Legends of the Amethyst

Who said red

was the color

of Valentine?

Mythology and history states that the purple Amethyst is the stone of Saint Valentine (and of faithful lovers). Did you know Saint Valentine wore a cupid engraved Amethyst ring? Yes he did.

Other mythologies place the Amethyst on Egyptian soldiers going into battle as they believed this would maintain their courage and integrity.

Romans made their wine goblets out of Amethyst to protect themselves or guard them from the effect of excessive drinking. (if they just drank less - well good the Amethyst was around). And speaking of wine, the Greek word amethustos means "not to be drunk", the Greeks too believed this gemstone would help them against drunkenness. So next time you're headed to a bar, carry or wear an Amethyst!

In the Roman Catholic Church, Amethyst was associated with the Bishops who wore an amethyst ring, the gem represented purity. It is also the popular gem for Buddist prayer beads, the gemstone of the Buddha.

Read: Properties and symbolic associations of Amethyst

Read: February's Birthstone

Don't Forget to print out your Gift Card - Happy Valentine's!

List of Healing Properties of Amethyst

Here are a few of the problems the Amethyst is believed to sooth and even heal:

1. Treats insomnia

2. Reduces bruising and injuries

3. Treats hearing disorders

4. Cleanses the blood

5. Relieves physical, emotional and psychological pain

6. Relieves stress

7. Helps focus

8. Boosts production of hormones

9. Helps the healing of lung diseases and respitory problems

10. Balances body mind and soul

February's Birthstone: Amethyst

February's Birthstone, the Amethyst

Color purple, the color of royalty and the mystical color of Amethyst and both color and gem have extremely powerful and spiritual vibration. The Amethyst a purple variety of quartz, is the gemstone of choice for psychics as it can take you to higher states of consciousness.

It is also attributed to strong healing and cleansing of body, mind and soul. If you're feeling scattered, Amethyst will help you refocus, and bring you spiritual insights and a better ability in decision making.

The most protective of all crystals, the Amethyst is known as the all-healer. Are you having problems getting a good night sleep, or suffering headaches lately? Wearing an Amethyst while sleeping can help you rest. It would be a wonderful gemstone to take along to work, it will sooth you and guard you against anxiety, anger and impatience. If your daily tasks are overwhelming you at work, the Amethyst will be the gemstone to sooth you. Place an Amethyst on your computer table to avoid eye strain.

Indeed the healing properties of the Amethyst are many. A beautiful crystal one should appreciate.

Shown here: 14K white gold ring. Center stone is a large oval amethyst.

List of healing properties of the Amethyst

What is a Diamond?

The diamond is a plain, crystallized carbon. This crystallized form, brilliance and its hardness is what makes it highly prized and desirable. The colorless (transparent white) diamond is the most popular, however they do occur in other colors, usually pastel. These are called Fancy Diamonds. The rarer colors are pink, light blue and green and most expensive.

One of the most important sources of diamonds is also one of the earliest known sources: India. Discovery of diamonds in Brazil took place in 18th century while in Africa it was in the 19th century. The 20th century brought many other sources such as Russia, Australia and Canada.

Take the Gamble out of Buying a Diamond.

A qualified jeweler has scientific training and a wealth of practical experience; and can provide the consumer with far greater information. We always try to educate our customers so they can learn to judge a diamond and know its critical factors which are the four C's: color, clarity, cut and carat.

We strongly suggest spending time to ask the questions before making the purchase but you've got to know what questions to ask, here are five:

1. What is the color I want?

2. What shape would I like my stone to be?

3. Is the stone I've chosen lively?

4. Am I excited by it?

5. Can I afford it, does it fit my budget?

Once you've narrowed these top five, you're then ready to examine the stones that fit your request.

Diamonds Dazzle your Eyes and Delight your Ears.

Sorry Neil, this post isn't quite about you, though I do enjoy "I am, I said" occasionally. But what you are not is a diamond, you know the one Shirley Bassey sings about.

Today, with the advance technology you may soon want to hear what your diamond stone sounds like. Yes, you heard me. It is now possible to translate light wave patterns into sound waves, and each diamond has a unique pattern that creates a unique sound. World renowned diamond cutter Gabi Tolkowsky* pioneered this new innovation called "diamond melody". At a conference, he once demonstrated it by playing a CD of abstract sounds that filled the room with random, yet beautiful melody, he played a couple of tracks of this other-worldly new age sound and then announced the composers: two diamonds!

One day you may go to your local jeweler and select a diamond not only for its visual properties but also for its unique sound, now how cool is that!

* Cousin of Marcel Tolkowsky who developped the "ideal cut".

The Magic of Diamonds

Diamonds were first discovered in India thousands of years ago, and since have been one of the world's most coveted gem in history. For a long time diamonds were only known to kings, today they remain still a substance that has great value and desired by many. The word diamond comes from the Greek adamas, in Roman it was called diamas meaning "the unconquerable". How strange then to see diamonds to be the ultimate gift a woman is given by the lover who wishes to conquer her heart.

Diamonds are indeed magical, when your eyes catch a glimpse of its beauty, you can't help but admire it. When clustered together on a jewelry piece, these bright little gems fascinate and make you gasp. Legends of the diamonds are many. Beliefs of their healing and protective powers passed on from generation to generation through out the centuries. The diamond was thought to protect the wearer from fire, illness, and thieves. (Thieves? Diamond jewelry should be the one thing you leave behind in a safe today when traveling abroad!). Ancient astrologers associated the diamond to Aries the ram and believed to bring strength of mind to those born under this sign. (Feb 19-March 20). Every culture attributed different unique properties to it. For instance Romans would wear diamond on their left arm for bravery and victory in battle, while Hindus classed diamonds and their magical properties according to their color. Diamonds come in every color of the rainbow and a variety of shapes.

Fearlessness, bravery and courage, invincibility, and superior strength believed to be gained by wearing diamonds are just a few of the magical powers attributed to diamonds. But there still is a little catch, it was also believed that its powers would only work if the diamond was found naturally, or, when given as a pledge of love and friendship; now here we finally understand the reason for its strong presence in engagement rings.

Why Platinum?

So you're shopping for an engagement ring or maybe you're looking to upgrade the look of your existing ring. You hear many people say platinum is a stronger and tougher metal than gold. The truth is, yes it is. However this doesn't mean it is scratch proof, in fact it scratches more easily. Its heavy density will make the piece heavier, and since cost is by weight it will also be costlier than gold. Platinum is more expensive as it is nearly used in its purest form with only 5-10% of alloys, something to keep in mind. It is also the metal of choice for very delicately constructed pieces, since it is a harder metal, it will ensure that the stones will be held securely. When the design of a ring doesn't have a fragile construction, you might as well go for white gold.

Another important factor why platinum could be the right choice for you is if you have allergy to gold. Well no one can really be allergic to this eternal metal which is gold, it is the whitening agent (nickel) in the alloys mixed with the gold that can cause sensitivity to some people. The small amount of allows added to platinum will be another form of platinum group metal.

One great reason to choose platinum over white gold is that its native color is white, unlike the gold which receives its whiteness from the added alloys and with time will need re-polishing and re-dipping to regain the bright white finish. Platinum also isn't as white as the gold, somewhat grey white, this flatters the diamonds making them that much brighter, even color gemstones shine. The color grey will always enhance the color it accompanies, even in clothing; wear grey pants with a fushia top and that top's color will be brighter.

When ordering a platinum piece, keep in mind that platinum melts at higher temperatures and requires different tools and special skills and most often will take longer to create.

Overall, platinum is a metal that demands better skilled smiths and must be done right from the get go, unlike gold, it is very difficult to correct platinum if there are issues in the design. Therefore, platinum jewelry is made sure to be made perfectly in the first place and tends to be more "exclusive".

Hope this helps in your decision, I personally like my gold, the eternal metal, but there's something to be said about platinum isn't there?

The Key to Her Heart

The key to her heart comes in white diamonds.

Shown here a custom made key in white gold with antique finish. The key was first drawn, inspired by the many shapes of hearts, it was then rendered in a 3D computer software for perfect lines and curves. The outcome is a detailed model which is cast in gold and set in brilliant round diamonds, finally hand polished to a perfect shine.

It is an enchanting piece of jewelry, one that can become an heirloom. If you wish to add different stones, we can. Or even if you need the key shape to be more customized to a particular style you like, we can make it. The beauty of custom work is that we can turn your own vision into reality.

Energize your sex life -with garnets, January's birthstone.

Garnet Dangle Earrings:

Here's some history about January's birthstone, the garnet. In antiquity it was famous for its inner sparkle, and the most famous garnet of all was called "wise one" decorating the crown of German emperor in 912-973. Also it was often found decorating the weapons of nights and warriors.

In Indian mythology garnet is known as "Kundalini fire" which is that sensation beginning at the base of your spine and rising rapidly upwards, with a sudden surge of energy. The rise of kundalini energy is also called "the Serpentine Fire". (more about Kundalini Fire).

Legend says that garnet gives wisdom to the wearer but when it comes to its healing properties, garnet is said to strengthen blood circulation and the heart, and if that doesn't help energize your sex life, well... There's always magic, mystics believed garnet had magical powers and could brighten dark souls and bring hope.

This gemstone is found in India, Africa, Australia, Mohemia, Canada and is best known in the color red, but it also comes in dark red, rust red, yellow, green and black. It isn't a very hard stone, ranging 7 to 7.5 on the mohs scale.

Although garnet is January's official birthstone, it is particularly good for those born under the astrological sign of Aries and Scorpio.

If you own a garnet, don't forget to recharge it by placing it in the sun!

Peace Pendants

Dakota Fanning wearing a pendant which is the famous symbol for peace.

But where did this symbol originate?

The dove and the olive branch used to symbolize peace until mid twentieth century when the peace sign as we know it became the world recognized symbol for peace.

It was initially designed for the British nuclear disarmament movement by designer Gerald Holtom, the design was completed on February 21st 1958 for the 4 April march planned by the Direct Action Committee against nuclear war (DAC). The symbol was later adopted by the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, then by the Anti-War movement in 1960 and then by the counterculture and finally by our popular culture.

The peace sign flag first became known in the US in 1958 when Albert Bigelow, a pacifist protester, sailed his small boat outfitted with the CDN banner into the vicinity of the nuclear test.

More on the history of the peace sign at wikipedia.org

Why You Should Consider the Mom & Pop Jewelry store!

Consider an independent jeweler before you rush off to the large jewelry retailer promising up to75% off. Independent jewelers are not dead, as some may believe, and the independent jeweler can often provide more to its customers than the large-scale jewelry store.

1. Quality

2. Low prices

3. Personalized service

4. Knowledge from an experienced jeweler on the premise

5. Exclusive jewelry pieces (not mass produced)

The overhead of an independent jeweler is much lower making it easier to offer great savings to their customers without hurting their bottom line. You might find a similar piece at both the independent as well as the large jewelry retailer, but you will surely pay more or less same regardless of their discount as their mark up was exaggerated in the first place. At Jewels Quest, we don't play the high mark-up game. And while you may find great bargains, be assured that the quality of diamonds may not be as good, it's easy to sell at low prices when the diamonds are commercial and of low quality. At family owned and operated jewelry stores such as Jewels Quest fine jewelry, customers also enjoy the benefit of a more relaxed atmosphere, and a more personalized service. An added benefit to shopping at an independent jeweler is that they often have exclusive pieces and also offer services you may not find at the larger jewelry chain store. Not to mention that you have an experienced jeweler right in front of you.

When it comes to special orders, the custom jewelry we design at Jewels Quest will usually be of better quality, and the customer will be more implicated in the process. Another very important aspect of our jewelry store, which sets us apart from others, is that all repairs on jewelry and watches are done on the premises rather than sent out. Customers once again benefit as the savings are passed down to them. Many customers don't want their four carat diamond ring or their Rolex shipped out and back to third parties, knowing that their item is staying in store reassures them.

So if you're in the market for diamond or gold jewelry, or even fashion sterling silver jewelry; consider the mom and pop jewelry store like Jewels Quest. Beyond the fact that you'll be supporting a local small business, you will definitely be benefitting by getting quality, savings and personal service by an experienced jeweler.