Amethyst / Transcend to Transform

Transformation + Protection + Addiction-Release + Sleep aid

Treasured by generations of crystal lovers, Amethyst’s name comes from ancient Greek legend of Bacchus and his intoxicating powers. Taking legend to heart, Ancient Greeks and Romans drank from Amethyst goblets as a talisman against overindulgence and addiction. English regalia were even decorated with amethysts during the Middle Ages to symbolize royalty. Amethyst jewelry has been found and dated as early as 2000 BC.

It has been associated with many myths, legends, religions, and numerous cultures. Some historical accounts say that Saint Valentine had an Amethyst ring carved with an image of Cupid. And for those familiar with Old Testament history, Amethyst was one of the twelve gemstones that represented the twelve tribes of Israel.

For many years, Amethyst was held to be one of the most precious gemstones, often favourited by royalty or exclusively by the clergy as a symbol of Christ. It was even held for many years in the same regard as the diamond. It wasn’t until the discovery of more abundant supplies of Amethyst that it became a gemstone enjoyed by more than just the wealthiest buyers.

Leonard da Vinci once said that amethyst helps to quicken intelligence and get rid of evil thoughts. 

Today, Amethyst reminds us to always treat body and mind as a sacred temple. A stone of protection, it creates an ultraviolet bubble of protective light around people and spaces, and it’s very helpful for insomnia and nightmares. A stone of transcendence, Amethyst heightens psychic powers, and will strengthen your connection to all things mystical and magical. 

Amethyst is a purple variety of Quartz (SiO2) and owes its violet color to irradiation, iron impurities and the presence of trace elements, which result in complex crystal lattice substitutions. Its hardness (a 7 on the Mohs scale) is the same as other Quartz and the best varieties of Amethyst can be found in Siberia, Sri Lanka, Brazil and the far East.

Amethyst is the traditional birthstone for February and a zodiac birthstone for Aquarius and Pisces. 

Bibliography:

– Crystals, The Modern Guide to Crystal Healing, Yulia van Doren.

– American Gem Society, www.americangemsociety.org

– Wikipedia


……… CATALÀ ……..

Transformació + Protecció + Alliberament de l’addicció + Ajuda a dormir

Col.leccionada durant generacions pels amants dels cristalls, el nom d’Ametista prové de l’antiga llegenda grega de Bacus i dels seus poders embriagadors. Els grecs antics i els romans bebíen de calzes fets d’Ametista com a talismans contra la indulgència excessiva i l’addicció. La regalia anglesa va ser fins i tot decorada amb ametistes durant l’edat mitjana per simbolitzar la reialesa. S’han trobat joies d’Ametista datades ja des del 2000 aC.

Aquesta pedra ha estat associat a molts mites, llegendes, religions i nombroses cultures. Alguns relats històrics diuen que Sant Valentí tenia un anell Ametista tallat amb una imatge de Cupido. I per a aquells que coneixen la història de l’Antic Testament, l’Ametista era una de les dotze pedres precioses que representaven les dotze tribus d’Israel.

Durant molts anys, l’Ametista va ser considerada com una de les pedres més precioses, sovint afavorida per la reialesa o exclusivament pel clergat com a símbol de Crist. Fins i tot es va mantenir durant molts anys amb el mateix valor que el diamant. Però quan es van descobrir jaciments més abundants d’Ametista es va convertir en una pedra preciosa a l’abast de més persones, no només dels compradors més rics.

Leonardo da Vinci va dir una vegada que l’Ametista ajuda a accelerar la intel·ligència i a desfer-se dels pensaments malvats.

Actualment, l’Ametista ens recorda tractar sempre el cos i la ment com un temple sagrat. És una pedra de protecció, crea una bombolla ultraviolada de llum protectora al voltant de les persones i els espais, i és molt útil per l’insomni i els malsons. És una pedra transcendent, augmenta els poders psíquics i reforça la teva connexió amb totes les coses místiques i màgiques.

L’Ametista és la varietat violeta del Quars (SiO2) i deu el seu color a la irradiació, a les impureses de ferro i a la presència d’inclusions. La seva duresa (7 a l’escala de Mohs) és la mateixa que altres Quars i les millors varietats d’Ametista es poden trobar a Sibèria, Sri Lanka, Brasil i l’extrem Orient.

L’Ametista és la pedra dels nascuts al febrer i la pedra dels Aquari i Peixos.

Bibliografia:

– Crystals, The Modern Guide to Crystal Healing, Yulia van Doren.

– American Gem Society, www.americangemsociety.org

– Wikipedia

Tanzanite

Do you know Tanzanite? Today I want to explain you something more about this beautiful blue stone, because it seems to be very popular lately and I’m also in love with its colour and texture. 

Tanzanite is the blue and violet variety of Zoisite (from Epidote group). The gemstone was discovered by Manuel de Souza in the Mererani Hills of Manyara Region in Northern Tanzania in 1967. The curiosity is that Tanzanite is only found in Tanzania, in a very small mining area, and this is one of the reasons that make Tanzanite special and rare. 

Tanzanite has a remarkable strong trichroism, appearing alternately blue, violet and burgundy depending on crystal orientation and it can also appear differently when viewed under alternate lighting conditions. The majority of Tanzanite on the market today is heat treated to minimize the brown colors found naturally, and to enhance the blue shades that can rival sapphire

Do you know that the name of “Tanzanite” was given by Tiffany & Co to the gemstone in 1968? The scientific name of “blue-violet zoisite” was not thought to be consumer friendly enough by Tiffany’s marketing department, and inspired with its origin country Tanzania they introduced it to the market as Tanzanite. 

In 2002, the American Gem Trade Association choose Tanzanite as a December Birthstone next to Zircon and Turquoise. So if your birthday is on December, you can discover more about your birthstones here! 

An independent study from 2012 suggests, as its rareness and the small mine area where it can be found, Tanzanite deposits may deplete in 30 years.

Did you like it? Now you know a little bit more about this beautiful and rare blue stone…don’t you think it’s very special?

Inhorgenta 2014

Des d’ahir i fins dilluns hi ha a Munic una de les fires de joieria més importants del sector, no us ho perdeu!

From yesterday until monday there’s in München one of the most important jewelry fairs, you can’t miss it!

Els nostres amics de Albath Edelsteine i RayAlba estaran als estands 541 i 442 del C1, si sou per allà no dubteu de fer-els-hi una visita, tenen pedres i collarets d’una alta varietat i qualitat. Bona fira!!

Our friends from Albath Edelsteine and RayAlba will be at stands 541 and 442 from C1, if you are close don’t miss to pass and say hello, they have a nice variety of gemstones and necklaces of a hight quality. I wish you a good fair!

 

MSO Joies // Noves peces i pedres

Ja som a mitjans de Novembre i a MSOJoies tenim peces noves a la botiga on-line, i encara en tindrem algunes més les properes setmanes. Estigueu alerta! O si teniu en ment una peça especial i única, podeu veure totes les pedres en estoc al nostre Flickr. No ho deixeu per l’últim moment! Ah! Si voleu rebre el nostre Newsletter amb les novetats i descomptes, us podeu inscriure aquí!

We’re at November and from MSOJoies we want to share with you some of the new jewels we have at our online store. Also, we’re going to have some more new stuff before the end of the month, so stay in touch. Moreover, if you’re thinking in a personalized and special design, you can see all gemstones we have in stock at our Flickr. If you want to receive our Newsletter with all news and special discounts, you can submit it here!

Little Sister Designs by Charlotte Burkhart

La Charlotte és una dissenyadora de Nova Zelanda que fa unes peces d’estil gòtic, amb ossos i pedres naturals. S’inspira en la màgia, la ciència ficció i en l’ocult per crear aquestes peces impressionants.

Charlotte is a New Zealand based designer that makes gothic style pieces with silver, bones and natural gemstones. She inspires in Magic, Alchemy, Sorcery and the Occult to create theses amazing pieces.