Amazing Aquamarine - March Birthstone

Amazing Aquamarine is one of the most stunning gemstones and one of the most highly prized.

It is the birthstone for March and also the Zodiac Gem for the star sign Scorpio.

As I have not completed a blog for a while, I thought I would show case this wonderful gemstone and many of the wonderful items I have found on Folksy that feature it. Many of the items featured have been created by members of our monthly listing club on Folksy - please click on the photos for a link to the items and to their shops for more wonderful creations...




Aquamarine is one of our most popular gems with its colours ranging from the palest pastel blue through to light green. The name Aquamarine is derived from Latin, meaning 'Water of the Sea' It is a member of the Beryl family of gemstones. Some of which you may recognise... Emerald (green) Morganite (pink) Heliodor (yellow) Bixbite (red) and there are more too! The blue colour in Aquamarine is formed by trace amounts of iron in its crystal structure.

Aquamarine is mined in Brazil, Nigeria, Mozambique, Zambia and Madagascar. The best gems are often referred to as "Santa Maria" after the deposits mined in the Santa Maria de Itabira Mines in Brazil.

I was very fortunate to have sourced a sizable Santa Maria Blue Aquamarine gemstone and set it in 14K white gold. I was even more fortunate to have sold it on Folksy last year!



Aquamarine was believed to be able to imbue great vision on the wearer. It was often set into the eyes of statues to symbolise wisdom and power. The gemstone is believed to capture organic energies. A calming and purifying gemstone, it is also said to eradicate fears, phobias, ward off sea sickness and to protect the wearer from drowning. It is often worn by those who meditate to calm the mind.

Just what I need!

Thank you so much for reading!

Love Jacqueline x

Glorious Amethyst - February Birthstone.

Amethyst has long been one of my favourite gemstones. I thought I would pay homage to it by writing a short blog all about it and featuring some stunning Amethyst items from fellow Folksters.

It is said that St Valentine himself, wore a ring featuring an Amethyst stone, carved with the image of Cupid. Amethyst would make the perfect Valentines gift!

Amethyst is often said to prevent drunkenness! It has been worn as a talisman for centuries. It has been found, set as polished cabochons, in rings from Greece circa 2500BC and has remained popular since. It has adorned Kings, Pharaohs and Religious leaders as symbols of their power and their wealth. Catholic Bishops still wear Amethyst rings as it used to be considered the gem encouraged celibacy.

The Greek God of Wine, Dyonysis is said to have become angry with the people after several large goblets of wine. He decided to take revenge on the next person he saw. A young woman, called Amethyst, was the next person to walk by him. Dionysis set two tigers on to her. She prayed to Diana the Goddess of the moon, for help. The goddess saw what was about to happen to Amethyst and turned her into a white quartz statue, so the tigers could not harm her. Dionysis was overcome with sadness at what he was about to do and cried tears of wine into his goblet. He collapsed, spilling the wine over the statue which soaked up the purple wine and created the gemstone Amethyst that we all know and love today.

The gemstone itself gets its colour from iron. It ranges from the palest lilac to deep purple in colour. Amethyst is mined all over the world. Superb specimens from Siberia command the highest prices. The main areas of mining today are in Brazil, but Amethyst is also mined in Africa, Madagascar, Uruguay and Australia.

It is such a gorgeous member of the quartz family. Please take a moment to have a little look through the pictures below to see hand made items featuring Amethyst. Please click on the photos to be taken to the item in the sellers shops.





Here are a few items from my shop, that feature Amethyst....




Thanks so much for taking the time to have a little look at my blog.

Love Jacqueline x

Perfect Purples!

Hello! My first Blog of 2011 (hangs head in shame) is all about the colour purple, as Amethyst is the birth stone for February.

I have featured a montage of photos from many Folksy Shops for you. All the talented people I have featured have created beautiful purple goodies. Please click on the photos to link to the items in their shops.

I will leave you to browse and enjoy. It would be wonderful if you could leave a comment - I hope to do a blog specifically on the Amethyst Gemstone in the very near future.






I do hope you have enjoyed looking.

Love Jacqueline x