Healing Stones Find New Roles

KOLESNIKOV-JESSOP
Published: November 23, 2009
New York Times

Diamonds may be a girl’s best friend, but semi-precious stones are catching up fast - not just in jewelry but increasingly in skin care, beauty and health treatments.

Throughout the ages, gemstones have been associated, in cultures ranging from China and India to the Americas, with healing properties. In crystal therapy, a form of alternative medicine, agate is said to slow the pulse and counter insomnia, while amber is said to have both calming and energizing properties. One of the most popular crystals in spa treatments, rose quartz, is reputed among believers to rejuvenate skin and cells and heal emotional wounds.

While medical research indicates any such benefits are imaginary, it also suggests that - such is the power of the mind - the imaginary sometimes works pretty well.

“The use of crystals and other semi-precious stones to help with energy healing is nothing new; it’s been around for centuries, said Cathy Feliciano-Chon, managing director of CatchOn, a Hong Kong-based marketing and communications consultancy specializing in spa and wellness sector brand development.

“In the Asian cultures, people wear crystal and jade because they’ve long believed in their healing properties,” Ms. Chon said. “But there appears to be a new trend gaining momentum in spa treatments. You certainly see it with the use of jade and quartz for example.” These, she said, are often being used in treatments in which the client’s body is massaged with heated stones.

Spas around Asia are increasingly offering treatments such as skin massage with crystal wands - said to help revitalize skin cells, leaving them velvety soft - or the placement of crystals on specific chakras, the force centers associated with traditional Indian medicine, to relieve pain and promote relaxation.

“The chakras are the energy centers in the body, usually from the torso to the top of the head, and they’re linked to colors and through color they’re also linked to the stones and their properties,” said Sheila McCann, the director in charge of spa brand quality for the Shangri-La hotels and resorts chain.

Traditional hot stone massages usually use basalt, a black volcanic rock that absorbs and retains heat. But more exotic stones, apart from being more expensive, can offer physical advantages.

“Jade doesn’t hold the intense heat of basalt, which some people find uncomfortable; Jade has a gentler warmth that works very well in treatment,” Ms. McCann said. A new Shangri-La hotel in Beijing will offer a massage with amber, which until now has been rarely used.

Going a step beyond the use of stones for body massages, a new fashion is developing for using gemstone powders in skin care products.

The Chi spa at the Pudong Shangri-La in Shanghai has introduced a facial treatment that combines a crystal wand massage with the use of Royal Aquamarine Formula, a product from the German skin care brand Biodroga which contains powdered aquamarine.

Other brands touting gem products include American Beauty, which uses “diamond-powder extract” in one of its anti-aging creams; Natura Bissé, which uses diamond dust mixed with micronized iron and wild lavender essential oil in its Magnetic Therapy face cream and Bulgari, which uses “gem essence” - a formula which the brand claims contains “extracts of precious stones” in its skin care line.

Some spas have started using a mix of diamond and iron dust in their abrasive scrub treatments. After the dust is rubbed into the body or face, the therapist uses a magnet to draw it out again and, “with it extracting negative ions, energy, toxins and other negative environmental impacts,” said Sabrina Cormack, spa director at the Joya Spa at InterContinental Montelucia Resort & Spa in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Ms. Cormack’s spa offers two treatments using diamond dust - a facial costing $315 and a Diamond Magnetic Body Experience for $305. Both are “extremely popular with spa guests, particularly more mature guests who are seeking visible results from a facial treatment, and an extremely moisturizing treatment,” Ms. Cormack said.

Started in Dubai in 2004, the organic luxury Shiffa skin care line sells gem-infused oils, which a few high-end spas in the Middle East and the United States have started to offer to customers. Each gemstone, formed under specific earth pressures, is imbued with a specific energy, the brand says.

“The Shiffa gemstone treatments are highly sought after and they are very much wellness driven,” said Bonnie Kyle, spa director at the Peninsula Spa in Beverly Hills, California. “The sapphire is for calmness and balance, the ruby is for harmony and love, the emerald is detoxifying and the diamond is for balancing your entire system. Our most popular is the sapphire treatment which is for 90 minutes and is very calming and healing,” she said.

Amethyst - Named By The Ancient Greeks

The purple gemstone amethyst has been treasured by mankind since its discovery, and has been highly desirable by people in positions of authority throughout the ages. Tradition has it that the stone was worn as part of the official robes of ancient Jewish priests and represented the spirit of God. This type of quartz was used in jewelry and crowns of kings and queens of ancient Egypt, royalty of the Middle Ages of Europe, all the way to the present day.

The color of the stone can range from deep violet to pastel purple. The stone is found in various amounts in many places of the world, with most of the amethyst mined in modern times coming from South America. It is the birthstone for the month of February.

Origins Of The Name

The name amethyst comes from the ancient Greek word amethystos that means 'not intoxicated'. In ancient times it was thought that if a person drank alcohol from a cup made from amethyst they would not get drunk. This also led to the sprinkling of ground amethyst into wine to make the drinker immune from alcohol's effects.

These attributes for amethyst in turn derive from ancient Greek stories. One of these stories tells that the Greek god Dionysus was in love with a Greek maiden named Amethystos. She did not return his love, and prayed to the Greek goddess Artemis to protect her and her chastity from the drunken god. The goddess answered the prayer and turned Amethystos into crystals of white quartz. When Dionysus discovered what had happened, he wept for his lost love and poured his goblet of wine over the crystals, thus they were dyed purple.

From ancient Greece to modern times the rich purple hues of amethyst have made it a very popular gemstone. Formerly reserved for the rich and powerful, modern discoveries of large deposits of the stone in South America have made the beautiful stone affordable for more people to own and enjoy.

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Turquoise - The Holy Stone

For thousands of years the ancient Persians exported Turquoise to the world, it was hugely popular and to this day demand is still massive, so huge is this demand that a worldwide industry has developed not just to mine it, but to imitate and reproduce it as well.

The Turquoise Gemstone is the official stone for December and is also used to celebrate five years of marriage. Originally Persia (Iran) was the most important source of Turquoise but is now virtually mined out; good sources of the stone are Afghanistan, Australia, Brazil, Chile, China, Mexico, Russia, Tanzania and Turkestan. The very best material at the moment comes from the Sleeping Beauty mine in Arizona.

The color of Turquoise can range from a deep blue to blue/green a dark greeny blue to a yellowy green. Impurities present in the Gemstone give the Turquoise it's coloring, copper is responsible for it's blue toning while iron gives the stone a green tint.

Persian Turquoise was less porous than most material mined today so was less treatable meaning you purchased natural, untreated Gemstones. Turquoise from the Sleeping Beauty mines are however very porous and are often soaked in a resin or coated with wax to stop the material from crumbling, as well as improving it's overall look and coloring, this treatment is known as stabilized Turquoise.

Dyeing or staining Turquoise is another way to improve the materials color, oil, paraffin and copper salt will improve the stones color and luster but are only temporary solutions, treatments of this kind result in what is known as enhanced Turquoise.

Natural Turquoise can be quite expensive and it is for this reason many different imitations exist on the market today. Glass imitation Turquoise has been around since Victorian times and can be hard to distinguish from natural Turquoise, sometimes you can get lucky and see air bubbles near the surface which can give it away. Enamel has also been used to imitate Turquoise but has a much greater luster than the original material.

The Turquoise Gemstone has long been believed to be a magical stone that connects spiritual awareness and develops inner strength and calm. Turquoise has always been worn as a natural protection against the powers of darkness, even now it is used as the protective stone of pilots and air crews and many other occupations deemed as high risk.

The North American Indians still produce a great deal of traditional silver jewelry using Turquoise, and believe that the Gemstone opens up a connection between the sky and the sea.

The Navajo Indians have had a long love affair with turquoise or skystone as they refer to the gem, believing that wearing the stone offers them good fortune. Some spiritual ceremonies are held where turquoise is cast into a river to help bring rainwater to their lands. Ancient manuscripts from Persia report that the health of a person wearing Turquoise can be assessed by the variations in the color of the stone. It is also believed Turquoise heals the emotions and enhances communication and creativity.

Turquoise is the national Gemstone of Iran (Persia) and is used for the decoration of thrones. Montezuma's treasure, which is on display in the British Museum, includes a wonderful carved serpent that is covered by a mosaic of Turquoise.

Turquoise has a hardness of 5-6 on the Moh scale, with a conchoidal fracture that means it is a fragile stone that can crumble, and scratch very easily. Unlike other Gemstones, Turquoise can darken and turn slightly green with age. Because of it's porosity the stone can lose it's color if it comes into contact with detergents, grease or perspiration.

If you wear a Turquoise ring, it should always be removed before washing your hands and perspiration should be cleaned off gently with water.

Turquoise Jewelry should always be stored in a cool, dark box in acid free tissue paper, away from other Jewelry that may cause it damage.

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A Diamond Deserves a Closer Look

Knowing what a diamonds quality is can change your whole view about different stones. When two stones can look the same with the naked eye, up close and by using the following guide, you can see that each stone can be very very different. This guide is for those new to the world of diamonds and as a reference.

A diamond has three basic parts which are the crown, the girdle and the pavilion. Each is faceted differently but in the end, they compliment the whole diamond and produce the best possible sparkle. You want the facets to be of excellent symmetry.

When buying a diamond, you need to know about the four C's which are cut, color, carat (weight) and clarity.

The cuts which make up the facets are what bring out the best in a diamond or the worst in some cases. The cuts cause the fire or brilliance of a stone to be brought out, which is all done by hand. When a stone that has a pavilion that is too deep or a crown that is too shallow, then the light will be reflected everywhere except the direction you want it to and make the stone look dim. You want an idea cut.

Stones come in many different cut varieties. There are many shapes other than round that can be cut. There are square, marquise, trilliants, oval, pear etc... The list goes on and these are all considered to be fancy cut stones. These are a little more unusual, for those that want something unique and not the traditional style stone.

The clarity of each diamond is measured by the amount of inclusions it has or has not. The difference between inclusions and blemishes is that an inclusion is an internal flaw and a blemish is external which is on the surface. The grades in clarity you should watch for are flawless (FL), internally flawless (IF), Very very slightly included one and two (VVS1 & VVS2), Very slightly included one & two (VS1 & VS2) and you can stretch to slightly included one, two and three (SI 1,2&3)and you shouldn't go below these.

Depending on where the inclusions are within a stone and depending on the types of inclusions there are, if they are blemishes or inside the stone, it can effect how the light is reflected within the stone and back out. Sometimes inclusions can be beneficial though, if you go to insure your stone, the inclusions can act like a finger print to which you can ID it.

The ideal color for a colorless stone is classed as a "D", which means there is no tints or hues and it is absolutely white, D, E & F are the most ideal colorless diamonds, G, H, I and J are tinted slightly and anywhere beyond that and you are looking at a yellow diamond and going into brown as you move along the chart to Z.

When dealing with carat (weight), bigger is not always better, you have to take into consideration an important factor. For example, if you are looking at a 1.25ct diamond next to a 1.0ct diamond and they both cost the same price and are the same color but the cut on the larger 1.25ct diamond isn't the most ideal cut to allow the light to be used to its full potential as I've written before and so the smaller 1.00ct is the better option as the light will be utilized better by the stone and create the "fire" look, which the dazzle is so commonly referred to as, when the light is reflected out. You'll be aiming for very good to excellent cut and remember, size doesn't always matter.

Another alternative stone type to consider is a lab enhanced stone and in actuality, lab created diamonds are exactly the same as a natural diamonds, with the same elements and structure with the only difference being where the diamond is formed. Lab diamonds are grown under controlled conditions. Some are of excellent quality, are valued and graded just as a natural diamond and get lab reports on them too but best of all, they cost a lot less. The most important factor though, when you are buying a diamond, is that you like it. Not because on paper it ticks all the right boxes but because you can see yourself wearing it everyday and not growing tired of looking it.

I hope this information is a help to you and your quest for buying a diamond. Thank you for reading this article.

If you are in the position to buy a diamond engagement ring. Then it is important to understand the make up of a diamond in order to make the right decision. Use my website http://www.buyingadiamondengagementring.org I hope I can help!

Tiger's Eye

Tiger's eyes, which is a semi-precious stone additionally accepted as African cat's eye or crocidolite cat's-eye possesses bands which resemble the eye of a tiger, and accordingly its name. In the past, Roman soldiers wore these stones to serve as their aegis back they go into battle. Because of its appearance, Tiger's Eye has been believed to be an "all seeing" stone.

It has affluent chicken as able-bodied as aureate amber stripes and has an accomplished aureate afterglow afterwards actuality polished. It is a apparent quartz array which is formed through the about-face of crocidolite which is an asbestos mineral. Back it is beheld in some affectionate of reflected illumination, there is a bandage of ablaze or a ripple, which resembles a cat's eye that follows the asbestos' aboriginal coarse structure. It has a acerbity of 7 on the Moh's scale. The better deposits of this stone could be begin in Burma, South Africa, Australia, the United States and India. The best stones are mined in Griqualand West.

Tiger's eye has a lot of airy and holistic properties. It has been acclimated to accretion confidence, adventuresomeness and protection. It has a solar abdomen stone, which helps by convalescent self-perception and self-clarity. It has additionally been accepted to be acceptable for the abstraction or delivery of account and authoritative visualizations and account a reality. It has been believed to be accessible in accepting goals through demography absolute activity as able-bodied as through acquirements back to delay or act. It could additionally annul any animosity of hypochondria and cerebral illnesses and is able for convalescent the action of asthma patients.

Taking Care of Silver Jewelry the Easy Way

With gold and platinum prices at all-time highs, lots of folks are buying sterling silver jewelry instead. Did you know that silver is the whitest metal, even whiter than platinum or rhodium? That's why a flat, polished silver surface makes a perfect mirror. Only problem is, it tends to tarnish, meaning that the surface silver molecules combine with oxygen, and when they do, they form silver oxide, which is black! Quite a contrast! That's why, to make a mirror, the silver is covered with glass, or actually the glass is coated with silver: the glass blocks the oxygen and prevents tarnish.

Since you can't buy glass-coated silver jewelry, you can expect it to tarnish eventually. Some silver jewelry is plated with rhodium to prevent tarnish, so you should NOT polish this type of silver, because it will remove the plating! Though rhodium is a platinum-group metal, it is not quite as white as silver, so there are some advantages to leaving the silver au naturale, and we will talk about that in a minute. By the way, the Viridian Gold Jewelry Store will always tell you if one of our jewelry pieces is rhodium-plated, so that you will know how to care for it. Rhodium plating is also commonly used on white gold jewelry.

Some silver jewelry just doesn't need regular polishing, because tarnish is kept at bay by skin oils and regular washing. That means that an item worn against the skin, such as a cross on a chain, or a ring, tends to stay relatively tarnish-free. Except when it is exposed to some harsh chemicals which accelerate oxidation. For instance, if you wear a silver neck-cross and go swimming in a chlorinated pool, the cross will quickly turn black! But, swim in a lake or spring-fed pool (like our Barton Springs pool here in Austin!), and nothing happens.

Silver is, as the chemists say, "highly reactive". Some substances besides oxygen, especially sulfur and chlorine, will combine with the silver to form compounds which are black in color. So, if your water supply is high in sulfur (well water is sometimes this way), or is loaded with chlorine, you will have a problem with silver tarnish. And, some folks' skin oils contain chemicals which can accelerate tarnishing, because of their particular body chemistry or diet.

So, how to clean the polish? Well, you could use silver polish, and that works great--some polishes leave behind a film which helps prevent tarnishing (but that quickly wears off of a piece of jewelry that gets handled). Or, you could do what I do--just put a little toothpaste on your fingers and rub it on the piece, then rinse with water. Quick, convenient and cheap. Remember, though: Don't polish silver that is rhodium plated!

If the silver item is something that is not in constant contact with your skin, such as earrings or a brooch, then you need to make sure you store the jewelry item in an air-tight container or in a tarnish-inhibiting cloth.

What could possibly be good about silver tarnish? Well, the tarnish adds a beautiful aged effect to silver items, because it tends to darken the recesses of the piece where silver polish does not reach. This effect gives a unique dramatic character to silver jewelry that sets it apart from gold and platinum, making it a great choice for both casual and formal wear!

William Long is the president and founder of The Viridian Gold Jewelry Store -- check his jewelry information blog at http://viridian-gold-nuggets.blogspot.com for helpful tips and entertaining facts! Viridian Gold also carries platinum and sterling silver jewelry, and has a broad selection of Religious and Family jewelry items.

Celtic Diamond Rings - A Combination of History And Romance

The symbolism of Celtic Diamond Rings is relevant to all cultures. Love and friendship intertwined in the Celtic symbols on the ring have relevance to every couple contemplating marriage. The ancient Celts used the symbols of the Claddagh to show that marriage is a partnership where love prevails throughout any hardship. The Celtic Daimond Rings are well-known for the symbol of a heart with two crowns, both cradled by linked hands.

You don’t have to be engaged to be married to wear diamond and emerald claddagh rings. The way you wear the ring signifies whether or not you are romantically attached. For unmarried girls, wearing the rings with the heart facing outward means that you are free, while wearing the heart inwards on the claddagh ring sends a message that you are not free for a romantic fling.

You can choose a variety of stones for your Claddagh ring. All types of this ring have a stone, usually a diamond, an emerald or a ruby, but any precious gemstone can be included. In the heart Claddagh, the ring itself is heart shaped and as Celtic Diamond Rings this makes the perfect engagement ring because of its unique style. Having a pearl in the ring evokes a mystical quality, but you can also have it surrounded by tiny diamonds for the ultimate piece of jewellery. Diamond and emerald Claddagh rings make really great gifts for any occasion and are a delight for those that receive them.

Knots are extremely popular in Celtic rings. The lover’s knot consists of a series of designs that are interwoven into a continuous loop to symbolize the eternity of love. Different strands of the knot represent the different directions that individual lives tend to take during a romance or marriage, all leading back to the core of the relationship. These knots also represent one’s Irish heritage and the ancient symbolism of the Celtic traditions.

The Celtic ring itself has an interesting history. The designer, Richard Joyce, was sold into slavery in Algeria. After his escape he made his way back to Ireland and his sweetheart. During captivity, he learned the art of making rings and he designed the Claddagh as a symbol of his undying love for his bride-to-be.

Instead or meaning that marriage was a bondage, the Celtic rings means marriage and love represent freedom.

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Unique Pearl Necklace Beauty

Necklaces are always very popular and fashionable pieces of jewelry. It doesn't matter which generation you are in, the fact remains that necklaces always find a place amongst women's fashion accessories. Among these necklaces will generally be pearls.

What comes to mind when we think pearl necklaces? To me, it has predominately been strings of white pearls or occasionally a string of pink pearls. Pearls though, come in a variety of shades – some of them being white, pink, black, silver, cream, gold, blue and dark green. The list of colors seem endless.

What kind of pearl necklaces are there? There are two types that come to mind. Firstly, you can have a necklace with one or more strings of pearls, white or colored. But have you stopped to think what beauty you can find in a different kind of pearl necklace, a necklace that will make it a unique pearl necklace?

Let's take a look at what makes a pearl necklace unique and different. Imagine yourself wearing a beautiful necklace made from a combination of gemstones and pearls. Gemstones come in a wide array of choices – types of stones, colors and shapes. Team gemstones together with pearls into a necklace and the variety is immense. There is always a unique pearl necklace to suit your personal taste and the outfit you want to wear.

Unique pearl necklaces have the added advantage of being useful to team together with many different colors and styles of outfits and can be used also for either a formal or casual look. This makes them a very versatile piece of jewelry because you don't have to keep your pearls just for a special occasion but makes them very practical for casual wear as well.

Let's take a look at a few examples. Imagine natural shaped turquoise alternated with white pearls and fine beads. Another combination would be a blend of stones like baroque pearl, aquamarine, amethyst and rose quartz, giving a beautiful blend of colors in the cool shades. Black baroque pearl with India agate is a good choice to serve as an all round “go with anything” necklace.

When choosing pearls, keep in mind your skin coloring as well as the outfits you have to wear. By choosing your necklace colors like this, you can enhance your beauty and also the appearance of your outfit when you wear a unique pearl necklace as part of your accessories.

This article is written by Betty Segneri from http://www.temicjewelry.com

Buy Diamonds for Less

Buy Diamonds for Less

Whether you are buying a diamond for an engagement ring, anniversary, to commemorate a special moment, or for your personal pleasure, today it is more important than ever to understand what you are buying. There are new shapes and cuts, fancy colors, high-tech treatments and sophisticated frauds. There are new ways to buy - such as internet auctions, online websites and TV shopping. Buyers need a source of guidance.

Here are five key questions to ask yourself initially before you consider buying any stone:

1. Is the color what you desire? - Keep in mind when you search for any diamond characteristic you will learn that the more rare, the more expensive. Color of course is in the eye of the beholder, however keep in mind that the whiter the stone, the more rare it is and the more expensive it will be.

2. Is the shape what you want? - Diamonds today come in a variety of shapes. Classic round is still the most popular. The choice will be yours, personal preference rules.

3. Does it have brilliance or sparkle? Does it come alive for you? - I think that this aspect is the most important point. There is an intangible nature to what you desire in your diamond. Most people want a stone that is absolutely beautiful to look at in the way it sparkles. This occurs through light reflection throughout the stone in regards to its many facets and the way the diamond is cut. The bottom line here is that you want your diamond to blow you (or anyone else) away when seen. Learning about diamonds is important before you buy and can take some research, however, you should never be taken away from the sparkle factor.

4. Do you like it and feel excited by it? - Your diamond should move you in a way that can't always be explained with words. It is more of an emotional connection.

5. Can you afford it? - You don't always like to think about this part but realistically it's an important part of the process.

If you have answered yes to the five question listed above, you are ready to examine your diamond buying experience more specifically.

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Antique Style Wedding Rings - Things You Should Know About

Looking for the perfect wedding rings is a daunting task. It requires patience and a fixed mind: two of the qualities most bride-to-be's come up short of. There are just so many wedding rings advertised and sold out there that really, it can take you a week before you and your partner can both decide, and sometimes compromise, on.

If you and your man are into old-fashioned romance, then lucky for you both, you have at least some idea on what you want your wedding rings should be. You have two options for this: one is to look for the family heirlooms, and second is to look for antique style wedding rings. For the family heirlooms, you will not only be saved from the hassle of buying the rings, but also end up having authentic and really pricey wedding rings for free. In short, you and your partner will be silently thanking the ancestor and benefactor of such rings.

If you do not have such heirlooms, or you have but don't like them, then the antique style wedding rings are for you. The beauty of these rings is that they have the ability to look old without being such. As it is, there are a lot of antique style wedding rings available in jewelry shops and all you have to do is pick a set.

As usual, as wedding rings go, if you do not like any of the rings shown in the jewelry shop's catalogs, you and your partner can design it yourselves. You can browse photos and samples of antique wedding rings or ones that look antique and design your own set according to what you've seen. If you and your partner are not that sure with your own designs, ask for help with the jewelry designer. He, or she, will guide you in the process; just make sure that you describe everything in detail. This will help him greatly in coming up with a design that you will love and also help you avoid disappointments upon seeing that the finished product is not like anything that you have asked for.

These rings can be made of yellow or white gold, silver, titanium, platinum and the like. It is interesting to note that lately, couples opt for such rings, especially the ones that are made out of platinum or white gold. This is because such materials, plus the design, reflect the past while also showing the present. In this way, the past and present are seen in one item. With the way that they are designed and the material that they are made of, these wedding rings also say that the wearers are stylish irregardless of time.

Another reason why most couples nowadays opt for the white gold or platinum material lies on the fact that they have this bright and contrasting appearance, making them hard to miss. Unlike yellow gold, white gold does not fade. So you can scratch out the constant trips that you will be making to the jewelry shop to have it cleaned to make it yellow and gleaming again. As for platinum, they are very durable. No matter what you and your partner do, you both can be assured that the rings will stay intact for the rest of your lives.

Diane Winter researches and shares information about relationships and weddings. Try visiting her website at http://www.weddingringtips.com where you'll find more tips and advice about vintage wedding rings and almost any type of wedding rings.