Ah, Ruby...

Ah, Ruby!

by Jill of JQJewelryDesigns.Etsy.com
Member of http://EEJA.org


The Queen of gems, deep red ruby is the rarest and most valuable gemstone. It's the second hardest natural mineral, next to diamond. Above all other gemstones, including Diamonds, Rubies are the most expensive per Carat - a 15.97 Carat faceted Mogok Ruby was sold at Sotheby's in New York for an amazing $3,630,000 in October 1988. This comes to $227,301 per Carat!

It is from the Latin "ruber" meaning red. Because of its beauty and rarity, the Greeks called it the mother of all gemstones. The Romans called it a flower among stones. Ruby varies in color from dark to purple red, and is the July birthstone. It's the anniversary gemstone for the 15th and 40th year of marriage and the Zodiac Birthstone for Capricorn.

The earliest record for the mining of Rubies goes back more than 2,500 years ago in Sri Lanka. Burma is the world's largest provider of high quality Rubies. Burmese Rubies from the Mogok Valley are considered the finest in the world. Thailand, with large deposits near the Cambodian border, was previously the world's largest provider of Rubies, but the mining has fallen off recently. Bright red stones are mined in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Vietnam. Brownish-red rubies are from Thailand. Darker stones are generally produced from the mines in Australia, India, Russia and USA (Georgia, North Carolina and Wyoming). African Rubies have heavy inclusions and India is famous for supplying Indian Star Rubies. Gems without inclusions are very rare. Most have inclusions which are not visible to the naked eye, and they don't reduce the value of the stone as long as there is brilliance.

This gem can be many shades of red including orangy-red, purplish red or brownish red. Once it becomes too pink it is really pink sapphire. Most Rubies are heat treated to permanently improve their color and appearance. It was one of the earliest gemstones to be synthesized in a laboratory. Manmade Ruby has been around for generations. It is often found in estate and antique jewelry from the very early 1900's through today.

Few other gems have as much myth, lore and romance surrounding them. Many people believe that mystical powers lie within a ruby. The ancient Burmese believed that the stone generates a mystical force when it was inserted beneath the skin. They believed that this force protected the wearer from accidents and attacks. These gems were believed to provide their owners the protection from misfortune and bad health. In the ancient world, many believed that Rubies contained prophetic powers, enabling the wearers to predict their future based on the color changes of their gemstones.

It is known as the stone of love and it was once believed that if worn in a ring on the left hand or in a brooch on the left side, it would give the magical ability to live in peace among enemies. This stone was once thought to ward off bad luck and sickness. Ruby is given as a symbol of success, devotion, integrity, health, and passion.

DID YOU KNOW?

The largest ruby is in the crown of Charles IV, of Luxembourg, King of Bohemia. This birth stone is 250 carats and Charles placed this crown on the skull of Saint Wemaslas, duke of Bohemia, in 1346.

The Carmen Lucia Ruby is the largest faceted ruby in the National Gem Collection and one of the finest Burmese rubies known to exist in the world. Christian Sampler, director of the National Museum of Natural History, says it's the most significant addition to the National Gem Collection since the Hope Diamond came to the museum in 1958. It is a spectacular 23.1 carat Burmese ruby ring, donated to the Smithsonian Institution by billionaire Peter Buck in memory of his wife Carmen Lucia.

AHNA'S NEW SITE IS UP

Special Update by Ahna.Etsy.com

Well peoples - this is good, this is very-very good. There's a magazine called Lapidary Journal, it's been around for 60 years and in June will be called Jewelry Arts. From me sending in a Press Release last week and my portfolio to another magazine where that editor sent my information to an editor for Lapidary Journal - I was asked to do a step by step tutorial for their magazine. Guys - this is huge for me. I'm so honored to have been chosen to do this and at the same time I'm excited and a bit nervous too. Luckily, there is no deadline so I can take my time on the project... and what a project it will be. I am recreating this pendant and will have to write out each and every step as well as photograph it along the way. Thank goodness I studied photography! At the end of the article, I get to write a short bio with a mug shot and a link to my web site. Let's celebrate!! :)

What's so great about February? by JQJewelryDesigns

. . . Amethysts!!!

Amethyst is the traditional February birthstone and the accepted gem for the 6th wedding anniversary. It is also the birth stone for the Zodiac sign of Pisces

Amethyst is a variety of quartz which occurs in transparent light to dark purple. The darker more intense colors are more valuable than the lighter smoky or lavender color. The two main sources are Brazil and Zambia although it is also found in Uruguay, Russia, Sri Lanka, Mexico, and the US state of Arizona.

According to legend, amethyst originated when Bacchus, the God of Wine, grew angry at mortals. He vowed the next mortal that crossed his path would be eaten by tigers. At that time, a beautiful young maiden named Amethyst was on her way to worship the Goddess Diana. Diana, knowing of Bacchus vow, turned Amethyst into a pillar of colorless quartz to protect her from the tigers. Bacchus, witnessing the miracle, repented and poured wine over Amethyst, staining her purple.

Amethyst has long been called the "sobriety stone." In ancient Rome, crushed amethyst was added to wine cups to prevent drunkenness. It is said to assist with healing alcoholism, compulsive behaviors, and addictions of all kinds.

It is a meditative and calming stone, working in the emotional, spiritual, and physical planes to provide calm, balance, patience, and peace. When worn it may help to make the wearer gentle and amiable. Emotionally, amethyst can help heal personal losses and grief.

Amethyst powers include: dreams, healing, peace, love, spiritual upliftment, courage, psychism, protection against thieves, and happiness. It is also beneficial when dealing with legal problems and money issues, leading to prosperity and abundance.

Amethyst is used as faceted stones or polished cabochons and is carved in various shapes. Amethyst beads are used in necklaces, earrings and other jewelry in both rough unpolished forms, smooth glossy shapes, faceted beads and briolettes.

One of the largest cut amethysts in the world is 343 carats and is housed at the National History Museum in London.

http://JQJewelryDesigns.Etsy.com

Member:
http://EEJA.org

(C) 2007 - EJA

Crystal Energy by Ahna White

Ahna.Etsy.com
It is believed that crystals and stones possess powerful healing energy. This belief is called metaphysics; a philosophy that deals with the first principle of things, including abstract concepts such as being, knowing, substance, cause, identity, time and space (abstract theory or talk with no basis in reality). Yet crystals have been used since the beginning of civilization, even being referred to in the Bible.

We are drawn to crystals and stones not only for their energy but for their magnificent beauty. Several books have been written on the subject so I won't attempt to list them all but rather list some of my favorite and most popular, along with their uses.

Crystal Uses

- Feng Shui is a Chinese healing art form that uses crystals to direct the flow of energy (or chi) within your home. By hanging crystal spheres in certain areas, you can slow or scatter the energy flow.

- Different crystals and stones are also used to heal the body by placing them on chakras. Each chakra has a corresponding color and therefore the color of the stone should coincide with the chakra color. Stress can clog your chakras, slow or stall energy flow, which in turn causes disease in the body.

- Tonics or elixirs are also made using specific crystals and stones to heal the body. These "mineral waters" contain the essence of the energy of the crystalline form from which the water is then fortified.

- For centuries people have adorned themselves by wearing crystals and stones. By wearing or keeping crystals in your environment, you can charge your aura (the energy field that surrounds you). Crystals are

Specific Stones and Their Meaning

As I looked up my favorite stones, I noticed a pattern, many dealing with either the crown, heart or root chakra, (maybe I need to pay some attention). I'll randomly pick some other well known stones.

Agate
Grounds emotions, intellect and physical being. Place over the heart to heal emotional disease that prevents acceptance of love. Place over abdomen to stimulate digestion.

- confident and strong

- stabilizes aura

- class of chalcedony

Amethyst

- clears and stabilizes the aura

- activates crown chakra for connection to higher power

- brings about spiritual contentment and a feeling of calm

- protects against psychic attacks

- variety of quartz



Charoite

Stone of transformation. The soul stone that overcomes fear, stimulates inner vision and spiritual insight, aids in coping with enormous change at a spiritual level.

- synthesizes the heart and crown chakra's

- cleanses the aura

- stimulates unconditional love

- provides deep physical and emotional healing

- helps you accept the present moment as being perfect



Diamond

Symbol of purity, bonds relationships, amplifier of energy (never needs recharging), abundance of white light, brings clarity to the mind.

- cleanses aura

- activates crown chakra for connection to the higher power



Emerald

A stone of inspiration and infinite patience. It is a life affirming stone with great integrity. Known as the “stone of successful love”, it brings domestic bliss and loyalty.

- ensures physical, emotional and mental equilibrium

- gives the wearer strength of character to overcome misfortunes in life



Fluorite

- stimulates the third eye; psychic communication

- excellent for meditation

- treatment of bones and bone marrow disorders

- highly protective

- cleanses and stabilizes the aura

- protects against computer and electromagnetic stress

- grounding

- gently opens the door to the subconscious

- improves physical and mental coordination and counteracts mental disorders

- overcomes chaos in all aspects

- organizes and processes information; quick thinking

- emotionally stabilizing (no wonder I love this stone)



Rhodochrosite

This stone represents selfless love and compassion and encourages spontaneous expression of feelings. Meditation - helps to identify ongoing negative patterns and shows the purpose behind the experience. This stone insists that you face the truth about yourself and other people, without excuses or evasion but with loving awareness.

- lifts depression

- clears solar plexus and base chakra



Rhodolite Garnet

Powerful, energizing and regenerating stone; brings about passion and balances the sex drive.

- reenergizes and protects the base charka

- sharpens the perception of Self and others; warm, trusting and sincere stone



Ruby

Encourages a passion for life, has strong energy and is not for sensitive people.


- stimulates the heart charka

- powerful shield against physic attacks and vampires of the heart

- promotes dynamic leadership

- brings about a courageous state of mind

- attracts sexual activity

- physically overcome exhaustion and lethargy

- detoxifies the body, blood and treats fevers



Sapphire

The wisdom stone, each color has it’s own wisdom.

- releases unwanted thoughts

- releases depression

- type of corrundum

Black - protective and centering, helps with employment

Blue - seeker after spiritual truth, throat chakra healing

Green - improves inner and outer vision, dream recall, heart chakra

Pink - meditation will teach you how to master your emotions

Parti - several colors, all charas

Purple - awakens; stimulates spirituality

Royal - eliminates negative energy in chakras

Star - opens intuition

White - extremely pure energy

Yellow - attracts wealth; as elixir, it removes toxins



Sugilite

The love stone.

- aligns and opens all chakra's to the flow of love

- teaches how to live from your truth and reminds the soul of its reasons for incarnating

- protects the soul from shock, trauma and disappointments

- pain reliever



Tourmaline

- cleanses, purifies and transforms dense energy into a lighter vibration

- Shamanic stone that brings protection during rituals

- beneficial for the garden and plants (like I can afford that)

- balances right right and left sides of the brain

- enhances energy flow

Pink Tourmaline is an aphrodisiac that attracts love in the material and spiritual worlds; providing assurance that it is safe to love.



Turquoise

Turquoise is a most efficient healer, providing a solace for the spirit and well-being for the body.

- place on the third eye for enhanced intuition

- strengthens the meridians and subtle energy fields

- excellent stone for exhaustion, depression and panic attacks

What Crystal and Stone Believers Have to Say

"I wear a crystal around my neck. It is not only myself who can sense their glowing brilliance of energy. Many people, upon meeting me, cast their gaze unintentionally downwards to my collar bones. Most impressive are the instant response of children. I am an artistic tutor for hire, and every child I work with has instantly grabbed onto my necklace upon introduction, and most days as a continual greeting. I feel like my energy, and the experience of the energies of the places I have been are absorbed into the stone itself."

"I just like carrying them around in my pocket, putting my hand over one just to feel something solid. I've held quartz while meditating and I feel like it conducts my energy better almost as if it's an amplifier."

"They mean a lot to me they are the base of all my healings and meditations...they are also very important in rituals, and ceremonies. I carry a set group of them with me all the time. I have had so many things happen when using crystals, stones and gems that it would be hard to pick out one story."

"When I look at a stone, I think of the long, slow, relentless energies deep in the earth where it was formed. I imagine that energy coalescing inside the stone, residue of its eon-long incubation, then its inexorable rise to the surface. To me stones and crystals are like frozen time..."

Awakening and Cleansing Your Crystals

Since ancient civilization, tribal ceremonies involved the activation of crystals. If you lived by the sea, crystals were cleansed in the water. If not, they were awakened by placing them in the Sun or Moon light for several hours. Still today, we can use these methods to “recharge” our stones.

- Leave them out doors during a new Moon.

- Soak in sea salt for about 6 hours.

- Some even bury their crystals in the Earth during a new Moon.

My Offerings

My fascination with crystals and stones began many years ago when I began my research into alternative healing for some of my own ailments. Today, because of my fascination, I am surrounded by stones in my home... every room has at least one stone. In the past year I have learned silversmithing and lapidary work to further my love and involvement with stones. We are very lucky to live in a crystal rich environment and are able to dig for crystals in our own back yard.

Also in my quest for alternative healing, I have studied Feng Shui, Prana Energy and I am a Reiki Master. I offer sessions in all three mediums, just contact me for more information. To purchase stones or jewelry, please see the web sites below.

Here's to your health!

Ahna

http://Ahna.Etsy.com

http://ArtCreated.com

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Thank you to Julia of
IvorysArts and Jane at
BaxtersHouse for help with the editing and my crazy grammer!



References:

My brain.

The Crystal Bible by Judy Hall

Love is in the Earth by Melody

(C) 2007 Ahna

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This month: Mandala Jewels - Wonderfully fun jewelry.