Sterling Silver info and Jewelry Care
A Wider Range of Jewelry
Information
Agate: A variety of chalcedony quartz that is very common and used often in jewelry. When chalcedony is variegated with spots or figures, or arranged in differently colored layers, it is called agate; and if by reason of the thickness, color and arrangement of the layers it is suitable for being carved into cameos, it is called onyx. It comes in a wide range of colors including black, gray, brown, red, green, pink, blue, white and yellow. Agate can be flecked with color, such as Moss Agate and Tree Agate, and is often banded, exhibiting layers of quartz crystals. Agate is often dyed to enhance the color and banding. There are a variety of popular agates including onyx, Eye Agate, Blue Lace Agate, Moss Agate, Tree Agate, and White Agate.
Amazonite:
A form of jadeite named for the Amazon river where it was first found in
the 19th century. It is opaque and iridescent and ranges in color from
green to blue-green. It is usually set as a cabochon (a cabochon
is a stone cut into the shape of a small dome in a round, oval,
rectangle, triangle, or teardrop shape without any facets) since it
breaks easily if faceted (facet -carved with a regular pattern of many
planes). It can also be found in USA states of Colorado, Virginia, the
Ural Mountains of Russia, Australia, and Africa. Some rare crystals are
transparent.
Amethyst: A common form of quartz. Amethyst
is usually purple, but can range in color from pale lavender to a very
deep reddish purple and may have a milky white or green inclusions.
Deeper-colored amethysts are more highly valued. The name comed from the
Greek for "not drunken" as wearing amethyst was believed to be a proof
against becoming intoxicated. The amethyst is said to bring good luck
and to radiate love. Amethyst is the birthstone for February. Some
variants are Cape amethyst and Ametrine.
Aventurine: (sometimes known as goldstone). Often mistaken for jade, aventurine is a granular green or blue semi translucent to mostly opaque quartz stone with mica flecks that cause a slight metallic iridescence.
Carnelian:
a translucent red or orange variety of chalcedony (a family of colored
quartz) sometimes banded red and orange like an agate. Once believed to
benefit the wearer's health and love life. Most carnelian comes from
Brazil, India, Siberia and Germany. Carnelian exhibits great warmth and
beauty.
Cat's Eye: Any variety of gems such as chrysoberyl and some forms of chalcedony, that are chatoyant when cut in a rounded shape. (chatoyant - A stone having a changeable luster due to the way it reflects light, such as the cat's eye or tiger's eye.)
Chalcedony: A family of colored quartz stones including agate, onyx, carnelian, cat's eye and jasper that commonly have a milky or waxlike luster. When chalcedony is variegated with spots or figures, or arranged in differently colored layers, it is called agate; and if by reason of the thickness, color and arrangement of the layers it is suitable for being carved into cameos, it is called onyx.
Citrine: Named after the French word for
lemon, "citron". Citrine is often incorrectly called quartz topaz or
citrine topaz. A variety of quartz, citrine is found in light yellow,
amber-brown, and a brilliant orange that may be confused with fine
imperial topaz. Most citrine comes from South America. In ancient
times, citrine was revered as a gift of the sun and believed to be a
powerful antidote to a viper's venom. Citrine is the birthstone for
November.
Crystal: A fine, high-quality glass in 17th century England. In order to be considered crystal rather than simple glass, the product must contain at least 10% lead oxide. The lead oxide is attributed to providing the glass with extraordinary qualities of brilliance, sound and a suitable texture for cutting and engraving. Some of the finest crystal ever made is from Baccarat in France (est.1816) and Waterford in Ireland (est.1729).
Cubic
Zirconia: (CZ) A clear, hard mass-produced gemstone cut to
resemble a diamond. The mineral baddeleyite has the same chemical
composition, but to become a CZ the mineral must be heated to almost
5000 degrees Fahrenheit and have an oxide stabilizer such as Yttrium or
calcium added to keep it from reverting back to its original form when
cooled. Almost all the rough CZ's in the market are composed of
zirconium oxide and yttrium oxide, both of which are naturally white but
combine to form a brilliant clear crystal. Like diamonds, the best cubic
zirconia gems are colorless but colored forms are also manufactured.
Vivid green CZ is sometimes referred to as C-OX, and CZ in numerous
colors is frequently sold under various tradenames, such as the yellow
CZ from Ceylon called "jagon". Cubic Zirconia gemstones are cut in the
same fashion as diamonds, and like diamonds the size of the gemstone is
usually indicated by its weight in carats. The stone can also be
measured in millimeter diameter size. Because the Cubic Zirconia stone
is so dense and solid, it outweighs a diamond of the same millimeter
size weighing 1.7 times more than a diamond of the same millimeter
diameter. It is also not as hard as a diamond rating only an 8 on the
Mohs scale. Natural skin oils, soap and dirt cause a film that dulls the
beauty and luster of the cubic zerconia, just as it dulls real diamonds.
The best cleaning agent for cubic zirconia ia liquid dishwashing
detergent, but other gem and jewelry cleaners can also be used.
Fluorite: A mineral composed of calcium fluoride which is found in many different colors such as white, yellow, purple, green, red, etc. Often very beautiful, crystallizing commonly in cubes with perfect octahedral cleavage. (Octahedral: A geometric object with eight plane surfaces).
Garnet:
A family of stones having many varieties differing in color and in their
constituents, but all are silicates with the same isometric
crystallization and conforming to the same general chemical formula.
Garnet is very commonly found in gneiss and mica slate. The name is
derived from its resemblance in color and shape to the seeds of the
pomegranate. The most common color of garnets range from light red to
violet or plum-red, but can also be white, green, yellow, brown, and
black varieties. It seems as though every shade and color garnet is
given its own name. Known varieties of garnet include Andradite,
Tsavorite, Grossularite, Essonite, Pyrope, Almandine, Spessartite,
Melanite, Allochroite, Ouvarovite, Demantoid, and Rhodalite. Garnets
have a hardness that varies between 6-8 on the Mohs scale. It was
believed that the wearer of garnets was kept in good health and
protected while traveling. Garnet is the birthstone for January.
Hematite: Iron ore consisting of ferric oxide in crystalline form, hematite is a silvery, shiny opaque stone that becomes a red powder when ground down. It manifests in splendent rhombohedral (resembling a prism with six four-sided facets) crystals that are very heavy and cold to the touch.
Jade: An opaque semiprecious gemstone which is usually found in shades of green, but can be also found in lavender and rose shades.
Jasper: From the Hebrew word "yashpheh", meaning "glittering". Jasper is an opaque, impure, cryptocrystalline variety of quartz that may be red, yellow or brown. It breaks with a smooth surface and can be highly polished like marble. Varieties of jasper include Fancy Jasper, Picture Jasper, Poppy Jasper, Red Jasper, and Striped (or banded) Jasper. Jasper was once believed to have curative powers.
Lapis:
This is a shortened form of Lapis Lazuli. It is a royal blue opaque
semiprecious stone with white veins or patches of calcite and a few
gold-looking metallic flecks of pyrite. Lapis can be dyed to enhance the
color.
Malachite: A hydrous carbonate of copper, malachite is an opaque green stone characterized by bands of light and dark green which have very pronounced contrast and are often concentric. A source of copper.
Marcasite: A mineral with the same composition as pyrite, (fool's gold), and often called "white iron pyrite", but differing in crystal structure. It can be faceted like a gemstone and is often used in sterling silver jewelry.
Moonstone:
A transparent, slightly iridescent, milky white variety of feldspar
(feldspar - a family of minerals which are all silicates of alumina)
with white or light blue opalescent spots. Moonstone is considered a
good luck stone, especially for lovers.
Mother-of-Pearl: The pearlescent material on the inside of mollusk shells like abalone, oysters, and mussels. This material can be scraped off, sliced thin, and used as inlay on a variety of jewelry, furniture etc.
Obsidian:
A dark glassy volcanic rock
formed by very rapid solidification of lava. In primitive cultures the
sharp glassy edges were used for shaving and cutting. It was used for
cutting the umbilical cord of new born babies.
Onyx: A semiprecious variety of chalcedony quartz that is used often in jewelry. When chalcedony is variegated with spots or figures, or arranged in differently colored layers, it is called agate: and if by reason of the thickness, color and arrangement of the layers it is suitable for being carved into cameos, it is called onyx. White Onyx, a semi translucent white to slightly yellowish-white stone, was often used as a background in Victorian jewelry,(1837-1901) especially for cameos. Black Onyx can appear opaque or translucent. Although it occurs naturally in black, it is generally dyed black to improve its color. It has a hardness of between 6.5-7 on the Mohs scale.
Pearl:
An organic gem grown within oysters and other mollusks when they
produce nacre (Nacre - the shiny iridescent substance secreted by a
mollusk as a response to an irritant, like a piece of sand. Over time
layers of nacre build up to become a pearl.) A good sized pearl can take
between five to eight years to form, which is usually the entire life of
the oyster or mollusk. Pearls are most valuable when they are perfectly
round. Fine natural pearls are much more expensive and rare to find than
cultured pearls. Never dip jewelry with pearls into a jewelry
cleaning solution unless it specifically says that it is safe for
pearls. If the solution is not intended for pearls, it will dull
the luster on the pearl and cause them to look cloudy. Fresh
water pearls are produced by a mollusk that inhabits fresh water,
such as a lake or river, as opposed to sea water. These pearls are
usually shaped lid an uneven grain of rice and unlike the saltwater
oyster, which normally produces only one or two pearls, each mussel can
simultaneously produce many. Fresh water pearls are found in a
variety of colors including blue, lavender, violet, rose and gray. They
can also be dyed to enhance or change their color. Freshwater pearls are
much cheaper than their seawater cousins since they produce several
pearls at once and do not require an irritant to be inserted to produce
a pearl. Pearl is the birthstone for June.
Peridot: Also called Chrysolite or
olivine a mineral composed of silica, magnesia and iron sometimes used
as a gem. It ranges in color from a light pea green to a deep olive
green and an oily shine. It is common in certain volcanic rocks and
meteorites. Peridot is the birthstone for August.
Quartz: The family name for crystals composed of silica or silicon dioxide occurring in hexagonal crystals. The most common variety is colorless and transparent. This is often referred to as Clear Quartz, Rock Crystal or simply Quartz. The crystalline varieties including agate, onyx, sardonyx carnelian, sard, chrysoprase, bloodstone, jasper and prase. Quartz is an essential constituent of granite, forms the rocks quartzite and, makes most of the sand of the seashore.
Rhodonite: A glassy, opaque, pink to rose-red mineral, often with black inclusions, composed of crystalline manganese silicate. Named after the Greek work "rhodon" meaning "rose". It is found in the former Soviet Union, the U.S. India and Australia. It is usually used as an ornamental stone.
Sapphire: This is one of the four precious gemstones. The others are diamonds, rubies and emeralds. Sapphire is a member of the corundum family which come in a variety of colors from white to orange to green to pink. If a corundum gemstone is red it is a ruby, but any other color are properly referred to as sapphires. Sapphires have been synthesized since the 1920's. Ancient Persians believed the blueness of the sky was caused by the reflection from an enormous blue sapphire that the Earth rested on. Blue sapphire is the birthstone for September.
Seashells:
Any of a number of shells of marine creatures such as mollusks or
gastropods which can be used as jewelry. E.g. cowrie shell, olivelia
shell, abalone, ammolite etc.
Sodalite: An opaque blue-white silicate of alumina and soda with some chlorine, (sodium aluminum silicate and sodium chloride). It looks similar to Lapis, and is a component of Lapis, occurring in massive dodecahedrons (a solid mass having 12 plane faces) and found in igneous rocks, It has varying degrees of white veins of calcite and an occasional speck of pyrite.
Tanzanite: A variety of zoisite named after its country of origin, Tanzania, where it was first discovered in 1967 and is still the only place where it can be found. Tanzanite is popular for its brilliance and is known for its varying shades of violet, from deep rich purple to lilac. The gem can be heated to achieve the most sought after shade, a vibrant blue violet. Good quality tanzanite is usually faceted, but the rate pieces that have flaws are simply made into cabochons. (Dome like with no facets).
Tiger's
Eye: A semiprecious variety of quartz found in South
Africa. It may be yellowish-brown, bluish, or red in color with bands of
darker and lighter shades across its surface. It has a silky luster, and
catches the light causing chatoyant quality. (Chatoyant - a stone having
changeable luster due to the way it reflects light, such as the cat's
eye or tiger's eye gemstones.)
Turquoise:
A hydrous aluminum phosphate colored by copper salts found in desert
regions throughout the world and used in jewelry by the natives who live
there including Mongolian, Chinese, Native Australian, Persian and
Southwestern Native American. Different colors of turquoise, varying
from sky blue to nearly green occur in untreated turquoise. Brown and
grey streaks in turquoise are caused by the "matrix" or "mother stone",
from which the turquoise is mined. Interesting matrix patterns are
considered to add beauty to the stone. Only Persian turquoise is usually
without apparent matrix. Modern turquoise stones that appear very shiny
and absolutely flawless are actually manufactured. Pulverized turquoise
is reconstituted with a plastic binding medium and cut and shaped as
though it were natural stone. This material is generally avoided by
collectors. Touching stones leaves oils on it which alters the color of
the turquoise over many years. Collectors tent to value these color
nuances as "the patina of time". References to turquoise go
back to 200 BC. This unique stone is usually cut into
cabochons, or domes to enhance the natural beauty.
Unakite: An opaque stone composed of pink feldspar, green epidote and quartz.
The chart below lists the most recognized traditional gifts and jewelry used to commemorate wedding anniversaries.
| Year | Traditional | Jewelry |
| 1 | Paper, clocks | Gold |
| 2 | Cotton, China | Garnet |
| 3 | Leather, Crystal | Pearl |
| 4 | Linen or silk | Blue Topaz |
| 5 | Wood, silverware | Sapphire |
| 6 | Iron, wood | Amethyst |
| 7 | Wool or copper, desk sets | Onyx |
| 8 | Bronze | Tourmaline |
| 9 | Pottery or china | Lapis |
| 10 | Tin or Aluminum | Diamond |
| 11 | Steel | Turquoise, Pearls |
| 12 | Silk | Colored gems |
| 13 | Lace | Citrine |
| 14 | Ivory | Opal, Gold jewelry |
| 15 | Crystal | Rudy watches |
| 20 | China | Emerald, platinum |
| 25 | Silver | Sterling silver |
| 30 | Pearl | Diamond, Jade |
| 35 | Jade | Emerald |
| 40 | Ruby | Ruby |
| 45 | Sapphire | Sapphire |
| 50 | Gold | Gold |
| 55 | Emerald | Emerald |
| 60 | Diamond | Diamond |