An alluring ring of 925 Sterling Silver features 4.22cts of beautiful Rio Grande Lavender Quartz and 0.31cts of amazing Amethyst. The picture does not in any way do credit to this gemstone. It is especially beautiful in sunlight.
Precious metal: 925 Sterling Silver
Average Weight: 4.12g
Number of Gemstones: 21
Shape: Oval and Round
Total Carat Weight: 4.53cts
Rio Grande Lavender Quartz
Birthstone Month:
Regarding birthstone months for quartz, please refer to the specific variety of quartz.
History & Lore:
Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in the Earth's continental crust, after feldspar.
There are many different varieties of quartz, several of which are semi-precious gemstones. Especially in Europe and the Middle East, varieties of quartz have been used, since antiquity. It is one of the most commonly used minerals in the making of jewelry and hardstone carvings.
Pure quartz, traditionally called rock crystal (sometimes called clear quartz), is colorless and transparent (clear) or translucent, and has often
been used for hardstone carvings, such as the Lothair Crystal. Common colored
varieties include citrine, rose quartz, amethyst, smoky quartz, milky quartz, mint quartz and others.
The word "quartz" comes from the German Quarz which is of Slavic origin.
Quartz is the most common material identified as the mystical substance maban in Australian Aboriginal mythology. It is found regularly in passage tomb cemeteries in
Europe in a burial context, such as Newgrange or Carrowmore in Ireland. The Irish word for quartz is 'grian cloch' which means 'stone of the sun'. Quartz was also used in Prehistoric Ireland, as well as many other countries, for stone tools; both vein quartz and rock crystal were knapped as part of the lithic technology of the prehistoric peoples.
In the 17th century, Nicolas Steno discovered that regardless of a quartz crystal's size or shape, its long prism faces always joined at a perfect 60° angle.
Amethyst
Birthstone Month:
Amethyst is the birthstone for the month of February.
History & Lore:
The name Amethyst is derived from the Greek word amethystos which translates as “not drunken”. This word in turn is believed to originate in the Greek legend of Dionysus, the god of wine and mischief, who was angered by an insult from a
mere mortal. As a result of this insult, he swore revenge against the next mortal who crossed his path.
The next unfortunate mortal to cross the path of Dionysus was a beautiful young lady named Amethyst who was on her way to pay tribute to the goddess Diana. The goddess Diana saw Amethyst's plight, and
seeing she was in danger, Diana transformed Amethyst into a pure, clear crystalline quartz statue to protect her. Upon seeing the beautiful clear quartz statue Dionysus regretted his actions. He wept tears of wine over it in remorse. This wine, in the form of tears from a god, stained the clear quartz purple creating the gemstone we know today as Amethyst.
Through the years it has been thought to protect against intoxication and to help maintain a sober and serious mind. Amethyst has a long association with royalty. It is in fact, featured in jewels worn by Catherine the Great, Egyptian royalty and in the British Crown Jewels.
Amethyst opens and activates the crown chakra, the third eye chakra, and can also open the heart chakra. It can be used to fight a number of disorders including headaches, insomnia, hearing disorders, heart disorders, digestive system disorders, and has even been thought to help stabilize mental disorders. Amethyst also works emotionally and spiritually by providing patience, balance, calmness, and peace.
Major sources of Amethyst are Bolivia, Brazil, Uruguay and Zambia, there are also
known deposits in Argentina, Australia, Germany, India, Iran, Madagascar, Mexico, Namibia, Russia, Sri Lanka, Tanzania and the United Sates (Maine, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Texas).
It can be used for all jewelry purposes. Amethyst is found in a variety of hues of purple including deep purple, light lilac, lavender and mauve. The most prized color is a deep, rich, violet body with red rose colored flashes. Amethyst is
the most desirable and the most valuable of all of the Quartz family of gemstones.
The number one rule of thumb with Amethyst is to try to keep it clean. Use warm soapy water, and a soft brush to clean. Ultrasonic cleaners are also usually safe. With Amethyst gemstones and jewelry you should avoid prolonged exposure to extreme heat as prolonged exposure can cause color change.