A core memory, like a lucid dream
I have always had the fondness of jewelry and gems. I recall the first time I felt such an urge to have my own gem was when I was 8 years old. I was in second grade and a classmate of mine Coleena had a little stone with her. It was no regular rock but something that looked to me like a white pear shaped gem.
I was not sure if it was an opal, mother of pearl or a cat’s eye or moonstone. All I remember was it had a little iridescence and very shiny having an outer gloss that reflected light densely. As a young girl, I was not aware of genuine or fakes. All I did was ask her for it. I never really ask favors or ask for things since as I am not that type of person, however I was very much intrigued that I just had to have it.
In the end she did not give it since she just borrowed it from her sister and perhaps she thought it special that she would carry it with her even to school.
That was the end and I never saw it again nor do I have her contact. I remember from which school she was my classmate in. But as far as I know now, it will only be a memory.
“What stone was it really?” Or to whether I would see it the same way now if I ever saw it again will be one of life's mysteries. Never to be answered. Or will it? Who knows…
Fast Forward to NOW
My interest in pearls and crafts has now evolved to gems and precious metals. Having observed the trade, I dipped my toes into something I would not regret.
I will share my knowledge, experiences and collection!
Significance
Before I do, let me share my beliefs surrounding gemstones.
💎 I believe earth-mined gemstones have an imperfect but perfect look, it may be a harsh industry but buying from a trustworthy source can give many people their livelihood and getting a more realistic look versus the lab made. A lot more worth your money than overpriced lab made moissanites. Watch documentaries of Sri Lankan gem trade, so far, for many different non diamond gems, the gem trade is a regular traditional livelihood.
💎 I am for St. Hildegard (doctor of the church) and the biblical viewpoint of gemstones.
There are many biblical and holy uses for gemstones, some for health, some spiritual.
Many saints believed Garnet is a gem powerful and forged in fire. St. Hildegard explains in her book how many gems ward of phantasms and reminds Satan of their demise and punishment and once that they were adorned by jewels which were scraped off of them as they were thrust into hell and the gems fell off the earth.
St. Hildegard and her writings on gems can be found in chapter 22 of her book Physica.
Here is an article link that can help curious minds: https://unamsanctamcatholicam.com/2022/04/25/st-hildegard-on-gemstones/
Another is how the bible references pearls, metals and gems for priestly vestments, the foundations or gates of heaven and they represent the 12 tribes of Israel.
Though I cannot produce any other conclusion, reason or theory of why or how,
I know that these stones bear importance, a great and beautiful one as well.
Here is the bible verse
The Apocalypes of saint John
Revelation chapter 21:11-27
11 Having the glory of God, and the light thereof was like to a precious stone, as to the jasper stone, even as crystal. 12 And it had a wall great and high, having twelve gates, and in the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel. 13 On the east, three gates: and on the north, three gates: and on the south, three gates: and on the west, three gates. 14 And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them, the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. 15 And he that spoke with me, had a measure of a reed of gold, to measure the city and the gates thereof, and the wall.
16 And the city lieth in a foursquare, and the length thereof is as great as the breadth: and he measured the city with the golden reed for twelve thousand furlongs, and the length and the height and the breadth thereof are equal. 17 And he measured the wall thereof an hundred and forty-four cubits, the measure of a man, which is of an angel. 18 And the building of the wall thereof was of jasper stone: but the city itself pure gold, like to clear glass. 19 And the foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper: the second, sapphire: the third, a chalcedony: the fourth, an emerald: 20 The fifth, sardonyx: the sixth, sardius: the seventh, chrysolite: the eighth, beryl: the ninth, a topaz: the tenth, a chrysoprasus: the eleventh, a jacinth: the twelfth, an amethyst.
[17] "The measure of a man,": i. e. According to the measure of men, and used by the angel. This seems to be the true meaning of these words.
21 And the twelve gates are twelve pearls, one to each: and every several gate was of one several pearl. And the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass. 22 And I saw no temple therein. For the Lord God Almighty is the temple thereof, and the Lamb. 23 And the city hath no need of the sun, nor of the moon, to shine in it. For the glory of God hath enlightened it, and the Lamb is the lamp thereof. 24 And the nations shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth shall bring their glory and honour into it. 25 And the gates thereof shall not be shut by day: for there shall be no night there.
26 And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it. 27 There shall not enter into it any thing defiled, or that worketh abomination or maketh a lie, but they that are written in the book of life of the Lamb.
Source: https://www.drbo.org/chapter/73021.htm
As a staunch believer of the old and new testament, this is vital for me to know. Just having a collection of the stones said to honor the Lord and decorate the paths to heaven and the gates itself and who knows what more, It is special. No other reason, they are special.
While there is a non religious or buddhist takes on gems, healing powers, dos and donts and chakras, and some informations between christian beliefs and other spiritual beliefs, however I do not claim them to be of the same origin despite the coincidences of the information seemingly matching. That is totally up to the person what to do with the information.
The images
finally, the best part!
Let me start with a lab made alexandrite which was a ring and gem a friend asked me to curate for his significant other. Since I am into online shops, I helped them find an affordable source and goldsmith to do the job.
here is the outcome
6mm Alexandrite
** Heart shaped sapphires**
They have a blue and green shade.
I had this made into a classic clover pendant🤩✨
*trivia: some gems are bicolor, the natural mixing of the elements create different textures and hues in the gem. We call this bicolor trait of gems and inclusions are what we call the stains and cracks within a gem.
BLUE TEAM!
blue lovers? Here’s an array of sparkly blues.
Gems I choose from the lot are the ones I like best, elegant and shape, surface smooth and just passable quality for setting.
note: some of these gems may even be rejected. Not all rejects look bad, in fact some they consider imperfect may hardly be noticeable at all
Their criteria is the 4Cs.
Carat, Color, Cut and Clarity.
Sometimes failing one category causes a reject stone but even if it is so, they really still are pretty and marketable.
That’s as far as I know, so correct me if I am wrong.
London blue topaz
Tanzanite
Aquamarine
Blue Topaz
Sapphire
(heart) blue topaz
Clear and champagne stones
First two images are champagne topazes. Absolutely pretty and sparkly.
The next two are one gem in two angles, this by far is my favorite. Its a zircon clear with a faceted cut and golden yellow color inside. It’s magical!
Pink Red and Yellow
pink heart topaz
This came in as a freebie but I have no clue but this looks like a rose quartz gem which is a cheaper option for a freebie instead of a morganite.
Red spessartine garnet
Trivia: There are many types of garnet, there’s orange hue garnets like this which are called spessartine garnets. The red violet ones however are called Almandine garnet.
Yellow sapphire heart with touches of blue green and violet at its core (very small)
yellow topaz
*trivia: yellow topaz and citrine are NOT the same, topaz is a topaz and citrine is actually from the QUARTZ family.
Similar to people mixing up Zircon and Zirconia or cubic zirconia. They are NOT the same. CZ zirconias are fake and synthetic while zircons are Jacinths or Hyacinth gems which are natural and come in different hues.
special feature of the golden imperial topaz
Let me just start with a “this is gorgeous”
Boy have we all ignored the special looks of the zircons and topazes. Yes they are common but with the right natural hues and cuts yes they're adorable!
Emeralds
Spiritual meanings of emerald is of virtue and purity (also modesty).
Green like the leaves that purify air? Green that is so refreshing? Vegetable green that heals when eaten? Green tea leaves that detoxify with antioxidants? Is that it?
what is this connection with green and taking away impurities?
There’s so much mystery to color theory that this leads to another set of questions and symbolisms.
I am a bit unsure if this is an emerald or if it is lab made, it is absolutely cheap but it still holds much beauty.
Red orange yellow
(Red hearts only, they have videos but no solo photos)
This is a red zircon, Theres something so gentle, warm and elegant and mild about it. It’s absolutely now my favorite.
The other two new ones are garnets:
Orange gem was a bit risky, but I was told that it is like 🔥 fire? Okay, worth a try it can make a good combination.
What do you think?
Other gifted stones to me:
A mix of quartz and moonstones 😊✨✨✨
Phew!
I have so many plans for designs for my personal collection and scouting good gems also.
June will bring many surprises! Excited to share you more when my projects are finished.
I have yet to try purple gems because I haven’t found the one I like yet. (Octagon asscher cut that was unavailable)
😂
Do you have any insight about gems and/or a collection?
Very happy to show my collection and excited to learn more as I go.
Thank you very much for viewing my post!
Leaving you all with the sparkles