Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Gem of the Week: Garnet

Garnet
Garnet is a naturally occurring gemstone and a family of related minerals, rather than a single gemstone. Each variety of garnet has a common crystal structure, however only clear can be used in gemstone therapy. Color: Ranges in color from colorless to black. 

Garnet Gemstone
Garnets have been used since the Bronze Age as both gemstones and abrasives in the refinement of other gemstones.   
The rarest of Garnets is the elusive Blue Garnet which was only discovered in the 1990's in Madagascar. Blue Garnets have a unique ability to change color under different lighting, in the sunlight they look blue, but under incandescent light, they look purple. 
 
Garnets were used as decorative gemstones all over Europe from Roman Era Mediterranean to Anglo-Saxon England. 

Garnet is used industrially as an abrasive for finishing various products like cabinets. Garnet is also used in filtration after being ground to a fine sand. Garnet plays a role in many industrial sand blasting processes and can be used. with high pressure water jets, to cut steal.  

Garnet is January's birthstone.  

Monday, December 23, 2013

Gem of the Week: Fluorite

Fluorite Gemstone
Fluorite gemstones are important balancers and healers. Fluorite opens the heart and the mind, which assist in producing clarity. Color: Blue, Chinese Rainbow, Clear, Purple, Yellow, Lavender, Green. 

Fluorite Gemstone 

Fluorite has many properties beyond being beautiful. It glows under ultraviolet light and can be carved into almost any shape. Fluorite is used in smelting as a cleaning agent and is used in microscopes and telescopes because of its low dispersion. 
Fluorite is named after the Latin for flow, as it was first used in smelting to decrease viscosity. Later, fluorite gave it's name to fluorescence as it occurs in the stones, and when the element Fluorine was discovered the name was used again. 
Fluorite comes in almost every color, though it is most common are purple, blue, and green. 
    

Saturday, December 21, 2013

Gem of the Week: Chrysocolla

Chrysocolla Gemstone
Chrysocolla is attractive blue-green that provides a unique color to the mineral world. It can help with the home life and rebuilding relationships of all kinds, family & friends alike. It can help ease heartache, and give renewed strength.

Chrysocolla Gemstone 

Chrysocolla occurs in areas where copper oxidizes.This process gives chrysocolla it's bright blue-green color. Sometimes confused with turquoise, this stone has unique ring patterns that happen during formation. The stone was first used in 315 BCE by the Greeks, and is often found in Israel, Congo, Chile, England, and southwestern United States.       

Saturday, December 14, 2013

Snow!

Just a little reminder to all in the area, stay safe! Our roads are pretty well kept by Wauconda's wonderful Public Works employees, but still be careful when you're outside, whether it's walking the dog or shoveling the driveway.
Need some warm outerwear for the winter? DreamScapes has your number. Pick from our huge selection of scarves, hats, and gloves. Find a unique winter statement by picking out a handmade scarf or hat. Or get that tech-addict on your list some tech gloves that let them use touch screens even when it's cold. We'll be glad to see you, so stop by!

Gem of the Week: Citrine

Citrine Gemstone
Citrine crystals can form together with amethyst to form ametrine and bi-colored quartz. Citrine assists in unwinding tension and increasing flexibility in the body. This then encourages your body to relax and move into alignment. Color: Yellow



Citrine is part of the quartz family like amethyst, jasper, and tigers eye. It's color ranges from yellow to brown. Natural Citrine is rare. Most commercial Citrine stones are man made by heating amethysts or smoky quartz. When cut, Citrine is almost identical to yellow topaz, their hardness being the defining difference. Citrine is produced in Brazil and is one of the traditional birthstones of November. The stone derives its name from the latin for yellow after its coloring. .  

Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Gem of the Week: Carnelian

Carnelian

Carnelian is a member of the chalcedony quartz. This gemstone provides the wearer with confidence, initiative, and assertiveness, by revitalizing your being. Carnelian gemstones enhances mental clarity and positive emotions, promoting a brighter outlook. Carnelian helps bring your aspirations, by teaching you to balance your higher and lower energies. Aids in the balancing of creativity and mental processes. Color: Orange, Yellow, Red.


Carnelian Gemstone      

Carnelian is a semi-precious gem stone found in Brazil, India, Siberia, and Germany. It is also known as Sard as the differences between the stones are minimal. Carnelian jewelry has been found that dates back to bronze age Crete during the Minoan civilization. It was often used as engraving gems especially for official seal rings as Carnelian does not stick to hot wax. Carnelian was used across the Mediterranean World.

The name Carnelian is a corruption of the 14th century word for cornel cherry which shares it's color with the stone. It's other name, Sard, is most likely derived from the Persian word for yellowish-red.