March Birthstone: Aquamarine

Aquamarine in the rough

         Gemme Couture Aquamarine necklace

The aquamarine is a form of the mineral beryl that also includes other gemstones such as the emerald and morganite. Beryl occurs as free six-sided crystals and is a relatively hard gem, ranking after the diamond, sapphire, ruby, alexandrite, and topaz 7.5-8 on the Moh's scale.

Gemme Couture Sapphire and Aquamarine necklace

Aquamarines vary in color from deep blue to blue-green of different intensities, caused by traces of iron in the beryl crystal. Deep blue stones are the most prized because they are rare and expensive. However, yellow beryl stones can be heated to change them to blue aquamarines.

The best source of aquamarines is Brazil. High quality stones are also found in Colombia, the Ural Mountains of Russia, the island of Malagasy, India and in the United States, Colorado, Maine, and North Carolina are the best sources.

Beautifully showcased Aqua

The name aquamarine was derived by the Romans, “aqua,” meaning water, and “mare,” meaning sea, because it looked like sea water. Aquamarines were believed to have originated from the jewel caskets of sirens. They were considered sacred to Neptune, Roman god of the sea. This association with the sea made it the sailors’ gem, promising prosperous and safe voyages, as well as protection against perils of the sea. Its first documented use was by the Greeks between 480-300 BC. They wore aquamarine amulets engraved with Poseidon (the Greek god of the sea) on a chariot.

GC Aqua bracelet with Tahiti pearl

Beginning in the Roman period, the aquamarine was believed to possess medicinal and healing powers, curing ailments of the stomach, liver, jaws, and throat. During the Middle Ages, it was exchanged by newlyweds as rings and was believed to be an effective antidote against poison. Aquamarines were thought to be the source of power for shamans and soothsayers, who called it the “magic mirror,” and used it for telling fortunes and answering questions about the future. It is said that Emperor Nero used it as an eyeglass 2,000 years ago. Much later, aquamarines were used as glasses in Germany to correct shortsightedness. In fact, the German name for eyeglasses today is “brille,” derived from the mineral beryl.

Gemme Couture necklace with Aquamarines, Labradorite and Apatite

Aquamarine is very useful to obtain self control and control over your feelings and emotions. Wearing an Aquamarine Gemstone also helps in increasing concentration, mental clarity and is best when used while meditating or studying. 

Aquamarine strengthens the spirit of its wearer and exposes deceit. As such, it is not recommended to dishonest people. It also helps to uncover secrets.  Aquamarine acts on its wearer mood, as a peaceful-seascape - it calms the mind.  Greenish Aquamarine is considered as a talisman of of gamblers, as it protects them from loss. It is also said to strengthen sex appeal of the wearer.

What the Stars wore... Jewelry at the Oscars 2013

Fred Leighton, Harry Winston, Neil Lane and Lorraine Schwartz were all represented, however, there were some new names on the red carpet, including jewelry designer Cindy Chao, Sutra, Louis Vuitton and Brazilian jeweler Brumani.

Catherine Zeta-Jones in Lorraine Schwartz

There were diamonds and more diamonds, however not only brilliant-cut white diamonds, but rose-cut multi-colored diamonds, champagne, yellow, brown.

and earrings

                  

 Heidi Klum in Lorraine Schwartz multi-colored diamond rings

  

    Anne Hathaway in Harry Winston Jewelry

 

  Charlize Theron wore Harry Winston Jewelry

                         

                                             Jennifer Garner in Neil Lane Diamond and Platinum

Zoe Saldana in Neil lane Jewelry

     

             Jennifer Lawrence in Chopard

Long, delicate diamonds in necklaces and earrings. Also diamond necklaces at the back were worn by both Jennifer lawrence and Anne Hathaway.

Jennifer Aniston in Fred Leighton Jewel

                  

                   H. Stern bracelet              Kelly Lynch in a gold cuff                       

Jennifer Hudson in Sutra Jewelry

Some favorite Jewelry from the past:

  

Angelina Jolie in Emerald earrings at the Oscars in 2009 and Keira Knightly in 2006 in a vintage Bulgari necklace. (Getty images).

Jessica Alba at the Golden Globes in Harry Winston

2013 The Year of the Snake

Gemme Couture snake ring 2013 Year of Snake 2013 is the year of the black Snake begins on February 10th shortly after the New moon in Aquarius. This 2013 year of Snake is meant for steady progress and attention to detail. Focus and discipline will be necessary for you to achieve what you set out to create. The Snake is the sixth sign of the Chinese Zodiac, which consists of 12 Animal Signs. It is the enigmatic, intuitive, introspective, refined and collected of the Animals Signs. Ancient Chinese wisdom says a Snake in the house is a good omen because it means that your family will not starve. Common Characteristics of People Born in the Year of Snake People born in the Year of the Snake are reputed to be thoughtful and wise and to approach problems rationally and logically, seldom instinctively. Such people are complex beings, they are       clever and men of few words from their birth. Their business is always going well, but they are stingy very often. They are sometimes egoistic and conceited. However they can be very active in their friends’ life. They are often too active, not believing other people and relying only on themselves. Snakes are also very insightful and naturally intuitive. If anyone has a sixth sense, it's those born in the Snake year. This is partly what makes them so mysterious.Snakes come in all varieties of colors and patterns. And maybe that's why people born in the Snake year love to appreciate beauty. People with the Chinese zodiac snake sign are very stylish, fashionable and have exceptional taste. People born in the Year of the Snake also have a sure touch in money matters but are also inclined to be greedy and somewhat egoistical. Determined and ambitious characters of Snakes take their failures hard. They are usually very attractive on the outside and inwardly, that, taking into consideration their frivolity, can lead to some family problems.

Valentine's Day with Gemme Couture

Gemme Couture bracelets

A Gemme Couture fine jewelry gift for Valentine's Day

      The history of Valentine's Day is shrouded in mystery, however there are many stories telling the tale of how it came to be. Some are European Pagan myths, others originate from the Roman Empire and early Christians. 

It was probably a combination of the two that created Valentine's Day that we know.

     The first legend, and perhaps the best known, began in Rome, when the Emperor, Claudius II, was involved in many bloody and unpopular campaigns. “Claudius the Cruel” as he was called, was having a difficult time getting soldiers to join his military leagues. He believed that the reason was that Roman men did not want to leave their loves or families. So, he cancelled all marriages and engagements in Rome!

Ruby pendant with diamonds by GC

     Valentinus, who was a priest in Rome in the year 269 A.D., defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret.

      When Valentine's actions were discovered, he was sentenced to death. 

But while in prison, it is believed that Valentinus fell in love with a young girl, Julia, who may have been his jailor's daughter, who visited him during his confinement. 

GC bracelets

GC long necklace with ruby and diamond pendant

On the eve of his death Valentinus wrote a last note to Julia, urging her to stay close to God.   He signed it,  " From your Valentine."  His sentence was carried out the next day, February 14, 270 A.D., near a gate that was later named Porta Valentini in his memory. He was buried at what is now the Church of Praxedes in Rome.   It is said that Julia planted a pink-blossomed almond tree near his grave.   

GC Ruby berry earrings

Today, the almond tree remains a symbol of abiding love and friendship. 

GC Ruby ring

In 496 A.D. Pope Gelasius set aside February 14 to honor St. Valentine.

Another legend says that Valentine's Day started ...

in ancient Rome, on February 14th, a holiday to honor Juno. Juno was the Queen of the Roman Gods and Goddesses. The Romans also knew her as the Goddess of women and marriage. Then, the following day, February 15th, began the Feast of Lupercalia. 

GC Ruby and diamond earrings

GC Ruby bracelet

In those days, the lives of young boys and girls were strictly separate. However, on the eve of the festival of Lupercalia, the names of Roman girls were written on slips of paper and placed into jars. Each young man would draw a girl's name from the jar and would then be partners for the duration of the festival with the girl whom he chose. Sometimes the pairing of the children lasted an entire year, and often, they would fall in love and would later marry.

GC ruby and diamond necklace

  Today, all over the world on each February 14, Saint Valentine's Day, gifts and messages of affection, love, and devotion are exchanged around the world. 

The color red has become the symbol of love and is often gifted for Valentine's Day: red roses, chocolate-dipped strawberries, rubies, tourmalines, red spinel...

What better way to show your love than with a gift of Gemme Couture fine jewelry.

February’s birthstone: the Amethyst

The amethyst, was the stone of royalty, representing power. 

Amethyst and Green Amethyst

Amethysts contain quartz and its color can range from a faint mauve to a rich purple as well as green. They are very sensitive to heat. When heated, an amethyst’s color changes to a brownish-yellow or red. And even without heating, the violet color of an amethyst may fade over time.

Amethysts are mined mainly in Brazil, Uruguay and Africa. 

The Amethyst's history can be traced back as far as 25,000 years ago in France, where it was used as a decorative stone by prehistoric humans. It has also been found among the remains of Neolithic man.

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Gemme Couture Amethyst bead ring

It is said to be the stone of Saint Valentine, who wore an amethyst engraved with the figure of his assistant, Cupid. Saint Valentine’s Day is still observed in February.

The word amethyst comes from the Greek word “amethystos” meaning “not drunk,” and was believed to prevent its wearers from intoxication. 

The following is a story from Greco-Roman mythology, as quoted from Birthstones by Willard Heaps:

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Gemme Couture bead bracelets with charms

Gemme Couture double Green Amethyst ring

“Bacchus, the god of wine in classical mythology, was offended by Diana the huntress. Determined on revenge, he declared that the first person he met as he went through the forest would be eaten by his tigers. As it happened, the first person to cross his path was the beautiful maiden Amethyst on her way to worship at the shrine of Diana. In terror, she called upon the goddess to save her, and before his eyes, Bacchus observed the maiden changed to a pure white, sparkling image of stone. Realizing his guilt and repenting his cruelty, Bacchus poured grape wine over her, thus giving the stone the exquisite violet hue of the amethyst. The carryover to non-intoxication was quite logical, and in ancient Rome, amethyst cups were used for wine, so drinkers would have no fear of overindulgence.”

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The early Egyptians believed that the amethyst possessed good powers, and placed the stones in the tombs of pharaohs. During the Middle Ages, it was used as medication, believed to dispel sleep, sharpen intellect, and protect the wearer from sorcery. It was also believed to bring victory in battle. In Arabian mythology, the amethyst was supposed to protect the wearer from bad dreams and gout.