Everyone knows that each month has its own birthstone/s and many of you may know what they are. Those of you familiar with August’s birthstones are aware that peridot and Sardonyx represent the summer month, with the latter stone being the original birthstone and the former being added later on before becoming the month’s primary […]
Tag Archives: sardonyx
Art from Outer Space
Art from Outer Space Formed by the most powerful forces in the universe, meteorites can often seem like works of art. James Hyslop, Head of Science & Natural History in London, selects highlights from Deep Impact: Martian, Lunar and Other Rare Meteorites. 1 The Canyon Diablo: blending art and science This Canyon Diablo meteorite […]
Sardonyx and Onyx in History
The historical uses for Sardonyx and Onyx consists of a long history of use for hardstone carving and jewelry, where it is usually cut as a cabochon or into beads. It has also been used for intaglio and hardstone cameo engraved gems, where the bands make the image contrast with the ground. Some onyx is […]
Sardonyx – The Flower Red Poppy
Sardonyx – The Flower Red Poppy The Sardonyx is the birthstone of August and its related flower is called the red poppy, a strong and wild species. This meaning that if you have a baby and he/she is born between the 23 July and the 23 of August he/she will be associated with the elements of protection […]
The Rich History of Sardonyx
Sardonyx combines alternating layers of sard and onyx—two types of the layered mineral chalcedony—to create a reddish zebra-striped stone with white bands. Its name, similarly, combines sard (referencing the ancient Persian city, Sardis, in present-day Turkey, where the red stone was found) with onyx (from the Greek word of the same spelling, which meant “nail […]
Sardonyx and What You need to Know Before You Buy
Before you consider purchasing August’s alternative birthstone, let’s get in to the differences between what you can come across in the marketplace. An educated buyer is always a better buyer! Sard and Sardonyx The terms sard and sardonyx are often subject to confusion in the gemstone world. Do they refer to the same gemstone? How […]
The History of Peridot
Peridot jewelry dates back as far as the second millennium BC. These ancient Egyptian gems came from deposits on a small volcanic island in the Red Sea called Topazios, now known as St. John’s Island or Zabargad.Ancient Egyptians called peridot the “gem of the sun,” believing it protected its wearer from terrors of the night. […]
How to Choose The Best Peridot For You
Peridot is readily available for many types of jewelry. It can be very affordable and attractive, even in normal commercial qualities. Peridot can also come in large sizes and very intense colors to satisfy the most discriminating colored gemstone connoisseur. Color Peridot’s color ranges from pure green to yellowish green to greenish yellow. The finest […]
August Birthstone: Peridot…But That’s Not the Only One!
If fire appears to leap from the vibrant green surface of the Peridot, this may be because this gem is formed as a result of volcanic activity. Many years ago, natives discovered Peridot crystals in the black sands of Hawaii, explaining their presence as tears shed by Pele, the volcano goddess. Throughout history, August’s birthstone has […]
The Other August Birthstone
August is just around the corner…already… and that means the Peridot your birthstone if your birthday falls within that month. So many people have told me how they feel ripped off, even my daughter, when it comes to their birthstones. They think that it’s the ugliest of them all. I’m not here to change that […]