Peridot, the 'gem of the sun'

Peridot is the birthstone for those whose birthday falls in the month of August, and for those born under the star sign of  Libra

Shining with a bright green glow even at night, Peridot was called the “gem of the sun” by the ancient Egyptians and the “evening Emerald” by Romans. Peridot was the favorite gemstone of Cleopatra.
Peridot is mentioned in the Bible along with other gems as part of the fabled Breastplates of the Jewish High Priest Aaron. The Crusaders brought Peridot to Central Europe in the Middle Ages,  where it is found in many medieval churches.

The largest cut Peridot  was found on the island Zabargad (St John) in the Red Sea, weighting 310ct. It currently resides in the Smithsonian Institution in Washington D.C.
In Russia there are several examples of  Peridots cut from crystals found in meteorites. One specifically  which came down in eastern Siberia in 1749.

Peridot 8x8 Square, 3.24 carats

Now only:
R 834.90

Peridot while an enticing colour is not especially hard - 6.5-7 on the Moh's scale, so care should be taken in the design of jewellery it is intended for.
Colour
Intense, deep saturated green shade are the most popular colour at present. while pastel tones have from time to time been popular as fashions dictates. The best colored examples contain in addition to iron, trace amounts of  chromium which impart an almost Emerald appearance to the stones
Lighting
Peridot looks best in natural sunlight where the true beauty of the gems simple sparkles. In artificial light some of this intrinsic fire is lost.

Clarity
Peridot is a transparent commonly eye clean stone, and as such there is no reason to purchase an included example. Peridot cat's eye (Chatoyancy) and star peridot (Asterism showing a four rayed star) are known, but uncommon.
Cut
Simple table and step cuts are popular (octagons and rectangles). Sometimes Peridot gets a brilliant cut especially if the stone is somewhat paler than normal, and a more intense lustre is required.

Peridot 10.00mm Round, 4.74 carats

Now
R 2,196.15

For more Peridot and other gemstones, visit our website at www.touchstonegems.co.za

 

Fools Gold - Marcasite

We recently added some Marcasite to our gemstone inventory due to an increasing demand for cheaper gold alternatives in jewellery.  Silver handmade jewellery is also making a big fashion comeback with celebrities and the public alike commissioning custom jewellery for special events (Tour de France for example). 

Marcasite jewellery and Marcasite gemstones are actually made from Pyrite (Iron Pyrites) and are and have been since historical time incorrectly called Marcasite. While Marcasite is a mineral in its own right it is wholly unsuitable for jewellery due to its brittle nature. The name Pyrite is derived from the Greek word for fire, producing sparks in a similar manner to flint when knocked.  

Marcasite jewellery reached its high point in the Victoria era in sterling silver jewellery pieces and again in the hands of the Art Nouveau designers of the day. A resurgence in recent years in silver jewellery as a fashionable alternative to gold, has seemn Marcasite jump back on to the design radar.

Pyrite due to its similarity to gold is often called "Fools Gold" and is tin-white to pale golden yellow in colour.  It is 6-6.5 on the Mohs Scale of hardness, so only suitable for jewellery pieces where there is little or no chance of damage from everyday wear.

Marcasites were enormously popular in Victorian jewelry for the way in which they were able to capture the sparkle of candlelight.  Most Victorian jewellery consisted of a deep red Garnet or Ruby surrounded by Marcasites.

Marcasite gems or pyrite are steeped in lore and tradition. They are thought to be able to discharge negative energy, improve one’s communication abilities, and protect those who perform dangerous jobs. Such lore tends to be the result of pagan traditions.

Buy marcasite 'smalls' for delecate jewellery pieces from Touchstone Gems:  We have from 1.00mm round to 2.00mm round in stock, plus 1.50x1.50mm and 2.00x2.00mm squares in stock.