which leave concave facets. This technique is most noticeably used around the gem's girdle.