Happy Birthday July!

Like a perfect red rose, the Ruby's rich color speaks of love and passion. Called the "Rajnapura" or King of Gems by ancient Hindus, July's birthstone is among the most highly prized of gems throughout history. The Ruby was considered to have magical powers, and was worn by royalty as a talisman against evil. It was thought to grow darker when peril was imminent, and to return to its original color once danger was past—provided it was in the hands of its rightful owner!

Rubies were thought to represent heat and power. Ancient tribes used the gem as bullets for blowguns, and it was said that a pot of water would boil instantly if a Ruby was tossed into it. Ground to powder and placed on the tongue, this crystal was used as a cure for indigestion.

The word Ruby comes from the Latin "ruber," meaning red. It is a variety of the mineral Corundum, and is found as crystals within metamorphic rock. Corundum is the second hardest mineral, after Diamond. It comes in a variety of colors, and is considered a Sapphire in any color except red, which is designated as a Ruby. Rubies range in hue from an orangey red to a purplish red, but the most prized gems are a true red in color. Large sized Rubies are very rare and valuable.

The history of Ruby mining dates back more than 2,500 years ago. The most beautiful crystals are thought to be from Burma, but quality Rubies are also found in India, Sri Lanka, Australia, Kenya, Tanzania, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and the United States.

It has been said that the Ruby's red glow comes from an internal flame that cannot be extinguished, making a gift of this stone symbolic of everlasting love. With its hardness and durability, it is a perfect engagement gem. And if worn on the left hand, ancient lore has it that the Ruby will bring good fortune to its wearer, too!
Article courtesy of www.about-birthstones.com

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FAQs About Gold!

Q ~ What is 14K Gold?

A ~ Gold does not always occur naturally as "pure". Trace metals and other impurities must be refined out and the result is 24K gold or 999.99 fine gold. Asian and Middle East sources market 22k to 24k yellow gold jewelry since nearly pure gold is easy to work with simple methods handed down for centuries. Long term durability is limited and shows wear and abuse readily because the gold is very soft. Most countries use alloys of copper, silver, zinc and nickel to harden the pure gold so it will last a lifetime of use and enjoyment. 14k gold has been alloyed with silver and copper at a rate of 58% pure gold and 42% alloy metals, creating the fine 14k yellow gold that we see in limitless designs today!


Q ~ What gives gold "colors"?

A ~ The alloys that produce different colors of gold are very subtle and best seen in side by side comparison. For example to produce "rose" gold, a blending of yellow gold and copper produces a pink to reddish color in the finished piece. Rose gold was very popular in the 1930's and has come back to life in recent years and is dazzling when set with Rubies and diamonds! Mixing silver, yellow gold and copper will produce a green hue and white gold is alloyed with nickel, zinc, copper and sometimes palladium and usually washed with a rhodium solution, a rare platinum metal that adds brilliance to white gold and soft sheen to the eye.

Q ~ How much gold is in my gold?

A ~ 24k = Pure Gold @ 999.%
18k = 75% Pure Gold and 25% Alloy
14k = 58% Pure Gold and 42% Alloy
10k = 42% Pure Gold and 58% Alloy
All gold marketed in the United States should carry the stamp of its karatage somewhere on the item that you are purchasing, ask to see this whenever you purchase fine gold jewelry!

Submitted by Diana Root - Sales/Ft Myers

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Happy Birthday June!

From one of the humblest of life forms, the mollusk, comes the pearl -- a gem of unsurpassed beauty and elegance. Ancient civilizations had many stories to explain the origin of June's birthstone, such as the Greek belief that pearls were the hardened tears of joy that the goddess of love shook from her eyes as she was born from the sea. According to Arab legend, pearls were formed when oysters were lured from the depths of the ocean by the beautiful moon and then swallowed moonlit dewdrops. And the Ancient Chinese thought that these gems originated from the brains of dragons.

The scientific explanation for natural pearls is almost as mystifying as folklore. When an irritant, such as a small parasite or a fish lodges in the flesh of an oyster, mussel, or clam, a protective substance called "nacre" is produced. Over years, layer upon layer of shimmering nacre coats the intruder, creating a lustrous pearl. Natural pearls are relatively rare, so a process evolved in which a piece of shell or bead was placed inside a mollusk to stimulate the production of nacre. This results in a cultured pearl, which accounts for about 90 per cent of the pearl industry.

Divers find natural pearls in The Persian Gulf as well as in the waters off Japan, the South Pacific Islands off northern Australia, and the coasts of Panama, Venezuela, and California. Most of the cultured pearl industry is in Japanese and Australian coastal waters. These gems come in a variety of colors, from pure white to pink, yellow, gray and black. They also come in different shapes and sizes.

Pearls have been a passion and even an obsession of people throughout the ages. They have been ground up and used in cosmetics and as a medicine to treat heart and stomach conditions. Some cultures swear by pearls as an aphrodisiac. These gems have adorned crowns, clothing, and temples, and were said to be a favorite of Cleopatra.

Only those with royal status once wore pearl jewelry, but eventually these gems were seen among all classes of people. They continue to be viewed as a mark of taste and refinement as well as a symbol of purity, and they are often given to celebrate a marriage or the birth of a child. Pearls are nature's perfect gift, suitable for all ages, and elegantly worn with everything from jeans to an evening gown. - www.about-birthstones.com

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